The Campus Resident August 2010

Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association

Volume 1, Issue 4

AUGUST 31, 2010

Save-On-Foods in South Campus Serves up Successful First Year

Manager Ryan Dennis (seated) and members of the Save-on-Foods team at UBC welcome you to their store. Story on page 2.

Feeley Finishes Distinguished Board Stint Six years on UNA board is maximum allowed; departing chair is grateful for opportunity to serve Mike Feeley, whose term as a director of the University Neighbourhoods Association expires September 22 at the annual meeting of members, has served the UNA with distinction and a strong sense of duty to the community for six years— the last two of them as chair.

Mr. Feeley has also served as a forceful and capable UNA spokesman whether speaking to UBC administrators, Metro Vancouver directors, or—most recently—members of the media.

A resident of the Hawthorn Place neighbourhood and an associate professor of computer science at UBC, Mr. Feeley would continue serving on the UNA board if he had the choice. “But, my community won’t let me,” he said during a sunny-morning-in-August interview on the patio of Bean Around the World coffee shop in the Old Barn Community Centre. By this, he means the UNA constitution has a rule limiting board membership to six years.

With a grin, Mr. Feeley explains a further limiting factor. “My wife likely wouldn’t let me either.”

At first, Mr. Feeley fights off a question about the amount of time he has spent over the past six years looking after UNA business, but then relents.

“I spend ten to fifteen hours a week,” he says. “In the early years especially, there was a high degree of work.” (For the first five years, this was unpaid work, while last year—after members approved a change to the UNA constitution awarding payment to directors—Mr. Feeley was paid $7,500.)

Mike Feeley and wife Linda Quamme raise two children, Caitlin, 10, and Liam, 8, and so ten to fifteen hours a week of community service on top of a full teaching-and-research work week at UBC adds up to a lot of time away from the family.

FEELEY cont’d page 3

UNA Office is Moving to Wesbrook Place Moving day Friday, October 1st, 2010 New office opens Monday, October 4th. See page 7 for details Mike Feeley, UNA Chair

UNA AGM Sept 22nd

page 2

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

SAVE-ON from page 1

ONE YEAR AGO Save-on-Foods at UBC opened on September 2nd, 2009.

Ryan Dennis wants to meet you.

A highly personable young man, Mr. Dennis manages the Save-on-Foods store at the University of British Columbia, and on the first anniversary of Save-on-Foods opening at UBC, Mr. Dennis lays out his philosophy of meeting people both as a way of developing business and contributing to the community.

“You’ve got to get out there; you’ve got to get to know everybody.”

Mr. Dennis and his team has enjoyed obvious success practicing this gregarious policy at the Save-on-Food store in South Campus in the last year. As you follow the manager around his store, you hear a significant number of shoppers greeting him, “Hi, Ryan!” or

“How’s it going, Ryan?”

Mr. Dennis reports in return, “I have got to know a lot of people by their first name.” He refers in particular to residents living in Hampton Place, the closest of several UBC residential neighbourhoods to the store and the first campus neighbourhood to be developed at UBC (in the mid-1990s).

A lot of folks from Hampton Place have come into the Save-on-Foods store to tell Mr. Dennis and team members both how long they waited for a supermarket to open on campus (15 years in some cases) and how glad they are to shop in such a fine and well-stocked store today. Friendships and customer loyalty have developed out of these conversations.

While the first year of business at the

Save-on-Foods store at UBC has gone well, it has not come without its challenges.

The greatest challenge for Mr. Dennis seems to have been how to live up to his high expectations of meeting everyone. “The community is so huge,” he says. “We are trying to cater to everyone in it.”

This community out-reach approach has Mr. Dennis spending a fair amount of time outside his store.

For example, just prior to being interviewed for this story, Mr. Dennis returned to Save-on-Foods in South Campus from the UBC Thunderbird playing fields a half mile away. He had volunteered to cook hot dogs for youngsters attending a sports camp.

Six hundred and fifty kids attended this camp—learning soccer and other sports. “Six hundred and fifty hot dogs,” he reported with a broad grin. “I cooked every one of them. I smell like a hot dog.”

On another recent occasion, the peripatetic store manager visited UBC Farm. While Save-on-Foods does not yet market produce grown at UBC Farm, run by UBC students, the store does donate food to events there—and Mr. Dennis and members donate time.

On this occasion, Mr. Dennis enjoyed some immediate ‘feedback’ for his volunteer efforts and the generosity of his store. “The kids (four-year-olds to seven-year-olds attending an educational camp) began chanting ‘Save-on-More, Save-on-More’.”

Experienced shoppers will recognize this as the corporate jingle for the Saveon-Foods customer rewards program.

Members in this program get a point

for every dollar spent, and may then redeem points for rewards or donate them to charity.

Mr. Dennis speaks with great pride about the operations of his store which has thousands of customers served by about one hundred friendly and efficient employees—a good number of them students working part-time.

He refers to the store ‘tasting’ policy.

“We have tastings going on all the time.”

He also refers to an on-going series of barbecues in the parking lot in aid of a children’s charity. “We had a huge response to the last one raising money for the children’s hospital,” he said.

At this barbecue, the chef from the nearby Tapestry seniors’ residential development joined Save-on-Foods foodcounter personnel to advise people about proper eating habits. The Tapestry nurse talked about health. Blenz Coffee, which has a café nearby, provided coffee. Save-on-Foods pharmacy staff operated a blood pressure clinic.

Under the genial direction of Ryan Dennis, who lives with his wife and children in North Vancouver and who has worked at five stores in the foodstore chain, Save-on-Foods provides an inviting shopping environment to which the local community has reciprocated appreciatively.

“We’ve never had a warmer reception in any of the stores I’ve worked in,” Mr. Dennis says.

So, visit the store. Greet Mr. Dennis and his courteous staff. Taste the food.

Meet your neighbours, and enjoy shopping in your community store.

"We've been waiting for an opportunity like this, and we can't wait to move in."

TAPESTRY RESIDENTS Enthusiastic Students, Community Activists, Lovers of Life

Completing this fall, Tapestry’s newest full-service retirement community at Wesbrook Village UBC is an exciting prospect for seniors who choose to cultivate and develop the most positive aspects of aging and maturity. Our new Tapestry community offers ongoing educational opportunities in our UBC accredited classroom, a complete range of recreational and cultural activities, as well as all the benefits of being part of the UBC campus community.

At the heart of our philosophy is an absolute respect for personal choice, independent living and, of course, discreet support for residents who need it.

Discovery Centre Now Open Visit the Tapestry Discovery Centre located at 3393 Dunbar Street (at 18th Ave.) Vancouver B.C.

604.221.0997 www.DiscoverTapestry.com/UBC

This is not an offering for sale. Such offering may be made by Disclosure Statement only. Concert Realty Services Ltd.

Ad No. 1 – Tapestry at Wesbrook Village UBC (Leisure Care / Concert) Half-page (10” x 7”) – 4 colour process Publication: Una Newspaper June 15, 2010 – Material due: June 15, 2010 (noon) – Run date: xxx, 2010 The Idea Partner (TIP217)

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

page 3

Mike Feeley and Linda Quamme with daughter Caitlin and son Liam FEELEY from page 1

Fortunately for Mr. Feeley, he lives close both to the UNA office and his laboratory—and he is frequently seen cycling around campus and arriving at meetings on his bicycle. In this regard, he successfully embodies the UBC ideal of someone both living and working on campus.

Mr. Feeley made the decision to act as a UNA board member six years ago for serious reasons: to help the UBC residential community grow and prosper. But serving the community need not be always serious work, need it? “It’s been fun,� the departing chair says. “I’ll miss it. It’s been very satisfying. I’m grateful to have had an opportunity to serve.�

Six years ago, when Mr. Feeley joined the UNA board, the news media in the Lower Mainland largely overlooked UNA affairs. To be fair, there were only a few thousands residents living on campus then. Today, however, with the population topping 7,500, UNA affairs pass unnoticed by the media no longer.

CBC Radio recently interviewed Mr. Feeley after he and UNA legend Jim Taylor responded vigorously to an opinionated (Op Ed) article submitted to media outlets by Lois Jackson, mayor of Delta and chair of Metro Vancouver.

