Christmas Clerks Beware: Flattery Ploy Won’T Work
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VOLUME 52 | NUMBER 12 | DECEMBER 7, 2006 UBC REPORTS
2 UBC IN THE NEWS 3 NARDWUAR 4 JURASSIC RELIC 5 JAWS UNDER ICE 6 BEAUTY INTERVENTIONS 9 STI’s IN BOOMTOWN Christmas Clerks Beware: Flattery Ploy Won’t Work
BY LORRAINE CHAN
“You look great in that jacket!” “Fuchsia is really your colour.” “I bought that exact pair of shoes myself.” Sales pitches like these will be flying fast and furious as retailers ramp up for the year’s busiest Still Time to Donate! shopping season. see p. 2 However, these ploys do little to clinch a sale and may confirm shoppers’ negative reporters earned 27 per cent, views of the sales game, says lawyers 29 per cent and auto Assoc. Prof. Darren Dahl, who mechanics 33 per cent. teaches marketing and consumer Dahl recently published behaviour at UBC’s Sauder Deliberative and Automatic School of Business. Bases of Suspicion: Empirical “Consumers today are Evidence of the Sinister enormously wary of marketing Attribution Error in the Journal tactics and have an automatic of Consumer Psychology. His mistrust of flattery from a study looks at the reaction of salesperson,” says Dahl. consumers to flattery from store He says according to a 2003 clerks. Along with co-authors Ipsos-Reid survey, only 10 per Kelley Main at York University cent of consumers expressed any and Peter Darke at Florida degree of trust in sales agents. In State University, Dahl explores comparison, national politicians whether consumers decide a PHOTO: MARTIN DEE came in at nine per cent, while salesperson is untrustworthy Assoc. Prof. Darren Dahl turns a keen eye on marketplace behaviour and consumer patterns. continued on page 3
Campus Station an Incubator of Ideas, Talent
BY BASIL WAUGH
A campus radio station that has digitization of music has really launched some of the brightest given that power back to talents in independent music is individuals. More and more, ready to rock an iPod near you. people are finding their music For 25 years, the University online and listening to it when of British Columbia’s student- and where it is convenient for run CiTR 101.9 FM has them.” nurtured local passions for “We want to give UBC music and radio – and in the students and others better access process, helped to launch some to CiTR, and podcasting does of the biggest names in the that,” adds Benjamin, 22. “Now Canadian independent music no one needs to miss class to scene, including alt-country catch to their favourite show crooner Neko Case, MuchMusic – they can simply go to our “guerilla” interviewer Nardwuar website and subscribe to the The Human Serviette and CBC podcast.” Radio 3 personality Grant CiTR’s podcasts join a series Lawrence. of initiatives that have made With the introduction of a the station synonymous with new podcasting service, CiTR independent music and art in on Demand, music fans can now Vancouver, including the award- fill their portable MP3 players winning Discorder magazine, with CiTR’s eclectic mix of for which music fans with a music, talk, sports and news, literary bent can write reviews including such shows as Cute and interview bands. (The CBC’s Band Alert (pop/rock), These are PHOTO: MARTIN DEE Grant Lawrence is a former CiTR 101.9 FM’s Nardwuar the Human Serviette (left) and Alison Benjamin (right) are ready to rock MP3 the Breaks (hip hop), Live from Discorder feature writer). The players around the globe with a new podcasting service. Thunderbird Hell (live bands), station also promotes concerts Juicebox (sex/relationships), The station’s expansion into control over how and when record companies controlled by local and traveling artists, Democracy Now (news), Queer podcasting comes at a time they consume music, says CiTR access to music,” says Benjamin, and has presented gigs by The FM (talk) and Let’s Get Baked when digital technology has president Alison Benjamin. a fourth-year student in the Ramones, Nirvana, Public (cooking). given music fans unprecedented “Up until recently, radio and Faculty of Arts. “But the Enemy, DOA and Iggy Pop. continued on page 3 danielson | UBC REPORTS ad_final.qxd | DECEMBER 9/28/05 7 , 22:50 0 0 6 PM Page 1
RETIRING WITHIN IN THE NEWS
FIVE YEARS? Highlights of UBC Media Coverage in November 2006. COMPILED BY BASIL WAUGH Want to plan ahead?
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Simpson’s now- 400 households through 2009 to determine how are trademarks of Assante Corporation, used under license cancelled book and TV special, which explore how Internet use affects cognitive development, social – hypothetically – Simpson would have committed skills and obesity rates. 1950 West Broadway the 1994 slayings of his wife Nicole and waiter Shapka wants to study whether the Internet Vancouver, BC 604-731-7868 Ron Goldman. helps or hinders children’s social development, www.copiesplus.ca Dutton has served as an expert witness in and if children who spend a lot of time online criminal trials involving family violence, including are lonely, depressed or shy. She will also explore Custom Calendars Simpson’s pre-trial, where he testified for the whether children who use online instant messaging The Perfect Gift prosecution, and the subsequent civil trial, where are safer than those who visit social-networking $20.00 for the 1st Dutton acted as a consultant. sites. 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Mon to Fri 8am–9pm • Sat to Sun 10am–6pm As the 2006 UBC United Way has been busy spreading awareness Campaign draws to a close this about United Way and its many month, donors and volunteers connections to UBC. are continuing their support for “For more than 75 years United this expression of Trek 2010’s Way have been shepherds in our commitment to global citizenship and community, working to identify its building a sustainable and civil society. social needs and helping to address “With over $318,000 raised, we them through fundraising and other have achieved 83 per cent of our initiatives,” says Carr. “Eighty-nine fundraising goal to support social programs and cents of every dollar raised goes directly to services,” says Andrew Parr, Director of Food programs in over 400 local agencies.” Services and UBC Vancouver campaign chair. Donation pledge forms will be accepted until “With the support of staff, faculty and students, the end of the tax year, Dec. 31, but only those we are optimistic that we will reach or exceed received before Dec. 13 will be eligible for the our target. We also hope to increase campus grand prize draw of two Air Canada tickets to participation by 100 new donors.” anywhere in North America, plus other great UBC Okanagan’s campaign, chaired by Terry prizes. Flannigan, has raised more than 90 per cent of its For more information on the campaign, visit $30,000 goal. www.unitedway.ubc.ca or call Kate Petrusa at With 54 presentations under his belt, Loaned 604.822.8929 (UBC Vancouver) or Elizabeth Representative Andy Carr, UBC Plant Operations, Kershaw at 250.807.8436 (UBC Okanagan).
