Microbiologist named Researcher of the Year at UBC's Okanagan campus UBC microbiologist Melanie Jones has been named Researcher of the Year at UBC's Okanagan campus. Jones has been a professor in biology since 1990, first at Okanagan University College and more recently with UBC. Her research focuses on the effect of various forestry practices on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in BC forests. These fungi live among the roots of woody plants and play a vital role in nutrient and carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. Jones' most recent interest is in the physiological diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi found in clearcuts and older forests.
"Thinking like a watershed" talk to begin UBC's World Water Week The first event in this year's World Water Week is intended to get more people "thinking like a watershed." That's the title of UBC's Distinguished Speaker Series presentation Mar. 21 featuring Oliver Brandes, associate director of the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria. "Water will be the resource that defines prosperity in the 21st Century," says Brandes, whose work focuses on the ecological governance of water sustainability, sound resource management and ecological-based legal and institutional reform in BC and beyond. "The current regime of water law and governance is a vestige of an unsustainable past," he says. "British Columbia must face the challenges of increasing water demand, calls for shared decision-making and collaboration, changing roles for government and a climate in flux. Conflict, drought and water scarcity loom, even for a relatively water wealthy place like BC."
New UBC Okanagan Heat rugby team goes to nationals Men's and women's rugby is the newest addition to varsity athletics at UBC's Okanagan campus. The men's rugby team performed admirably in their first shot at the "Despite finishing sixth, the Heat proved that they could compete at the national level against teams with established well-funded programs," noted coach Rob O'Brien. "The fact that the Heat was the youngest team, with the majority of players being under 20 years old, suggests a bright future ahead for the program," he said. Videos and other stories from the tournamant can be found on the Rugby Heat vs. Western | Heat vs. Mt. Royal | Heat vs. Calgary
Heat men's volleyball bring home national silver The Heat Men's Volleyball team completed their final year of competition in Canadian Collegiate Athletics by bringing home a silver medal from the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship in Sherbooke, QC, last week. Their play at Nationals offered further experience to a team clearly ready for their transition to Canada Interuniversity Sport, having been accepted into the Canada West division starting this fall. The Heat will not lose any of this season's roster due to graduation in June. Many, if not all, members of the team will make the return next season.
Heat women fourth at volleyball nationals The Heat Women's Volleyball team was a favourite going into the CCAA Volleyball National Championships in Saint John, NB, last week, but the defending national champs finished just out of the medals this year. After a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Island University Mariners, the Heat swept Humber College, qualifying for the bronze medal match against the FX Garrneau Élans. The Elans kept the Heat away from the podium, winning 3 sets to 1.
UBC launches iPhone app UBC's first iPhone app is now available for download. Students, faculty, staff and prospective students will be able to access up-to-date event information and news from around campus. The app can also help users find their way around using a list of locations and maps. Prospective students can download the app to learn more about UBC, find program information and watch faculty and student testimonial videos. It also allows prospective students to connect with UBC and receive information about creating an account on the e-z Recruit system. UBC's mobile app will be an ongoing project and additional features will be added to future versions. UBC is working to make the app available in iPad, Blackberry, and Android formats in the very near future. To download the new app, or find out more, visit: http://tinyurl.com/4ts7l7k Campus community invited to hear Justin Trudeau, Mar. 25 Justin Trudeau, Liberal MP for Papineau, QC, and an advocate for greater political participation by Canada's youth, will speak at UBC's Okanagan campus on Friday, Mar. 25 (barring a federal election call prior to that date). All students, faculty and staff are invited. Entitled Canada's Democratic Deficit, the talk is at 1 p.m. in the University Centre Ballroom (UNC 200). Political Science Professor Barrie McCullough will make introductory remarks. The talk is sponsored by the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences' Unit 6, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology. Following the public talk, Trudeau will join students in the campus courtyard at 1:45 p.m.