In her article, Ms. Jackson wondered, “When will the rapidly-growing residential community at the University of B.C. have its own democratic and accountable local government?�

Mr. Feeley and Mr. Taylor (founding UNA chair) tore back in their article. “There are changes that could improve on our current model of governance and also retain local control and the many things that work well today. We would welcome a fair, informed and respectful discussion on this topic. But, please, can Metro stop pretending that up is down and that the UNA does not exist? We do exist. We provide governance. We are democratic.�

When ribbed by a reporter about getting out of UNA politics at the wrong time (now that it’s getting this unprecedented measure of media attention), Mr. Feeley mischievously responded, “In fact, I’m getting out at the right time.�

Raised in Idaho, where he still has family, Mr. Feeley became a computer sci-

ence student at the University of Washington in 1986; he completed his Ph.D in 1996, and came to UBC the following year as an assistant professor.

He and Linda dwelled first at UBC in rental accommodation provided by the university; in 2005, they entered the housing market, being one of the first families to move into the then-fledgling Hawthorn Place neighbourhood.

Mr. Feeley finds the view out of his front window today far more attractive than when he first moved to Hawthorn Place.

Then, the sight of hundreds of old car lots greeted him. These mid-campus car lots had only months to survive, however, as UBC built more and more homes in Hawthorn Place, which is fully developed today. “I would give a lot of people an A+,� the UNA chair says when asked to grade campus residents on their devotion to the community. Mr. Feeley begins to run off the names of volunteers, but stops when realizing there are too many to name and naming a few would not be fair to others.

Instead, he turns to grading the role of the volunteer in the campus community.

The UNA needs a high degree of community spirit because of the way its governance structure is set up, Mr. Feeley says. Though the UNA has its own staff, it is a less bureaucratic governance structure than, say, the City of Vancouver, and this means there is more of a need for volunteers to fill in for absent civil servants.

It also means there is more opportunity for campus residents to express themselves through volunteer work, and to their credit, many campus residents have responded. The UNA counts about 200 of its 3,000 members as active volunteers— some putting in inordinate amounts of work on projects and events making the community a better place.

The UNA chair admits to some challenges in fostering good relations with all on campus. For example, some groups in Hampton Place (the first neighbourhood on campus) seem reluctant to accept the authority of the UNA and “for different reasons� so do some in Chancellor Place (built at the same time as Hawthorn Place). Also, due to language problems,

conveying the essence of the UNA to recent immigrants with no connection to UBC has proved challenging.

By and large, however, Mr Feeley speaks proudly of what all board members— since the UNA was formed in 2002— have accomplished in terms of creating an organization that is well thought of, particularly by UBC. “We have a very good relationship with UBC,� he said. “When the UNA talks, the UBC Board of Governors listen to us.�

With that, the interview ends, and the amiable Mike Feeley returns home to his summer work load of marking exam papers and the prospect of more time spent at home with Linda, Caitlin and Liam in the years ahead, given that next year—as well as no UNA board work—he is on sabbatical from UBC to pursue his research work.

F a m i l y, F r i e n d s , F o o d & D r i n k . E v e r y D ay o f t h e We e k a t t h e We s t wa r d H o !

We e k e n d P r i m e R i b D i n n e r Join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening starting at 4:00pm for Prime Rib with Yorkshire pudding and Au Jus served with chef’s choice of potatoes and vegetables. Enjoy an 8oz portion for $22 or a 10oz portion for $25.

Kids Menu We have kids menus for children under 12 available all day every day. Our kids breakfast menu is served weekdays until 11:30am and weekends until 2:00pm and our kids lunch and dinner menu begins daily starting at 11:00am. The Westward Ho! is a great place for the whole family.

New Martini and Cocktail list Join us for a Mojito made with mint from our kitchen herb garden or try one of our other fabulous cocktails. We also have an extensive Wine List with choices from BC, Australia and New Zealand, California, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Don’t forget that all of our pours by the glass are 8oz. Can’t finish a whole bottle? We will re-cork it so you can take it home.

Like Martinis? You’ll like them even more every wednesday & friday when they’re $1.50 off!

6ISIT UNIVERSITYGOLF COM TO lND OUT MORE ABOUT @7HAT S (APPENING AT 5'#

5NIVERSITY "OULEVARD s &ACEBOOK 5NIVERSITY 'OLF #LUB s 4WITTER 5NIVERSITY'OLF

page 4

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association

Published by:

University Neighbourhoods Association 6308 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 604-827-5158

Editor & Business John Tompkins Manager jtompkins@myuna.ca

Open the CAC Door, and Let the Public in!

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) has a policy of closing its doors to residents of the University Endowment Lands (UEL) and members of the public shortly after the start of monthly board meetings.

Residents and members of the public may attend the start of meetings to make presentations—by appointment.

But once these presentations are made, residents and members of the public find themselves politely invited to leave the board room.

The seven members of the CAC—assuming all are present—then conduct business in private save for the presence of members of the UEL administrative staff.

Discussion among CAC members and staff may then go on for several hours, and a month later the public gets the opportunity to read a brief and legalistic version of this discussion in the form of minutes.

This closed-door policy does not serve the residents of the UEL well, and the CAC should consider opening up its board meetings if only because open meetings have a better reputation than closed meetings in the field of community governance. So far, however, directors have resisted this ‘radical’ move.

UEL resident Maciek Kon requested the CAC board in March—during its brief open session—to open the whole meeting to the public. Alas, as stated in the March minutes, the CAC declined this request

though without explaining why.

UEL resident Maria Harris, who is also Metro Vancouver director for the UEL (and UBC), requested the board in April—during its brief open session—to open the whole meeting to the public.

The CAC declined this request also, again without stating why.

As if to pointedly rebuff Ms. Harris, the CAC ruled that as well as residents and the public, “representatives of other governments” were also excluded from their meetings.

“As a member of the public and a UEL resident,” Ms. Harris said, “I express my regrets over the CAC decision to close CAC meetings to the public.”

The constitution of the CAC promises it will “promote and develop the interests and welfare of residents of the UEL.” However, its bylaws glaringly ignore the issue of open public attendance at meetings. They provide only for minutes to be made available to the public.

This aversion to dealing with the public tends ultimately to indifference. Witness the CAC report on its June board meeting at www.uelcomunity.com “The June 8, 2010 meeting was in-camera and no minutes will be issued,” the CAC stated.

However, a CAC director said subsequently minutes of this June meeting will in fact appear in September.

The highly-educated populace which resides on the UEL deserves better CAC practices than this. The CAC should open its board meetings to residents.

Campus Resident Rebuffs Metro Pair Jim Taylor Resident, Hampton Place I have read the article published elsewhere on this page by Maria Harris, the Electoral Area “A” Director for Metro Vancouver wrote as well as the Op Ed piece published in the July issue of The Campus Resident by Lois Jackson, mayor of Delta and chair of Metro Vancouver.

Both ask a long series of questions of those of us who live in the residential communities at UBC. I am sure the UNA Board will answer those questions it decides require an answer. However, as a long time UNA resident, I would like to ask Maria and Metro three questions.

First, what explains Maria and Metro’s consternation about the arrangements at UBC being varied so that the land use decisions concerning our community are made by a Provincial Ministry? This is the way it has always been done in the UEL where Maria lives. The UEL has never had to go to Metro about land use decisions. Nor has Metro ever worried about its regional power over the UEL. Why are Maria and Metro so exercised about us being treated in the same way as the UEL? Second, why are Maria and Metro not more interested in the question of fairness between the two residential communities here on the Point in the Metro Electoral District for which Maria has a representative responsibility? After all, it is a responsibility that Maria and Metro share equally to us and Maria’s neighbours in the UEL. Property assessments in the UEL are several times those in our neighbourhoods. Yet, the UEL’s OCP (which, despite the UNA’s urgings, Metro refused to question) expressly says that it will not provide any community amenities within the UEL community because it uses those provided by others (like my UNA neighbours). How can it be fair for this more affluent group to leave the obligation of providing all public residential services for the approximately 95% of the population of our Electoral Area (for which Maria is our elected director and for which

Hampton Place resident Jim Taylor the Metro Board has responsibility) to us? Is either Maria or Metro planning to do anything about this?