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including 100 programmers – the The community response to the station for its support of the include a new free legal advice station has introduced several so these two initiatives has been local music scene for all these show by UBC’s student Pro Bono called “fun-draising” initiatives: overwhelming, says Benjamin. years.” Law Society; the student science its first on-air funding drive, “Although fundraising is CiTR supports student show My Science Project; and which raised over $10,000 standard in our sector, we really events with public service last year, a partnership with between Nov. 10-24, and the didn’t know what to expect announcements and in-depth UBC’s First Nations House of introduction of a Friends of CiTR because this was our first time,” news and sports coverage, but Learning, in which a group of card ($5 for members, $15 for she says. “We realize now that Benjamin says the station is 20 Aboriginal students learned others) gets holders discounts a lot of individuals and small working to take advantage of production skills and created at 20 local restaurants, clothing merchants have been waiting for its position as a campus radio a radio project on media Another major community stores and music and book shops. opportunities like these to thank station. Some recent successes representation of indigenous initiative is SHiNDiG, CiTR’s peoples. 13-week annual battle-of-the- “CiTR is a great complement bands competition, in which to student life,” says Benjamin. hundreds of Vancouver bands “It’s full of cool, intrepid – including former winner Maow journalist-types, great volunteers (featuring Neko Case on drums), with big personalities, who are The Organ, Three Inches of passionate about cutting-edge Blood and The Nasty On – have alternative and under-represented vied for recording, mastering music and ideas. We are not all and promotion prizes during the music snobs like Jack Black’s contest’s 20-year history. Twenty- character in High Fidelity,” she seven bands duked it out this says. “Okay, some of us are.” year, with the winner crowned Benjamin says student Dec. 5 at the Railway Club. (The involvement is the key to CiTR’s winner had not been announced unique sound and its success at by the time of UBC Report’s launching careers in music and print deadlines.) media. “Young minds – excited In addition to receiving a by new music and ideas, willing portion of funding from UBC’s to try new things – make for Alma Mater Society’s $4 great radio,” she says. “With new student levy, CiTR operates on students joining CiTR every year annual membership fees ($20 and setting its direction, it keeps for students, $35 for others), the station fresh.” which give members access to In honour of its 25th year production and programming on the FM dial, in June 2007 training, and CiTR’s two CiTR will host the National massive libraries of more than Campus and Community 40,000 CDs and records, which Radio Association conference, are topped up weekly with an annual national gathering shipments from record labels and of more than 40 community- artists from around the world. oriented radio broadcasters. However, to upgrade and For more information on maintain equipment used by CiTR, and to subscribe to
over 300 volunteers members – PHOTOS: MARTIN DEE podcasts, visit www.citr.ca. UBC’s student-run radio station has launched some of the biggest names in Canada’s independent music scene, including MuchMusic “guerilla interviewer” Nardwuar the Human Serviette (left).
Serviette, Please researched interviews of celebrities, success that has come to me is the press pass that got me the founders of Mint Records, home including Canadian politicians 100 per cent thanks to CiTR,” says interviews, and exposed me to all of Juno-winning artists The New One person who has seen CiTR’s Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Nardwuar, who also fronts his these great bands I would have Pornographers; former prime impact on Vancouver’s music scene Jack Layton, former Soviet Union band The Evaporators, as well as never known about otherwise.” minister John Turner; the late is MuchMusic’s Nardwuar the leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and presenting local all-ages concerts, Other former CiTR/UBC Radio historian Pierre Berton; B.C. Human Serviette, whose variety pop culture stars Kurt Cobain, and running Nardwuar Records, Society members include: Terry Entertainment Hall-of-Famer show has been running on UBC’s Courtney Love, Snoop Doggy which releases music and special McBride, former CiTR DJ and Dave McCormick; CTV’s Chris campus radio station every Friday Dogg, Destiny’s Child, Marilyn projects like his 2007 Punk Rock founder of Nettwerk Records, Olsen; The Vancouver Province’s since 1987. Manson, and Michael Moore. Calendar. home of Sarah McLachlan, Avril Tom Harrison; and CBC radio Nardwuar, a UBC alumnus, is “CiTR is the best radio station “CiTR taught me how to put Lavigne, and Barenaked Ladies; personalities Wilson Wong, best known for his energetic, hyper- in the world – and any so-called together a radio show, gave me Bill Baker and Randy Iwata, Lauren Burrows, and Sarah Effron.
FLATTERY continued from page 1 through a deliberate or completed a questionnaire that Are you a Market Maven or a Bargain Hunter? automatic decision-making asked whether they received Before setting off to the mall with their Christmas shopping list, people may want to pay attention to what process. any flattery from the sales clerk, psychologists term “heuristic” behaviour. To gather data, the researchers when the flattery occurred and “Heuristics are the simple rules of thumb that we use to make shopping or other tasks easier,” says ran three experiments that how trustworthy they found the Sauder School of Business Prof. Darren Dahl. “It’s the path of least resistance.” involved consumers buying salespeople. Businesses tailor their storefronts, products and marketing campaigns to tap these entrenched shopping sunglasses at a sales kiosk in “Our findings show that patterns. What are they? UBC’s Student Union Building. even when it was obvious the Dahl says a common heuristic for many shoppers is the price. “If it’s expensive, we believe it’s good The 102 study participants were compliment didn’t serve any quality, which may or may not be true.” all university students: 37 males underlying sales motive, the And obviously, the power of the brand plays a huge part. “We choose what’s representative of the and 65 females. participants didn’t trust what prototype,” says Dahl. “We want something that’s recognizable, a name we can trust.” In the first experiment, sales the sales agent had to say,” says Or there’s the heuristic of guilt. The shoe store clerk trots back and forth, bringing you pair after pair. clerks flattered consumers Dahl. After trying on about 40 different styles and sizes, you end up not buying a single pair and leave feeling quite before their purchase. During “In a way it’s sad that the guilty. the second, sales clerks flattered marketplace has become so “Why?” asks Dahl. “After all, that’s what the clerk is there to do.” consumers after their purchase. suspicious,” adds Dahl, “but it But often shoppers do feel guilty because of the “reciprocity norm,” explains Dahl. “When someone does In both instances, they used three seems that when someone flatters something for us, we feel a need to reciprocate – in this case by buying those shoes.” statements, “That’s a great pair us, we get our back up even if it’s “Market mavens” are people who religiously clip coupons. “It doesn’t make sense really when you think of of sunglasses. I think they look not called for. It’s the consumers’ how much effort it takes to clip the coupons, organize them and make sure you take them to the store. But good on you. They really suit default position to react coupons appeal to consumers who love the thrill of the hunt.” you.” With the third experiment negatively to what is perceived as In a similar category are bargain hunters who’ll drive across town if it means savings. “It’s irrational the – which acted as a control – sales an attempt to manipulate them.” lengths some people will go to: they’ll burn $2 to $3 gasoline just to save 50 cents.” clerks chatted with consumers However, it doesn’t mean but didn’t proffer any flattery. that businesses can’t be nice After buying a pair of to customers – they have to CLIP and SAVE! sunglasses, participants then really mean it, and be more " continued on page 4 | UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 Jurassic Relic Offers Clues to Climate Change Survival Learning secrets of conifer evolution could benefit forestry in a time of global warming
By Bud Mortenson have evolved. Today’s ponderosa or lodgepole pines might drop a A long-lost tree species will few needles now and then, but soon begin to tell its 200- that’s highly evolved behaviour million-year-old story at UBC compared to the much more Okanagan, where Prof. Susan ancient Wollemi – instead of Murch, Canada Research Chair dropping needles, they drop in Natural Products Chemistry, entire branches. is nurturing a grove of baby “You could get hurt walking Wollemi pines (Wollemi nobilis) under these trees,” she says, in her office. noting that the Monkey Puzzle “In ancient times, the Wollemi tree closely related to the was found across Australia,” Wollemi has indeed hurt people says Murch. “But in modern with falling boughs. times, the Wollemi occupies only Murch is actively campaigning one tiny habitat in the wild.” for greenhouse facilities at UBC The Wollemi dates back to Okanagan, explaining that the Jurassic era – outlasting greenhouse space would benefit dinosaurs, enduring 17 ice ages, her research with plants that long droughts and other climate might have medicinal uses, and catastrophes. The Wollemi are also the research of colleagues conifers with unique bubbly investigating chemical cross-talk “popcorn” bark and tall, between the roots of trees and multiple trunks. Their distinctive beneficial microbes that help swooping branches make the PHOTO: BUD MORTENSON plants grow. Susan Murch is nurturing 50 small Wollemi pines in her UBC Okanagan office, where research is underway to mature trees look a bit like discover this extremely rare conifer’s chemical and evolutionary secrets. These areas of research can chimney brushes, densely packed have far-reaching impacts on with attractive, unusual dark timber and food production, green foliage that’s flat-bladed, “No one could possibly have beginning to put the small plants dioxide (CO2). she says, pointing out that the not needle-like. foreseen this opportunity. I through several experiments to “CO2 levels today may B.C. economy continues to lean An Australian park naturalist thought I might get one plant measure growth rates, reactions actually be too low for the heavily on the success of our discovered a single mature and with that I’d be able to to environmental stress such Wollemi to thrive,” says Murch. conifer forests. “CO2 levels today may actually be too low for the Wollemi to thrive,” says Murch. “It’s a fascinating idea. In understanding the chemistry of that, we can learn a lot about how to help other species survive.”
