UBC Reports | Vol. 46 | No. 17 | November
2, 2000
AGM celebrates UBC innovators
President singles out creative contributions of staff, faculty and
students
UBC is making great strides in its trek to become Canada's premier
university, according to information reported to more than 400 students,
staff and faculty at the third campus annual general meeting. The
meeting was held last week at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.
UBC President Martha Piper credited staff, faculty and student
innovators for their creative contributions in helping to achieve the
university's goals as stated in Trek 2000, UBC's vision
document.
"Innovators create a kind of magic," says Piper. "They change institutions by
affecting others around them -- engendering pride and permitting others
to celebrate and revel in their success. The result is a sense of confidence
that we can be the best we can be."
Piper and Terry Sumner, vice-president, Administration and Finance, reported on
the university's financial position and progress made in implementing the
university's vision.
Highlights of the 1999/2000 fiscal year include an increase in the provincial
government grant to UBC that has helped eliminate budget cuts on campus
for the first time in 12 years, record federal research funding of $68 million
from the Canada Foundation for Innovation--the largest amount awarded to any
Canadian institution -- and the establishment of 160 new research chairs valued
at $120 million over five years.
In addition Piper cited the academic plan, the Learning Exchange in Vancouver's
Downtown Eastside and a new alumni office in Hong Kong as examples
of the year's innovations, along with programs such as the Faculty of Arts
Foundations program, the new Master of Software Systems, and the combined
Applied Science and Arts degree.
UBC's revenues for the year were close to $836 million with an operating
surplus of $2 million. The provincial operating grant accounted for 33.5 per
cent or $280 million of the total.
Domestic student tuition fees were frozen in 1999/2000 for the fourth year in a
row at 1996/97 levels. The provincial government recently announced the tuition
fee freeze will be extended to 2001/2002.
The university provided $26 million in scholarships, fellowships and bursaries,
up five per cent from the previous year.
The funding gap for student instruction continues to be an issue, says Piper,
with the gap between the cost of education and resources available for the four
established B.C. universities totalling more than $35 million.
Presentations celebrated the innovations of the late Michael Smith, Nobel
laureate, award-winning Music Prof. Rena Sharon, facilities manager George
McLaughlin, a recipient of the President's Service Award for Excellence, and
the Youth Millennium Project which encourages youth around the world to discuss
and act upon global issues.
Alma Mater Society President Maryann Adamec highlighted the contributions of
student innovators including students involved in the Natural Food Co-op and
Arts students who put forth a design proposal that resulted in increased social
space.
The 13 student athletes, staff and faculty who participated in the
recent 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney were also recognized.
UBC's senior administration attended the meeting along with Linda
Thorstad, the vice-chair, External on the Board of Governors and Prof. Doug
Kilburn, former director of UBC's Biotechnology Laboratory.
Audience questions included queries and comments about campus morale,
compensation packages for new faculty and tuition fees for international
students.
Members of the business community received an update on UBC innovators
from Piper and UBC Computer Science Prof. Gregor Kiczales at a meeting
of Vancouver's Board of Trade, held Oct. 31.
Copies of UBC's annual report are available through the Public
Affairs Office at (604) UBC-INFO or on the Web at
www.ubc.ca/annualreport.
Anyone who sends in feedback on UBC's Annual Report through the on-line
evaluation form has a chance to win a Palm V donated by the UBC
Bookstore. The winner will be chosen Nov. 30.
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