UBC This Week | Thursday, September 10, 2009

UBC This Week is a weekly summary of UBC people in the news, recent media releases and upcoming event highlights. UBC This Week past issues are also available on-line.

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Recent UBC Media Releases

Upcoming Event Highlights

Find out what else is happening at UBC this week. For sports events, visit the UBC Athletics site at www.gothunderbirds.ca/schedule.

UBC People

UBC’s first annual Town Hall meeting

UBC students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend the first annual Town Hall and join Prof. Stephen J. Toope for an update on the UBC Strategic Plan and other major initiatives.

Vancouver campus
Date: Sept. 18
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1p.m.
Place: TELUS Studio Theatre, The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Okanagan campus
Date: Sept. 23
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: University Centre Ballroom (UC 200)

The Town Halls are a forum for dialogue and a new way for our campus communities to learn about strategic initiatives at the University.

The Town Halls, along with the President’s Blue and Gold Review in December, replace the Annual General Meeting.

For more information, contact UBC Public Affairs at public.affairs@ubc.ca

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What can you do from here?

Along with the launch of the UBC brand, UBC has a new community-powered website: www.aplaceofmind.ca

It’s an open forum for you to tell your stories and to contribute ideas, events and news. The site is built with user-generated content and relies on contributions from members of the community.

Add your ideas and ask the community to help realize them. Your big idea may win you an iPod Touch.

How to contribute:

1) Share your “From Here” story in the “Add Your Voice” section of the main page. Speak up on what you’ve managed to do at UBC and what you’d like to accomplish.
2) Comment, comment, comment. If you have a thought that expands the discussion, or an angle that you think hasn’t been addressed, send it in.
3) Share with people you know. The larger the community, the better the results, so if you see a photo/video/story/comment, link your network to it. Word-of-mouth is always good, too.
4) You’ll notice the new website bar on the ubc.ca redesign has a button for the tagline “a place of mind” – this is the place for your unit and your Faculty to highlight their own stories on their pages and have them feed directly into the community site.

For more information, contact public.affairs@ubc.ca.

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UBC Okanagan staff honoured for excellence

Five staff members at UBC Okanagan were honoured with the second annual Staff Awards of Excellence in the categories of customer service, leadership, sustainability and community engagement. The first Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Award was presented to an individual who makes an exceptional contribution to the UBC Okanagan campus and the community at large.

Leanne Bilodeau, Manager of Workplace Health and Sustainability, received the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Award in recognition of the many projects and programs she has organized to promote healthy living and sustainability.
Bud Mortenson, Communications Coordinator, Alumni and University Relations, received the Community Engagement Award for his dedication, talent and passion for telling the UBC Okanagan story. His efforts have ensured people from local to international level know about the research and work being done by the UBC Okanagan community.
Roger Bizzotto, Manager of Facilities, received the Leadership Award for his role in the ongoing and rapid development at UBC Okanagan. He works closely with the community and community partners on projects that include infrastructure upgrades and new construction.
Wendy Mohns, Faculty Administrator in Creative and Critical Studies, received the Customer Service Award. She is responsible for services including budget management, human resources, administrative tasks, and faculty and student support.
Barbara Lucente, Faculty Assistant to the Barber Arts and Sciences Unit 2, received the Customer Service Award. Lucente is described as an efficient, organized, positive, friendly colleague who maintains a high level of professionalism while fostering an atmosphere of warmth.

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UBC Films featured in Toronto International FIlm Festival

Five films by the UBC Film Production Program alumni and faculty are part of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

UBC alumnus, director Dylan Akio Smith’s (BA 2000) short film Big Head is slated to screen before Year of the Carnivoire, the opening film of the Canada First! Programme. Big Head also showcases the talents of UBC alumni producer Sidney Chiu (BA 2002), and cinematographer James Liston (BA 1999).

Also in the lineup is UBC alumnus director/writer Bruce Sweeney’s newest feature Excited, edited by UBC instructor Rafi Spivak, and Reginald Harkema’s (BA 1990) feature Leslie, My Name is Evil.

Cinematographer Catherine Lutes (BFA 2003) has two short films: The Armoire by UBC alumnus director/writer Jamie Travis (BFA 2003), and Man Vs. Minivan.

For more information, visit http://www.film.ubc.ca/film_production/press_releases.shtml.

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UBC professors lead committee for World Congress on Huntington’s Disease

The 2009 World Congress on Huntington’s Disease to be held in Vancouver is organized by a committee led by Drs. Michael Hayden and Blair Leavitt from the UBC Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute.

Presentations will feature recent advances in genetics and the disease mechanisms of Huntington Disease (HD), recent approaches to developing experimental treatments, and the latest findings from clinical trials. Caregivers and international HD organizations will also present, with sessions on social, historical and ethical perspectives of HD.

Date: Sept. 12 – 15
Place: Westin Bayshore
Info: www.worldcongress-hd.net

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UBC hosts Welcome Back Staff BBQ

The President’s Office and Human Resources Dept. will host the UBC Welcome Back Staff BBQ to welcome staff at the Vancouver campus to the new academic year. The event will feature a complimentary BBQ lunch by UBC Catering, live entertainment by Latin band Tanga and information booths from groups across UBC.

Date: Sept. 15
Time: 11:30 am. – 1:30 p.m.
Place: Flagpole Plaza
Info: http://www.ceremonies.ubc.ca/staffbbq/ or communications@hr.ubc.ca

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International volunteer opportunities for UBC staff

UBC and Uniterra – one of Canada’s largest international development organizations – are accepting applications from UBC staff for the Leave for Change program. The program offers diverse volunteer opportunities overseas in places such as Bolivia, Botswana, Ghana, Nepal and more. UBC is committed to sending up to six staff volunteers per year.

For travel chronicles of last year’s participants, eligibility criteria, program details, and application instructions, visit www.hr.ubc.ca/leaveforchange/. Applications are now being accepted until Oct. 30. A Focus on People booth will also provide program information in person at the UBC Welcome Back Staff barbeque from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 15.

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MOA presents Mashup

moa_mashupThe Museum of Anthropology presents Mashup, an event featuring performance artists Jamie Friffiths, Martha Carter and her dance troupe mmHoP, DJ Jacob Cino of Third Eye Tribe, and a live drawing performance by visual artist Numangatini Mackenzie aka The Noble Savage.

Date: Sept. 17
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Place: Museum of Anthropology, 6393 N.W. Marine Drive
Info: http://www.moa.ubc.ca/programs/index.php
Free admission. Cash bar

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