Wollemi in the Blue Mountains do something little. But with as hot and cold temperatures, “It’s a fascinating idea. In “These Wollemi are conifers 200 km northwest of Sydney this many plants I can actually and they’re already looking at understanding the chemistry of and most of British Columbia in 1994. A grove of mature do science. It’s an amazing the chemical compounds in the that, we can learn a lot about relies on conifer trees for trees was later found nearby opportunity,” says Murch. pine’s tissues. Eventually, they’ll how to help other species economic benefit,” she says. “The in a rocky canyon. Since then, Though they’re mere seedlings be able to compare the Wollemi’s survive.” Wollemi can teach us about how botanists at Wollemi Pine right now, in their natural chemical profile with related Old genes are valuable in conifers evolved. We will learn a International – an organization Australian habitat they can grow species. other ways, too. They can show lot from a better understanding determined to conserve the up to 40 metres (131 feet) tall. “Rare species are particularly us the paths along which species of ancient but related species.” Wollemi for future generations She is investigating the chemistry interesting as they provide a – have been attempting to of this unique species, looking snapshot into the chemistry propagate plants from the for clues to help understand that must occur for a species A Gift for the Person Who has Everything remaining trees. why so few Wollemi survived to survive as climates change,” “Most of the seeds do not into modern times, how the Murch says. Looking for an extraordinarily rare gift for someone on your holiday germinate but the Australian Wollemi adapted to changing “Most people have heard shopping list? Consider the Wollemi pine. Adult population in the team has successfully produced environments, and how it may be of climate change and global wild: fewer than 100. Wollemi for the horticultural related to more modern conifers. warming and the effects of A new program by Wollemi Pine International and the National industry through rooted For a brief moment after greenhouse gasses. One of Geographic Society hopes to place propagated Wollemi in countries cuttings,” says Murch. “We its discovery, the Wollemi’s the things that interests me is around the world – including Canada. Proceeds from the sale of know very little about the distinctive flat needles were human adaptation versus plant small seedlings will fund conservation of endangered plant species. Wollemi growth, development or mistaken for fern fronds. But adaptation. With the Wollemi, Widespread distribution of the plants ensures that the rare Wollemi reproduction. There’s so much botanists now classify the here is a species that has adapted are never again limited to a potentially vulnerable single spot on Earth. we can learn here.” unusual growth pattern as very well even through changing Making Wollemi available for purchase is also expected to relieve Earlier this year, a selection a “modified Cook model,” conditions.” pressure from visitors to the Blue Mountains in Australia seeking up- of the first-release Wollemi was says Christina Salvadore, a The Wollemi might be a close encounters with a plant that until recently was known to science offered for sale through the recent graduate from Stanford survivor, but one of the mysteries only through fossil records. auction house Sotheby’s. Nearly University visiting Murch’s labs locked in its past is why it has Wollemi pines are suitable for growing indoors as ornamental trees, 300 trees were sold, raising more at UBC Okanagan to work on been reduced to a few dozen and outdoors where temperatures stay above -12 Celsius. Sales through than $1 million. Intrigued by the the Wollemis. It’s another clue wild trees. Murch says Earth’s Canadian garden centres are planned for 2007 but until then, Wollemi- opportunity to study the species, to the mystery of where the atmosphere may hold the key. seekers can follow their availability in Canada through the Wollemi Murch asked for a tree “if there Wollemi fits into pine evolution. The Wollemi dates back to a Pine International website www.wollemipine.com. were any leftovers.” She received With Murch, Salvadore and time when the atmosphere had 50 small Wollemi. fellow grad student Ian Cole are much higher levels of carbon
FLATTERY continued from page 3 sophisticated. “The same company owns He says an example of real consumers hold the upper hand. trends, Dahl says he and other “A lot of consumers appreciate Best Buy and Future Shop. You’ll trailblazing would be online Further, consumers are taking the researchers provide valuable good customer service, but it notice Best Buy TV ads stress, bookseller Amazon, which was control away from companies. insights for policy makers, becomes negative if businesses ‘No commissions, no hassles.’ one of the first websites to build “They can create their own government, consumers and cross the line.” So the company is aware that customer profiles, whose pop- markets for products as we’re businesses. Dahl says when cashiers at a lot of consumers don’t want ups for suggested books give seeing with YouTube. If they like “We’re chronicling major Safeway address you by name salespeople all over them, but shoppers a sense their tastes are your product, they’ll make their aspects of society. That’s the fun after each transaction, that’s one they’re offering a choice for recognized. own commercials about it and part of my job as an academic. I approach. Or companies will those who don’t mind that and Dahl says with the Internet put it on the Internet. The power can see something interesting at segment their brand to capture may see it as a level of service being used for shopping and lies with consumers.” the store that piques my interest different markets. they want.” researching product information, By documenting these and I get to research it.” UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 | Jaws Under Ice: Mysterious Arctic sharks found in Québec PHOTOS: COURTESY CHRIS HARVEY-CLARK Marine Biologist Chris Harvey-Clark (right) took the first videos of Greenland sharks in shallow water.
