Published by the University Neighbourhoods Association Volume 11, Issue 2 FEBRUARY 24, 2020 Letter to the UBC Community from UBC President Robert H. Lee, CM, OBC 1933-2020 It is with deep sadness and a great sense of Bob was extremely devoted to the service loss that we learned of the passing of Dr. of his alma mater, serving two terms on the Robert (Bob) H. Lee, CM, OBC, former UBC Board of Governors. He was installed Chancellor of UBC and Chairman of UBC as chancellor in 1993, served as chair of the Please see story by Michael Li Hearts for Hubei: Lending our Heroes a Hand on Page 8. Properties Trust on February 19, 2020. I UBC Foundation, and was the honorary would like to express my heartfelt condo- chair of UBC’s start an evolution campaign. lences to Bob’s family on behalf of the entire UBC awarded Bob an Honorary Doctorate UBC community; he will be deeply missed. of Laws in 1996, and in 2006 the Robert H. Board Permits UNA Director Lee Graduate School at the Sauder School Esteemed philanthropist, visionary and be- of Business was established in recognition in Self-Isolation to Participate loved community leader Bob Lee was one of Bob’s generous gift to support graduate of UBC’s most accomplished alumni. Bob business education. In appreciation of Bob’s dedicated much of his life, expertise and personal and other contributions to UBC in Meeting from Home resources to building a brighter future for totaling over $15 million, members of the British Columbians and Canadians, and he community came together to name the Rob- Director was under self- cided to remain isolated for a period ending embodied the mission of UBC and its vision ert H. Lee Alumni Centre in his honour; it quarantine after travel to February 20. for its alumni. opened in 2015. China where coronavirus Mr. Mullen – a lawyer – called her decision Bob was born and raised in Vancouver. The Of Bob’s many contributions to UBC, the outbreak began eminently reasonable and commendable, traditional Confucian values of humility, one of which he was most proud is the cre- and when the time came to vote, all mem- modesty, honesty, studiousness, and social ation of UBC Properties Trust, which he bers at the table voted in favour of the Mul- duty were deeply ingrained in him from his founded in 1988 and then served as chair- The UNA Board of Directors faced un- len motion. “This is one of those instances in father, Ronald Bick Lee. Bob, who was af- man for 23 years. The trust was the first in precedented circumstances at the start of which remote participation can be justified,” fectionately referred to as “Mr. UBC,” met North America of its kind, and has earned its scheduled meeting February 18 when he said. his wife, Lily, while they were attending the university over $1.7 billion dollars to Resident Director Terry Mullen – supported UBC, and their four children and three chil- date with a projected $4 billion dollars in by UNA Chair Richard Watson – tabled a Regarding the power of the Board to allow dren-in-law are also alumni. After graduat- perpetuity. Bob’s vision inspired similar memorandum in regard to remote participa- voting from home, Mr. Mullen said: “In my ing from UBC in 1956 with a Bachelor of projects at universities around the world, tion of a Director at the meeting. view, this power should be exercised spar- Commerce degree, he embarked on a suc- making this one of the single most influen- ingly and only in very special circumstances. cessful career in real estate and founded the tial ideas for bolstering education funding in The Mullen memo moved that “the partici- Prospero Group of Companies. recent history. pation of (Director) Jane Kang in the meet- “The quality of the communication amongst ing of the Board by electronic means be per- directors and staff, and therefore of deci- Over the years, Bob touched the lives of I know that the UBC community will be mitted on the grounds that such participation sions made by Directors, is greatly enhanced many. He set the bar for community involve- joined by countless others in our local, na- is deemed by the Directors to be in the best when Director and staff are able to deal with ment through longstanding commitment to tional, and international communities in interests of the UNA and is convenient.” one another in person. Much is lost when a many organizations, including the Robert mourning the loss of this truly accomplished participant is present only as a voice or as an Lee YMCA, the Robert & Lily Lee Family and beloved man. While Ms. Kang was physically available image on the screen.” Community Health Centre and the VGH & to participate, Mr. Mullen wrote, she was UBC Hospital Foundation. Bob was a mem- Santa J. Ono unwilling to do so because she had recently ber of the Order of British Columbia and the President and Vice-Chancellor returned from China and had voluntarily de- BOARD continued on