A new resource for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan students experiencing grief in different forms and those who support others who are grieving. The work of the Compassionate University Project at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) was the cornerstone of this document and was adapted by the UBC Okanagan campus. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with undergraduate and graduate students, funded by the UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund, in 2024 to tailor content for students at UBC. Students, faculty, and staff worked collaboratively to contribute and co-create this document. Included throughout the guide are campus-specific resources for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan students to recognize grief, offer support to others, and to familiarize themselves with the resources available to students on either campus.
Download the UBC Student Grief Guide
Webinar: Co-Creating a Compassionate Campus (Past Event)
On November 18, 2025, UBC Okanagan's Palliative Care Club, Wellbeing and Accessibility Services, and Human Resources, together with the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, hosted "Co-Creating a Compassionate Campus: Conversations on Grief and Loss," a webinar focused on building awareness and skills for offering compassion to ourselves and to others who are grieving.
Speakers shared how the guide was developed, highlighted student-led initiatives, introduced resources that support compassionate responses, and discussed ways individuals can help foster a more caring and supportive campus environment.
The session also showcased Thrive Month initiatives and provided practical guidance for engaging in compassionate conversations across the UBC community.