by BRIAN Lin “All the questions a Grade two Since then, Harvey-Clark and By tagging the sharks and the works, Harvey-Clark has class would ask – where do they Gallant, a regional director of tracking them in real time, the organized an interdisciplinary In the frigid, murky waters go, what do they eat, how do the Shark Research Institute, team has learned that some team for next summer’s of the St. Lawrence River in they breed, how big do they get based in Drummondville, QC, females remain in the area, in expedition – funding it with Québec, UBC marine biologist or even how long they live – we have organized a group of local extreme depths, while males equipment donations and out of and veterinarian Chris Harvey- can’t say for sure.” volunteer divers who help them travel up-river towards Québec his own pocket. He has designed Clark is painting a clearer Various historic accounts and survey the region every summer. City, where marine mammals are field experiments to find out picture of a mysterious predator anecdotes portray the Greenland The team has uncovered new abundant. how the sharks use various that could be the longest-lived shark as a scavenger that dwells information about Greenland “We’ve seen one female at sensory modalities to find their vertebrate on the planet. in extremely deep water – one sharks, raising even more the same location, around the next major meal, which could be The Greenland shark typically was spotted at a depth of more questions. same date, three years in a row. months or even years apart. inhabits the deep, dark waters than 2,100 metres. They favour “They seem to hang around It’s exciting because this kind of “My take on the Greenland between Greenland and the seal carcasses but will eat almost for the summer months, then behaviour, termed philopatry, has sharks is that they’re probably polar ice cap. At over six metres anything – one was found with disappear completely,” says been documented in migratory like hyenas, capable of both
“The sharks in the St. Lawrence have beautiful, crystal clear eyes and are quite visual. As you swim by, their eyes swivel and follow you, which sets them apart from the population in the Arctic.” long and weighing up to 2,000 an entire caribou in its stomach. Harvey-Clark, who treats every birds, but rarely in sharks,” says predating and scavenging. They kilograms, it is the largest shark The only age analysis to date, encounter with the sharks – the Harvey-Clark. have lower teeth like an old- in the North Atlantic and the by Norwegian researchers, pegs team has seen 85 in total, and “We’ve also found that the fashioned straight razor that take only shark in the world that lives them growing about half a as many as 11 in one dive – as sharks are active in what we call a five kilogram chunk out of a under Arctic ice. Once heavily centimetre a year, which would possibly the last. a diel pattern. Essentially they whale like an ice cream scoop. harvested for its vitamin A-rich put a seven metre adult at several “We really have no idea why stay in deep water during the day But they can also suck up a large oil – as many as 50,000 were hundred years old, easily beating they come to waters as shallow but from dusk till dawn, they flounder like a vacuum cleaner. caught annually according to a the giant tortoise by decades, as 10 metres deep, why they rise up from 60 metres and begin It gives you pause when you are 1948 estimate – little is known even centuries. return every summer so far, or a cycle of swimming vertically to diving with them.” about the animal. In 2003, after tracking the what brought them here three the surface every 20 minutes, all For more information on the “All the papers published on enigmatic animal for five years, years ago in the first place,” says night long,” says Harvey-Clark. Greenland shark and Harvey- the species, including magazine Harvey-Clark and fellow diving Harvey-Clark. “We think they may be either Clark’s research, visit www. articles, can barely fill two enthusiast Jeffrey Gallant “Prey abundance is poor here hunting seals, or it’s social.” geerg.ca. shoeboxes,” says Harvey-Clark, followed leads to Baie-Comeau, and certainly not enough to Another major finding is who became fascinated by a small town about 400 justify so many large predators that almost none of the sharks sharks at age 12 after seeing kilometres northeast of Québec in one small area. We think it observed in this area have a photograph in the Ottawa City. There, the pair documented may have something to do with parasites on their eyes, a disease Citizen that depicted an ice – for the first time under natural ecological shifts taking place in that affects 98.9 per cent of fisherman and what he now conditions – Greenland sharks the St. Lawrence right now, or Arctic sharks and severely affects knows was a Greenland shark. reveling in shallow water. it could just be a sunken whale their vision, virtually blinding carcass nearby on the ocean them. floor that is attracting them.” “The sharks in the St. Finding these rare, deep Lawrence have beautiful, crystal sea animals in shallow clear eyes and are quite visual. water is unique. The Gulf As you swim by, their eyes swivel of St. Lawrence, with water and follow you, which sets them temperature hovering around apart from the population in the two degrees Celsius, had been Arctic,” says Harvey-Clark. a scuba diving training ground “They probably don’t see very for decades without notable well but using a variety of other Greenland shark sightings. sensory modalities, they are very “Now it’s the only place on effective, stealthy predators and the planet where people can could take out an agile seal in see this species on any kind of zero visibility without alerting predictable basis, behaving in a it.” Baie-Comeau, where Greenland sharks were discovered reveling in natural fashion,” says Harvey- With a number of journal shallow water, is 400 km northeast of Québec City. Clark. papers published and more in | UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 Beauty Interventions for Boomers PHOTO: MARTIN DEE Is our youth-obsessed society putting the pressure on older women to halt the hands of time?
By Lorraine Chan experiences of boomers and pre- non-surgical procedures were foreign substances under the up in poverty, experiencing rape, boomers. performed on women. About a skin. For example, most of the being assaulted by husbands, There was a time when a Her current study investigates quarter of these procedures were women were leery of Botox being verbally abused by parents. grandmother could look like a older women and non-surgical performed on 55- to 64-year-olds. and other injections, but were One woman said, ‘I have to grandmother. No longer. cosmetic procedures (NSCP) “There’s more pressure open to microdermabrasion or do something because I see my Not when Sophia Loren, at such as chemical peels, Botox on people to have beauty chemical peels, for example.” mother’s face every time I look in 72, still holds her voluptuous injections, injectable fillers, interventions, such that it has Women who had work done the mirror. I hated her, she was allure, and fellow actress Susan laser hair removal, laser skin become normalized and socially felt the need to keep it secret. so mean to me.” Sarandon demonstrates that 60 is treatments, and sclerotherapy sanctioned,” says Hurd Clarke. “Women talked about feeling Hurd Clarke says that she’s indeed the new 50. (a treatment to remove varicose “I want women to sit and how it should look natural, not suggesting that women “It’s becoming socially veins). think about why we’ve decided and not as if they had to work undergo NSCP solely because unacceptable to look old,” says Hurd Clarke says there has that beautiful looks a certain really hard at it or spend a lot of of trauma. “But these brutal School of Human Kinetics’ been astronomic growth in way. What is that we value money.” experiences have shaped how Laura Hurd Clarke. “We live cosmetic procedures over the and why? Why do we place so She says two women even they perceive their bodies, their in a culture that denigrates old past nine years. While there are much emphasis on women’s kept their beauty work hidden appearances and growing older. bodies and equates the physical no reliable data for Canada, the appearances? Why do we fear from their partners. “They were Especially for 50- to 70-year- signs of aging with moral decay American Society for Aesthetic looking older, let alone getting afraid of being seen as vain olds who carried this around and the loss of social and sexual Plastic Surgery registered 11.5 older?” and shallow, but they were also with them since it was socially desirability.” unacceptable to talk about Since 1996, Asst. Prof. Hurd these traumas and they often Clarke has been studying women Why do we place so much emphasis on women’s appearances? had no one to turn to for help aged 50-70 and their complex or affirmation when they were relationship with body image Why do we fear looking older, let alone getting older?” young