Third, why do all of the pointed questions that Maria and Metro ask about our community not get asked of the UEL? Is there some good reason why Maria’s residential area of choice is immunized, by both her and Metro, from consideration of things like its position on governance, its implementation of land use plans, its process of consultation, the forums it makes available for others to participate in its planning process, the importance it places on making affordable housing available and how important to it is the development of live-work housing. Let me use affordability and live-work as an example. In the UNA every square inch of our community is developed for multiple family uses. Developing multiple family dwellings is a critically important determinant of affordability. In addition to a series of specific projects designed to facilitate live-work housing we offer developers significant incentives to provide secondary suites in the housing they develop in our community. In the UEL, in contrast: almost 90% percent of the land area is zoned single family; the average assessed value in this single family area is $3,279,030.00 (both Maria and Metro should know this is not affordable); and in the 90% of the land area of the UEL restricted to single family residences there is not a single permitted secondary suite to address live-work. Why is it that Maria as an elected official who, and Metro’s Board which, presumes to take responsibility for these issues choose to focus on one unincorporated group of neighbours living on the Point but not raise a single concern about the same issues for the other unincorporated group, Maria’s neighbours, living in exactly the same area?

The Future of Citizen Involvement in Land Use Planning at UBC According to Bill 20

New Oversight Rule Changes the Role of Metro Director MARIA HARRIS Director Electoral Area A, Metro Vancouver mariaharris@telus.net How many of you living at UBC, either as members of the academic side of the house or in the residential neighbourhoods, know that the regulatory framework governing land use planning changed radically in June 2010 as a result of Bill 20?

While most urban areas are incorporated as municipalities with land use planning being the responsibility of locally elected municipal councils, this is not so at UBC. Bill 20 transferred authority for land use planning on UBC’s Point Grey Campus Lands from Metro Vancouver (GVRD) to the provincial minister of community and rural development.

The locally elected UNA board continues to represent residents’ views on land use and development in dealing with the university and the Province. Like municipal

council meetings, UNA board meetings are open to the public and have time set aside for the public to speak. However, the UNA (like the UEL Community Advisory Council) does not have legal power to make land use decisions. Its power with respect to land use and development is simply consultative and advisory.

Only UBC and the Province have legal power to make decisions about land use.

Given the context of rapid urbanization on Point Grey Campus lands, this raises important questions about the degree to which UBC and the Province will act on advice of UNA residents and how the UNA can best equip itself to address land use and development issues.

Bill 20 led to significant change in responsibilities of the Electoral Area director, but only with respect to land use.

The Electoral Area director will continue to represent local interests with respect to regional planning, utilities and certain local matters such as liquor licensing.

Prior to Bill 20, a core role of the Elec-

toral Area director was to co-chair the GVRD/UBC Joint Committee and to advocate with respect to land use planning issues at Metro Vancouver on behalf of residents, students and the institution at UBC as distinct but closely linked entities in an increasingly urban setting.

The GVRD/UBC Joint Committee heard from local residents and students as well as from third parties with an interest in land use matters at UBC. Thus, the committee provided a forum where members of the public could speak in the presence of both bodies that had legal authority to make development decisions. Bill 20 made void the Memorandum of Understanding under which the Joint Committee was created and, to this point, no further meetings of the Joint Committee are scheduled and no other such liaison committee has been constituted.

Although the Electoral Area Director no longer has an official role with respect to local land use matters, I have spent much of my term in office considering

governance and land use in the area and will continue to welcome the opportunity to engage with local residents and with the UNA Board in discussion of Bill 20.

Changes brought about by Bill 20 may indeed offer new opportunities for the local community to ensure that land use planning and development is conducted in an accountable, transparent, and responsible way that serves both local and broader regional interests. We must wait on developments here.

HARRIS cont’d page 6

Maria Harris

page 5

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

Students See New Law As “promising step” Student leader is surprised by comments of Metro chair Lois Jackson; “our campus is unique”, he says BIJAN AHMADIAN, PRESIDENT ALMA MATER SOCIETY

I was surprised to read the opinion piece by Metro Vancouver Chair Lois Jackson calling Metro’s unilaterally developed bylaws for UBC “progress toward increasing accountability,” especially given that those bylaws would have moved control of UBC’s institutional land to a body on which the Alma Mater Society (AMS), the official student society of UBC Vancouver, has no formal representation. When those proposed bylaws were announced last fall, AMS Council responded quite forcefully.

On December 2, 2009, AMS Council, representing more than 46,000 students, unanimously approved a resolution taking a stance in response to Metro’s proposed bylaws for UBC. The resolution recognized that “local control over institutional lands and buildings is necessary for the preservation of academic freedom, the enhancement of the student experience, and the development of UBC as a globally significant university that is able to provide a high quality of education.” The Graduate Student Society passed the same resolution shortly thereafter. Both of these resolutions followed a message from UBC President Stephen Toope to the UBC community expressing the University’s concerns with Metro’s proposal.

Metro’s proposed bylaws were developed without any consultation with the University community—a practice that is contrary to what students are used to. At the time, we had a campus plan for institutional land already in place.

It had been developed in consultation with students. Students had a basic understanding about the relationship between Metro and UBC: Metro would regulate family-housing development while UBC, in consultation with the University community, would regulate institutional and academic development; however, with the proposed bylaws, Metro was going to unilaterally take control of both. This would mean that in the likely event that the University wanted to build a research facility that did not fit within Metro’s zoning bylaws, the University would have to apply to Metro for a zoning change. In effect, this gave the Metro Board the sole discretion to decide what kind of research our students could do on this campus. It could also result in an unhealthy politicization of the University’s research decisions by municipal politicians. This went right against the fundamental principle of academic freedom at UBC, and was found to be unacceptable by the AMS Council.

In addition to preserving academic freedom, AMS Council values student engagement in the governance and land-use framework of UBC. Bill 20 is a promising first step in this direction.

Bill 20 transfers Metro’s authority over UBC’s land use development to the Minister of Rural and Community

Development, in consultation with the Ministry of Advanced Education. The Minister will receive the Land Use Plan, as well as amendments to it from the UBC Board of Governors, to which UBC Vancouver students elect two of the 21 members. These two students also sit on AMS Council, and are entitled to sit on the Board’s Properties and Planning Committee. This is the Committee that makes recommendations to the Board on the content of the Land Use Plan after reviewing the campus consultation results.

The consultation process is delivered by the Campus and Community Planning Department, which has a strong relationship with the AMS. As a standard practice, they regularly consult AMS Council, its Executives, and its University and External Relations Committee.

Additionally, during consultations, students have the opportunity to attend workshops and submit feedback online for any land-use plan changes. Furthermore, the AMS has a seat on several planning committees across campus as well as on the University Neighbourhoods Association.

Considering all of these opportunities to provide input, students and the AMS are well positioned to be heard on procedural and substantive aspects of land-use issues from their inception to the moment they are sent to the Minister for approval. Contrary to that, at the 37-member, 125-vote Metro Vancouver Board, UBC students’ only formal influence is through the single elected representative for the entire area called Electoral Area A, who has only one vote on Metro’s Board. Additionally, Metro Vancouver has previously stated that its long-standing policy is to no longer govern electoral areas. So, how can Ms. Jackson claim that Metro Vancouver’s proposed bylaws would have brought more accountability to students when UBC already provides a much higher level of student engagement on land use issues?

Additionally, Ms. Jackson’s comparison of us to other universities is misleading as our campus is unique, and our challenges with governance will require solutions emerging from our own community and not ones imposed

by Metro Vancouver. We enjoy the benefit of a diverse community of faculty, staff, alumni, students, as well as several unique neighbourhoods in and around the campus. We have our own unique opportunities and challenges when it comes to interfaces between student and family residents.

Our interests may not always coincide, but we share many common values such as academic freedom, inclusion and sustainable living. These common values will help us come to a governance framework that will allow our community to prosper, and support UBC’s stance as a global centre of ex-

Alma Mater Society President Bijan Ahmadian

cellence in teaching and research.

While Bill 20 is a promising first step, we recognize that it is a temporary framework, and by no means the ultimate solution. We expect that the Provincial Government will announce a process to address the governance issue at UBC soon. We understand that, unlike Metro’s past proposals, it will be a complex process and will require thorough consultation with all stakeholders in the community. And that is all the more reason to get started sooner

rather than later.

Establishing a permanent governance structure will take time, but the AMS will certainly be a key player in the process as soon as it starts. We are optimistic that the end result will yield new opportunities for student engagement and leadership on campus and in the community. In the meantime, Bill 20 will serve us well enough as an interim framework to promote a robust and real student voice in UBC’s land-use and governance processes.

