UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 02 | Jan. 25, 2001

Pavlich appointed VP, Legal and External Affairs

Fund-raising functions to move to Administration and Finance portfolio

Law Prof. Dennis Pavlich, university counsel at the University of British Columbia, has been appointed to a new portfolio of responsibilities as vice-president, Legal and External Affairs, effective Feb. 1, UBC President Martha Piper has announced.

"Dennis is not only known for his extraordinary legal mind and abilities, he is also respected for an impressive record of relating, and translating, to our external communities," says Piper.

At the same time, Piper announced a re-organization of the university's fund-raising function that will see the development, business relations and advancement services units move from the External Affairs portfolio to that of vice-president, Administration and Finance, Terry Sumner.

"This move recognizes that the phenomenal achievements of our Development Office have grown from one-time campaigns to become an ongoing, powerful and predictable revenue stream that is a key support for our goal to be Canada's top university," Piper says.

Pavlich's responsibilities will include legal affairs, government relations, international relations, public affairs, the Chan Centre at UBC, and university relations (which includes the Ceremonies Office and the Downtown Eastside Learning Exchange).

Piper cited Pavlich's intense involvement in a range of university governance issues, his leadership in creating UBC's Comprehensive Community Plan in collaboration with the GVRDand the City of Vancouver, and the role he has played in provincial and federal government relations.

"He has been an eloquent spokesperson and a thoughtful, respected adviser on some of the most challenging issues we have ever faced," Piper says. "He has shown a commitment to this university that is incredibly deep."

Pavlich has been university counsel since 1999, and served as associate vice-president, Academic and Legal Affairs, from 1995 to 1999. A graduate of the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and Yale University, he came to UBCin 1975 as an assistant professor of Law. His area of specialization is property and condominium issues.

His appointment follows an extensive national search conducted by a committee of senior university and community leaders.

Pavlich takes over from Dr. Chuck Slonecker, who has been acting vice-president, External Affairs. Slonecker, who teaches in the Anatomy Dept., will continue in his position as director of University Relations.

"I want to thank Chuck for his inspiring leadership and wise counsel during a critical growth period in the life of this university," Piper says.