In November 2022, Excellence Canada awarded UBC the Gold certification for Mental Health at Work. This achievement was based on Excellence Canada's assessment of UBC approaches to mental health in the workplace, using their own Mental Health at Work Framework which aligns closely with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety. A key focus of the assessment was UBC’s commitment to a systems-wide approach to promoting wellbeing and mental health, as seen in the university’s strategic initiatives such as Focus on People 2025, Wellbeing Strategic Framework, and its leadership role in adopting the Okanagan Charter.  

Learn more about UBC's Gold Certification
 

In 2023, UBC’s Embedded Counsellor Program grew to deliver counselling and wellbeing services to 18 faculties and programs on Vancouver campus. This program helped address a crucial need by offering students low barrier, easily accessible counselling services and tailored wellbeing support in locations that are most convenient for them.  

Throughout the past year, the dedicated Embedded Counsellors delivered more than 175 wellbeing activities focused on enhancing student mental health. These activities covered a range of topics including imposter syndrome, managing difficult conversations, and tackling exam anxiety. The team also shared an array of strategies, from the calming practice of forest bathing to grounding techniques and academic success strategies. Moreover, their outreach efforts included engaging events such as Walks and Wheels, Ask a counsellor, and Wellbeing Wednesday initiatives aimed at growing stronger connections with students and encouraging open discussions about mental health. 

Beyond these accomplishments, the Embedded Counsellor team was instrumental in helping students navigate a range of available resources and services, both on campus and online. Their collaborative endeavors spanned across faculty and staff, UBC's Health Equity, Promotion & Education, Student Housing Services, and external mental health community services. 

Learn more UBC's Embedded Counsellor Program   
 

In January 2023, UBC took a significant step towards enhancing workplace mental health and wellbeing by introducing the new required mental health literacy training: Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace for Managers and Supervisors. The virtual, self-paced training is designed to equip and empower current and future UBC employees with managerial or supervisory responsibilities to support workplace mental health. It is one of the approved milestones recommended by the UBC Wellbeing Mental Health & Resilience Committee to help reach the goals outlined in the Wellbeing Strategic Framework.

Developed by UBC HR’s Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team, specifically for leaders, Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace for Managers and Supervisors focuses on building mental health literacy, clarifying managers and supervisors’ responsibilities when it comes to building workplace psychological health and safety and sharing important resources. People leaders are encouraged to complete the 30-minute training and continue to build an understanding of how to improve our own individual mental health and the mental health of our teams. 

Three months post-launch, over 1,300 faculty and staff with managerial duties have successfully completed the training, emphasizing UBC’s commitment to fostering a mentally healthy and supportive environment.  

Learn more about UBC's Mental Health Literacy Training
 

In an effort to address the barriers faced by Black community members in accessing mental health services, the UBC Black Caucus, in collaboration with the IBPOC Connections: Faculty and Staff program and the Equity Enhancement Fund from the Equity & Inclusion Office, reintroduced the Black Mental Wellness Project in November 2022. The project, initially piloted in 2021, provides Black UBC community members at Vancouver and Okanagan campuses with free access to 1-on-1 virtual or in-person counselling sessions with Black counsellors. 

The demand and impact of the project has been profound. Within two weeks of the program launching, 51 hours of counselling sessions were booked, reinforcing a very clear need for increased access to Black counsellors. Participants expressed immense appreciation for the initiative, highlighting the invaluable opportunity to connect with Black therapists who provide a safe and empathetic space for their mental health needs.  

One UBC student shared their transformative experience with the project: “I didn’t know how much I was holding in from the overwhelming grief of all the people I have lost to the pandemic and the racialized violence happening at home until I had the opportunity to talk to a therapist who truly understood. The experience has been life changing.” 

As an initiative that has demonstrated significant benefits, the UBC Black Caucus aims to continue and expand this project, making strides towards ensuring mental health services are accessible and inclusive for all members of the Black community at UBC. 

Learn more about UBC Black Caucus
 

During the summer of 2022, UBC’s Health Equity, Promotion & Education team launched Suicide Awareness & Intervention Training with funding from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Specifically tailored to the unique needs of UBC’s dynamic post-secondary community, this training aims to provide an inclusive, culturally safe, and trauma-informed approach to supportive conversations about mental health and suicide.  

SAIT continues to pave the way for crucial conversations on the often-stigmatized subject of suicide by fostering a supportive and understanding environment within UBC. Since its launch, over 580 UBC students, faculty, staff, and alumni have participated in the free and accessible training, available through UBC learning platforms. Participants of the training have shared their support for the new training, with one sharing, "I found the conversation starters to be extremely helpful! I always struggle with knowing the right thing to say, so having some options to start with is a lifesaver!!!" Another individual remarked, "I think the boundary-setting section was especially helpful for me because it’s important to remember that it’s not your job to be able to handle everything and hold everything. You are allowed to set boundaries and redirect students to other resources when you can't help with everything." 

Through valuable resources such as SAIT, UBC remains committed to promoting mental wellbeing and cultivating a campus community of care, compassion and support for all. 

Learn more about SAIT
 

In the spring of 2023, the Sustainability Hub introduced a new online dashboard dedicated to UBC’s mental health and resilience data. This collaborative endeavour was created in partnership with stakeholders from the UBC Wellbeing network and the Mental Health & Resilience Committee to increase visibility and accessibility of this information. 

