UBC News Digest

Feb 20, 2003

The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC
people, research, learning, community, and internationalization
initiatives. News Digest past
issues are also available on-line.

Feb. 20, 2003

CUPE 2278 TAs to withdraw services

CUPE 2278 has announced that their members will completely withdraw
services from UBC on Monday, February 24, 2003 at one minute after
midnight.

Current information indicates that pickets will run from 0700 to
1700, but the planned location of the pickets is not known.

Human Resources advises staff to keep informed as much as possible
by listening to news reports, or checking www.ubc.ca
or their union website.

The other CUPE unions on campus, 116 and 2950, are still in mediation.
CUPE 116 is in mediated discussions with the University today, and
another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, February 21,
2003).

CUPE 2950 is taking their strike vote February 20, and are scheduled
to be in mediation Wednesday, February 26 and Thursday, February
27, 2003.

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Professor honoured with prestigious international
award

Professor emeritus Dr. David Hardwick has been awarded the Gold
Medal of the International Academy of Pathology.

Awarded every two years, the honour recognizes individuals who
have contributed international service to the academy and to the
field of pathology in the areas of education, research, and service.

An international authority in pathology, Hardwick was instrumental
in establishing the Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as
one of the faculty’s strongest academic assets. In addition, his
leadership led to the development of new laboratory facilities in
each of the major teaching hospitals. Committed to students, he
served as an adviser in the Faculty of Medicine for 26 years prior
to his retirement in 1999 and was instrumental in creating UBC’s
Medical Student and Alumni Centre.

Hardwick, who joined UBC in 1969 and is now a special advisor on
planning for the faculty, was given the first UBC Alumni Citation
Award in 1990 for his role in founding B.C.’s Children’s Hospital.
He received an honorary degree from the university in 2001.

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Axworthy to host forum on the war on terrorism

Lloyd Axworthy, director of UBC’s Liu Institute for Global Studies,
will be hosting a public forum on Canada’s role in the war on terrorism
on Monday, February 24. from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights
United Church.

This panel discussion will explore the humanitarian impact of military
intervention in Iraq and the need for stabilization of the region.

Joining Axworthy to discuss what Canada’s policy should be towards
a war on Iraq will be several leading experts on foreign policy,
international security and U.S./Canada relations. They include UBC
political science professors Richard Price, Barbara Arneil and Colin
Campbell, Canada Research Chair in US Government and Politics, and
SFU political science professor Douglas Ross,

Shaughnessy Heights United Church is located at 1550 West 33rd
Avenue, Vancouver, BC. All are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Brenda Argue, Tel: 604 822
9957, E-mail: brenda.argue@ubc.ca,
Web: www.ligi.ubc.ca

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UBC Students Vote For U-Pass

In the highest voter turnout in the history of the University of
British Columbia, students voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Universal
Transit Pass (U-Pass).

More than 15,000 people came out to vote, with 10,742 in favour.

"I am extremely pleased that students came out in force to
endorse a transit plan that will have significant financial benefits
for students," said Tara Learn, VP External of the Alma Mater
Society.

The pass will cost $20 per month and will be mandatory for all
students. With regular one-zone fare cards costing $63 per month,
the $20 U-Pass price tag constitutes considerable savings. In addition,
TransLink has committed to increasing the number of service hours
to UBC by 23,000 per year.

Pass holders will be entitled to unlimited use of TransLink buses,
SkyTrain and SeaBus services within the GVRD from September through
April. U-Pass holders will also have free access to campus shuttles,
bicycle and carpool programs, merchant discounts and a guaranteed
ride home in an emergency.

"This is a great start for our community, especially since
U-Pass is more than just a bus pass," said Gord Lovegrove,
UBC’s director of Transportation Planning.

"In the near future, we see the full U-Pass program being
offered to students, staff, faculty and their families all year
round. The variety of transportation options afforded by the pass
will make it a true universal transportation pass program, benefiting
all UBC commuters and campus residents."

First discussed in 1996, this successful referendum represents
the culmination of years of effort by the Alma Mater Society (AMS),
the university and TransLink to create an affordable and accessible
transit pass for UBC students.