UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 07 | Apr. 5, 2001

Digest

Pools on wheels

A free carpool ride-matching system is available via the UBC TREK Program Centre Web site at www.trek.ubc.ca. Students, staff, and faculty can find rides and passengers easily and instantly to share and reduce their commuting costs and stress.

The university's goal is to reduce single occupancy vehicles coming to campus by 20 per cent.

The envelope please

A new professorship in the Faculty of Applied Science will help prepare future architects and engineers for the challenges in design and construction of building envelopes.

The Polygon Adjunct Professorship in Building Science will build on existing strengths at UBC and is aimed at forging closer ties with the activities and research of professionals in the provincial building industry.

It is funded by a partnership between UBC, Polygon Homes Ltd., and Forintek Canada Corp. Both industry partners have been active in helping to seek solutions to the envelope failure issue that affects so many B.C. homeowners.

The initiative will be led by the Civil Engineering Dept. and the School of Architecture in the Faculty of Applied Science. The Dept. of Wood Science in the Faculty of Forestry will also be involved.

Polygon donated $135,000 and Forintek provided $60,000 to establish the position.

So accommodating

The name of the UBC Conference Centre has changed to Conferences and Accommodation at the University of British Columbia.

The name change accompanies a refreshed visual identity for the accommodation properties which include Walter Gage Commons and Towers, Totem Park and Place Vanier Residences. They will now be promoted as the West Coast Suites, The Gage Towers at UBC, The Residences at UBC and Pacific Spirit Hostel respectively.

The West Coast Suites are available year-round. The other facilities are open to the public from May to August, when students have moved out of the residences.

"We provide extensive on campus accommodation, meeting space and exhibit facilities for visitors and groups," says Trish Brown, director of sales and marketing.

Accommodations range from dormitory or hostel-style rooms to full suites. Group rates are available as are UBC discounts for individual visitors on some room types.

For more information call 604-822-1000, or visit www.ubcconferences.com.