This addition to the online sustainability data portal spotlights 2021 mental health data for UBC community members in response to the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Surveys (CCWS). With an array of validated and reliable measures of mental health, the CCWS measures multiple risk and protective factors, such as social connectedness, social and emotional skills, and food security. The survey was conducted among students in fall 2019 and 2021 and piloted with employees in the spring of 2021. 

The new dashboard offers data visualizations and insights regarding how mental health and resilience data is informing UBC’s health promotion efforts and campus-wide actions. Users of the dashboard are also able to download data to facilitate further exploration, learning, and research. 

Learn more about the dashboard
 

Thrive by the Fire event, Nov 2022. Photo credit: Geoff Lister

To kickstart November’s Thrive Month at UBC Vancouver campus, Campus and Community Planning partnered with the student-led Black Vinyl Project and UBC Wellbeing to present “Thrive by the Fire”. This vibrant outdoor event was designed to enhance mental health awareness and provide opportunities for social connection, while creating a welcoming and inclusive campus atmosphere. 
 
Held at Lee Square, the pop-up style event featured live music with cozy fire pit seating, inviting the UBC community to gather, relax, and connect with peers and colleagues. The event also hosted a resource fair, spotlighting a diverse array of mental health resources available to students, faculty, and staff. 

Over 500 community members engaged in the event, exploring avenues to support mental health and acknowledging the intersectionality of mental health through the resource fair and accessible, welcoming environment.  

Various UBC community partners contributed to the event’s success including the Sustainability Hub, HR Health, Wellbeing, and Benefits, the Wellness Centre, SVPRO, First Nations House of Learning, African Awareness Initiative, and Athletics & Recreation’s Move U Crew.  

Learn more about Thrive
 

Measure

At UBC, I feel that student, staff and faculty mental and emotional wellbeing is a priority (% who strongly agree or agree)​*

Source:

• Students: Baseline from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)
• Faculty / staff: Latest data (/ baseline) from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

If I needed to seek professional help for my mental or emotional health, I would know how to access resources (online or in-person) provided through my employer. (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source: Latest data (/ baseline) from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

If I needed to seek professional help for my mental or emotional health, I would know where to access campus-based resources (online or in-person). (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source: Students: Baseline from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

If I needed to seek professional help for my mental or emotional health, I would know where to go for services not offered through my employer. (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source: Latest data (& baseline) are from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

If I needed to seek professional help for my mental or emotional health, I would know where to go off campus. (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source: Baseline from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

In general, how would you rate your ability to handle day-to-day demands in your life? (% who responded excellent or very good)* 

Source: Latest data (/ baseline) from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

The UBC campus climate encourages free and open discussion about mental and emotional health (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source:

• Students: Baseline from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)
• Faculty / staff: Latest data (/ baseline) from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic) 

In an effort to strengthen mental health and wellbeing, UBC recently developed, piloted, and launched the Activate Wellbeing Toolkit – an online resource designed to help strengthen the health and wellbeing of teams across UBC, with an emphasis on workplace settings. Developed in collaboration with Health, Wellbeing and Benefits (UBC Vancouver), Workplace Health and Wellbeing (UBC Okanagan), and the Office of Wellbeing Strategy, the toolkit is designed to help faculty and staff identify actionable and measurable steps to integrate health and wellbeing into their teams, contributing to healthier work and learning environments. 

This user-friendly digital toolkit provides practical resources and supports as well as a structured 5-step process to help faculty and staff to recognize the positive actions their team is already taking, as well as identify new ways to implement action and measure success.  

This launch aligns with UBC's commitment to fostering an environment where wellbeing is a campus-wide priority. The toolkit is available for download for individuals and teams to help create a healthier campus community. 

Learn more about the Activate Wellbeing Toolkit
 

Healthy Minds | Healthy Campuses community partners and stakeholders came together for a three-day virtual summit from February 27-March 1, 2023. Under the theme of Activating the Okanagan Charter in different areas of campus community, the summit provided a platform for campus communities to strengthen health and wellbeing. The event featured UBC presenters and speakers who offered insightful presentations and discussions, delving into programs and examples of health and wellbeing in action.  

Among the UBC presenters included staff from UBC HR and the Office of Wellbeing Strategy, highlighting intersectional approaches to mental health and the importance of health and wellbeing in working, living, and learning environments. Student presenters from the UBC Food Hub Market and AMS Peer Support Club also shared examples of student-led food security initiatives and resources to support a peer.  
 
Learn more about the Summit
 

On May 12, 2022, higher education campuses from around the world gathered virtually to explore the activation of the Okanagan Charter, fostering health and wellbeing promotion action and collaboration locally and globally. Over 800 registrants from 21 countries participated in the engaging International Health Promoting Campuses Symposium, co-hosted by UBC. 

Central to the symposium was the panel discussion titled, Wellbeing as a Priority: Presidents & Vice-Chancellors in Conversation. UBC's 15th President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Santa Ono, shared insights and reflections on leadership’s pivotal role in advancing wellbeing. 

The symposium also showcased captivating opening and closing keynotes by Indigenous leaders, 30 presentations from 10 national/regional networks, interactive breakout discussions, and presentations from researchers and practitioners in the field. 

The event affirmed UBC's position as a global leader and its dedication to fostering dialogues that transcend borders, supporting a global culture of collaboration to advance wellbeing. 

