Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association
Volume 1, Issue 6
OCTOBER 26, 2010
Concert Hall Harks Back To Birth of Campus Old Auditorium is reopened at UBC after $21 million makeover; concert hall was first opened in 1925
New UNA Chair Chooses to “Contribute Further”
Sharon Wu, Chair of the UNA Board
Members of the UBC Symphony Orchestra strike up a tune in the new 60-person orchestra pit beneath of the stage of the Old Auditorium. UBC recently reopened the concert hall—first opened in 1925—after a $21 million makeover. SEE STORY PAGES 11-12.
Future Housing Plans Put Condos Beside Married Student Homes In Acadia Park Acadia Park is located in eastern part of campus; long-range UBC plans to integrate student and market housing are unprecedented The loss of future market housing sites on campus with UBC Farm land being removed from the development picture has pressed the University into creative mode about where to put homes that might have sprouted on farm land. In a long-range scenario being prepared for approval by its governors, UBC proposes that a good number of the market housing units lost to non-development at UBC Farm will go instead to development at Acadia Park, a part of campus currently reserved solely for residence by married students and their families.This would present an unprecedented step in the development of a residential community at UBC with student housing making way for market housing. UBC planners point out, however, that the change would come at no loss to the student community;
on the contrary, it would come at a gain. In an interview during an Open House for proposed amendments to its Land Use Plan, Lisa Colby, associate director of policy planning at UBC, said, “Changes in Acadia Park will take place over the long term – i.e. the next 15 to 20 years –
and respond not only to the need to transfer housing density (from UBC Farm to elsewhere on campus), but respond also to feedback from students about the residences in this area requiring significant updating and repairs.” ACADIA cont’d page 4
Plans Put More Homes in Hawthorn Neighbourhood Community is to expand southwards; timeframe is 15-20 years
Residents of the Hawthorn Place neighbourhood at UBC should expect their community to expand over the next 15 to 20 years. Though plans are subject to approval by both UBC governors and the provincial government, UBC planners envision Hawthorn Place expanding southwards
between East Mall and Main Mall as far as 16th Avenue—adding roughly about 20% to the size of Hawthorn Place today. Given that Hawthorn Place is home to about 750 apartments and townhouses today, this adds about another 150 residential units to the mid-campus com-
munity which began taking shape in about 2004. Hawthorn Place achieved fully-built status (in its current form) three years ago, and has attracted a lot of UBC faculty and staff to his condos and apartment rental units. HAWTHORN cont’d page 4
Directors of the University Neighbourhoods Association have acclaimed Sharon Wu as the new UNA chair and president. Ms. Wu, a resident of the Hawthorn Place neighbourhood and a member of staff at UBC, was first elected to the UNA Board in 2005, and has since been re-elected twice. Ms.Wu said, “I appreciate the opportunity to contribute further to the community through my ability to offer different perspectives, to listen to the needs of the community, and to assist with multicultural issues.” She has been chair of the UNA Multicultural Committee since its inception. Ms.Wu was born and raised in China, and speaks and writes English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Her post-secondary education began at the University of Southern China where she majored in business. Following this, she worked in hotel management for a five-star hotel for several years, both in Southern China and Hong Kong. Ms. Wu came to Canada in 1994 and completed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Trinity Western University. She has since worked in the field of accounting. She earned her CGA designation in 2003 and her Masters of Business Administration degree in 2006. Ms.Wu says she has found her five years serving on the UNA Board rewarding. “I share the other market housing residents’ desire for a vibrant and livable environment on campus.” Ms.Wu and her husband have two school age children and “we can appreciate the need for schools and daycare services on campus. “I can also see the needs for more open space and amenities for our growing community.” Ms.Wu believes she can continue to bring a balanced approach to her UNA involvement. “With an understanding of finance and living in the first co-development project on campus, I feel I have a lot to offer to the UNA.” She also believes in maintaining a healthy balance between work and life, and enjoys running, cycling, swimming, and drawing with her children.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
Resident Relates To Jackson Think-Piece
Welcome to New Offices of University Neighbourhoods Association Published monthly by the University Neighbourhoods Association
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Province Takeover Triggers Planning Burst
UNA staff will be pleased to greet you at their new offices at #202-5923 Berton Avenue. Staff members (from left to right), Rocio Escalona, Katherine Xu, Ralph Wells, Cathie Cleveland, Glendon Scott, Jan Fialkowski and John Tompkins
‘Mayor’ Maria Harris Moves onto Council TransLink directors are appointed by Mayors’ Council; UBC is huge transit destination
Maria Harris, Metro Vancouver director
Maria Harris has succeeded in getting herself appointed to the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, the group which appoints the directors and commissioner of TransLink. UBC is one of the two biggest transit destinations in the region (the other being downtown Vancouver), and it only makes sense that UBC be represented on the Mayor’s Council, which is a committee of Metro Vancouver. Ms. Harris—Metro Vancouver director for Electoral Area A, which includes UBC and
UEL—said, “I requested membership in the spring.” Her appointment as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the council means that “Electoral Area A gets a voice at the table, and this is an important step in ensuring that local interests are understood by mayors of the region and by TransLink staff and board members.” Ms. Harris said, “It also means that your Electoral Area A director is in a better position to convey back to the local community an understanding of broader
regional transportation challenges and priorities.” The Mayor’s Council on Regional Transportation consists of the mayors of 21 municipalities in the Lower Mainland, chief of Tsawwassen First Nation (Kim Baird) and Ms. Harris. At Metro, Ms. Harris is also chair of Electoral Area A Committee and a member of the Agricultural Committee, Regional Planning Committee and Parks Committee. She lives in the UEL and was elected to the Metro board in 2008.
