UBC Reports

August 2012

8,000 strong. UBC welcomes the class of 2016

They’ve been planning it for months. Staff and student volunteers organize Canada’s largest one-day orientations, called Imagine and Create, plus activities for international students (Jump Start), and residence life. But support for university life goes well beyond the first day. Here are a few staff who work year round to support students.

Caroline Rueckert (centre) helps new international and Aboriginal students prepare for academic success at UBC. Martin Dee Photograph

Jumpstarting success

Nearly 1,300 new international and Aboriginal students benefit from two-weeks of orientation and a year of personalized support.

Basil Waugh

A new water feature on University Boulevard. Philips Farevaag Smallenberg Landscape Architects Photograph

Extreme makeover, campus edition

New pedestrian pathways, water features, courtyards, gardens and lighting are part of a 15-year, $45 million plan to improve outdoor public spaces

Basil Waugh

UBC’s mobile mojo

The BIG trend is unstoppably mobile. And coming soon to a campus near you—the mobile-enabled university.

David Vogt

UBC animal welfare researchers left to right are David Fraser, Marina von Keyserlingk and Dan Weary.Martin Dee Photograph

From farm to lab

Lab animals present a new field for animal welfare studies

Brian Lin

New law prof. Galit Sarfaty examines organizational barriers to human rights in the World Bank and other institutions. Martin Dee Photograph

When organizational culture hinders human rights

Prof. Galit Sarfaty studies why some organizations devoted to good causes sometimes drop the ball on human rights.

Basil Waugh

“Now, I can talk to my profs and classmates about anything,” says Claudia Diaz. Martin Dee photograph

Finally fluent

Claudie Diaz was part of the Academic English Support (AES) pilot program, which helps close the language gap for students who have a different mother tongue.

Lorraine Chan

Prof. Darlene Johnston helped create UBC’s new mandatory first-year Aboriginal law course, following national curriculum changes. Martin Dee Photograph

No longer optional

Prof. Darlene Johnston teaches Aboriginal Rights and Treaties. UBC is one of the first Canadian law schools to make it a requirement for graduation.

Simmi Puri

In Rwanda, Kristina Michaux worked on a micronutrient powders study. Martin Dee Photograph

Small planet, global classroom

Kristina Michaux worked in Rwanda as part of a new international nutrition major, one of two new programs in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

Lorraine Chan

Second-year Tbird Andrew Darcovich was shocked to learn that men commit more than 60,000 assaults against women each year in B.C. Rich Lam Photograph

Don’t be a passive witness

Second-year Tbird Andrew Darcovich is helping lead a campaign to help end violence against women. The football squad is partnering with the BC Lions.

Heather Amos

Adding a touch of green to the blue and gold

UBC Athletics & Recreation asked sustainability researchers to measure the environmental footprint of its facilities and programs.

Heather Amos