Learn more about IHPC ​​
 

The Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) fund competition, managed by the Sustainability Hub , introduced an innovative new funding stream in collaboration with the Office of Wellbeing Strategy dedicated to projects that advance ideas and innovation in the areas of health and wellbeing. CLL provides a collaborative framework for faculty, staff, students and partners to address critical global sustainability challenges. This new funding initiative seeks to catalyze action on intersecting priorities within sustainability and wellbeing.  
 
In February 2023, the Sustainability Hub announced six recipients of Campus as a Living Lab funding. Notably, two projects are focused on enhancing health and wellbeing – the Indigenous CLL project at the xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden and Mind in Motion: Developing an exercise referral pathway for students seeking help for depression.  

This collaborative initiative highlights UBC's dedication to addressing interrelated sustainability and wellbeing issues while fostering health and wellbeing within its campus community. 

Learn more about CLL 
 

In the spring of 2023, UBC Okanagan’s Student Wellness team hosted the inaugural Celebration of Student Leadership in Healthy Campus Development – a dual-campus event showcasing student leaders helping to create a healthier campus environment at UBC. 

At this virtual event, 14 dedicated students representing nine diverse units and groups within the UBC Wellbeing network shared their ideas, learnings, and experiences. Their presentations highlighted programs, services, and initiatives from across the different Wellbeing Priority Areas, from the launch of Movement Breaks and ongoing harm reduction initiatives at Okanagan campus to new climate justice and food security programs at Vancouver campus.  

This celebration stands as a testament to the incredible work and innovation inherent in UBC's student collective, championing a thriving campus community. 
 

2022 UBC Okanagan Staff Awards of Excellence announced at Principal and DVC’s Town Hall. Fall 2022. 

In the fall of 2022, UBC Okanagan’s Human Resources introduced the Wellbeing Award as part of the Staff Awards of Excellence, an initiative designed to acknowledge and celebrate wellbeing champions. This new award aims to recognize, amplify, and connect the efforts of faculty, staff, and teams who have played an instrumental role in embedding wellbeing into various programs and initiatives. Their contributions have supported the overall wellbeing of students, faculty and staff across the Okanagan campus.  

With funding support from the UBC Wellbeing’s Strategic Initiative Fund, the award was a collaborative initiative in partnership with the Workplace Learning & Engagement and Workplace Health & Wellbeing units and the Staff Awards of Excellence Selection Committee with representatives from Human Resources, Academic Leadership, the Okanagan Executive Team, BCGEU and AAPS.  

Beyond recognizing individuals and teams fostering wellbeing, the award also served to enhance awareness and advance milestones in the Wellbeing Strategic Framework Roadmap – a framework highlighting key targets that aim to align efforts on identified university-wide wellbeing priorities. 

Learn more about the Staff Awards of Excellence
 

The UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Funds (SIF) are granted to departments and units at Vancouver and Okanagan campuses to champion the university's commitment to the Okanagan Charter to become a health and wellbeing-promoting institution, as outlined in UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework. This past year, a total of $132,064 was disbursed to 22 projects, supporting student, faculty, staff, and community engagement in collaborative initiatives across the university. The projects advance work in the six Wellbeing Strategic Priority Areas: Food & Nutrition, Physical Activity, Social Connection, Built & Natural Environments, Mental Health & Resilience, and Collaborative Leadership.  

Among these initiatives are notable examples, such as Campus as a Living Lab’s Promoting Health and Wellbeing stream, the School of Kinesiology’s resource book “Healthy Eating Tips for Families”, and the Faculty of Arts’ UBC Artivism initiative.  

View the 2022/23 SIF Summary Report 

Learn more about UBC Wellbeing SIF 
 

Measure

% of students, staff, and faculty who agree or strongly agree that UBC is committed to the wellbeing of its people, places, and communities (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source:

• Undergrads: Baseline from UES 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest from UES 2022 (during COVID pandemic)
• Faculty / staff: Baseline and latest data from WES 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

# of faculties and units 

Data collection process in development

In January 2023, UBC Okanagan’s Student Wellness team, with support from the KGH Foundation Kiwanis Legacy fund, introduced Picnic – a welcoming new student space within the University Centre (UNC) to enhance wellbeing, improve food skills, and cultivate a sense of community on campus through a variety of programs and services. 

Although not a food-service space, Picnic offers a range of free and low-cost nutritious food options for students. Beyond its food offerings, Picnic serves as a central hub for diverse programs and workshops aimed at strengthening both wellbeing and food security. Key Term 2 initiatives included food skill workshops, the SUO Pantry, and convenient grab-and-go breakfast options. Additionally, Picnic collaborates with various campus units to provide valuable information and resources on safer substance use, facilitated by the Harm Reduction Team (HaRT), a UBCO Campus Wellness and Education Unit initiative that works with campus and community members to create, deliver, research, and promote harm reduction interventions.  

The student response to the new space has been enthusiastic: “I am trying new recipes, finding ingredients I didn’t know about before… and meeting people. [Picnic] is so unique, my home university doesn’t have anything like this.”  

The inauguration of Picnic was marked by an engaging grand opening cook-off competition where UBC leaders and SUO executives showcased their culinary skills. A glimpse of this memorable event can be viewed here: 

Learn more about Picnic
 

In fall 2022, the Food Hub Market, located in the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), reopened as a student-led, not-for-profit initiative. This welcoming space provides at-cost groceries, along with a range of events and workshops, all aimed at building community food security, food literacy and fostering connections within the community. 

