In part two of this three-part series discussing systemic racism in science, panelists Elder Albert Marshall, Mi’kmaw Nation; Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, Canada Research Chair in Okanagan Indigenous Knowledge and Philosophy, UBC Okanagan; and Aaron Prosper, graduate student, UPEI & project manager of the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Nation Cancer Care Strategy, will lead a discussion on Indigenous Perspectives and Science and Systemic Racism. The talk will be followed by a moderated Q&A.
UBC Okanagan Library Author Event
The UBC Okanagan Library is presenting a unique online author event celebrating the diversity of literature created by and for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people. This event features writers and creators T’áncháy Redvers and Joshua Whitehead in conversation.
Date: January 14, 2020
Time: 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Data and Human Rights Webinar
Join the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic, UBC Okanagan and the Office of the Vice-President, Health (UBC Health) for a webinar that will spark conversation between UBC and BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner on the collection of disaggregated data to advance human rights.
Provost’s Speaker Series on Systemic Racism
Provost’s Speaker Series on Systemic Racism
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2020
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am PST | 12:00 – 1:30 pm EST
Format: Webinar; the conversation will be followed by a moderated Q&A.
Cost: Free, registration is required
This is the first of a three-part series. The first part features institutional responses; the second will feature indigenous scientists; the third will feature Black scientists.
In the world of science, systemic racism manifests itself in many ways. Addressing systemic racism therefore involves interrogating the fundamental assumptions about what constitutes excellence in scientific scholarship, how the criteria for such excellence is determined, pursued and validated, and how the major institutions support the pursuit of excellence. The current discussions on systemic racism have shone a light on the exclusions that lie beneath these processes and the kind of barriers they pose for racialized members of the academe.
Major institutions and actors involved in the pursuit of scientific scholarship have responded to these discussions in different ways. The speakers will discuss some of the approaches they are taking. Our hope is to learn from each other to better understand how we can all work together to support this endeavor.
UBC Okanagan November Faculty Town Hall
Hearing Student Experiences
On November 12, 2020, faculty and staff gathered for a Town Hall that explored how our students are experiencing the online environments. The hope was that the student feedback would help faculty and staff tailor their approach with an aim to provide the best possible learning experience.
The recording and related resources can be found below.
Town Hall Assets
*The Town Hall recording has been closed captioned – please click “cc” to turn them on
Resource Handouts
REFERRING STUDENTS WITH CONCERNS
Relevant Websites
FACULTY RESOURCES FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
UBC GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS BY THE CTL
Data Collected
Program
Panel Presentation
A short presentation by a panel will explore the results of a survey and focus groups deployed to better understand our students’ experiences with online learning. Panelists will also share tips and tricks for effective teaching online.
Q & A
Panelists will answer questions from the audience.
Panelists
- Tanya Forneris, Interim CTL Academic Lead and Associate Director, School of Health and Exercise Sciences
- Yang Cao, School of Engineering
- Sandy Hilton, Faculty of Management
- Shirley Hutchinson, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Opening Remarks
Ananya Mukherjee Reed – Provost and Vice President Academic
UBC Okanagan Faculty Town Hall
Missed the Faculty Town Hall? Watch the recording below!
The slides from the presentations are available for download:
Join Prof. Ananya Mukherjee Reed, Provost and Vice-President Academic, and Rob Einarson Associate Vice-President, Finance and Operations for a faculty-specific Town Hall.
In this Zoom town hall format, a panel will address each of the topics followed by a topic-specific Q&A period.
This Town Hall will have faculty-specific information. Staff who are interested in learning more are encouraged to watch for future staff-specific options.
Program
- Opening remarks
Ananya Mukherjee Reed - Integrated Renewal Program – What Faculty Need to Know
A short update and timeline to go live presentation with a focus on what will be changing for faculty members and faculty administrators with Workday implementation, and how supports will be provided. - IRP Q&A with panel
- Budget overview and update
Information will be provided on the 2020-21 Budget approved in July and an update on the current financial condition of the campus. - Budget Q&A with panel
The UBC Okanagan Deans will also be attending and available to answer questions during both Q&A sessions.
Distinguished University Scholar program accepting nominations
Nominations are now open for the designation of UBC Distinguished University Scholar. The Distinguished University Scholar program recognizes members of faculty at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses who have distinguished themselves as exceptional scholars in research and/or teaching and learning, or who have demonstrated strong leadership potential in these areas.
Up to 10 new Distinguished University Scholars will be named for 2021 on recommendation to the President by an adjudication panel.
Nominations are made by the Deans and should be submitted by March 5, 2021. The results will be announced in May 2021.
Please visit the Distinguished University Scholar page to read more about the program and elements to include in a nomination.
Scholar Strike for Black Lives Canada
On September 9 and 10 a Scholar Strike for racial justice, an end to anti-Black police violence and anti-Indigenous colonial violence will take place in Canada and the United States. UBC expects that some members of the UBC community will choose to participate in the scholar strike to draw attention to the global efforts to end racism and injustice.
At UBC, diversity is our strength – inclusion of different perspectives and experiences is critical to the wellbeing of our community and the individual and collective pursuit of excellence. We all play a role against hatred, oppression, violence and injustice and in finding a way to support and elevate those who have been traditionally, systemically, and historically marginalized. Recently, Professor Ono reaffirmed the university’s commitment to inclusion and called for the acceleration and intensification of efforts to build a more inclusive campus community.
Faculty members may choose to support the scholar strike in ways consistent with their academic principles, which may mean making the decision to cancel classes. In such cases, we request that faculty members inform students in their classes in advance with the reason for the action. Additionally, students should be provided with a pathway towards making up for missed class time. Faculty members may also choose to hold classes that focus on anti-racism as a topic during the strike.
UBC Okanagan September Student Town Hall
DID YOU MISS THE TOWN HALL? WATCH THE RECORDING BELOW!
Are you wondering what online classes will be like and how you will participate? What about exams, quizzes and labs? Are you looking to find out what academic supports will be available?
At UBC Okanagan the student experience is at the heart of everything we do and we are working relentlessly to deliver the high-quality UBC education you expect, wherever you may be.
We understand that you have questions and we welcome you to join us for the second UBC Okanagan Student Town Hall on September 2nd to get a better sense of what learning online will look like and get more information.
A panel of UBC students and faculty members will each speak towards a different facet of the online learning experience before the floor is opened to your questions. Please note that while we will do our best to answer all questions the focus of this webinar will be the student learning experience.
In July the Provost hosted the first UBC Okanagan Student Town Hall for students to gain a better idea of what online learning will look like and have their questions answered live. You can watch a recording of the first Town Hall here.
Topics & Speakers
What will assessment look like in an online environment?
- Nina Langton, Associate Professor, Faculty of Critical and Creative Studies
- Deanna Gibson, Associate Professor, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
What will class participation be like in an online environment?
- Ray Taheri, Associate Professor, School of Engineering
What will labs be like in an online environment?
- Tamara Freeman, Associate Professor, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
What online learning supports are available for students?
- Harshita Chopra, Senior Online Learning Coach in the Student Learning Hub & 3rd year Philosophy, Political Science and Economics student
- Eloise Espel, Peer Mentor & 4th year Computer Science student
- Sajni Lacey, Learning and Curriculum Support Librarian
What structural supports are in place for online learning?
- Bryce Traister, Dean, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies & Dean pro tem, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Scott Reid, Associate Dean, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Opening Remarks
Ananya Mukherjee Reed – Provost and Vice President Academic
Moderator
Heather Berringer – Associate Provost, Learning Services