Metro Vancouver Invites Comments about Electoral Area A Election Administration Metro Vancouver is reviewing the way it administers its elections in Electoral Area A, with the aim of making improvements in time for the next local elections in November 2011.

Metro Vancouver is interested in hearing whether the electors of Electoral Area A have enough information before, during and after the election, whether they believe they have a good opportunity to participate in the process, and where they think improvements could be made.

We invite you to write to Metro Vancouver with your comments and suggestions

by October 1, 2010. Please forward to: Mail:

Chris Plagnol, Deputy Corporate Secretary Metro Vancouver 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8 Email: chris.plagnol@metrovancouver.org A response form that outlines key topics in the election process is available, if you wish to use it. Visit www.metrovancouver.org and go to “elections” to access it in electronic form.

Your responses will be summarized and a public report will be considered by Metro Vancouver’s Electoral Area Committee.

Metro Vancouver elections are administered in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act. The Act defines many aspects of the election process, including schedules, official notices and the way voting places operate.

It also determines who is eligible to vote and how they register to vote Electoral Area A comprises University Endowment Lands, University of British Columbia lands, Bowyer Island, Grebe Islets, Passage Island, Barnston Island, and those areas of Howe Sound, Indian Arm and West Pitt Lake in the GVRD not within a municipal corporation.

www.metrovancouver.org

page 6

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

Air Permit Should Put to Rest Concerns about Plant Emissions are well within provincial limits; also within Metro limits The concerns of residents that a proposed two megawatt demonstration power plant at UBC would pollute the air on campus seem to have been eliminated.

Metro Vancouver granted an air quality permit for this plant—where wood will be turned into gas to produce electricity—August 3, and UBC spokesman Brent Sauder explained how the plant will operate within provincial guidelines for air pollution.

“The province limits emissions from power plants to 50 milligrams of particulate matter per cubic meter of air,” said Mr. Sauder, director, strategic initiative, office of the vice-president research & international.

“Metro Vancouver limits emissions to 18 milligrams; we guarantee no more than ten—and are aiming for five milligrams per cubic meter,” In brief, he said, the impact of emissions from what is called the UBC Bio-energy Research & Demonstration Plant (or ‘biomass plant’, for short) on campus air quality will be minimal with no odors or smoke, and no water discharge.

Erica Frank, a director of the University Neighbourhoods Association, said “This (power plant) was a proposal the UNA board considered carefully, from community, public health, and sustainability perspectives. We had nine e-postings about public consultations, two open houses, discussions with international colleagues with expertise in this area, repeated meetings with and probings of UBC and its consultants, and thoughtful readings of several drafts of the proposal.”

Ms. Frank, a professor in the school of population and public health, said, “I think it’s a good alternative to burning natural gas for UBC to be pursuing, and I am comfortable with the scientific, community-based monitoring that we

VANCOUVER WOOD CHIPS FOR BIOMASS PLANT AT UBC, UBC President Stephen Toope and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

developed together with UBC that will be put into place.”

Mr. Sauder agreed August was a good month for the UBC biomass plant. As well in August, Nexterra Systems Corp, a leading supplier of biomass gasification systems, announced it had signed a multi-million dollar funding agreement with UBC to supply and install the biomass plant.

Mr. Sauder expects construction of the plant at the northwest corner of Lower Mall and Agronomy Road to begin in mid-September. The project is scheduled for commissioning at the end of 2011.

The new technology will convert urban wood waste into clean burning, com-

bustible synthetic gas or ‘syngas’ using Nexterra’s proprietary gasification and syngas conditioning technologies, a Nexterra spokesman said. The syngas will be directly fired into an internal combustion engine to produce the electricity. Waste heat will be recovered from the engine to produce 9,000 lbs/hour of low pressure steam.

The electricity generated by the new system will be distributed throughout the campus to meet a portion of UBC’s electricity demand.

Mr. Sauder estimated it would be enough to power the 1000-bed Marine Towers Student Residences adjacent to the biomass plant site. It will not power

any market housing on campus, however.

Mr. Sauder said BC Hydro provides this power on a separate line.

In support of UBC sustainability goals, the plant should lower campus greenhouse gas emissions by 4,000 tonnes per year. UBC President Stephen Toope has expressed the hope the biomass plant will generate 12 per cent of campus energy.

Wood fuel for the plant will come both from Vancouver and other sources. Under an agreement with UBC signed May 11th, Vancouver will provide trees and branches that fall in parks or on city streets, as well as other clean wood waste material.

what is the position of UNA residents on present residential governance arrangements? If status quo is the preferred option, then what if any additional steps should the UNA take to engage in land use and development decisions? Likewise, if change is desired, then what are the underlying objectives?

2.

Will the new legislation affect only land use planning or is future governance of the UNA neighbourhoods also part of the legislative package?

3.

Will consultation on land use planning and implementation of land use plans at UBC be conducted by UBC and reported through UBC? If so, what mechanisms can be used by the UNA to

ensure that land use planning and implementation options are presented fairly and what control will residents have over the process?

4.

Are there specific concerns or issues of interest to the community with respect to land use decisions on Point Grey campus lands?

5.

Are you aware that additional densities beyond what was previously approved are under discussion as part of the UBC Land Use Planning process this summer and fall?

6.

Few communities in the Metro Vancouver region were designed with as much attention to live-work proximity as UBC’s family housing neighbour-

hoods. How important is it to existing residents that UBC faculty and staff will be able to afford housing on campus 20 years from now? And how important to this community is regional sustainability with respect to live/work proximity?

7.

Given the rapid urbanization of UBC’s Point Grey Campus lands, local decisions in many instances affect neighbours and the broader region. Through what forum should such issues best be addressed?

8.

What if any forum should exist for agencies and members of the public to make representations to the UNA, UBC and the local planning authority at the same time on issues related to land use?

HARRIS from page 4

In my view, it is critical that UBC Point Grey Campus lands continue, over the long-term, to lead the region in sustainable development, providing live-work proximity and a community that people want to live in. I can’t help but agree with UNA resident, Gary Gibson, in the July edition of the Campus Resident where he noted that there must be a large number of UNA residents asking, “What’s going on?” Gary posed a number of specific questions himself and in addition, I pose others for residents to consider and respond to if they wish: 1.

Given the difficulties incorporating UBC Point Grey Campus as a separate traditional or special municipality,

Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association

To inquire about ad space and ad rates contact advertising@myuna.ca

page 7

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

The

Hip Hop • Yoga • Mat Pilates Fit 4 Two®• Salsa Dance Fit Zumba • Latin Funk •Tai Chi Women’s Self Defense Gentle Yoga • Nia

The

6308 Thunderbird Blvd. 604.827.4469 www.oldbarn..ca

새 이주자를 위한 오리엔테이션

Our new address: 2nd fl, 5923 Berton Ave. Vancouver BC V6B 0S3 (Wesbrook Place)

t. 604.827.5158 f. 604.827.5375 reception@myuna.ca www.myuna.ca

page 8

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

University Neighbourhoods Asso Candidate Prod Laquian I was elected to the UNA Board of Directors in September 2008. As the chair of the Board’s Standing Committee on Governance, I have focused on the UNA’s complex relationships with UBC, the students (through the Alma Mater Society) and Metro Vancouver (formerly GVRD). I am chair of the UNA Animal Control Bylaws Development Committee and a member of the Noise Bylaw Development Committee and the Parking Bylaw Development Committee.

As Professor Emeritus of community and regional planning at UBC, I was designated by UNA as its representative in the Vancouver Campus Plan Steering Committee, the UBC Campus Transit and Cycling Plan Advisory Committee, and the RCMP Community Advisory Committee. I am also a member of the UNA Board’s Standing Committee on Operations and Sustainability where I am concerned with the development of the UBC Farm, community gardens, recycling, composting, parks, landscaping, elementary and high schools, and childcare services for UNA residents.

Before joining UBC in 1991 as a tenured full professor at the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) and Director of the UBC Centre for Human Settlements, I worked with the United Nations in the South Pacific, China and New York.

After retiring from UBC, I became a visiting scholar and acting director of MIT’s Special Program in Urban and

Regional Studies (SPURS), Cambridge, MA. The following year, the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, DC awarded me a fellowship to write a book on the planning and governance of the 14 largest cities in Asia (published as Beyond Metropolis: the Planning and Governance of Asia’s Mega-Urban Regions, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005). In 2007-2008, I was a consultant with the Asian Development Bank on the delivery of urban services (water, sewerage, transport, waste management, and housing) in China and India.