A student customer highlighted the market's positive impact on their campus experience: “[The Food Hub Market] has been an invaluable resource for myself and my friends! It also makes me feel like UBC cares about their students' wellbeing and genuinely makes me feel more positive about my experience here overall.”  

Since its reopening, the Food Hub Market has engaged over 80 volunteers, organized 20 events on-site, and participated in 10 events across UBC Vancouver. Through its diverse range of programs and services, the Food Hub Market plays a pivotal role in cultivating food literacy and fostering meaningful collaborations with both campus and community partners.  

Learn more about the Food Hub Market 

UBC Active Kids, in collaboration with Emma McCrudden, Lecturer and Registered Dietitian with the School of Kinesiology, launched the nutrition booklet, “Healthy Eating Tips for Children and Families.” This resourceful booklet, designed to assist parents, offers research-based advice, including family-friendly recipes, strategies for cultivating healthy eating habits, meal planning tips, and insights into Indigenous food and nutrition. 

This new resource was one of the 22 projects funded by this past year’s UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund, an initiative to advance UBC’s commitment to the Okanagan Charter to become a health and wellbeing-promoting institution, as outlined in UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework.  

Learn more about Healthy Eating Tips
 

In September 2022, the new all access dining plan for first-year residents was introduced at UBC Vancouver. Unlike conventional meal plans, this new system improved students’ dining experience, offering unlimited access to nourishing meals at all residences. Rather than choosing food items based on their cost over nutrition, this new meal plan allowed unrestricted options for students, helping promote healthier relationships with food.  

Driven by student feedback and the successful implementation of UBCO’s all-access dining plan the previous year, the initiative is also focused on enriching the dine-in experience. Beyond satisfying hunger, the plan aims to encourage social connections and provide students with the nourishment needed to focus on their studies. 

Learn more about All Access Dining
 

In February 2023, as part of UBC’s Climate Emergency Week, a microgreen growing workshop was organized by the Centre for Community Engaged Learning’s Climate Action Mobilizers student cohort. The event aimed to enhance students’ understanding of food literacy, develop sustainable food practices, and foster connections with both campus and community organizations dedicated to sustainable food systems and related food literacy work. 

The workshop, attended by 77 participants, provided valuable insights into local food systems with Duncan Chambers, Owner of City Beet Farm. Moreover, Michelin starred chef Andrea Carlson offered culinary inspiration through microgreen-themed recipes. 

The workshop extended into a hands-on session, where students assembled their own microgreen growing kit. They also discussed opportunities and barriers associated with transitioning to sustainable food practices and brainstormed resources that could support them. The event also facilitated the exchange of ideas and resources, with 11 UBC student clubs and campus organizations participating, including UBC Roots on the Roof, UBC Campus + Community Planning, Sustainability Hub, and UBC Food Hub Market. 
 
The event helped students gain a better understanding of sustainable food systems, supporting connections with UBC environment-related groups, and encouraging discussions about tangible actions to enact change at the campus and local levels. 

Learn more about Dorm to Table
 

Measure 

% of population reporting food insecurity.

Source:

• Students: Baseline: CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)
• Staff and faculty: Baseline from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

*The dramatic decrease in aggregate CCWS or measured food insecurity rates during the pandemic is hypothesized to have resulted from students moving home to live with their families, government financial supports, and other unknown factors. This decrease was also observed at other Canadian higher education institutions. We suspect that for particular communities (e.g. those who lost employment/ income, international students who couldn’t access Canadian financial supports, and others), food insecurity prevalence may have increased or remains high.

NOTE: Please see the data collection dates in the footnote of each of the Healthy Beverage Consumption metrics, as annual data is unavailable. 

Measure 

% healthy beverage sales.*

Data: 

• Baseline from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data: UBCO 2021/22 (during COVID pandemic); UBCV 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• *% of beverage sales that are aligned with the Healthy Beverage Initiative (includes cold bulk & bottled beverage sales, in units).
• **As of a new vending contract in July 2023, these data points may be inaccurate. New data will be reported when available.

Measure 

% vending machines that are aligned with the Healthy Beverage Initiative.*

Data: 

• Baseline from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data: UBCO 2021/22 (during COVID pandemic); UBCV 2020/21 (during COVID pandemic)
• *As of a new vending contract in July 2023, these data points may be inaccurate. New data will be reported when available.

Measure 

# retail outlets aligned with the Health Beverage Initiative.

Data: 

• Baseline from 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)

 Measure 

% buildings that have at least one tap water fixture with bottle filling capacity.

Data: Baseline for UBCO: 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic); UBCV 2018/19 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Launched in April 2022 by UBC Human Resources, the Centre for Workplace Accessibility (CWA) serves as a central hub for resources, tools, and programs to support faculty and staff with disabilities or chronic health conditions on both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Informed by UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan, conversations with community members, and employment equity data, CWA aims to centralize support and resources, minimize the over-medicalization of disability, and build disability inclusion literacy within the UBC community. 

The CWA offers person-centered, confidential, and individualized accessibility support, where clients guide next steps in the process and others are involved only with their consent. A remarkable 100% of CWA clients surveyed expressed feeling safe and welcomed to discuss their needs.  

The CWA also manages the new Workplace Accommodations Fund, which aims to remove barriers and facilitate full and equitable participation in the workplace by providing funding for accessibility and accommodation solutions.  
 
During its inaugural year, the CWA launched a user-friendly website highlighting the physical, digital, and workplace accessibility resources available to UBC’s faculty and staff. Through collaboration with the Ergonomics Program, the CWA also developed the ErgoAccess Demo Program, offering demonstration tools and equipment to enhance productivity and comfort. 