Grad Gala 2011 is a celebration of the UBC community: students, staff, faculty and alumni. It embraces the intimate and special nature of the Okanagan campus and honours graduating students from every faculty with a night they will always remember. Each year, faculty, staff and alumni volunteer their time at Grad Gala, enabling us to offer students ticket prices at an affordable $25. Decorators, liquor tickets sellers, coats checkers, table bussers and volunteers for clean up are needed. This year's event is being held on Saturday, Apr. 9. Please encourage all graduating students to register early online. The band Treelines has been selected by students to headline the event. Non-graduating students and non-students-guests may also attend. To help send this year's grads off in style, or find out more, contact Erica Triggs, Assistant Events and Promotions Coordinator, 250-807-9360.
A new crime-response program is being implemented on campus, with a number of new ways for members of the campus community to provide tips while remaining anonymous. UBC Campus Security is partnering with Crime Stoppers to help empowers everyone on campus to fight back against crime using a variety of 21st century tools -- online, texting (274637 with keyword "BCtip") and facebook -- as well as via the traditional Crime Stoppers method (1-800-222-TIPS). Anyone who witnesses a crime on campus can use any of these methods to help keep UBC safe and more secure. To find out more about this program contact Security Coordinator Mike Gesi at 250-807-9173.
The start of the next school year is months away, but organizers are already putting the call out for volunteers to help at the Okanagan campus' annual new student orientation in September. There are also two new volunteer positions this year: Welcome Team Leader and Faculty Team Leader. To volunteer, or find out more, visit the Campus Life website or contact Student Events Coordinator Chelsea Butchart at 250-807-9820.
Exam Jam is a two-day study-support program running April 10 and 11, featuring a mix of academic and non-academic activities. Offering students an opportunity to review course material -- as well as attend health-minded study breaks and activity sessions -- Exam Jam is an ambitious idea to help students get ready for their upcoming exams. There are a variety of ways to participate in the Exam Jam in April. Classrooms and lecture halls have been pre-booked to provide faculty members, teaching assistants, tutors and supplemental learning leaders with a place to hold exam review and study group sessions. To find out more visit the Exam Jam website, or contact Geoffrey Cox in the Academic Resource Centre. Dial-in teleconferencing now available IT, Media & Classroom Services has created a campus-wide teleconferencing service that is now available to all researchers, faculty, and staff. Dial-in teleconferencing provides campus community members requiring access to dial in from a variety of locations. The service also allows teleconference organizers to set a date and time for participants to join by having them call the conference system and enter an access code. There are also multiple ways to dial in to the conference system including a direct campus number, a local Kelowna and area phone number, or a North America toll-free number. Currently, IT, Media & Classroom Services has licensed 26 ports which will allow 26 concurrent incoming phone calls to the teleconferencing server. Please note that wireless conference phones are also available. To request a teleconference simply submit a "Request Teleconference" work order via the online helpdesk and your request will be processed within two business days. Okanagan Senate meeting highlights: March 2 The Okanagan Senate is regularly passing important items. To better inform the campus community, highlights of these items will be posted on the Senate website following each scheduled meeting. Highlights from the March 2 meeting include:
For more information about these Senate highlights contact Nathalie Hager, acting manager of the Okanagan Senate Secretariat, at 250-807-9619. Registration now open for Green Research Challenge Ready...Set...Go Green In May and June, laboratory-based faculty, researchers and staff on campus are competing for points in a variety of eco-friendly challenges in the first-ever Green Research Challenge. Anyone who works in a lab and has a valid UBC CWL is invited to participate in the challenge. Challenge activities vary -- from reviewing climate change documentaries, to assessing energy use in a lab. All activities present an opportunity to learn more about on-campus laboratory solid and hazardous waste programs, water and energy reduction and green purchasing options. Prizes are given out each week for participating. A grand prize will also be awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the challenge. To register, or find out more, visit the Health, Safety and Environment website.
Video "LipDub" captures a day in the life of UBC's Students at UBC's Okanagan campus are taking school pride to a whole new level -- they're about to produce a "LipDub" video that captures the spirit of the campus for an online audience worldwide. "A LipDub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video," says student Lauren Gaudet, one of more than a dozen students organizing a full day of video production on Mar. 26. "Universities across the world have done it. Now it's our turn." The video's theme is a day in the life of UBC's Okanagan campus. "It will be a fun and dynamic way to showcase the Okanagan campus and everything it has to offer," says Gaudet.
UBC students build robots with SD23 students Interior Savings has teamed up with the Learning Exchange at UBC's Okanagan campus and School District 23 to provide elementary, middle, and high school students with the opportunity to visit the university and construct Lego Mindstorm Robots with university student volunteers. In half-day workshops, UBC students from a range of disciplines -- including engineering, computer sciences, arts and sciences, and education -- work with students in Grades 4 to 10 to build and program the educational toys. The ongoing initiative is made possible through a $15,000 donation from Interior Savings.
Future Delta: virtual world reveals climate change consequences A team of UBC researchers, students, designers and artists are creating an interactive 3D game simulation that enables players to walk through their digitally recreated community and see how the day-to-day choices they make could impact their actual environment. With detailed neighborhood visualization and animation, it predicts alternative climate scenarios that are focused on the flooding risks of Delta, BC. Led by Aleksandra Dulic, Professor of Interactive Art and Dynamic Media at UBC's Okanagan campus, the "Future Delta" project uses 3D modeling to build a realistic, interactive virtual environment that encompasses state-of-the-art solutions to carbon footprint reduction and flood management.
UBC funding supports health partnerships in BC Interior The Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention (IHLCDP) at UBC has provided $30,000 in funding divided equally among three initiatives that support research collaborations between UBC faculty and community-based researchers. The projects are aimed at improving the health and well-being of Okanagan residents. They will address community issues such as improving cardiac care for rural populations, identifying barriers to accessing medical cannabis among individuals with chronic illness, and developing best-practice options for mental health and substance use services integration with Aboriginal services.
Upcoming discussion highlights locally grown, globally connected careers Students can find out more about professionals working with Okanagan-based organizations that have global connections at this year's final instalment of the Career Café discussion series. Speakers will include:
Date: Thursday, Mar. 24 Students can RSVP for this session by contacting Christy Mahlberg, Career Centre Events Coordinator, at 250-807-8611. Finance lunch and learn sessions Finance will be holding a series of brown bag lunch and learn sessions in the coming months that will highlight current financial issues and provide a forum for discussion. The first lunch and learn session will focus on year-end processes, including timelines and procedures, over/under reports and financial statement certification. This session is aimed at administrators, financial officers, unit heads and managers with direct involvement in financial year-end processes. Date: Tuesday, Mar. 29 This is an open session and registration is not required. To find out more email finance.ubco@ubc.ca. Promotion and tenure workshop Faculty members have a good opportunity to find out more about promotion and tenure on April 5 at a special seminar entitled: Everything you wanted to know about promotion and tenure, but were afraid to ask. The seminar will feature:
Date: Tuesday, Apr. 5 The deadline for RSVPs to this event is Mar. 31. To RSVP send your full name, department and rank to Lynne McPherson. Neoliberalism and post-welfare Nordic states The campus community and the public are invited to participate in a day of discussion at UBC's Okanagan campus about neoliberalism and post-welfare Nordic states. Experts from universities in Iceland, Sweden and Denmark are visiting on April 11 for a workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Arts building ART 218. Funding for this workshop is provided by: the Cultural Studies program in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies; Unit 6 (Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology) and the Office of the Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences; Community Culture and Global Studies; Office of the Provost; and the Centre for Social, Spatial and Economic Justice. Date: Monday, April 11 To find out more, visit the online events calendar. The Art of Breathing On Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout March and early April, internationally acclaimed breathing and yoga instructor Deborah Small will be on campus to provide a series of instructional drop-in sessions focused on breathing. Learn to breathe and find peace and relaxation during your hectic work day. Increase energy, be more alert and focused, improve blood circulation and reduce stress. Open to all UBC employees, these drop-in sessions are organized by the School of Social Work and made possible by a Healthy Workplace Initiative grant. Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays until April 12 To find out more contact the School of Social Work at 250-807-8738.
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OKANAGAN CAMPUS News • Microbiologist named Researcher of the Year People • Video "LipDub" captures a day in the life of UBC's Okanagan campus Research Spotlight • Future Delta: virtual world reveals climate change consequences
Rule Out Racism week events continue March 14 to 18 is Rule Out Racism week at UBC. Already this week, Rule Out Racism organizers have put on a series of events that deal with the topic of racial discrimination, including yesterday's screening and discussion of One Big Hapa Family with writer and director Jeff Chiba Stearns. The rest of the week's Rule Out Racism events will include:
To find out more visit the Rule Out Racism Week website.
Grad Street Think of this as the transition event. At Grad Street, graduating students get everything they need to navigate their way from student to alumnus. Hang out with recent grads in the clubhouse; learn how to order a grad gown and book a spot on graduation day; and get some advice on next steps for life beyond an undergrad degree, whether in a career or grad studies. Date: Thursday, Mar. 17 This is a free event, with snacks provided.
Ability and access through the arts Join the Disability Resource Centre in March and April for a number of fun and interactive activities. Song writing workshop featuring Ryan Donn Date: Friday, Mar. 18 Music performance: Fields of Green Date: Friday, Mar. 18 Come together to create: making theatre that matters Date: Tuesday, Mar. 29 Theatre workshop performance Date: Tuesday, Mar. 29 Ability and access art show opening Date: Friday, Apr. 1 Ability and access art exhibition Date: Saturday, Apr. 2 Dates: Apr. 4 to 8 All events are free and open to the public. For full event details visit the Disability Resource Centre website. Where is Social Work heading across the globe? Where is Social Work heading across the globe? It is important that voices of social work practitioners, educators and policy and development workers from all parts of the world are taken into account. This important topic is what Associate Professor Dixon Sookraj is addressing at a Global Agenda for Social Work discussion this Friday. Date: Friday, March 18 Students put a focus on Japan with 1,000 cranes Japanese students will help the campus community fold 1,000 origami cranes on Mar. 23 as the first part of an important project they hope will raise awareness of Japanese culture and help raise funds for disaster relief. On Mar. 23, for $1, you can buy a sheet of recycled paper and (perhaps with a little help) fold a paper crane. All the origami cranes will later be arranged to form a much larger crane sculpture. Watch for tables set up in various locations around campus. On April 1, the students will hold an on-campus Festival of a Thousand Cranes, with Japanese movies, food and cultural presentations. Here's a chance to learn more about Japan's people and their country, and to contribute to the disaster relief effort. Date: Wednesday, Mar. 23 (origami cranes), and Friday, April 1 (Japanese festival) Don't stay in your office for coffee next Friday Sponsored by Student Housing and Hospitality Services, all faculty and staff are invited for coffee on Friday, Mar. 25, for Pitstop.
The biochemistry of vitamin B12 Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Research Tea Break Speaker Series is a showcase of the many types of research occurring on campus. The series continues in March with a talk by Kirsten Wolthers, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, giving her talk: The Biochemistry of Vitamin B12. This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be provided. Date: Wednesday, Mar. 30 To find out more contact the Research Services Office at 205-807-9658. CCGS' Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies students conference Graduate Students Pushing Boundaries Connect with graduate students, learn about scholarly innovation and be inspired at Community, Culture and Global Studies' Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Students Conference on March 31. Date: Thursday, Mar. 31 To find out more email eva@kowalke.ca.
FCCS Visiting Author: Novelist Emma Donoghue Novelist Emma Donoghue will give a free public reading at on March 31, as part of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies' Visiting Author Series. Weather conditions prevented Donoghue from travelling to the Okanagan for an originally planned reading in early February. Donoghue's latest novel Room is one of the most talked about novels of the year. Room was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and won the 2010 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Her other books include Slammerkin and The Sealed Letter. Date: Thursday, March 31 This reading is sponsored by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, UBC Bookstore, and the Canada Council for the Arts. To find out more contact the department of Creative Studies at 250-807-9648. German Film Society screening: Status Yo! The latest German Film Society screening will take place on April 5 and features Status Yo! (2004) from director Till Hastreiter. Date: Tuesday, Apr. 5 Films are in German with English subtitles. At each German Film Society screening there will be popcorn, pizza and non-alcoholic beverages provided. To find out more contact Claude Desmarais, Reichwald professor in Germanic studies, at 250-807-8635. What's Happening on campus The Okanagan campus events calendar is the central point for online information about university-related events, on and off campus. Events at a Glance:
For a full listing visit the Okanagan campus events calendar.
Exchange your information The Exchange is your newsletter. Let everyone know what's going on in your corner of campus. Send submissions to Alumni and University Relations c/o Chris Guenard.
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