UBC's 15-member Board of Governors comprises the chancellor, the president, eight persons appointed by the lieutenant-governor, two faculty members elected by faculty, two full-time students elected by students and one person elected by and from the full-time employees of the university who are not faculty members.
By legislation, the board is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university including the appointment of senior officials and faculty on the recommendation of the president.
The governors represent diverse backgrounds which provide valuable input during board deliberations. Decisions are made in support of UBC's mission to be the best university in Canada and one of the world's finest public universities.
There are currently two vacancies on the board.
Larry Bell, board chair, is vice-chair of Shato Holdings Ltd., a food services company, and chair of its subsidiary White Spot Ltd. A graduate of UBC, Bell served the province as secretary to the B.C. Treasury Board, and deputy minister of: Housing and Transit; Lands, Parks and Housing; and Finance. In 1991 Bell's management innovations were recognized with the Vanier Medal Award of Excellence from the Institute of Public Administration.
Linda Crompton, a UBC alumna and president and chief executive officer of Citizens Bank of Canada, is known in the business community for her strong commitment to social issues. Crompton is an advocate for corporate responsibility and ethical business practice.
Joanne Emerman, a professor of Anatomy and associate dean, Research, in the Faculty of Medicine, is active in the Faculty Development Mentoring Network and the advisory committee for the Women's Resources Centre. She is also chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the British Columbia Health Research Foundation.
Stephen Howard, director of communications and research for the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU), is a graduate of Simon Fraser University. He is also a member of CoDevelopment Canada, a Vancouver-based international development agency.
M. Patricia Marchak, a professor of Anthropology and Sociology and a former UBC dean of Arts, is a faculty associate with the Institute for Resources and Environment and a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies. She is president of the Humanities and Social Sciences Academy of the Royal Society of Canada.
Tieg Martin, a fourth-year Arts student aims to improve communication with students and help them better understand how the university works.
Guninder C. Mumick manages the Multicultural Health Education/Promotion program of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board and has extensive experience in adult education and administration. Her expertise lies in working with diverse populations, especially in the health system, and international and intercultural communication.
Martha Piper, president and vice-chancellor of UBC, is a member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. She is also on the board of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology.
Ben Pong is a computer specialist at the UBC Bookstore and secretary-treasurer of CUPE Local 116.
William Sauder, chancellor of the university, is a UBC graduate and chair of International Forest Products and Sauder Industries Limited. He was a member of UBC's Board of Governors from 1981 to 1987, and served as chair of the board for two years.
Linda Thorstad was educated at UBC and specializes in strategic planning, communications and business development. She is currently president of the UBC Alumni Association and is on the board of Science World. In 1996, Thorstad was named YWCA Woman of Distinction for Management and the Professions.
Joe Wai, a UBC alumnus and architect, designed the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver. Wai's practice reflects his interests in social and seniors' housing as well as community and cultural projects.
Maili Wong is a fourth-year Commerce student. She also sits on the Commerce Undergraduate Society student council and is a member of the faculty's Portfolio Management Foundation program where she helps manage a $2-million securities portfolio.