Education is a key part of the CWA, with presentations, courses, and webinars designed to enhance disability inclusion literacy across UBC. This commitment to safe, person-centered support for disabled faculty and staff members underscores the importance of the CWA and its services.  

Learn more about CWA
 

In March 2023, following two years of virtual meetings and gatherings at a distance, the IBPOC Connections Faculty and Staff Lunch provided a much-welcomed space to rekindle in-person connection and a sense of belonging at UBC.

Hosted by UBC’s Equity and Inclusion Office in partnership with St. John’s College, the event sought to break through some of the usual and formalized expectations of meetings and gatherings and offer a casual environment for fun, community building and connection. Some 100 participants attended, including faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows. 

“When planning this event our dream was that we all leave this place reminded that being racialized, Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour means that we are part of a joyous, creative, and playful community,” says Madison Tardif, co-organizer of the event and programming lead for the IBPOC Connections Faculty & Staff program with the Equity & Inclusion Office.

Dr. Arig al Shaibah, Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, and Dr. Henry Yu, Principal, St. John’s College delivered welcoming remarks, after which the guests were invited to participate in several activities curated to inspire joy and creativity. Those activities included arts and crafts, a slam poetry performance from Pablo Akira Beimler and a salsa dancing class from Natalie Armendariz and Aisha Sallad from the UBC Salsa Rueda Club. “Crowd-sourced” lists of books, films, podcasts and music ideas by IBPOC authors and artists were also generated. 

Learn more about IBPOC Connections
 

This past February, the Sustainability Hub and the Climate Hub joined together with campus partners to present the second annual UBC Climate Emergency Week. Stretching over two transformative weeks, this initiative featured 32 events organized in partnership with 29 groups, both within and beyond UBC. Based in the values of hope, love, community, and care, this year’s Climate Emergency Week aimed to convene and energize the community through a greater focus on art and advocacy. The week evolved into a space for collective mobilization across campus, spotlighting the climate emergency and the need for united action for justice, people, and our planet. 

A variety of spaces and offerings attracted over 450 people to diverse events, workshops, direct action, and creative expression. Partners uplifted existing and new initiatives, fostering a sense of mutual support and collective action. Highlights included a thought-provoking opening "Climate Slamposium," impactful youth-led demonstrations against deep-sea mining and for urgent climate action, imagining alternative climate futures through a collaborative board game, illuminating speaker and panel discussions featuring renowned figures, and engaging hands-on workshops on diverse topics, including biodiversity and sustainable communities. 

Learn more about CEW

Explore the r​​​​ecordings & outputs
 

Building on feedback from the UBC community (Including an IBPOC survey conducted in 2021 and recommendations from UBC’s ARIE Taskforce), the UBC Vancouver Workplace Wellbeing team hosted 22 workshops created and led by IBPOC facilitators representing diverse perspectives on wellbeing, with more than 1,000 participants. 

The workshops covered a wide range of topics and perspectives such as Decolonial and Anti-Racist Approaches to Wellbeing, Understanding Energy Through Ayurveda, Inclusive Leadership for Managers and Supervisors, Healing Not Harm: Practicing Community Care & Pod-Mapping, Trauma-Informed Imposter Syndrome (for IBPOC/BIPOC faculty and staff), Navigating Race-Based Trauma and Grief (for IBPOC/BIPOC faculty and staff). 

This initiative highlights UBC's commitment to supporting diverse communities, perspectives, and experiences to help create a stronger sense of belonging and connection for all. 

Learn more about UBC HR events
 

Throughout the spring and summer of 2022, the Health Equity, Promotion and Education team and Workplace Wellbeing team at UBC Vancouver partnered with the Sustainability Scholars program to explore the gaps in mental health and physical activity programs and services that are available to equity-seeking groups on campus and help identify opportunities for improvement. 

The scholar's key findings and recommendations were shared in a report titled “Promoting Health Equity and Inclusivity in Wellbeing at UBC: Research and Engagement with Equity-deserving Groups.” The insights were shared with members of the UBC Wellbeing network to inform campus-wide planning and action that supports student and employee health equity. 

Read the project report here
 

During Climate Emergency Week at UBC Vancouver campus in February 2023, the UBC Climate Hub hosted the Climate Slamposium – an event bringing together student researchers, activists, and others engaging in climate justice to share their work in fun and creative forms.  

Combining elements of a slam poetry event and symposium, the Climate Slamposium provided a platform where attendees and participants could showcase, explore, and uplift the multifaceted dimensions of climate justice. In this dynamic space, climate grief, love, activism, hope, and the voices of UBC’s student leaders and storytellers were highlighted and celebrated. 

Listen to CBC coverage on CEW
 

After spending the past two summers with many community members working and learning remotely, the Community Programs and Outreach team within Campus + Community Planning was inspired to celebrate summer, reanimate campus, and support social connections. This led to the creation of the vibrant Summer on the Mall series – a string of pop-up events that took place along Vancouver campus’ Main Mall during the months of July and August in 2022.  

From moments of mindfulness at outdoor yoga sessions to engaging lunch hour concerts, a pop-up mini-golf course and more, the Summer on the Mall series was full of free festivities and fun that encouraged students, faculty, staff, and campus residents to take time to connect, relax, and enjoy the beautiful UBC campus together. 