Page 5 Order of Canada. page 2 THE CAMPUS RESIDENT FEBRUARY 24, 2020 Search Goes On for New UNA Leader Board of Directors is updated Directors at their February 18 meeting, ny expects to whittle this list down to six, The Chief Administrative Officer Execu- on recruitment process; Richard Watson, Chair, said that – as of and then down to three. The new CAO is tive Brief is posted on the UNA website selection is expected by May mid-February – the recruitment company expected to be hired by May. www.myuna.ca/wp-content/uploads/ which the UNA has retained to conduct its 2020/02/UNA-Executive-Brief-Chief- leadership search reported “up to 12” can- Until then, Mr. Watson said, leadership Administrative-Officer.pdf. didates had expressed an interest in being will remain with two senior members of The search for a new Chief Administrative interviewed for the position. staff acting as Interim Co-Executive Di- The condensed version of the Executive Officer (CAO) continues. rectors: Andrew Clements, Recreation Brief is below. Mr. Watson said that through the rest of Manager, and Wegland Sit, Operations In a verbal update to the UNA Board of February/March, the recruitment compa- Manager. Chief Administrative Officer - University Neighbourhoods Association UNA is seeking a well-rounded leader, ment and leadership of the UNA according policies; review existing policies and rec- sive discipline, and termination of all staff. passionate about public service and com- to the strategic direction set by the Board ommend changes to the Board as needed. • Ensure that all staff receives adequate ori- munity building to become our next Chief of Directors. This position is accountable • Identify and evaluate the risks to UNA’s entation and that appropriate training and Administrative Officer (CAO). to the UNA Board of Directors and devel- people (residents, employees, manage- ongoing professional development oppor- ops plans and initiatives that govern resi- ment, volunteers), property, finances, tunities are provided. Reporting directly to the Board of Direc- dents who live within the UNA residential goodwill, and image and implement mea- • Implement a performance management tors, the CAO will advise the Board in the neighbourhoods. The CAO is responsible sures to control risks. process for all staff, which includes moni- development of strategy and policy, ensur- for UNA and Community Centre staff • Ensure proactive maintenance of the fa- toring performance on an on-going basis ing the Board is provided with relevant policies and procedures, staff development cilities and grounds and that UNA policies and conducting an annual performance re- information necessary to make informed and growth, and is a central contact for and procedures are followed by UNA staff, view. decisions based on sound business and residents. The CAO is also a special liaison residents and other visitors to the UNA fa- • Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to governance practices. with UBC and the UBC Properties Trust cilities or outdoor spaces. improve performance. and maintains a relationship with Metro • Ensure that the Board of Directors and Ideal Candidate Vancouver. UNA carry appropriate and adequate insur- Community Relations / Advocacy ance coverage and that the Board under- The ideal CAO will possess the following The responsibilities of the CAO include, stands the terms, conditions and limitations Assist and collaborate with Board in lead- traits: but are not limited to, the following: of the insurance coverage. ing the following: • Passion for community, community Leadership and Board Relations Financial Planning and • Communicate with stakeholders to keep building, and an understanding of the chal- Management them informed of the work of the UNA lenges facing growing communities. • Participate with the Board of Directors in and to identify changes in the communities • Experience in a political environment, developing a vision and strategic plan to • Prepare a comprehensive budget for served by the UNA. ideally municipal government. guide the UNA. Board approval in partnership with the • Develop and implement a process to so- • Ability to establish credible and effec- • Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Board, and manage the annual budget. licit ongoing resident feedback and imple- tive working relationships with elected of- Directors of internal and external issues • Identify and implement new revenue and ment operational and management chang- ficials, employees, external stakeholders, that affect the UNA. cost saving opportunities. es, where possible, to meet resident needs and the public. • Act as a professional advisor to the Board • Approve operational expenditures within for municipal- like services. • Experience in management of a Board, of Directors on all aspects of UNA’s activi- the authority delegated by the Board.