Hannah M. Carolan

The Canadian Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Strategy aims to provide a cohesive vision to mobilize collective action and reduce the negative impacts of wildland fire. It is structured around four main goals: enhancing whole-of-society collaboration and coordination, strengthening First Nations, Métis, and Inuit partnerships, increasing knowledge and understanding, and expanding investments in prevention and mitigation. This strategy seeks to build a wildland fire resilient Canada where all parts of society are prepared, empowered, and engaged in preventing and mitigating these impacts, ultimately fostering healthy and sustainable landscapes.

The Board of Governors and its committees discussed and approved several key items including the Lower Mall Precinct Student Housing Phase 1 project, amendments to the UBC Okanagan Campus Plan, the UBC Okanagan Neighbourhood Development Agreement, and consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the Board approved updates to the Advisory Urban Design Panel and Property Committee terms of reference, the Five-Year Capital Plan, a land use policy amendment, and seismic upgrades for the Douglas T. Kenny Building. The Finance Committee handled tuition approvals for new graduate and certificate programs, a tuition payment schedule change, a new course fee, and various endowment fund variations. The Governance Committee dissolved the Land Use & Operational Sustainability Committee and approved the Institutional Accountability Plan. Finally, the Learning & Research Committee and Property Committee addressed numerous senate recommendations regarding awards, curriculum, and departmental changes, as well as the UBC Okanagan Neighbourhood Plan and the 2026 UBC Vancouver Transportation Plan Update.

The Board discussed various financial matters, including the disposition of funds from the Estate of Arthur E. Lord and the Estate of Effie I. Lefeaux, as well as the approval of multiple university press publication agreements. Disbursements from the UBC Alumni Fund were approved, and financial statements for the Faculty Club, Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre, and Aquatic Centre were received. The Board also reviewed a construction program status report and approved the Campus Development Proposal as a general guideline. Additionally, the Board approved new awards recommended by the Senate and discussed future hosting of an NSERC meeting on campus, along with a commendation for the Alma Mater Society regarding the Great Trek anniversary.

The Board of Governors discussed several strategic and operational matters including the University's Indigenous Strategic Plan, faculty research and teaching distinctions, and the President's efforts to address systemic racism and COVID-19 safety measures. Presentations were received from student society executives regarding affordability, study space, and climate action. The Board also reviewed the impacts of remote learning during the pandemic, discussed remote work arrangements for staff, and received updates on the President's Academic Excellence Initiative. Furthermore, the Board approved various financial and property-related items, including routine capital project renewals for the Museum of Anthropology and the MacLeod Building, and ratified several endowment fund terms.

The Board of Governors and its committees approved several key initiatives including the revision of the Integrated Renewal Program implementation date and additional project funding. The Finance Committee authorized the 2020-2021 Infrastructure Impact Charges and Community Amenity Charges plan, tuition rates for new certificate programs, the elimination of fees for graduate students on leave, revised tuition legacy rules for international undergraduate students, an accelerated tuition schedule for the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program, and endowment variations. The Governance Committee approved new terms of reference for the Sustainability & Climate Action Committee, amended board and committee meeting rules, and revised terms of reference for several committees. The Learning & Research Committee concurred with numerous academic recommendations from the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Senates, including new awards, program changes, new chairs, and the establishment of the British Columbia Cancer Research Institute.