children.” and aging. She says while much Hurd Clarke says those who has been written about body million cosmetic procedures For her study, Hurd Clarke afraid if they didn’t do it, their expressed no interest in halting image, cosmetic procedures and in 2005, of which 81 per cent conducted in-depth interviews partners would leave them.” the hands of time were usually younger women, her research is were non-surgical procedures. with 44 women, volunteers These kinds of insecurities, women who enjoy supportive, among the first to delve into the Ninety per cent of surgical and aged 50-70. Half of them along with the desire to remain loving relationships. “They were had purchased some form of competitive on the job market often women who were happy cosmetic procedures, while the or dating scene were among the with life, who viewed their other half hadn’t. main reasons women gave for bodies as instruments for action $POGFSFODFTBOE"DDPNNPEBUJPO Her research data didn’t beauty interventions. In some rather than objects for people to yield a definitive trend or linear cases, it was simply having the look at. They derived their sense BU5IF6OJWFSTJUZPG#SJUJTI$PMVNCJB findings, but pointed to what means, says Hurd Clarke. “Their of identity from something other Hurd Clarke calls the “beauty children have left home. They than their appearances and had work continuum,” a term she have the cash and they want to supportive social networks.” 500637"-6&%$6450.&34 coined for how women tend to invest in themselves. They want rank their choices – as necessary, to look more youthful because 5)&8&45$0"4546*5&4 too dangerous or a possible they feel youthful on the inside.” 8*--#&$-04&%'03 future option – each according She adds that women to their upbringing and ideals of who have been valued for feminine beauty. their appearance their whole &95&/4*7& “If anything, the data lives would certainly view confirmed the contradictions beauty work as a worthwhile 3&/07"5*0/4 and tensions women feel toward investment. “This is their social '30.0$5¬.": self enhancement,” she explains. currency. In some cases it “Women who never work becomes a priority. For example, out and don’t even dye their one woman was cleaning houses (SPVQ4BMFTBOE$POGFSFODF4FSWJDFTPG¹DFTBSFPQFOGPS hair were okay about getting and using that money to pay for JORVJSJFT1MFBTFDPOUBDUVTBUPSWJBFNBJM injectable fillers. Other women procedures.” DPOGFSFODFT!IPVTJOHVCDDB who wax everything that can Hurd Clarke says one in be waxed, were really opposed three of the study participants Asst. Prof. Laura Hurd Clarke 8FBQQSFDJBUFZPVSCVTJOFTTBOEDPOUJOVFETVQQPSU to anything like Botox or disclosed heart-rending stories. 8FMPPLGPSXBSEUPBDDPNNPEBUJOHZPVOFYUTVNNFS Restylane.” “I was really surprised by For more information about One constant did emerge. the amount of trauma I heard,” Asst. Prof. Hurd Clarke, visit: “There’s a distinction between recalls Hurd Clark. “Many of http://www.hkin.educ.ubc.ca/ XXXXFTUDPBTUTVJUFTDPN surface treatments and injecting the women talked about growing faculty/clarkel/clarkel.htm# UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 | Health Sciences Online: Building a Global Virtual Learning Centre
By Hilary Thomson of Technology, Columbia University; Johns Hopkins; and What would happen if health the Association of American professionals and students Medical Colleges. (UBC and the around the globe had access to World Bank are also founding free, comprehensive learning collaborators.) resources – provided by some A pilot, focused on HIV/AIDS of the world’s most prestigious education, is being launched in institutions – just by clicking a January 2007. There are 13 pilot mouse? locations and audiences include Dr. Erica Frank has the clinicians, medical residents, answer. “It would fix the world.” nursing students, public health A UBC professor of Health workers, and faculty members Care and Epidemiology, Frank at clinics, medical schools and is heading a complex and universities in countries ranging ambitious international project from the U.S. to Sri Lanka, – to create a global virtual Armenia, Nigeria, China and health science learning centre Japan. where health professionals in Participants will be able to training and practice can access search using any HIV/AIDS- high-quality, current courses, related key word and HSO reference libraries and other will produce a list of links to learning resources to improve research articles, reports, clinical global health. case studies and other learning The only project of its kind materials. in the world, Health Sciences In Canada, groups from Online (HSO) is scheduled to UBC graduate students to the launch next summer and will Cowichan Band are interested in include comprehensive resources participating in the pilot. in medicine, nursing and public “We do have access to some health. continuing health education, but With a background in it’s never enough,” says Fairlie preventive medicine and a Mendoza, community health passion for disseminating nurse at the Tsewulhtun Health health information, Frank says Centre of the Cowichan Tribes, PHOTO: MARTIN DEE Erica Frank is taking health sciences education beyond the boundaries of books. this project – budgeted at $2.5 in Duncan on Vancouver Island. million over three years – will “Also, meeting travel expenses is democratize health science a challenge – a virtual learning knowledge around the world. centre could supplement what computer skills to participate in Her vision includes users we’re doing with no additional HSO. ranging from a village healer in cost.” Frank has a core team of a developing country to a senior A portal with browse and only three other people, but a clinician in the U.S. or Canada. search functions, HSO will link large cadre of volunteers. She is “Our special interest is to material that will usually currently gathering additional preventable chronic and be e-texts and stand-alone volunteers and seeking funding. infectious diseases like courses that can be used without She has set out what she calls
This project harnesses the power of the Internet to the best health education materials available. It’s a free, world-class education. cardiovascular diseases, cancer additional instruction. Although a “huge dragnet” to define, and HIV, although prevention the primary language is currently identify and obtain web content and treatment of all types English, quality materials in from reputable sources, such as will be covered,” says Frank, other languages will also be universities, specialty societies who is Canada Research linked and a translation function and government organizations. Chair in Preventive Medicine will allow access to all materials. “The number of websites is and Population Health. “Our Prestigious institutions such big, but it is finite,” she says, primary target audience is health as Harvard University, the explaining that the team will professionals in developing U.S. National Institutes of likely access tens of thousands of countries, but we anticipate the Health, Cornell University and sources. resource will be widely used.” Emory University have already The content team is evaluating Frank conceived the idea of committed courseware and all resources against a content HSO about six years ago and references. criteria checklist that looks has since established a volunteer A needs assessment surveyed at quality, depth, credibility, advisory committee that reads researchers, policy-makers, design and updating capacity. like a Who’s Who of distance and health professionals in All content is donated, hosted and world health education. India, Africa, Europe and the and maintained by the content Her own volunteering work has Caribbean and found that partners and is provided free and given her a broad network of reliable information and learning without passwords to whomever colleagues – committee members resources, such as textbooks, wants to learn. include representatives from are often inaccessible, both “This project harnesses the the founding collaborators: in developing countries and power of the Internet to the the American College of in industrialized nations. By best health education materials Preventive Medicine; the U.S. working with organizations available. It’s a free, world-class Centers for Disease Control such as the World Bank’s Global education.” and Prevention; and the World Development Learning Network, For more information about Health Organization as well as users will also gain the necessary Health Sciences Online, contact from Massachusetts Institute hardware, connectivity and Frank at [email protected]. Rogers_UBC_2006 10/16/06 12:45 PM Page 1
| UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6
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By Bud Mortenson
