A draft “green paper” that outlines the basis of UBC’s vision for the 21st
century is being circulated for discussion both on campus and in the greater
community.
The green paper, the first draft of the university’s new vision statement, was
developed following extensive consultation with members of the university
community, UBC alumni and the general public.
“We’ve spent the last several months listening to what people have to say about
their university, the role UBC plays in their lives and in their communities.
The green paper reflects to a great extent what we’ve heard,” said UBC
President Martha Piper.
UBC is redefining its vision in light of societal changes such as increasing
globalization, the rapid expansion of information technology and the growing
integration of academic fields of study. The ultimate goal is to become
Canada’s finest public university.
“Our predecessors had a vision for UBC, and more importantly, they had the
courage — through the Great Trek of 1922 — to enact that vision,” Piper said.
“I believe that today, to some degree, we have the same opportunity to create
and enact a vision for UBC that will have as much impact on our second 100
years as the Great Trek had on our first.”
The green paper identifies five major goals:
- to attract and retain outstanding faculty, students and staff;
- to offer students an intellectually challenging education that takes
advantage of our unique research environment and provides programs that are
international in scope, interactive in process and interdisciplinary in content
and approach. Graduates of these programs will have strong critical thinking,
communication and teamwork skills; - to enhance UBC’s research capacity, strengthen its research performance and
advance its reputation as the leading research university in Canada and one of
the leading research universities in the world; - to collaborate with local and regional communities to foster intellectual,
social, cultural and economic development in the Vancouver region and the
province of B.C.; - to participate as an active member of the society of the 21st century by
educating future citizens to think globally and by advancing international
scholarship and research.
Each goal is integrated with certain defining principles. There are 34
strategies associated with the goals.
The green paper was the focus of a campus forum held April 3 in the Chan Centre
for the Performing Arts.
About 200 members of the university community gathered to hear presentations
from Piper and a panel made up of Vivian Hoffmann, president of the Alma Mater
Society, Robert Blake, president of the Faculty Association, Sarah Dench,
president of the Association of Administrative and Professional Staff, and
community consultant Judy Kirk.
A meeting downtown was held later that day for members of the Community
Advisory Council. These representatives of government, business, labor and
cultural groups are also providing input as the university develops a new
vision. This was their second of three meetings.
As well, Piper recently traveled to Victoria, Prince George, Kamloops and
Kelowna seeking input from representatives of the provincial and municipal
governments, the presidents of post-secondary institutions, business leaders,
high school students and UBC alumni.
Comments on the green paper should be received by mid-May. The campus and
community consultations will culminate in the creation of a vision statement
which will be drafted by mid-June. It will go to the university Senate and
Board of Governors for approval in September and October.
Copies of the green paper are available at the President’s Office and on the
World Wide Web at www.vision.ubc.ca.
Comments about the contents of the green paper can be made by e-mail to
vision@exchange.ubc.ca, fax 604-822-5055 or by writing to: The President`s
Office, University of British Columbia, 6328 Memorial Road, Vancouver, B.C. V6T
1Z2.