As a resident of Hampton Place since 1993 and an active member of the UNA

since 2002, I am committed to the vision of a democratic self-governing community that delivers key municipal-like services to the residents in an equitable, cost-effective and sustainable manner. I believe that the UNA community can create a unique system of democratic local self-governance that can be a model in Canada and other parts of the world.

I hope that my expertise in community and regional planning can be useful as UBC formulates a new Land Use Plan to update the Official Community Plan (OCP) and a new Transit and Cycling Plan that incorporates inputs from UNA residents. My scholarly studies on urban politics and governance in the United States, Canada, and Asian countries may prove useful as the UNA pursues a unique model of local governance that goes beyond traditional municipal approaches.

Finally, I am confident that, my long experience with the United Nations and UBC as a manager of complex projects that required detailed knowledge and hands-on operational expertise in dealing with financial, administrative, logistical and personnel issues will enable me to contribute to the successful execution of UNA’s functions. I am prepared to continue working for UNA as we endeavor to make our marvelous community a better, more sustainable and livable place.

Candidate Linda Moore Trained as an architect, Linda Moore’s combined experience in architecture, development and community relations enables her to bring strong governance and community development skills to the University Neighbourhoods Association.

If elected to the UNA Board, she will be able to advise and offer insights into all matters related to land use planning, urban design and community consultation. She attributes her diverse career path to her passion for the social impact of architecture in creating inspiring and healthy communities…..combined with a very practical and steadfast commitment to managing the complexities of the building-and-landscape related processes.

Linda’s recent role as Associate Director of External Affairs and Associate Director of Community Relations for the new University Town at the University of British Columbia (2003-2009) drew heavily on her combined project management and community relations expertise. While at UBC, Linda was also the Project Manager for the University Boulevard International Architectural

Competition - a new vision for the UBC’s first mixed use neighbourhood.

Linda was born in Kerrisdale and has an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Architecture from UBC. She graduated with the Alpha Rho Chi Medal in Architecture and the Heritage Canada Gold Medal, and is a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Canada Green Building Council and an associate member of the

Architectural Institute of British Columbia. She has lived at UBC for 6 years and during this time has consistently volunteered with the University Neighbourhood Association. Her current volunteer position is Chair of the UNA Sustainability Committee.

Linda Moore is passionate about living at UBC and remains steadfast in her commitment to support the University Neighbourhoods Association in its quest for self-governance and leadership in sustainability. Whether is it working as a volunteer or tackling extensive community facilitation associated with a specific new design project, Linda likes to work collaboratively with residents, staff, stakeholder groups, volunteers, regulatory agencies and consultant teams to clarify roles, responsibilities and project scope so that well-conceived strategies and cost-effective solutions can be brought forward for consideration.

Linda is also a dedicated equestrian who volunteers at a Riding School in Southlands. She can also be seen on regular power-walks with friends through Pacific Spirit Park with various dogs in hand, or riding her bike across the UBC campus.

Four R For Two

Number of results of UNA end of annu An unprecedented number of four residents have stepped forward to run as candidates in the University Neighbourhoods Association election of resident-directors in September.

The election is for two resident-directors, and results will be announced at the end of the annual general meeting September 22 at the Old Barn Community Centre.

UNA sources do not know of another election since the UNA was formed in 2002 in which as many as four residents ran for UNA office at the same time.

Also for the first time, members of the UNA will be able to vote in their own neighbourhoods at conveniently located polling stations.

The polling station locations will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. UNA members will soon receive a Voters Card in the mail indicating the location of their polling station.

The following polling stations are confirmed so far: Carey Centre for residents of Chancellor Place; Tapestry for residents of Wesbrook Place; the Old Barn Community Centre for residents of Hawthorn Place and East Campus.

The polling station for Hampton Place was not available at press time.

There will also be an opportunity for UNA members to vote in an advance poll that will be held on Wednesday, September 15, from 7:00 AM 7:00 PM in the Old Barn Community Centre.

And, as in past elections, members will be able to vote by mail.

The Annual General Meeting is a meeting for members of the UNA and residents of the “Local Areas” as defined in the Neighbours’ Agreement 2008 including Hampton Place, Hawthorn Place, Chancellor Place, East Campus, and Wesbrook Place.

The AGM takes place Wednesday, September 22, 7- 9 PM at the Old Barn Community Centre - 6308 Thunderbird Blvd, UBC. Mike Feeley, who concludes six years as a board member at the meet-

page 9

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

ociation Annual General Meeting

Residents Run o Seats on Board

candidates is unprecedented; A election will be announced at ual meeting on September 22

Mike Feeley, UNA chair

ing (the last two years as chair) will chair the meeting.

The Meeting Agenda is as follows: •Introduction of the Annual General Meeting •Motion to accept Agenda •Motion to accept the AGM minutes

of September 2009 •UNA Annual Report •Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements March 31, 2010, Ian Burgess, UNA Treasurer •Presentation of a UNA Sustainability Strategy •UBC Land Use Plan, UBC Campus & Community Planning •Recognition of Outstanding Community Volunteers •Election Results •Adjournment UNA members will have a chance to question candidates in a meeting before the AGM. This also is unprecedented. An All Candidates Meeting will be held Tuesday, September 14, at 7:00 PM. at the Old Barn Community Centre.

We present biographies of the four candidates on these centre pages.

Important Dates All Candidates Meeting

Tues, Sept 14th 7:00PM to 9:00PM The Old Barn Community Centre

Wed, Sept 15th

Advance Poll

Voting Day

7:00AM to 7:00PM The Old Barn Community Centre

Wed, Sept 22nd 7:00AM to 7:00PM

Candidate Mankee Mah I am Mankee Mah, a long time resident of UBC Campus, an avid community volunteer, and I am running for the UNA Board of Directors.

My family and I have lived on UBC Campus for the last 10 years as both renters and homeowners in Acadia Park and Hawthorn Place. My family and I have literally “grown” with the UBC Campus and the University Neighbourhoods.

As my husband and I watched our two children grow up, we’ve also watched the UBC Campus grow into the University Neighbourhoods. We have experienced, first hand, Campus life’s trials and tribulations – like childcare anxieties, overcrowded schools, co-existing with student life, and the growing pains of neighbourhoods coming together as a community.

In addition, I have been an active member of this community since 2002 as Chair of the University Hill Kinderclub Board, co-Chair of the University Hill Elementary PAC, parent representative to the Vancouver School Board Education Facilities Review, and coordinator of the University Town Bus Program.

From my involvement on these committees, I have worked formally with CUPE, GVRD, Vancouver School Board, UBC Properties Trust, UBC Campus and Community Planning, UEL Administration, as well as with the UNA. The UNA is a novel and unique governance model. As such, it is not one without challenges. However, I strongly believe that what we have is well worth investing in. Through the dedication of

our fellow community members, daycare facilities have been expanded, new schools are underway, community access to UBC facilities has been formalized, public spaces are being ‘green’ed, bylaws are emerging…But, there is still so much more that needs to done to make this community an incredible place to live. We will need to review road access to the new schools, expand community access to UBC facilities, set up the new community centre in South Campus, continue to work with UBC to ensure residents’ interests are not overlooked…

I have a proven record of commitment to this community and I look forward to working on your behalf to help improve this community as it matures into the best place to live, work, and learn.

Candidate Fred Pritchard Fred Pritchard is a dedicated community leader with years of experience working collaboratively with political and administrative leaders at the GVRD, rural and urban municipalities, electoral areas and school boards. He has championed sustainability and community building among students and residents, and the community at large as the Director of Planning and also as a founding Board member of the University Neighbourhoods Association. As the Director of Planning for UBC, Fred was responsible for planning the residential neighbourhoods and worked on planning the creation of the University Neighbourhoods Association designing the association and its administration to replicate effective and responsive municipal like services for the residential neighbourhoods at UBC. Following inception of the University Neighbourhoods Association, Fred worked with the UNA Board and the UNA’s administration in the design and introduction of the administrative systems to be used by the UNA for day to day management and administration.

For the past number of years Fred has

been successful in the planning and construction of private sector developments of large, complex multi-family residential communities in the lower mainland and in Kelowna, working closely with municipal government and administrative staff to ensure development enhanced local community objectives.