In 1962, residents of remote the community, and they are Turner Island near the north co-researchers. It’s all done end of Vancouver Island were collaboratively, the research relocated, ostensibly to provide process itself can become a form them with better access to of emancipation.” government services. The people Every community uses and of the Tlowitsis nation found responds to the technology themselves in Nanaimo, Victoria, differently. In one Indonesian the Lower Mainland and as far village, the women described afield as Manitoba. Over time, where they drew their water relocation had a devastating and how they carried it home. impact on the community’s “In another community, illegal knowledge of their traditional logging was taking place on their territory. land and using a camera they “They needed to do something were able to record video to use to re-engage in the relationship as evidence. between themselves and the “We went back to one land,” says UBC Okanagan community 18 months later and Geography Prof. Jon Corbett. found that they had become so He received a Social Sciences skilled with the video camera and Humanities Research that other people came to Council (SHRCC) grant to work them and asked, ‘Do you think PHOTO: JON CORBETT with the Tlowitsis community, Video recording and digital mapping tools are being used by many indigenous communities around the world to you could make us a video?’ providing them with cameras help express their relationship to and knowledge of their traditional territories. In another community we and training to video record found them recording wedding elders as they revisited Turner their 60s and 70s going back to nation’s culture and heritage the Philippines, the Australian ceremonies – their video camera Island more than four decades Turner Island for the first time and presented it at the Tlowistis outback, and more recently on had broken and they raised the after leaving. since they left in 1962. The elders annual general meeting. “Many Vancouver Island. $250 to fix it straight away. “We wanted to look at were sharing wonderful stories in the audience had never been “One of the great joys of It had become an economic how technologies like these with young people who really to Turner Island because it’s so geography is the scope you have resource for them.” can be used from a cultural had no connection with this hard to get to,” he recalls. “They to explore things,” says Corbett, Gathering histories on tape and participatory perspective place. It was helping them build were overwhelmed.” who once spent two years and connecting maps with – how they can contribute to a sense of national identity.” His research has taken him living in a Borneo longhouse as information about people and nation-building,” he says. “It Community members to many remote indigenous part of his research. “I engage culture is important, but it’s not was amazing to see people in developed a DVD of the communities – from Indonesia, in research with people in the whole point, he cautions.
continued on page 11
THE ROBERT LEDINGHAM COLLECTION
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David Wylie Communications Inc. 1 0 | UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 STIs up in Boomtown: Changes needed to education and treatment
By Hilary Thomson serious concerns about health and behaviour. Working away from social service provision, including home for weeks or months at a When the oil and gas boom STI testing,” says Goldenberg. time can mean family breakdown came to the northeastern town She says many youth are and change in sexual habits. of Ft. St. John, an unwanted unaware of the consequences The system is pushed visitor came along with it. of STIs, which for women can beyond maximum capacity Sexually transmitted infections include pelvic inflammatory and is not well designed for (STIs) among youth 19-24 are disease as well as risk for cervical youth, says Assoc. Prof. Jean spreading in this and other oil cancer. Chlamydia, one of the Shoveller, Goldenberg’s thesis and gas communities at rates most common STIs, is one of the supervisor. “There needs to be an that far outstrip provincial primary health concerns because investment to respond quickly averages. Chlamydia incidence individuals can carry the infection and responsibly.” in the region is 30 per cent but have no symptoms to alert “The fast growing population higher, but youth seeking testing them to seek treatment. in the city of Fort St. John has and treatment are encountering Ft. St. John has a population created some challenges and significant obstacles, according of 18-25,000 depending on time community dynamics that to UBC grad student Shira of year. A migrant community may have impacted sexual Goldenberg. has developed consisting almost health and attitudes on testing A master’s student in the entirely of young men who work and treatment,” says Penny Dept. of Health Care and in high-paying jobs in remote Gagnon, Regional Manager Epidemiology, Goldenberg is areas with virtually no access to of Preventive Public Health at looking at the socio-cultural health services. The men come Northern Health. “Next year
Chlamydia incidence in the region is 30 per cent higher, but youth seeking testing and treatment are encountering significant obstacles.
and structural forces that into town on days off, but testing will show some very concrete limit youth’s ability to stay services may not be available. and appropriate changes to our healthy. Her findings and Taking a day off to come into sexual health services.” recommendations will help tailor town for testing at the public Goldenberg recommends and target STI testing services health clinic would mean a STI testing and treatment for youth living in northeastern significant loss of wages. services be adapted to serve B.C. Additional practical barriers boom communities as well as “In addition to resources, to getting tested include lack of specific risk groups such as there are real and complex awareness of the location of the youth. Strategies might include concerns around trust, public health centre, no public increasing hours and available confidentiality, and gender transit to get there and only four appointments at the health dynamics,” says Goldenberg. testing appointments offered each clinic, drop-in testing services, “The gap between services and week, all during school or work advertisement of testing sites the needs of youth is large.” hours. Also, anonymity is an issue and services, and possibly even a In the only such study for many youth who seek testing traveling clinic to improve access in Canada, Goldenberg is at local clinics because waiting to testing at rig sites. examining factors ranging from rooms are busy with patients The study is funded by structural issues, such as testing there for other services. the B.C. Medical Services clinic location and layout, to Physicians’ offices, walk-in Foundation. Results from the socio-cultural forces such as bar clinics and the emergency room study will be linked with studies culture and how high wages offer STI testing but often do not that are part of a five-year influence sexual behaviours. have time to provide important CIHR Interdisciplinary Capacity dec06.indd 1 11/9/2006 6:14:34 PM Since May, Goldenberg has detailed educational information Enhancement Team led by spent time in Ft. St. John to and counseling. Shoveller, which investigates how recruit 25 youth, aged 15-24 While an oil and gas boom is gender, place and culture affect years, and 15 service providers, good for business, it has complex youth sexual health disparities. including public health nurses, social and sexual impacts, says Other members of the research community outreach workers Goldenberg. Labels like “rig pig” team are Asst. Prof. Mieke and other adults who work with and “gold digger” emerge to Koehoorn and Assoc. Prof. Aleck youth. describe sexual behaviour, related Ostry of the Dept. of Health “The rapid growth of the city to perceptions about wages and Care and Epidemiology. as a result of the “boom” raises work schedules affecting sexual
