Wellbeing Strategic Framework

The Wellbeing Strategic Framework is our shared vision for UBC as a health-and-wellbeing- promoting university where all people, places and communities can flourish.

Guided by the calls to action in the Okanagan Charter, it connects our long-term, university-wide aspirations with actions that promote wellbeing in six priority areas: Collaborative Leadership, Mental Health & Resilience, Food & Nutrition, Social Connection, Built & Natural Environments and Physical Activity. The Wellbeing Strategic Framework was called for in UBC’s Strategic Plan, and outlines our collective approach to embedding wellbeing into organizational plans, policies, practices, work plans and decision-making.

By working together to activate this strategic framework within our unique UBC context, we can have a substantial positive impact on how our community members live, work, learn and play on our campuses. We hope that you will share and support our vision and join us in working towards achieving it.

Students at UBC Okanagan

UBC's Strategic Plan

“Creating vibrant, sustainable environments that enhance wellbeing and excellence for people in their places at UBC and beyond” - UBC Strategic Plan: Shaping UBC’s Next Century

Wellbeing was identified as a significant priority for the thousands of faculty, staff, students and alumni who contributed to the consultation for UBC’s Strategic Plan: Shaping UBC’s Next Century and is captured in the core area of People and Place.

Creating thriving campus communities—"focusing on the wellbeing of our UBC community, including sustainability and connectivity to our campuses,” was recognizes as an area for significant transformational potential, linking wellbeing with improving outcomes and achievements in research, teaching, learning and engagement.

This shared support for the wellbeing of our places and people says a lot about the type of institution we aspire to be—one that strives for excellence, but recognizes that this is supported and enhanced by the wellbeing of our community members.

Students at UBC Vancouver gather at Ponderosa Commons

UBC's Commitment to Wellbeing

Now I ask each of you to join me in helping UBC become a health-and wellbeing-promoting university by seeking opportunities to work with each other, the community, and government to advance this important priority. - UBC's 15th President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Santa Ono

UBC has formally committed to wellbeing through adopting the Okanagan Charter, incorporating wellbeing into UBC’s Strategic Plan: Shaping UBC’s Next Century, and now through activating the Wellbeing Strategic Framework on our campuses.

Read UBC's 15th President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Santa Ono's commitment to wellbeing

At UBC, we know that increased wellbeing leads to deeper learning, higher productivity, and a stronger sense of connection — all of which help create happier, healthier communities.

Supporting the wellbeing of our community members is very important to me personally. I was proud to take part as UBC became one of the first universities in the world to adopt the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health-promoting Universities and Colleges in 2016. The launch of our Wellbeing Strategic Framework is an opportunity for us to strengthen our commitment to the Charter’s calls to action to embed wellbeing across our university culture and lead health promotion action and collaboration local and globally.

Now I ask each of you to join me in helping UBC become a health-and wellbeing-promoting university by seeking opportunities to work with each other, the community, and government to advance this important priority.

Our commitment as the University Executive, which extends to academic and administrative leaders, is to:

Implement actions that promote wellbeing in the six priority areas of the Wellbeing Strategic Framework: Built & Natural Environments, Food & Nutrition, Mental Health & Resilience, Physical Activity, Social Connection, and Collaborative Leadership.
Continue to invest resources into strategic supports for faculties, administrative units, and our community to facilitate UBC-wide action on wellbeing.
Evaluate and report on outcomes through annual reporting.
Collaborate with community members to embed wellbeing into organizational plans, including academic and operational policies, practices, workplans, and everyday decision making.
Convene conversations and share best practices across Canadian and international campuses.

Our university is not just a place, it is our people – their success is UBC’s success. By promoting their wellbeing, we promote their excellence. That is why we must do this together— across the university, for everyone, by everyone — to ensure that all our people, places, and communities can flourish.

- UBC's 15th president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Santa Ono