UBC Archives Serial THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA T TBC REPORTS Find UBC Reports on the Web at www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca Fall Congregation 7 998 Graduates set, meet challenging goals by Hilary Thomson French from her parents and Spanish Staff writer from her grandparents. She studied Eng­ lish in high school and was fluent by the Capturing and storing information pro­ time she attended Boston's Brandeis Uni­ vides Rita Dilek with challenges both versity. professional and personal. Dilek, who After graduating with an undergradu­ graduates this month with a master's ate degree in psychology and mathemat­ degree in Computer Science, is blind. ics, she went to Harvard to obtain a mas­ She is one of more than 2,000 UBC ter's degree in mathematics. students graduating during Fall Congre­ "I worked in the computer field for some gation at the Chan Centre for the Per­ time and I could fix many problems but I forming Arts Nov. 26 and 27. See GOALS Page 3 Her thesis examines how to provide system support where computers are handling large volumes of data generated More Congregation by multimedia programs. Originally from Turkey, Dilek learned stories, see page 3 Hilary Thomson photo Computer Science graduate Rita Dilek speaks four languages, has a master's degree in mathematics from Harvard, and uses an electronic device called Braille and Speak to receive computer information and transcribe lectures. Her greatest struggle however, she says, was returning to school after her studies were disrupted for almost a year. CBC journalist earns Great Trekker award John Chong photo A distinguished CBC Television jour­ tivist Jim Green, philanthropists Cecil Seeing The Vision nalist who has trekked across Canada and and Ida Green and author Pierre Berton. around the world to bring Canadians in­ With the opening ofthe Sing Tao School Members of UBC's Board of Governors, Alma Mater Society President formation on issues that of Journalism and the Vivian Hoffman and other campus representatives joined President affect their lives has been 80th anniversary of The Martha Piper as she met with Biology 120 students on Nov. 19 to kick off named the 1998 recipient Ubyssey, the Alma Mater the campus launch of Trek 2000, UBC's vision for the 21st century. Trek ofthe Great Trekker Award. Society (AMS) felt it fitting 2000 was approved by the Board of Governors at its November meeting, to recognize ajoumalistof Eve Savory graduated after having been endorsed by Senate in October. "Trek 2000, which sets from UBC in 1969 with a Savory's stature with the Great Trekker Award. out a series of principles, goals, strategies and operational timetables, is BA in Asian Studies. critical as we head into the 21st century," said Piper. "It is a result of over "Eve Savory has contrib­ "I am incredibly hon­ 14 months of extensive consultation, both on and off the campus." oured," says Savory. 'The uted greatly to informing Hoffman encouraged students to take a role in shaping the university's Great Trekker Award links Canadians about a wide- the alumni back to the range of important topics," future. "This document has a lot of things in it that students can be excited students again and forges says AMS alumni commis­ about," she said. For a summary of Trek 2000, please turn to page 12. a new bond between gen­ sioner, Dennis Visser. erations. Savory has done it all "I remember hearing in her 24 years with CBC about the award when I Savory News, from general as­ Inside was a student at UBC, but signment duties in Van­ couver to regional parliamentary reporter I never dreamed that I would receive it." We're Waiting 8 The award is given by UBC students to in Ottawa and national reporter in Sas­ people who become prominent through katchewan and Alberta. She rose to Forum: Put patients first to reduce hospital waiting lists, says a U.S. expert achievements in their chosen fields and prominence as the medical, science, en­ who make special contributions to the vironment and technology specialist for FareWell 11 community. the network. Previous recipients include social ac- See TREKKER Page 2 In Memoriam: President Martha Piper pays tribute to Frank Eastham enquiries into • THTTIK" WILLIAM NEW About K the Odd and .. UBC Dept. of English; Royal Society of Canada UBC RESEARCH the ordinary" www.research.ubc.ca 2 UBC Reports • Nov. 26, 1998 UBC maintains ranking in THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA national university survey Public Forum UBC has maintained its posi­ percentage of UBC's total oper­ ish Columbia came ninth in its tion as the fourth overall medi­ ating expenditures devoted to category of primarily under­ UBC Physical Planning Principles cal/doctoral university in student services is 4.82 per cent. graduate universities. • Monday, Nov. 30, 1998 Maclean's annual ranking of UBC ranks third for the The