Learn more about Summer on the Mall
 

During November’s Thrive month, the Global Engagement Office and UBC Okanagan Library collaboratively organized Postcards Home – an event bringing together students to write messages and send postcards across the globe to their friends and family. 

With over 200 students participating, the event became a bridge connecting individuals with their distant friends, family, and loved ones. In addition, the event provided a unique interactive space for students to express themselves creatively and connect with their peers. The event was one of several initiatives funded by the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund. 

Learn more about Postcards Home
  

In a commitment to strengthen community connections, Campus + Community Planning’s Community Development and Transportation unit partners with the Vancouver Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants each year. Together, they administer the Inspiring Community Grant, enabling the UBC community to share their skills and create opportunities for social connection. 

This past year, over $10,000 in funding was awarded to 24 outstanding projects through the grant program, which awards up to $500 towards community-led projects that strengthen social ties and support community-building.  

From a youth-led coding camp sparking innovation, to the launch of a community podcast exploring current health research happening in the Downtown Eastside, to cultural Diwali celebrations, UBC community members came up with creative and inspiring ways to share their talents and create community and connection on campus!  

Learn more about the 2022 grant recipients  
 

This past year over $500K was raised through the UBC United Way Campaign, drawing contributions from nearly 800 individual donors. Central to the core objectives of the United Way Campaign is to bring communities together and foster social connection. 

The Champions Fund specifically, which made about 700 impressions during its campaign, removes event planning barriers for UBC United Way volunteers. Volunteers have enthusiastically voiced how the fund acts as "an opportunity to increase interactions between our multiple office spaces and units, and to foster team building through group activities," promoting a sense of togetherness among colleagues on campus.  

By helping colleagues share their skills and passions, the Champions Fund nurtures a sense of belonging and fosters a community that thrives both within and beyond UBC. The UBC Champions Fund was one of several initiatives funded by the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund. 

Learn more about the UBC United Way
 

UBC Artivism, an annual festival presented by the UBC Arts & Culture District, boldly challenges dominant narratives and spotlights the creative voices of marginalized and minority communities within and beyond the university. In 2022, the festival theme, “Politics of the Body,” garnered resounding popularity with a total of 15 events that drew 1,346 attendees.  

Among these events, "BODYMAPPING: The Stories We Carry," received deep appreciation from participants. This event provided a safe space for attendees to share their lived experiences through artistic expression, fostering vulnerability and connection.  

Positive community sentiment for the festival was shared by many in attendance, including Tasheal Gill from SAD Magazine who shared: “It’s often hard to see formal institutions like universities as places that could hold space for the celebration of Queer and BIPOC arts. But even within these institutions, we can see a shining shift towards highlighting voices of underrepresented groups. The UBC club Exposure, which partners to produce the student initiated and led festival, intends to do just that. The student-led organization looks to build a conscious, creative community and accomplished exactly that through a month-long event called ARTIVISM.” 

UBC Artivism received funding from various sources including the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund.

Learn more about UBC Artivism
 

The Hot Lunch program, a cross-campus staff networking initiative, is proudly hosted by St. John’s College and co-sponsored by the office of the Vice-Presidents with the special support of Human Resources. Originating from a desire to create innovative ways to build relationships, strengthen networks, and nurture a more inclusive and collaborative working environment at UBC, the program has gained popularity since it first launched in 2014.
​​​​​​ 
Notably, the program has been cited as a contributing factor for UBC topping four categories in BC’s Top Employers awards in 2022. The program’s roster of guests has included prominent UBC leaders including Dr. Margaret Moss, Michael White, and UBC’s 15th President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Santa Ono. 

Learn more about the Hot Lunch Program
 

Measure

I have a group, community, or social circle at school (my workplace) where I feel I belong (feel at home, known connected to, support in my identity) (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Source: CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic) and baseline for students from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Measure 

I feel that I am part of a community at UBC (% who strongly agree or agree)*

Data: Latest data is from WES 2021 (during COVID pandemic) and baseline data is from WES 2017 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Measure 

At my institution, I am respected regardless of my personal characteristics, identity or background (e.g., gender, ethnicity, international status, disability, etc.). (% who strongly agree or agree)​​​​​​*

Source: CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

My diversity is valued in the workplace*

Data: Latest data is from WES 2021 (during COVID pandemic) and baseline data is from WES 2017 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Measure

People treat each other with respect and consideration in my workplace*

Data: Latest data is from WES 2021 (during COVID pandemic) and baseline data is from WES 2017 (pre-COVID pandemic) 

This past February’s Move UBC campaign featured a Research Roundtable on Anti-Racism & Lateral Allyship in Physical Activity & Sport, bringing together diverse perspectives from across Canada to discuss the subject and foster dialogue.  

Panelists included Dr. Janice Forsyth, professor at UBC’s Faculty of Education, School of Kinesiology; Dr Courtney Szto, assistant professor at Queen’s University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Dr. May Farrales, assistant professor at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Departments of Geography and Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies; Shalom Brown, master’s student in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto; and Alyssa Reyes, PhD student at SFU and Physical Activity Manager with UBC Athletics & Recreation.  

The virtual webinar, spanning across both UBC campuses, garnered over 140 participants, including students, faculty, staff and community members. Following the virtual session, in-person working sessions were held, centered around the shared research and the development of recommendations to enhance physical wellbeing on campus. 
 