Since Fred and his family moved to UBC over 10 years ago, he has worked to improve community safety, including work with the RCMP to improve community policing. His work was recognized by an award from the RCMP celebrating his dedication and service.

page 10

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

Prospect of Drug Use Puts Booze Bid on Hold UBC is trying to get new liquor license; RCMP and UNA have not been supportive The prospect of drug use during latenight disc-jockey (DJ) concerts at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre has ambushed a plan by the UBC Athletics department to get neighbourhood and RCMP support for its application for a new liquor license for Thunderbird.

The RCMP in particular has backed away from any measure of support for the new UBC liquor license application, and the University Neighbourhoods Association has concluded that so far at least, following the RCMP lead is the best policy.

This combined lack of support disappointed a UBC Athletics administrator at the UNA board meeting August 3. Alnoor Aziz, associate director & chief financial officer, had looked forward to UNA directors supporting a UBC proposal for eight DJ concerts a year at Thunderbird.

Subject to the liquor control branch in Victoria, granting UBC a liquor license for musical events, concert-goers attending these eight DJ events would have found liquor available for purchase up to 1 AM. A month earlier, at its July meeting, Mr. Aziz had greeted the board with a proposal for 12 DJ events—but was greeted in turn with a UNA request to come back in August with a less ambitious plan. This turned out to be eight concerts instead of 12.

Following a presentation by Mr. Aziz, Mike Feeley, UNA chair, said he was concerned on the one hand that a DJ event was in fact a disreputable rave at which “criminals would be present”, and on the other hand that noise and disturbance of up to 2,800 concert-goers leaving Thunderbird at 2 AM would be irksome to UBC residents, especially the residents in the new residential community of East Campus across Wesbrook Mall from the sports centre.

Mr. Aziz let the board know that “if we fail miserably to stop noise and disturbance”, then UBC would agree to suspend the concert series. “This would be disastrous for us financially, and this is why we would not allow it (noise and disturbance) to occur,” he said.

UCCC Horz Ad 2010.indd 1

Staff-Sergeant Kevin Kenna, commander of the RCMP detachment at UBC, made a presentation following Mr. Aziz, and his comments quickly negated what hopes Mr. Aziz had for gaining community and police support.

Commander Kenna said, “What I am concerned about is the number of drug users and gang members that would be in attendance at these concerts.” He also perceived “difficulty in finding RCMP members free to come in on weekend shifts” to ensure adequate outside security at the concerts. (Mr. Aziz said concert promoters would run security inside Thunderbird.)

Commander Kenna then introduced fellow RCMP officer Sergeant Scott Rintoul, who is currently attached to the Burnaby detachment but who was for ten years the RCMP drug awareness coordinator in the Lower Mainland.

Sgt. Rintoul promptly told the UNA board that during a DJ concert at Thunderbird, “Drugs will be there.” He said his prediction was based on experience of attending and monitoring 200 DJ events during his years as drug awareness coordinator. Sgt. Rintoul also said, “Ecstasy will be the drug of choice during a DJ event at the centre.”

The UNA board bowed to this warning and referred the whole issue of UBC Athletics trying to get community and RCMP support for its Thunderbird license application to the top of the UBC administrative chain for review.

Theoretically, the following parties will come together in the near future to discuss the issue: UBC Vice-President, Students, Brian Sullivan, the Alma Mater Society, the RCMP, the Vancouver fire department, BC Ambulance, the UNA, and possibly others.

To no avail did Mr. Aziz declare to both the RCMP and UNA directors “you’re reading too much into this” when hearing this welter of information about the prospect of drug use during DJ concerts at Thunderbird, noise and disturbance of people vacating the building at 2 AM, and gangsters drawn to UBC.

THUNDERBIRD STADIUM AT UBC Liquor can be sold at sporting events, but not at musical events.

Ice Rink Runs Into Problem of ‘Red Ink’ Income is down; expenses are high with utility bill alone $50,000 a month Figures released by a senior UBC Athletics administrator during back-to-back meetings of the University Neighbourhoods Association board of directors reveal the tough time UBC is having financially at its prized $45 million Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, a venue during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

In short, according to figures presented to the UNA board by Alnoor Aziz, associate director and chief financial officer, UBC Athletics, Thunderbird has bled ‘red ink’ since UBC received control of the sports arena back from the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) in April.

To illustrate the situation, Mr. Aziz conveyed contrasting financial pictures of Thunderbird before and after the Olympics. In the year before the Olympics when the (rock) concert market was still in full swing, UBC did well out of ten concerts. “Athletics made a net income of $500,000 by hosting concerts,” Mr. Aziz said. This explained how—with income also from community ice rentals, sports events, etc—UBC was able to easily face costs, which include a utility bill of $50,000 a month.

Meanwhile, the big utility bill still grinds away. Since then, however, the concert market has fallen so badly that UBC has

7/15/10 11:50:44 PM

been able to host only one concert (in June).

To make matters worse, UBC Athletics has not inspired enough confidence in the residential community and the police to allow it to muster a proper application to the British Columbia Liquor Control Branch for a license that would allow liquor sales at musical concerts.

The current license at Thunderbird— granted last fall—lets people drink at sports games and comedy routines, but makes no provision for liquor sales at musical concerts. Yet UBC needs a liquor license for musical concerts so that it can host a category of concerts called DJ Events (DJ standing for disc-jockey) as an alternative to the sagging rock concerts.

So far, the UNA board and the RCMP have not offered support for UBC Athletics to hold these events on several grounds: prospective drug use by DJ patrons; attendance by gangsters and too much noise and disruption in the adjacent residential community when DJ events end at 2 AM. Yet success in getting a liquor license depends on community and police support.

Mr. Aziz says, “The concert business has dried up and the trend has now changed to DJ Events, which are much smaller in size than concerts. They just need to end late. UBC Athletics staff is not thrilled about having to stay up until 2 AM but with all revenue sources dried up we are desperate.”

A pub which provided liquor sales to 1 AM closed at 2 AM in the old arena before its $45 million refurbishing for the Olympics, and its operation does not seem to have disrupted the local community.

Mr. Aziz says, “Our arena is underperforming and will not be a vibrant place as it was for Olympics where lots of people were coming and going from the arena.

It is destined to be used only for hockey if the efforts of Athletics to get new business are not supported by the University, UNA and the RCMP.” Mr. Aziz thinks the RCMP and UNA are reading too much into the potential negatives aspects of a DJ event. The police and community remained adamant, however.

A high level UBC administrative meeting will take place at an undetermined point in the future with police, fire, ambulance, community and other groups in attendance. In the meantime, finances at the Olympic venue remain difficult.

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

page 11

End Women’s Cancers’ Supporters Spend Night in Tents on Campus Tent city is set up on Thunderbird sports fields; $2.4 million is raised for cancer research The seventh annual Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers came to UBC campus August 1415 with over a thousand walkers and their supporters sleeping overnight in a tent city between back-to-back 30kilometre walks Saturday, and Sunday around Vancouver to raise money for cancer research.

After opening ceremonies at Thunderbird Sports Field on the Saturday, walkers set off on their first 30 km of the scenic walk through the city.

Their weekend journey ended Sunday with closing ceremonies at the same UBC venue and with family, friends, and others supporters cheering them to the finish.

The BC Cancer Foundation announced the 1,100 participants in the walk raised over $2.4 million.

In the past six years the uplifting and emotional Weekend events have enabled the Foundation to invest over $16 million in breast and gynecologic cancer research and programs at the BC Cancer Agency.

“A huge thank you and congratulations to everyone participating in this year’s Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers,” said BC Cancer Foundation President and CEO Douglas

Nelson.

“Without the generous and continued support of our Walkers and their donors, BC Cancer Agency researchers and clinicians could not be making the significant advancements in breast and women’s cancers research and treatment that have been made throughout B.C. We hope everyone will help us make next year’s event just as successful by registering now for the 2011 Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers.”

A news release issued by the foundation stated, “The millions of dollars raised through The Weekend over the past six years have played a crucial role in many projects at BC Cancer Agency, including funding a landmark discovery in breast cancer by BC Cancer Agency scientists who decoded the genetic development of a patient’s breast cancer tumor, revealing how the cancer began and spread.”

Meanwhile, a second ‘breast cancer’ run will take place October 3. The CIBC Run for the Cure run to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation starts at 9:30 AM Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver.

Details at www.cbcf.org.