Maclean's survey com­ Canadian universities. UBC has number of students per 1,000 pares universities with similar 12:30-2:00 p.m. consistently ranked fourth since who won national awards (7.8 structures and mandates using SUB Conversation Pit 1992. per cent), the number of gradu­ such factors as research fund­ For more information, see the insert beginning page 6. The University of Toronto ate students from abroad (19.1 ing and diversity of offerings. placed first, followed by Queen's per cent ) and library holdings It ranks them on statistics and McGill universities in the (7.58 million). such as the composition and Edwin Jackson B.Sc, CFP Retirement Income category which compares uni­ The average entering grade at academic achievements of the Certified Financial Planner & Financial Planning Annuities, Life Insurance versities with a broad range of UBC is 84.8 per cent. student body, library resources, 4524 West 11th Avenue 224 3540 PhD programs, research and In the comprehensive univer­ class size, percentage of tenured RESP's, RRSP's, KRF's medical schools. sity category, Simon Fraser Uni­ professors who teach first-year In an essay accompanying the versity came first and the Uni­ courses, calibre of faculty and rankings, UBC President Martha versity of Victoria fourth overall. success in securing research Ascot Financial Brevity is the soul of wit. Piper was quoted as citing learn­ The University of Northern Brit­ grants. Services limited ing environment and interna­ William Shakespeare Mutual Funds tionalization as the two most important issues facing the uni­ versity. Piper hopes to see inter­ national co-operative education Wanted: bur thoughts in place in all UBC faculties and schools by 2003. Bob Uttl, Ph.D. "Co-op is not job training," Your comments on UBC's first-ever Annual General Meeting are Piper says. "It's experience in the welcome and will be used to help shape next year's meeting. Statistical consulting world of work, and if that work can be international, all the bet­ The meeting was recently held downtown and on campus to Research design, analysis, & Interpretation ter. This is a global environment update the community on UBC's goals for the future, key Structural equation modeling we're entering, and the leaders Experiments, clinical trials, surveys, imaging of tomorrow will be citizens of accomplishments of the past year and its financial position. the world, culturally fluid in every Please send your suggestions to UBC Public Affairs Office: Voice: 604-836-2758 Fit 604-836-2759 way." Email: [email protected] The survey shows UBC has by mail: by fax: the highest number of full-time 310 - 6251 Cecil Green Park Rd. (604) 822-2684 faculty with PhD degrees in the Vancouver, B.C. V6T IZI by e-mail: country at 98.2 per cent. [email protected] In student services, the sur­ Berkowitz & Associates vey shows UBC second only to UBC's Annual Report for 1997/98 is available on the Web at the Universiry of Toronto. The www.publicafrairs.ubc.ca Consulting Inc. THE UNIVERSITY OF Statistical Consulting BRITISH COLUMBIA TH^K Trekker ' research design - data analysis • sampling * forecasting Continued from Page 1 AhoutK Jonathan Berkowitz, Ph.D For the past fouryears. Savory 4160 Staulo Crescent, Vancouver, B.C., V6N 3S2 has continued her special inter­ Office: (604) 263-1508 Fax: (604) 263-1708 ests in the environment and sci­ ence as a documentary reporter for The National Magazine. The AMS cited the range of Savory's subjects, such as docu­ mentaries on the Voyager space­ Wax - it craft mission to Neptune and a Histology Services JM RESEARCH young girl's experience of a bone Providing Plastic and Wax sections for the research community marrow transplant. Savory also Data Processing covered the AIDS epidemic in its George Spurr RT, RLAT(R) Kevin Gibbon ART FIBMS earliest.days. Statistical Analysis Savory's work has been ac­ Phone (604)822-1595 Phone (604) 856-7370 knowledged by a string of top E-mail [email protected] E-mail gibbowax @ uniserve.com Low rates awards. Web Page: www.uniserve.com/wax-it In 1995, she received the Phr (604) 224-1607 Royal Canadian Institute's Sanford Fleming Medal for out­ standing achievements in pro­ moting knowledge and under­ UBC LIBRARY HOURS standing of science among Ca­ nadians. In 1990 the B.C. Sci­ December 22 - January 3 UBC REPORTS ence Council established the Eve "jjfljjl— Savory Award for Science Com­ munication. UBC Campus Libraries will be open "It is my sense that journal­ Tues Dec 22 8am - 5pm ists in Canada are intimidated Wed Dec 23 9am - 5pm UBC Reports is piJblishe d twice monthly (monthly in by science and yet we know that December, June , July and August) for the entire university science is shaping our lives in Thurs Dec 24 9am - 5pm community by the UBC Public Affairs Office, 310 -6251 ways we barely understand," Cecil Green Park Road, Vancouver B.C., V6T 1Z1 It is Savory says.