Exchange is a monthly e-journal for faculty and staff highlighting UBC Okanagan events, achievements and news you can use. Your Public Affairs staff welcomes contributions, notes, hot tips and suggestions for future editions.

In this issue...

• Message from the Deputy Vice Chancellor
  
• Invite an International Student to Dinner this Holiday Season
  
• Food For Thought at the Library
  
• Get Involved in Global Connections
  
• International Week Coming in March
  
• Great Canadian Smoke Out
  
• Disability Rights Roundtable Discussion
  
• Air Quality and Health Presentation Dec. 16
  
• Lakers Women 3rd in CCAA Volleyball Rankings
  
• Travel Agencies Simplify Planning
  
• UBC/AMEX
  

Message from the Deputy Vice Chancellor
As we approach the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your dedication and contribution to establishing UBC Okanagan. What an incredible year it has been as together we witnessed the opening of this great new university. This fall we have lived with the trials, tribulations and the joys that always accompany starting something new. Our energy has focused on getting things running smoothly and efficiently.

Now it is time to turn our attention to ensuring that we are using best practices in all we do in the realms of learning, research, administration and in building an environment that supports us reaching our full potential as individuals and as an institution. With most of the growing pains behind us, we can now concentrate on building an institution that is known internationally for excellence, innovation and a commitment to success.

The success we have achieved to date would not have been possible without a great deal of extra effort by many people and for that I would like to offer my sincere thanks. We have so much to be proud of in 2005 and so much to look forward to in the New Year as we continue to work together to create UBC Okanagan. I wish you all the joy of the holiday season and a successful and rewarding 2006.

Dr. Barry McBride
Deputy Vice Chancellor

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Invite an International Student to Dinner this Holiday Season
The December break at UBC Okanagan can be particularly difficult for international students who cannot be with their own families in their home country. International students often report difficulties in getting to know and become friends with the locals. Indeed, many end up never having set foot in a local home even after studying for a few years in the host country.

With Dine Canadiana: Holiday Season, UBC Okanagan staff and faculty have the opportunity to help by inviting an international student home for a meal on one evening. Kelowna-area Rotarians have also been invited to participate. Dine Canadiana is a hospitality program which aims to provide international students a chance to experience Canadian home life and expand friendships with Canadians.

Why Bother?

• It's an opportunity to expand your horizons through conversations with international students over a meal
  
• It's a friendly gesture that helps to promote international understanding and friendship
  
• It's a wonderful way of being ambassadors of Canada without leaving home
  

How It Works
If you are able to invite one to two students home for a meal for one evening between December 19 and January 2, please request an application form and further information from Dana Reiter, International Advisor, UBC Okanagan (dana.reiter@ubc.ca, office SSC119G, local 79276). Complete and return the form to Dana by December 12, who will then find the best match to meet your specifications.

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Food For Thought at the Library
Did you notice the Food for Fines signs around campus last week?

The UBC Okanagan Library joined with the UBC Library to promote a joint Food for Fines campaign in support of local food banks. All food donated by library users is divided between the UBC Students' Union Okanagan and the Kelowna and Area Food Bank. This charitable outreach program by the UBC Library provides direct support to students and our community.

For every food item donated at the Library between November 28 and December 5, the Library reduced library fines by $2, up to a maximum of $20.

UBC Okanagan Library held its first Food for Fines drive at the beginning of the transition from OUC to UBC Okanagan. This Christmas campaign is the first of what will become an annual event for UBC Okanagan Library.

Thanks to all students, faculty and staff who participated in the program.

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Get Involved in Global Connections
Global Connections is a group of volunteers planning international presentations, International Week events (see below), International Film Festivals, and more to create an internationally aware campus at UBC Okanagan. Interested? Students, staff and faculty members are all welcome to join.

To find out more, contact Dana Reiter, International Advisor, local 79276, dana.reiter@ubc.ca, and office SSC119G.

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International Week Coming in March
Global Connections will host International Week from March 27 to 31, 2006. Events planned at this time include:

• International Human Rights: Amnesty International film nights
  
• International Fair Trade: 10,000 Villages fair trade non-profit here again selling items and presenting two talks with slideshows by their national representative
  
• International Flare: An international cultural fashion show is being considered
  
• International Grooves: The Well will play international music one night
  
• International Storytelling is being considered
  
• Global Citizenship, International Opportunities: Guest speakers on international entrepreneurship, youth international development opportunities, the Young Professionals International program, volunteering in Zambia with the Harnessing the Wave project, and other topics.

