UBC commits to more services for permanent campus residents

The University of British Columbia will provide residents of Hampton
Place, an on-campus residential development, and future permanent
residents of the campus with greater access to university services
and facilities as part of an Official Community Plan (OCP) for the
UBC area.

The commitment is contained in a report to the Greater Vancouver
Regional District (GVRD) outlining how the university will provide
required social and community services for residents under an OCP.

“This is an important step in building a greater sense of community
at UBC,” said UBC President David Strangway. “We are fully committed
to strengthening the relationship between the campus and all of
our neighbours.”

“This OCP recognizes UBC’s relationships with and impact on the
Greater Vancouver community, our responsibility to ensure these
relationships are positive, and our commitment to create a campus
community that serves the best interests of students, the people
of Greater Vancouver, and the people of British Columbia,” said
Shirley Chan, chair of UBC’s Board of Governors.

Following a four-month consultation process which included the
appointment of a community services consultant, the formation of
a community-based committee to study UBC’s community services, and
four public meetings, UBC will implement the following measures:

– Immediate creation of a Hampton Place/UBC Community Services
Joint Steering Committee to consider and advise on implementation
of various services for current and future permanent residents.

– Provision of UBC Library services as part of the UBC Services
Levy already paid by permanent residents. Preliminary discussions
have been held between the UBC Library and the Vancouver Public
Library on the possibility of providing joint services.

– Establishment of a preferred rate for permanent campus residents
for access to UBC recreational facilities.

– Appointment of one permanent campus resident to the eight-member
University Athletics Council, which deals with athletics and recreation,
to allow input on programs, budgeting and other matters.

– Establishment of a preferred rental rate for community centre-type
space for meetings sponsored by permanent campus residents.

– Beginning this fiscal year, an annual allocation of 8.3 per cent
of the UBC Services Levy for future development of a community facility,
as envisioned in the OCP.

– A General Capital Reserve Fund will be established immediately
and maintained annually from a portion of the UBC Services Levy.

– The university will construct a bus shelter opposite the main
entrance of Hampton Place to serve riders heading toward Vancouver.
A bus bay, sized for BC Transit, already exists in this location.

– UBC will continue to provide the maintenance of roads, curbs,
gutters and sidewalks at Hampton Place.

– The university will publish and distribute an annual accounting
of the UBC Services Levy, with copies distributed to all strata
councils at Hampton Place.

– UBC will consider giving permanent campus residents access to
the adjacent child-care facilities on the same basis as faculty
members. Access will be contingent on construction of another child-care
facility, which has been given approval to proceed subject to fundraising.
The university is prepared to make a one-time capital contribution
for the project from the UBC Services Levy reserve.

– The university will publish a regular newsletter addressed to
all permanent campus residents to help build a sense of community
and to keep them informed about campus activities.

Work on an OCP for the UBC area began in December 1994 upon the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the university
and the GVRD. The OCP received third-reading approval by the GVRD
Board of Directors last November.

UBC and the GVRD have also received a commitment from the Minister
of Municipal Affairs to undertake a governance study for all of
Electoral Area “A” including UBC and the University Endowment Lands.

UBC and its Board of Governors fully support the governance study,
and are eager to see the development of one that recognizes the
unique mission of UBC and its obligations under the University Act,
along with provincial interests. UBC would also like to see the
terms of reference and composition of the Governance Study Committee
develop through full consultation with the university’s community
of students, faculty, staff, and residents, as well as residents
of Electoral Area “A.”

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