UBC News Digest

The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC people, research, learning, community, and internationalization initiatives. News Digest past issues are also available on-line.

Feb. 20, 2003

• CUPE 2278 TAs to withdraw services
• Professor honoured with prestigious international award
• Axworthy to host forum on the war on terrorism
• UBC Students Vote For U-Pass

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CUPE 2278 TAs to withdraw services

CUPE 2278 has announced that their members will completely withdraw services from UBC on Monday, February 24, 2003 at one minute after midnight.

Current information indicates that pickets will run from 0700 to 1700, but the planned location of the pickets is not known.

Human Resources advises staff to keep informed as much as possible by listening to news reports, or checking www.ubc.ca or their union website.

The other CUPE unions on campus, 116 and 2950, are still in mediation. CUPE 116 is in mediated discussions with the University today, and another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, February 21, 2003).

CUPE 2950 is taking their strike vote February 20, and are scheduled to be in mediation Wednesday, February 26 and Thursday, February 27, 2003.

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Professor honoured with prestigious international award

Professor emeritus Dr. David Hardwick has been awarded the Gold Medal of the International Academy of Pathology.

Awarded every two years, the honour recognizes individuals who have contributed international service to the academy and to the field of pathology in the areas of education, research, and service.

An international authority in pathology, Hardwick was instrumental in establishing the Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as one of the faculty's strongest academic assets. In addition, his leadership led to the development of new laboratory facilities in each of the major teaching hospitals. Committed to students, he served as an adviser in the Faculty of Medicine for 26 years prior to his retirement in 1999 and was instrumental in creating UBC's Medical Student and Alumni Centre.

Hardwick, who joined UBC in 1969 and is now a special advisor on planning for the faculty, was given the first UBC Alumni Citation Award in 1990 for his role in founding B.C.'s Children's Hospital. He received an honorary degree from the university in 2001.

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Axworthy to host forum on the war on terrorism

Lloyd Axworthy, director of UBC's Liu Institute for Global Studies, will be hosting a public forum on Canada's role in the war on terrorism on Monday, February 24. from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights United Church.

This panel discussion will explore the humanitarian impact of military intervention in Iraq and the need for stabilization of the region.

Joining Axworthy to discuss what Canada's policy should be towards a war on Iraq will be several leading experts on foreign policy, international security and U.S./Canada relations. They include UBC political science professors Richard Price, Barbara Arneil and Colin Campbell, Canada Research Chair in US Government and Politics, and SFU political science professor Douglas Ross,

Shaughnessy Heights United Church is located at 1550 West 33rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC. All are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Brenda Argue, Tel: 604 822 9957, E-mail: brenda.argue@ubc.ca, Web: www.ligi.ubc.ca

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UBC Students Vote For U-Pass

In the highest voter turnout in the history of the University of British Columbia, students voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass).

More than 15,000 people came out to vote, with 10,742 in favour.

"I am extremely pleased that students came out in force to endorse a transit plan that will have significant financial benefits for students," said Tara Learn, VP External of the Alma Mater Society.

The pass will cost $20 per month and will be mandatory for all students. With regular one-zone fare cards costing $63 per month, the $20 U-Pass price tag constitutes considerable savings. In addition, TransLink has committed to increasing the number of service hours to UBC by 23,000 per year.

Pass holders will be entitled to unlimited use of TransLink buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus services within the GVRD from September through April. U-Pass holders will also have free access to campus shuttles, bicycle and carpool programs, merchant discounts and a guaranteed ride home in an emergency.

"This is a great start for our community, especially since U-Pass is more than just a bus pass," said Gord Lovegrove, UBC's director of Transportation Planning.

"In the near future, we see the full U-Pass program being offered to students, staff, faculty and their families all year round. The variety of transportation options afforded by the pass will make it a true universal transportation pass program, benefiting all UBC commuters and campus residents."

First discussed in 1996, this successful referendum represents the culmination of years of effort by the Alma Mater Society (AMS), the university and TransLink to create an affordable and accessible transit pass for UBC students.

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