St. John’s College NEW TOOLS continued from page 10 Guest Accommodation “This is a lot more complex and French-administered GoogleMaps technology to than just creating a digital Technical Centre for Agricultural help people organize their car- repository of information. The and Rural Cooperation pooling requirements. “It’s not St. John’s College extends an key is the process – it’s about (CTA). Corbett is now on the necessarily the technology that invitation to visitors to UBC to stay young people learning new skills steering committee for a major will make car pooling work, but in our quiet, comfortable, and and learning from elders, and international conference in it would make car pooling much well-appointed guest rooms. Available year-round, guest rooms learning more about themselves.” Rome in September 2007 and easier to organize.” are furnished with a double or A larger project through the is exploring several near-term A car-pooling helper could queen bed, private washroom, SHRCC-funded Community- research projects with CTA. take your postal code and telephone, television, coffee University Research Alliance has “They’re looking at how social quickly look at all the options, maker, bar fridge and internet Corbett working with several computing – things like YouTube produce a map of the best routes connection. First Nations on Vancouver and virtual communities – can and even reserve your spot in a Island to record their languages. be used in a developing world car. Simplifying the task could Dining with College residents in our An interactive DVD with context. I’m hoping this is make community programs more spacious Dining Hall is an integral part clickable maps allows viewers to something we’ll build on with successful here at home and in of the life of the College, and meals choose from among Vancouver projects at UBC Okanagan developing countries. are included in the guest room fees. Island’s 14 long houses. Selecting around the power of maps “I really enjoy what I do,” a site on the map presents a and the web, looking at how Corbett says. “Ultimately, video of elders speaking in their we manage information and I’m fascinated with how we native language with English whether the medium of a map can use technology to benefit subtitles, and in English with the can be an effective way to do marginalized people in society For further information or to make a reservation, contact us by native language subtitles. that,” he says. – and bring about positive phone at 604-822-6522, or by e-mail: [email protected] His work has the attention One of his next projects change.” of the European Union-funded is to create a system using stjohns.ubc.ca UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6 | 1 1
Vancouver Senate Activities 2005/2006
Introduction UBC Okanagan and the Vancouver Senate
The Vancouver Senate conducted a review of its activities during the 2004/2005 academic A number of activities of the Vancouver Senate during 2005/2006 were related to the year. In its May 2005 report, the ad hoc Senate Committee that undertook the review creation of UBC Okanagan and the resulting establishment of the Okanagan Senate and observed a need to raise awareness of the Senate’s role and activities within the University. the Council of Senates. To help address this need, the Senate Secretariat and the Senate Agenda Committee were asked to compile an annual report on the activities of the Vancouver Senate for the During the 2004/2005 academic year, the Vancouver Senate had established an ad hoc information of the University community. This rst such annual report covers the period committee to serve as the Interim Academic Governing Body (IAGB) for UBC Okanagan, from September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006. until such time that the Okanagan Senate was established. The Okanagan Senate was established in the fall of 2005, and held its rst meeting in December 2005. Accordingly, Background the Vancouver Senate dissolved the IAGB at its December meeting.
The Vancouver Senate is established and vested responsibilities related to the academic Secondly, a joint committee of the Vancouver Senate and the IAGB made recommendations governance of the University under the University Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 468. The Senate relating to the composition of the Council of Senates, consistent with the provisions of has 85 members, including faculty members, student senators, convocation senators, University Act. Although the recommendations of this joint report were accepted by representatives of af liated theological colleges, and senior administrators of the University, the Vancouver Senate at its November meeting, they were rejected by the IAGB, largely including the President as Chair of the Senate, the Chancellor, the Vice–President- because the IAGB would have preferred equal representation of the two campuses on the Academic, the University Librarian, 12 Deans and one Principal. The Senate has 12 Council of Senates. In light of these circumstances, the President opted to initially establish standing committees that perform much of the Senate’s work. Committees deliver reports the Council with three Committee Chairs from each Senate, and requested that the Council for consideration at Senate meetings for information, discussion and/or approval. Some consider its own future composition. This process has unfolded, and at its June 2006 of these reports are annual reports on committee activities, some present routine matters meeting the Council of Senates approved its permanent membership structure. for the approval of Senate, while others address more ad hoc matters for particular consideration or decision. The Senate schedules nine meetings per academic year. During Thirdly, guidelines were established on how the two Senates communicate with one 2005/06, the Senate met eight times from September 2005 through May 2006. Meetings of another and collaborate to approve routine matters affecting both campuses without the Senate are generally open to the public, with a few matters being considered in closed creating unnecessary business for the Council of Senates. These were approved at the session. The 2005/2006 year was the rst year of a three-year Senate electoral term. March meeting.
Regular Activities of Senate Fourthly, the Okanagan Senate had approved the granted of UBC degrees to a group of alumni of the former Okanagan University College. This arrangement was challenged by Matters brought forward during the 2005/06 year included the following: some members of the Vancouver Senate who felt that it was important to consider the input of both campuses. President Martha Piper then referred this matter to the Council of The Curriculum Committee and/or Admissions Committees brought forward matters Senates for nal disposition. The Council considered the matter at its June 2006 meeting relating to admissions policy and over 870 curriculum changes, including new and revised and approved a framework for the granting of these degrees by the Okanagan Senate. degree and diploma programs and their related courses. The Student Awards Committee recommended for approval over 100 new student awards. The Nominating Committee Other Topics brought forward revisions to the terms of reference and composition of Senate committees and recommended committee assignments for new members. Finally, a number of other non-routine items were considered by the Senate over the past year. These included the following: Based on recommendations from the Vice-President Academic & Provost, the Senate: 1. Revised the voting membership of the Faculty of Medicine The Chancellor provided an update on the status of the Presidential Search Committee that 2. Approved and recommended for approval by the Board of Governors the establishment included a number of Senators among its members. of two departments and two centres, as well as two departmental mergers 3. Approved and recommended for approval by the Board of Governors the establishment The Director of UBC International delivered status reports on the activities of of seven Chairs Universitas21, and U21 Global. The Senate then established an ad hoc Committee of Senate to review U21 Global; that Committee is expected to deliver its report early in the At the November and May meetings, the Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Services 2006/2007 academic year. & Registrar presented for approval lists of candidates for degrees and diplomas . The Vancouver Senate granted a total of over 8800 degrees and diplomas. The Associate Vice- The Tributes Committee presented a revised policy on the Emeritus/Emerita status for President Enrolment Services & Registrar also submitted for information dates relating to retiring and resigned faculty members. The revised policy included, for the rst time, a the 2006/2007 Academic Year (January meeting). mechanism to revoke emeritus status of an individual. Senate approved the new policy.
In closed session, the Tributes Committee recommended a list of candidates for honorary The Admissions Committee made recommendations about the University’s use of third degrees, which the Senate discussed and approved. The Tributes Committee also party agencies in student recruitment, and the Senate accepted those recommendations at recommended 77 individuals for emeritus status and prepared short tributes known as its May meeting. The Admissions Committee also considered issues related to institutional “memorial minutes” for two former Senators who had recently passed away. membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC) and delivered a report to the Senate. Annual reports were presented by the Committee on Student Appeals on Academic Discipline, the Committee on Appeals on Academic Standing, the Interim Budget The Academic Policy Committee presented a proposal to use First Nations names for Committee and the University Librarian. At the November meeting, the Vice President languages in the University calendar; the Senate requested more information about Administration and Finance presented for information the University’s nancial statements implications and costs, and the Admissions Committee is due to report once again on this for the 2004/2005 scal year. matter during the 2006/2007 year.