END WOMEN’S CANCERS Gathered at Wolfson Rugby Field, part of the Thunderbird Sports Fields at UBC, 1,100 participants in the seventh annual Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers get ready to hit the streets of Vancouver on a 60-kilometre walk over two days.

page 12

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

UBC’S Nancy Knight answers questions on proposed Land Use Plan amendments In July, UBC launched its consultation process on proposed amendments to the Land Use Plan. Nancy Knight, Associate Vice President of Campus and Community Planning, answers five key questions about this process.

Question 1)What is the Land Use Plan and why is UBC proposing to update it?

UBC’s Land Use Plan (formerly known as the Official Community Plan or OCP) is the “bylaw� establishing general land uses and policies for the entire 1,000-acre campus, with a special focus on non-institutional development. The Land Use Plan was originally developed in 1997 and requires updating to support UBC’s vision of developing a model university community that’s vibrant, livable, and sustainable.

An updated Land Use Plan will also better support UBC’s academic mission, as outlined in Place and Promise. During the Vancouver Campus Plan Review process, UBC heard from students, staff, faculty, alumni, residents and other stakeholders about long-standing issues that are barriers to achieving the university’s vision and academic mission; these barriers can be removed by amending the Land Use Plan.

Question 2) How will changes to the Land Use Plan create a more sustainable UBC community?

UBC follows planning principles of “smart growth�, which is a term used to describe development and land use plan-

ning that makes priorities of public transit, cycling and walking, local shops and services so people can meet their daily needs in their community, protecting green space, having a mix of uses (e.g. residences with shops and services close by) and sufficient population density to ensure the viability of those shops and services and transit. Essentially, smart growth re-invests in communities to make them vibrant, livable and sustainable and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that come from vehicle dependence, commuting to and from homes, shops, services and amenities. Among the proposed amendments to the Land Use Plan are edits to specific building parameters (e.g. floorspace ratio, unit caps, etc.) that will allow for more, smaller units that also address housing affordability. These revisions also increase the amount of commercial/retail space available on campus.

Question 3) What’s happening with the UBC Farm?

During the Vancouver Campus Plan Review process, UBC’s Board of Governors, in response to feedback from on- and off-campus individuals and community groups, committed to no market housing being built on the UBC Farm and changing the current designation to “Green Academic� from “Future Housing Reserve� in order to retain the Farm. The Board of Governors made these commitments with two conditions: first, that an academically rigorous and globally significant plan be

drafted for the 24-hectares; and second, that the housing density originally slated for the area be transferred to other parts of campus.

UBC remains committed to no market housing being built on the UBC Farm lands and the Board of Governors has received Cultivating Place, the academic plan for applied sustainability on UBC’s South Campus and beyond.

The next step is to amend the Land Use Plan to change the Farm’s designation to “Green Academic�, which will support full implementation of Cultivating Place, and to transfer the housing density from here and other future housing areas. Most of the housing density would be transferred to the eastern section of Acadia, an area along East Mall south of the existing Hawthorn neighbourhood, and south of Wesbrook Place. Campus and Community Planning will be providing more detailed information as part of the consultation process in September/October.

Question 4) Why does housing density need to be transferred?

Transferring housing density is key to creating a sustainable, livable community on campus. It follows smart growth principles and means that UBC can ensure enough people live on campus year-round to support restaurants, shops, community services, transit, and cultural amenities.

New housing density will help make the UBC campus a more complete commu-

nity and support the unique nature of the UBC neighbourhoods.

Housing density transfer also preserves the benefit provided to UBC’s financial endowment through housing development.

Revenues from housing development have provided UBC with approximately one-quarter of its current endowment, supporting innovative teaching, learning and research.

Question 5) How can I get involved in the public consultation process?

The next phase of public consultation will take place in late September/early October and include a series of consultation events as well as online consultation. The process will conclude with a public hearing in late November or early December. Exact dates and times will be established shortly and notices to the UBC community and other stakeholders will be sent via email, newspaper ads (The Campus Resident, Vancouver Courier and Ubyssey) or can be found on our website: planning.ubc. ca. UTown@UBC residents are invited to participate in any of these events. All public consultation throughout this process takes place in accordance with the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, Part 10-2010.

Visit planning.ubc.ca to keep abreast of Land Use Planning amendments/process information and feel free to send your questions and comments to Stefani Lu, slu@exchange.ubc.ca at any time.

American-Idol-like Event Is Planned at Chan Centre An opportunity to appear on stage at the world-famous Chan Centre for the Performing Arts awaits talented members of the campus residential community.

If all goes according to plan, students at the University of British Columba will bring an American-Idol-like contest to the Chan in January with proceeds going to charity and performances open to campus residents as well as UBC students.

In a report to students, AMS president Bijan Ahmadian describes the genesis of the UBC Got Talent idea in the following manner: “After being inspired by the Medicine Students’ annual fundraising talent show at the Chan Centre, I started working on a university-wide project of similar scope.�

Mr. Ahmadian expects the future of UBC Got Talent to materialize constructively: “My office will be working with the office of Stephen Owen, UBC vicepresident, external and community rela-

tions, to explore this possibility as a contribution to the United Way Campaign. �My vision is bringing students and residents of UBC together under the roof of the spectacular Chan Centre to showcase the great performing arts on this campus, and make a financial contribution to the United Way campaign from the proceeds.�

The student body at UBC finds itself with a president not without talent as a performer himself. His AMS website gives the following assessment, “In his spare time, Bijan dances with StartDance in addition to the Vancouver Pars National Ballet, which is an Iranian folklore dance company.�

The Alma Mater Society (AMS), which represents over 40,000 undergraduate students at UBC will communicate more details on the planned event—called UBC Got Talent—shortly, a student leader said.

Monthly prize is a $25 gift certificate; annual prize is ‘significant’ The UNA’s Sustainability Committee wants to provide practical tips on how each of us can contribute to sustainability. We do this by way of a contest run each month in this newspaper. If you have a tip to suggest please forward it to the UNA Sustainability Contest at both jpt@tjclaw.com and judyandjim@shaw.ca. The author of the tip selected will receive a $25.00 gift certificate (courtesy of Save-On) for use in our local Save-On Supermarket and at the end of the year there will be a significant prize for the year’s winner.

After you boil or steam veggies, pasta, etc. store the water until it cools down (sometimes overnight) and then use it to water indoor plants or trees. In this way all the nutrients go to the plants.

Submitted by Grazyna Pstrong. Grazyna receives the monthly prize of a $25 Save-On gift certificate from Save-On. Congratulations!

&'+ )$#* (,!%$"

“Notaries Public‌ a trusted traditionâ€?

This contest is the responsibility of the UNA Sustainability Committee. We acknowledge the participation and support of one of our community’s Partners in Sustainability, Wesbrook Place’s Save-On Supermarket.

page 13

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

Candidate Calls for Campus Tree Bylaw

Second Bylaw Brings Control to Parking

Linda Moore is candidate in UNA election; a UBC tree-protection bylaw could be based on well-tried Vancouver bylaw

First concerned with noise; animal control bylaw may be next At a board meeting August 3, the University Neighbourhoods Association approved its second bylaw—this one covering parking in the residential areas of campus.

Earlier, at a meeting in June, the UNA brought to fruition its first bylaw—this one covering noise control in residential neighbourhoods. An animal control bylaw will come next. The UNA board draws its powers to enact municipallike bylaws from an agreement with the University called the Neighbours Agreement which was signed in 2008.

The committee of volunteers which became engaged in the process of drafting a parking bylaw started work in the

fall of 2009. This committee finalized the bylaw draft after soliciting—and receiving—comments from campus residents.

This consultation process generated 19 responses with 12 coming from Hawthorn Place residents, five from residents in Hampton Place and two from Chancellor Place residents. All comments—along with the parking bylaw itself—are viewable on line at www.myuna.ca.

Following approval of the bylaw at its August meeting, the UNA board instructed staff to send it to the UBC Board of Governors for further approval.

UNA election candidate Linda Moore, flanked by supporters Peter Moore (no relation) and Janet Mary Rae, holds copy of Vancouver tree-protection bylaw. Ms. Moore says UBC needs similar bylaw to protect trees in residential neighbourhoods

A candidate in the University Neighbourhoods Association election of resident-directors, has called on the UNA to pass a bylaw protecting trees against what she terms their “random destruction” on public and private land in Hampton Place and possibly elsewhere on campus.

Linda Moore, who lives in Hampton Place, said there is an urgent and ultimate need for a set of UNA tree guidelines and tree bylaw in campus neighbourhoods.