Learn more about Move UBC
  

In October 2022, UBC Recreation launched the "Moves with the Move U Crew" podcast, an initiative merging movement and mindfulness and offering a unique auditory experience to help students improve their concentration, sleep quality, and stress management.  

Monthly episodes feature guided stretches, walks, and meditations, all designed to be completed in under 10 minutes. This initiative helps empower students to incorporate mindful movement into their busy schedules, whether it's during study breaks, campus strolls, or daily commutes. 

Listen to the podcast on Spotify   

Listen to the podcast on RedCircle
   

During this past year’s Storm the Wall event, UBC Athletics and Recreation revealed a stunning new piece of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artwork titled "Thunderbird Takes Flight." This collaboration with emerging Musqueam artist Deanna-Marie Point marked a significant milestone, representing the first official Musqueam representation of the Thunderbird at UBC Vancouver campus. 

Over 4,000 students interacted with the artwork, scaling the 12-foot wall during the event. Thousands more witnessed this new piece as spectators of the annual event. Deanna-Marie expressed her pride in representing her Musqueam community through art, sharing, “I wanted to do my best to represent my community, Musqueam, through my art. And I wanted them to be proud of me as a growing artist. And I’m speechless that this has happened." 

Kavie Toor, the Managing Director of UBC’s Athletics and Recreation, underscored the importance of ongoing collaborative efforts with the Musqueam, highlighting the artwork’s potential to educate and promote understanding within the UBC community: "We really want to make sure that when the artwork is visible, there’s cues for people to learn about the artwork and Musqueam. It is a unique opportunity to reach students and the UBC community that brings to life the importance of education, reconciliation, and decolonization.” 

Learn more about this collaboration
  

To reduce sedentary behaviour and support a culture of wellbeing, UBC Okanagan Recreation launched the Movement Breaks pilot program. This program aims to facilitate opportunities to move more throughout the day, helping to break up extended periods of sedentary behaviour in the classroom and workplace.  

The Movement Breaks initiative is available to students, faculty, and staff and offers an accessible avenue to request the Move U Crew, who guide participants through 5 to 10-minute movement sessions. These brief breaks can be easily integrated into classes, meetings, or events, making a wellbeing break a collective endeavour.  

During the pilot phase, 107 Movement Breaks were delivered across 12 departments, including the Movement Break Challenge in partnership with Athletics & Recreation and Workplace Health & Wellbeing, Human Resources. Tailored to suit varying abilities, these breaks featured light stretching, invigorating aerobic sessions, and even dance-inspired movement routines. 

Request a Movement Break at UBC Okanagan
​​​​​​

A year marked by diverse events saw UBC Recreation offering new opportunities to get students moving on Vancouver campus. Whether it was during Thrive’s mental health literacy campaign in November or Move UBC’s physical activity campaign in February, UBC Recreation offered accessible new introductory classes to increase physical activity and foster social connections. 

During Thrive month, UBC Recreation organized popular classes such as Intro to Fencing, Intro to Skateboarding, as well as Rise and Thrive – a 45-minute strength training fitness class party by F45 Oak & Broadway Studio. Creative ways to get people moving were also encouraged during Move UBC in February, where UBC Recreation partnered with Roots on the Roof for an introductory gardening class. Participants rolled up their sleeves and potted take-home strawberry plants. 210 participants joined the New Moves with the Move U Crew series, highlighting student enthusiasm for new and unique physical activity opportunities.   

Learn more about Move UBC events

Learn more about Thrive
 

The Move U Crew at UBC Okanagan Recreation introduced an exciting new program in September 2022 – the Hiking Series. This pilot program aimed to offer students a cost-effective means of engaging in outdoor recreational activities, thereby promoting physical fitness and facilitating exploration of off-campus areas. 

With 74 registrants for the hikes, the new series saw students embarking on a variety of hikes in various local parks across Kelowna. Under the guidance of the Move U Crew, these excursions proved to be an excellent way for students to move more while building community social connections. 
 
Learn more about the Hiking Series
   

The Move U Crew at UBC Okanagan encouraged new ways to move more and explore campus with the introduction of themed walks across campus. This initiative comprised of eight uniquely themed walks, aimed to increase physical activity while fostering a sense of community and discovery.  

From the delightful hot chocolate walk to the trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, each themed walk offered a distinct experience. Partnering with campus units like UBC Okanagan Library, the Move U Crew even organized a BC Heritage Walk that engaged participants in the rich history of the region. Beyond promoting physical activity, the campus walks fostered socialization and the exploration of new parts of campus.  

The campus walks garnered 85 registrants and included the collaborative efforts of campus units including the Office of Sustainability, Student Experience Office, and Campus Wellness. 

Learn more about UBCO Recreation
 

Supporting community and diversity, the Intercultural Sports Series (ISS) is a testament to the collaborative efforts of UBC Okanagan Recreation, the Global Engagement Office (GEO) and Indigenous Programs & Services (IPS).  

In an effort to foster cross-cultural connections, 146 domestic and international students came together to participate in the series. A range of intercultural events were offered, with engaging events such as such as a Bollywood Dance workshop, Pow Wow Dance class, Bhangra Dance workshop, Futsal, Kickball, Karate, and Cricket.  

Learn more about ISS 
 

Measure 

% of students, staff, and faculty who report meeting the Canadian physical activity guidelines. 

