UBC welcomes 7,000 new students; celebrates largest fund ever raised for students

On Tuesday, September 3, UBC will be welcoming 7,000 new students to the university. UBC will also be celebrating the fact it has hit its Blue & Gold Campaign for Students $100-million goal almost a year early. President and Vice-Chancellor, Santa J. Ono will announce an extended fundraising target that will ensure more students receive financial help to enable them to help create a better world.

When: Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 2 p.m.
What: 2019 Imagine UBC Pep Rally: 7,000 new first-year students being welcomed by the president and other executives and dignitaries; celebrating the largest fund ever raised for students in UBC’s 104-year history, and extending the goal.
Where: UBC Thunderbird Arena, 6066 Thunderbird Boulevard, Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z3 (map)

Interview opportunities:

  • At 3 p.m., President and Vice-Chancellor, Santa. J. Ono will be available for interviews in the Rugby Pavilion and can talk to the Blue & Gold Campaign for Students in addition to back-to-school
  • Available at various times – please request in advance: students positively impacted by the Blue & Gold Campaign

Visual opportunities:

  • A packed arena of 7,000 excited first-year students cheering and celebrating their first day of school
  • When fundraising announcement made, arena will awash in blue and gold lighting, upbeat music will play, a banner with the total raised to date will be unrolled, confetti canons will be let-off once total is visible
  • The new target will be announced/revealed
  • President Ono playing a special cello tribute to first-year students

Media meeting point: Enter through the South Entrance of the Arena. Several spots will be marked for media behind the rink board in front of sections 109/110.

Parking: Closest parking is Thunderbird Parkade (map) However, note that the roads around the Sports Centre will be blocked between 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. so if you want to park here, you will need to arrive before 1 p.m. There will be no parking available around the Arena.

If you’re planning on attending, please contact Clare Hamilton-Eddy at UBC Media Relations:

Tel: 604-822-3213
Cel: 604-837-7831
Email: clare.hamilton-eddy@ubc.ca