“This is especially important in Hampton Place given that this neighbourhood was designed and somehow approved without adequate consideration of park space.”

Besides being seriously short-changed on park space in Hampton Place, Ms Moore said it is “also very disconcerting to learn that the only pseudo-governance body that is supposedly maintaining law and order in Hampton Place is UBC Properties Trust.

“This very loose governance arrangement seems to be further complicated by the fact that the UNA actually hires and pays UBC Properties Trust to maintain the Hampton Place landscape...”

According to Ms. Moore, all of this begs a series of questions: •Where and who is the governance safety net in Hampton Place?

•Who is going to address random tree destruction?

•Who is going to protect our trees and take responsibility for initiating a long overdue tree bylaw?

One of four candidates in the September 22nd election of two UNA residentdirectors, Ms. Moore said she believes the development of a UNA tree-protec-

tion bylaw can be efficiently and expediently modeled on the City of Vancouver’s tree bylaw, first passed in 1994 and updated in November, 2009.

A review of this bylaw indicates that in Vancouver: •Persons (including Strata corporations) may face fines of $500 to $10,000 for the unlawful removal of trees.

•A person generally “must not cut down or kill a tree on a site, remove a tree from a site, relocate a tree on a site, or plant a replacement tree on a site” without a permit.

•Property owners need to post a permit in a visible spot during tree removal.

•The City reserves the right to enter a property to “assess or inspect the site, and trees or stumps on the site, to determine” compliance; •The City charges a $59 non-refundable application fee for a permit to remove the first tree and $168 to remove each subsequent tree over a 12-month period.

•Tree removal permits expire after six months.

•The removal of a hazardous tree must have the backing of a recognized professional.

The Vancouver tree-protection bylaw does not apply to a tree that has a trunk or stem with a diameter of less than 20 centimetres, measured 1.4 metres above the ground.

Vancouver issues about 1,800 permits annually for the removal of 2,900 trees and replacement of 3,400 trees.

Ms. Moore produced a copy of the Vancouver tree-protection bylaw at the August 3rd UNA board meeting and urged directors to start work on a home-grown tree-bylaw right away.

:

*

604-626-9994

To inquire about ad space and ad rates contact advertising@myuna.ca

Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association

page 14

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

NEW SIGN Deb Pickman, marketing director for UBC Theatre, standing beside new sign at Frederic Wood Theatre, welcomes campus residents

NEW SEASON UBC Theatre Professor Robert Gardiner looks forward to spectacular season of plays on campus

UBC Theatre Stage Sets Out on New Season Offerings include world premiere of Jade in the Coal; ticket prices are lowest yet

Deluxe Hotel Suites, West Coast Style

EVERYONE CAN STAY WITH US Contemporary, beautifully appointed, limited service deluxe hotel suite for visitors and business travelers to Vancouver.

• • • •

Centrally located on campus Fully-equipped kitchen and complimentary wireless internet Ideal for short or long term stays Available year round T 604 822 1000 E reservations@housing.ubc.ca

www.ubcconferences.com

A new season of six plays starts shortly at UBC with the theatrical department offering what it calls “a spectacular season package of world theatre, original works and the world premiere of an internationally acclaimed production on tour”.

The ‘production on tour’ runs November 25 through December 4 at the Frederic Wood Theatre on campus, and is called Jade in the Coal.

Bob Gardiner, a senior professor of theatre and film at UBC, calls Jade in the Coal “a play based on a deep slice of British Columbia history.”

Professor Gardiner explains that “in 1900, the hardships of Chinese coal-miners in Cumberland, BC are relieved by a Cantonese opera troupe.

“As the actors rehearse, the mine’s ghosts stir, and reveal a terrible secret from the past.”

Paul Yee, a winner of the Governor General’s Award wrote Jade in the Coal, which UBC will co-produce with renowned Cantonese opera performers from China and Singapore.

The other five plays in the subscription package are: The Madwoman of Chaillot, by Jean Girandoux at Frederic Wood Theatre, Sept. 30 - Oct. 9; The Madonna Painter, By Michel Marc Bouchard, at Telus Studio Theatre, November 11-20; Circa + 46 Circus Act in 45 Minutes at Frederic Wood, January 19-23; Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, January 20-29 at Telus Studio Theatre; and Wild Honey by Anton Chekov, March 17-28 at Frederic Wood.

As well as a new and spectacular subscription season, the theatre department at UBC has unleashed what it calls a program of radical affordability.

Marketing manager Deb Pickman provided the following details: •a new youth (16-year-old high school and under) price this year of $2; •University Neighbourhoods Association cardholders get a two for one deal, meaning they would pay $10 for each ticket— regular adult price being $20; •Subscribers to the six-show season (who aren’t UNA cardholders) get in for $17 a show ($102 a year), and seniors even cheaper; •Students of other colleges and universities get in for the UBC student rate of $10 (except for Jade in the Coal and participation in the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival)).

•Students not reserving seats but paying at the door get in for $5 if there is room.

(This is risky at the Telus, but there are often seats at the Frederic Wood.)

“My dearest wish is to have the campus residents understand the quality of the shows at their doorstep...to have a chance to see the stars of tomorrow today...to participate in their development, and realize the radical affordability (of our prices).”

Besides the main six-play series, UBC Theatre offers a series of extra events at such venues as the Dorothy Somerset Studio, the Old Auditorium, and the Chan Center for the Performing Arts.

For full details about subscription prices, plays and venues, go to www.theatre.ubc.ca

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010

page 15

ART IN THE GARDEN From left to right: musician Greg Michalski (resonator guitar), Art in the Garden organizers Janet Lee and Gudrun Hancock, and Kim Urhahn (African drum)

Lack of Sunshine Leaves Artists Undaunted 2nd showing of Art in Garden held at UBC Botanical Garden on rainy weekend in August; count of exhibitors is up 50%

ART IN THE GARDEN Janet Lee and Douglas Walker, artist, with one of his copper garden-art pieces

Not one bright ray of sunshine shone over the two-day span—but not to worry.

Hundreds braved the rain—not always heavy—to attend the second annual showing of Art in the Garden at the UBC Botanical Garden August 7-8.

Art in the Garden founder Janet Lee smiled ruefully when asked what effect did she though the weather had on attendance at the event? “We’ve been unlucky with rain over two days this year, and rain on one of two days last year.

Clearly, it’s hurt attendance.”

However, Ms Lee did not let the thought of wet weather bother her. She reported that the number of exhibitors was up: 30 this year compared to 20 last. Meanwhile, Gudrun Hancock, a member of the volunteer group Friends of the Gardens, noted that attendance half-way through Sunday exceeded attendance through the whole of Saturday.

The art pieces on display all touched on the subject of gardens, be they paintings, metal work, sculptures or embroidery, The works went on display both in covered canvas booths on the east half of the garden and in a covered display room.

Ms. Lee lit out on her Art in the Gar-

MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY Canada’s contemporary museum of world arts and cultures

A place of extraordinary architectural beauty, provocative programming, and vibrant, contemporary exhibitions

ART IN THE GARDEN bronze sculptures

Janet Lee and Nathan Scott, artist, with one of his

6393 NW Marine Drive (UBC) Vancouver BC 604.822.5087 www.moa.ubc.ca 'Imprint' - dancer Michelle Cheung, musician David Brown; 'Intervisible Lines' (detail) by Hayati Mokhtar and Dain Iskandar Said

den venture ten years ago, and for the first seven years, she made her back garden in West Point Grey the site of it.

She needed to expand eventually, however, and a year ago, Ms. Hancock, a neighbour in West Point Grey, provided a contact with Friends of the Garden, which itself works closely with the UBC Botanical Garden administration.

Nathan Scott had hefted his life-size bronze statues from Saanichton, Vancouver Island. Mr. Scott indicted that when he displays at shows like Art in the Garden, sometimes months pass before he gets a response from a potential buyer who saw and liked his work.

Doug Walker, of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, entered the show after being contacted by Ms. Lee doing an Internet search. Mr. Walker fetched several of his sculpted copper gardenart pieces with him—pieces made of recycled pipes and musical instruments designed to create water fountains.

Ever the optimist, Ms. Lee—both a commercial and fine artist who markets her commercial work under the trade name Janet Planet—feels sure the sun will shine on Art in the Garden next August.

page 16

THE CAMPUS RESIDENT AUGUST 31, 2010