During International Week, the UBC Books for Africa program will be launched at UBC Okanagan.

More information on Global Connections

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Great Canadian Smoke Out: A challenge for the entire UBC Okanagan Community

Health and Wellness at UBC Okanagan in partnership with Human Resources have announced a major investment to support those wishing to quit smoking. Starting January 18 (Weedless Wednesday), the Great Canadian Smoke Out: Becoming or Staying Tobacco-Free Contest offers a chance at cash prizes for people who attempt to quit in January through March, and for those who are already tobacco-free. Stop by Health and Wellness for an entry form.

In addition to the contest, Health and Wellness offers one-on-one counselling, e-mail support, and a free cope kit. They will even pay for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (gum), if you are ready to quit.

For information or support for quitting smoking, stop by the Health and Wellness Centre in Room SSC006, downstairs in Student Services. You can also call Nurse Clinician Melissa Feddersen at 807-9271 or e-mail campushealth.ubco@ubc.ca.

Read about the Great Canadian Smoke Out (1-page PDF)

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Disability Rights Roundtable Discussion
Everyone in the UBC Okanagan community is invited to a Lunch and Learn roundtable discussion on disability rights in Canada, next Thursday, December 15, from noon to 1 p.m. in SSC102 (Student Services building).

The keynote speaker for this event is Tom Patch, LLM, UBC Associate Vice President, Equity, speaking on Turning the Corner for Disability Rights in Canada. The lunchtime discussion, celebrating the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons and the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, will focus on the impact of the struggle to incorporate disability in Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the disability rights movement in Canada.

Refreshments will be provided. Please feel free to bring a lunch. Seating is limited.

RSVP by e-mail to marie.molloy@ubc.ca by Monday, December 12, and please identify any access requirements.

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Air Quality and Health Presentation Dec. 16
Explore issues of air quality and health as the Interior Health Authority and UBC's Okanagan and Vancouver campuses jointly sponsor a presentation by Dr. Paul Hasselback, Senior Medical Health Officer with the Interior Health Authority.

Dr. Hasselback's presentation is Friday, December 16, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Room ART374.

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Lakers Women 3rd in CCAA Volleyball Rankings
For the first time in Laker history, the women's and men's volleyball teams both earned top-3 placement in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association's (CCAA) November 22 national rankings.

The Okanagan Laker women's volleyball team remains in 3rd spot in the November 29 rankings; the men are currently ranked 7th.

The Okanagan Laker women's basketball team is ranked 7th in the country as of November 29, up one spot from the previous week.

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Travel Agencies Simplify Planning

UBC's two contracted travel agencies offer UBC Okanagan travellers access to all UBC negotiated rates. No need to search for airline discounts, or hotel and vehicle rental corporate rates. BTI Canada and North South Travel will look after all of your travel needs at the most reasonable cost for the purpose of the trip.

Both agencies can be contacted by phone or e-mail. Identify yourself as being from UBC Okanagan. Better yet try the UBC customized on-line systems associated with each agency.

BTI CANADA
Tel: 604-331-1576 or 1-800-575-1576 Fax: 604-681-1590 E-mail: utswest@bticanada.ca Website: www.bticanada.ca UBC Online with RESX	Tel: 604-736-7662 or 1-800-665-1882 Fax: 604-736-6513 E-mail: ubc@nstravel.bc.ca Website: www.nstravel.bc.ca UBC Online with CliqBook

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UBC/AMEX
A reminder that all UBC/AMEX cards are "Personal Pay" cards, as these cards are for travel and entertainment purposes and do not have an automatic electronic reconciliation feature.

For Individual UBC/AMEX cards, travellers must claim for reimbursement and are responsible for paying AMEX.

For Departmental UBC/AMEX cards (identified by a Speedchart) Travel Requisitions can be made payable directly to AMEX, however original receipts and proper authorization must accompany the Requisition.

For further information on these and other travel related topics please visit the Travel at UBC website at www.travel.ubc.ca and remember to sign up for Travel News, the electronic newsletter.

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