Review of Senate At the April meeting, the Vice-President Academic & Provost presented for discussion a report entitled “Optimizing Interdisciplinarity at UBC.” Discussion about interdisciplinarity An Ad Hoc committee to Review Senate delivered its report to Senate at the May 2005 and the future of the Faculty of Graduate Studies will continue in 2006/2007. meeting. The review arose largely because of a sense that the levels of responsibility of the Senate and the extent and nature of its debate had diminished in recent years. At the May meeting, Senate accepted a number of recommendations from the Teaching and Subsequently, the Agenda Committee has been engaged in following up on the Review Learning Committee regarding student evaluation of learning experiences. Report’s various recommendations, and otherwise attempting to enhance Senate’s overall The Senate approved University-wide Enrolment Targets for the 2006/2007 cycle at the role in various ways. The Review recommendations included: May meeting, and requested additional data about enrolment targets by Faculty and program. 1. Adjustments to the terms of reference and operating procedures for Senate standing committees, including a streamlining of the presentation of routine matters by the Finally, at the May meeting Senate paid tribute to President Martha C. Piper in wishing her Curriculum and Admissions Committees; farewell. 2. Prospective changes to the University Act, including a recommendation that the Senate elect its own Chair rather than having the President serve ex of cio in this role; and Concluding Remarks 3. Changes to Senate meeting agenda preparation. These included provisions for substantive debate on academic issues from time to time; a suitable orientation of Senators; Overall, the Vancouver Senate had an active year, dealing with both regular and ad hoc regular reports to Senate from the Vice- President Academic & Provost; an increased use matters. A major focus of its activities has been the academic governance aspects of the of electronic meeting materials; the preparation of an annual report; and modi cations transition to a multi-campus, multi-Senate institution. The Senate has also been working to the Rules and Procedures of Senate. Many of the recommendations have already been diligently to implement changes to its own operations in light of the Review, so as to implemented, with a few still in the nal stages of consideration for implementation. optimize levels of responsibility and engagement.
This report was prepared by Dr. Michael Isaacson, Chair, Senate Agenda Committee and Ms. Lisa Collins, Assistant Registrar, Senate & Cirriculum Services, Enrolment Services. Questions or comments may be directed to Ms. Collins at 604.822.2951 or [email protected]. 1 2 | UBC REPORTS | DECEMBER 7 , 2 0 0 6
Did you know? • UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD That students • HAWTHORN PLACE attending UBC Vancouver • HAMPTON PLACE come from over 120 • WESBROOK PLACE
countries and comprise • EAST CAMPUS ISSUE NO.8 DECEMBER 2006 12.7% of the total • CHANCELLOR PLACE student population?* • NORTH CAMPUS S ERVIN g U B C ’ S E MER g IN g C OMMUNITY UBC Recognized for Toope said $3 million would Commitment timessupport the recruitment of post- to Sustainability doctoral Teaching Fellows to team The Association for the Advance- up with top university researchers ment of Sustainability in Higher in undergraduate classrooms. The Education (AASHE) has awarded initiative will produce up to 50 the University of British Columbia new courses or course sections to a Campus Sustainability Leader- improve undergraduate students’ ship Award. The award recognizes learning experience. institutions that have demonstrated The source of funding for both an outstanding overall commitment of these initiatives comes from the to sustainability in their governance, proceeds of the University Town academics, operations, and commu- development. nity outreach. UBC was given the award for Resident, Staffer, Alumna adopting a comprehensive Sustain- – Meet Citizen UBC ability Strategy, which sets 68 tar- Lisa Johnson has a special interest gets and actions for achieving nine in University Town. Not only is major sustainability goals. Other she the Manager of Community winners include Berea College, and Strategic Initiatives with UBC Warren College, and Lane Commu- Campus & Community Planning, nity College. she is also a resident of Hawthorn UBC recently completed the larg- Place Neighbourhood, and both est efficiency upgrade ever to take she and her husband are UBC place on a Canadian campus and Alumni. expects to reduce energy use by 20 For the past five years, work- per cent and water consumption in ing with the UBC community core facilities by 30 per cent. has been a big part of Lisa’s job. The University offers more than She has overseen several com- 300 courses dealing with sustain- munity programs, including ability and several departments LEAP – Leadership Experiences Citizen UBC – Lisa Johnson. have adopted sustainability as a & Adventure Programs, which core value. The University’s sus- assists local elementary and high tainability efforts are coordinated through its Sustain- school students in developing leadership and team- ability Office, which is funded entirely by savings from building skills through adventure-based activities. its energy reduction programs and currently employs Another recent success is the University Town School seven staff members and 10 students. Bus Program, which currently transports over 250 For further information visit www.sustain.ubc.ca. students living on-campus to University Hill Elemen- tary, Queen Elizabeth Elementary, and Queen Mary University Town Funds $8 million in Elementary. Research & Teaching Over the next year, Lisa will work with campus A $5 million research fund to honour his predecessor stakeholders to develop a Social Plan to refresh the vi- and a $3 million project to help researchers enhance sion and values of University Town from a social and undergraduate teaching were committed by Stephen community perspective. Toope during his installation as the University of Lisa is also an active volunteer in her community. British Columbia’s 12th president and vice-chancellor. She chairs the University Neighbourhoods Association The Martha Piper Research Fund will honour the (UNA) Arts Council, and sits on several other UNA remarkable contributions of UBC’s former president, committees. For several years, she has worked with said Toope, who is appointed for a five-year term. The a team of volunteers to organize Happening on the fund will provide support for collaborative research Hill, an annual fair that celebrates the diversity of the projects, with a focus on interdisciplinary and interna- “west-of-Blanca” area. Lisa looks forward to watch- tional research teams. ing University Town evolve over the next five years.
University Boulevard Project Moves to Design Phase Plans for the redevelopment of University Boulevard have now convey a sense of “arriving” on campus. Key to this is the development moved from the conceptual to the design stage. Following on the of a University Square, which would form a major social crossroads for winning submission for the 2005 the community and will include new University Boulevard International university-related shops, services, Architectural Competition, university housing for faculty, staff, Vancouver architects Hughes or students, and an underground Condon Marler: Architects, in transit station. partnership with Kuwabara Payne The architects drew comparisons McKenna Blumberg Architects with other successful campus (KPMB), recently presented their and city interfaces, such as the latest project design to the University renowned Harvard Square in Town Committee for review. Boston. Kuwabara suggested the Although this design is an important use of Douglas Fir for the proposed step forward in the development outdoor roof structure as an of the Boulevard project, Bruce appropriate and welcoming building Kuwabara of KPMB stressed it is by material. no means final, but reflects where the The design team welcomes input design team is in terms of fulfilling from the public on these latest plans. the vision of the 2005 competition. For more information, visit the Kuwabara noted that the main University Town website at www. concept behind the design is to The Proposed New Social Heart of UBC universitytown.ubc.ca.
University Town UBC External Affairs Office 6328 Memorial Road, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2 T: 604.822.6400 F: 604.822.8102 www.universitytown.ubc.ca