Dear members of the UBC community. I hope your summer is going well.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
As I mentioned in my last update in June, we are planning a phased approach to the return to campus this fall, and we will be providing updates over the course of the summer.
This week, a reminder that all employees are required to complete mandatory online COVID-19 safety training before resuming on-campus activities, or as soon as possible if you are already working on campus.
The training modules are available at wpl.ubc.ca. There may also be a site-specific orientation required by your supervisor or department. If you’re returning to campus, you are also required to follow the COVID-19 Campus Rules.
You can find more information at covid19.ubc.ca slash campus-return-plan.
I am pleased to announce an exciting new partnership between UBC and Black Opportunity Fund.
Black Opportunity Fund is a partnership between the Black community, businesses, philanthropists, government, and foundations, with a mission of raising a permanent pool of capital to empower the Black community.
The partnership supports the UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program, launching this fall, to provide access to a range of opportunities for Black students at UBC, from awards to mentorship, internships, leadership conferences and networking opportunities while on campus.
Through the participation of the supporters of Black Opportunity Fund, students will also have access to opportunities for collaboration, leadership, and the exchange of ideas, both within the program and as they transition into life after university.
To mark the launch of the partnership, Black Opportunity Fund is establishing two full-ride awards for Black students to attend UBC.
We are honoured to be working with Black Opportunity Fund to help give Black students access to a life-changing education.
My unsung hero shout-out this week goes to Dr. Nora Angeles, an Associate Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning, and the Institute for Gender, Race Sexuality and Social Justice. Besides being a well-respected teacher and researcher, she is active in the Filipino-Canadian community both locally and nationally.
She is currently President of the National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre and an informal advisor to the Philippines Ambassador to Canada. Dr. Angeles has been instrumental in advancing Philippine Studies along with increasing visibility and inspiring the voices of the Filipino community in Canada; especially marginalized Filipino youth and young Filipino-Canadian activists, academic scholars, policy makers and community organizers. Dr. Angeles, thank you for everything you do.
Stay safe and best wishes.
Santa J. Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor