Increasing Affordability and Accessibility of UBC
The University has made the commitment that no student shall have the cost of education
be prohibitive to them completing their studies at UBC (Board Policy #72). It's time they
start living up to this promise.
Too many students are either unaware of the existence of this policy or find it fruitless due
to its structure. With the policy's evaluation criteria tied to the Province's flawed student
financial aid program, we are importing the problems of a broken system and excluding
students whose circumstances render them unfairly ineligible.
While the Province stagnates over student financial aid reform, UBC can and should be
doing several things to become more affordable and accessible as a University. UBC's Board
of Governors resolved to hold a strategic session on the affordability of education at UBC
during last year's vote to increase tuition. What has come of this discussion? Where is the
innovation and creativity that this campus so sorely needs on this issue?
It is time for the AMS to lead the charge on getting UBC to revisit and revise Policy 72. It
is in the best interest of the University that their hallmark policy becomes more effective.
And, of course, it must work for students. As AMS President and member of the Board of
Governors, I intend to make this happen.
In my time as the VP Academic I have worked extensively, through policy development,
research reports, and establishing strong working relationships with thought leaders
across campus, on developing a case for why UBC needs, and can offer forms of affordable
housing for students.
To ensure this discussion does not lose momentum, a working group has been struck, led
by actors from the School of Community and Regional Planning, to investigate and offer
solutions to the problem. Through a case-study analysis of other institutions, it is clear
that UBC needs to restructure its relationship and expectations with Student Housing
& Hospitality Services. Through my role as AMS President & member of the Board of
Governors I will continue to advocate for the exploration and implementation of more
affordable housing models at UBC.
Improving Student Well-being and Mental Health
The AMS is actively involved in promoting students interests in a number of areas, but
student well-being is one area that requires increased attention. UBC has recognized the
importance of this issue, albeit late as well, and are currently playing catch-up as they
attempt to address the problems associated with physical and mental health concerns
arising in the student body.
The statistics are alarming regarding student mental health and well-being. We are
more prone to get sick, suffer from depression, and take our own lives than any other
demographic. This can be attributed to a perfect storm of contributing factors, ranging
from the competitive nature of today's classroom to university years being a critical stage
in one's life where friends are made and lost, family can be farther away, to adjusting to
independent living in general.
An opportunity presents itself for the AMS and UBC to work collaboratively on this issue.
A holistic approach is required and the best place to start would be a comprehensive audit
of the academic calendar with respect to implications on a student's physical and mental
health. As AMS President, I will partner with the University in making this a reality and
further, I will ensure the AMS determines how it can best support and address (either
through new services or programs, policy instruments and/or other tools available to the
Society) the findings that any audit would have on our academic structure and University
life.
Ensuring a Student-Centered Campus
The UBC campus is changing quickly before our eyes. With every new academic building,
public realm project, and market housing development that appears on our campus, our
responsibility to preserve the vitality of student life for future generations of UBC students
increases. As the campus landscape shifts, students and their experience must be protected.
I have been critically involved in the preservation of an area of central importance to
students, Gage South – home to our outdoor concerts, pickup soccer games and a generally
welcoming patch of green-space on campus. My efforts in the last year have focused
on making sure that the process in determining its final form has been as honest and
transparent as possible. As the current VP Academic & University Affairs, I want to leverage
my incumbency into the role of President to ensure the leverage I have built over the
process is sustained.
Beyond land-use planning, UBC will also need to adopt a new form of municipal governance
in the very near future. This will have long-lasting effects on the student life. In order to
ensure the outcome of the current impasse is resolved with students interests protected,
a third-party review of governance options must be conducted. This will ensure that the
review is free from any potential political interference from various interest groups. My
portfolio has put me in discussions on this topic with students, residents, and University
Administration, positioning me well to secure a fair, inclusive and independent municipal
governance review.