Source:

• Students: Baseline from CCWS 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic); Latest data from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)
• Faculty / staff: Latest data (/ baseline) from CCWS 2021 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

How satisfied are you with the availability of recreation programs on campus? (% who report very satisfied or satisfied)*

Source: Latest (/ baseline) from UES 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Measure

How satisfied are you with the quality of recreation programs on campus? (% who report very satisfied or satisfied)*

Source: Latest data (/ baseline) from UES 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic)

Measure

How satisfied are you with the quality of recreation facilities on campus? (% who report very satisfied or satisfied)*

Source: Latest data (/ baseline) from UES 2019 (pre-COVID pandemic)

In the Fall of 2022, UBC Vancouver’s AMS Nest opened two sensory rooms as a safe and therapeutic space for people to use when feeling overwhelmed and needing a quieter environment to decompress. Maintained by UBC Disability United Collective, the rooms offer auditory, visual, and physical items as well such as stress balls, white noise, and LED lights to help create a calm and welcoming space.  

The creation and design of the AMS’s sensory rooms involved extensive community consultations and collaborative efforts with Autistics United Canada, UBC Disabilities United Collective and others to ensure that the spaces would offer the best experience to the community they serve. 

Dr. Pat Mirenda, a special education professor and director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism expressed that “Neurodiverse, autistic, and disabled members of the UBC community know what they need to thrive and succeed...This is an exciting step forward in creating a sensory-friendly campus that is welcoming to everyone.” 

 

For the 12th consecutive year, UBC leads as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2023. This special award recognizes Canadian employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness, developing exceptional sustainability initiatives, and are attracting employees because of their environmental leadership. 
 
In addition to being recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers this year, UBC is also recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. 

Learn more about UBC's award
 

On March 13, 2023, UBC Okanagan students, faculty, and staff came together for the 2nd annual UBCO Teach-In on Climate & Justice– a dialogue on climate and justice research and an open space to support climate action within the Okanagan community. 

This past year's event featured 16 presenters for the research panels on solutions for climate and justice and five tables discussing climate action on campus, including mitigation (reducing our emissions from transportation, food and waste) and building resilience (better support for climate advocacy and community care). 

This event was part of the Worldwide Teach-In on Climate and Justice that took place in hundreds of locations around the world.  

Learn more about the UBCO Teach-In

To encourage the use of active transportation to and from the UBC Vancouver campus, Campus + Community Planning partnered with Zygg local bike company to provide eligible faculty and staff with a free e-bike trial for an entire week between May – July 2023.  
 
Zygg is a subscription-based e-bike service that offers monthly e-bike rentals to its customers with maintenance included. Their model provides users with the flexibility of riding during different times throughout the year without worrying about the maintenance or expense of purchasing a personal e-bike. During the program, over 70 faculty and staff members took part in the program, helping to decrease emissions and promote physical activity to and from campus. 

Learn more about UBC's e-bike pilot
 

Third Space Commons is a hempcrete building whose construction was led by UBC students in the 2022/23 fiscal year. Third Space Commons is one of Canada's first ‘carbon-minimal’ institutional buildings, emitting nearly-zero carbon emissions during construction with its hempcrete insulation actively capturing carbon from the atmosphere as it sets.  

The building was designed by Third Quadrant Design, a 60-member student team who managed the project from conception to completion, with the support of industry partners and faculty advisors. The project architecture lead, UBC student Katie Theall stated, “We sought to create an addition to campus that encourages interdisciplinary action on climate change, both as an example and through its eventual use. As a sustainability living lab and flexible collaboration space, we hope Third Space Commons will inspire future building industry leaders and cultivate innovation.”  

Learn more about Third Space Commons  
 

In June of 2022, UBCO unveiled its vision to expand the campus into downtown Kelowna. Increasing community ties, UBCO Downtown will feature a grand atrium on the main floor and eight storeys of academic space accompanied by 36 storeys of residential rental space with more than 500 units for UBCO students, staff, and faculty.  

UBCO Downtown will also feature cutting-edge simulated hospital wards to train nursing students, a public art gallery, a public engagement suite and a variety of other learning areas.

Dr. Lesley Cormack, Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBC's Okanagan campus shared, “UBCO is incredibly fortunate to attract some of the brightest, most innovative and deeply caring students, faculty and staff I’ve encountered. These are the people—working for a better city, province and world—that will fill the halls of this downtown building, leaving a positive mark on our community downtown and beyond.” 

Learn more about UBCO Downtown 
 

In fall 2022, Campus + Community Planning, in collaboration with UBC Recreation’s Move U Crew, engaged over 600 participants from the UBC Vancouver community in discussions surrounding the Pedestrian Priority Zones. The primary focus of this outreach was to share insights about the designated corridor's role as a shared multi-modal space, designed to accommodate safe walking, biking, and rolling. 

Acknowledging the dynamic nature of this public space, users were encouraged to be considerate of others and move slowly through the corridor. This collective effort aimed to cultivate an environment that promotes safety, helping create an inviting environment that thrives with safe and active travel practices. Learn more about UBC Pedestrian Priority Zones in the video below.

Measure  

% of trips made by walking, cycling or transit

Data: 

• Baseline from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data: 2022/23 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure

# of student beds 

Data source: Campus + Community Planning 

• * Excludes SHCS Student Family Housing
• Baseline from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data: 2022/23 (during COVID pandemic)

Measure 

# of child care spaces 

Data source (UBC-V only): Campus + Community Planning 

• Baseline from 2019/20 (pre-COVID pandemic)
• Latest data: 2022/23 (during COVID pandemic)