Court Confirms Musqueam Must Pay Blocks F and K Taxes Former Pacific Spirit Park land was transferred to Musqueam from province; land is assessed at $120 million The Supreme Court of British Columbia has ruled that two parcels of Pacific Spirit Park land transferred to the Musqueam Indian band from the province as part of a ‘reconciliation agreement’ are not tax exempt. The band had requested a tax exempt status for the land parcels, one called Block F, located in the University Endowment Lands (UEL), and the other called Block K, located near the Musqueam Reserve off Southwest Marine Drive after the land was assessed in 2009—Block F at $67,200,000 and Block K at $53,724,000. The band appealed the tax assessment
first to the Property Assessment Appeal Board, which found Blocks F and K were not entitled to the exemption. The band then appealed to the court, which confirmed the appeal board ruling. Block F and Block K formed part of the Reconciliation, Settlement and Benefits Agreement, dated for reference March 11, 2008 between the province and the Musqueam. Following the settlement, the Musqueam formed two companies—Block F Land Co. and Block K Land Co.—to receive the land and hold it trust for the band in land transfers effective
April 14, 2008. The court ruled Block F is not part of the Musqueam reserve and is, therefore, not tax exempt. The court ruled the same for Block K. Like all other land owners in the UEL, the Musqueam First Nation would pay taxes levied and collected by the Ministry of Finance Surveyor of Taxes for a variety of purposes including University Endowment Landadministration, schools, hospitals and regional district. The UEL Administration sets the budget for the operation of the UEL. Information made available by the UEL administration indicates the aver-
age single family dwelling in the UEL currently has an assessed taxable value of $2,839,912 with the tax bill on this home for 2010 a total of $3,725. If the $120 million of Musqueam land—listed in court documents as residential—is taxed at the same rate, the Musqueam face a Block F and K tax bill of $157,399 annually. A UEL source said these funds should be held in trust for use in putting in community facilities—perhaps a community centre—in place on Block F as it is developed. Full court decision at www. bc.gov.ca
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
In the near future, possibly even in November, UBC will organize a public meeting where its proposed new Land Use Plan will be discussed. Since July, a considerable amount of public discussion on the plan has already taken place at Open Houses on campus, in workshops both on and off campus, and on on-line surveys with UBC pushing back several deadlines to ensure all residents on campus, on the University Endowment Lands, in West Point Grey and Dunbar had the opportunity to join in the discussion. A year ago, none of this intense public debate would have transpired because UBC was locked in a sterile relationship with Metro Vancouver whose directors—much to the chagrin of UBC—wanted to impose a zoning bylaw on campus. We must thank the provincial government in Victoria for getting UBC out of this relationship with Metro.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) had put UBC and Metro on equal terms as far as town-planning was concerned. This democratic arrangement sounded as though it should have been good, whereas in fact it constantly fell flat. A government ‘Order’ has put UBC at the service of government as far as land use planning and local governance is concerned. This ‘top-down’ arrangement sounds stiff, formal, bureaucratic, whereas in fact, it has unleashed all sorts of creative thinking by UBC policy planners. Even some Metro directors now cheer what has happened in the course of a year. Thank goodness for the demise of the old Metro/UBC Joint Committee, confirmed in a recent letter to Metro Chair Lois Jackson from Ben Stewart, new minister in charge of oversight for UBC (See Page 8)
Letter to the Editor Option 2 Offers Best Transit for All I’m disheartened to read our fellow UNA residents’ feedback regarding the proposed bus options. I can’t help but be reminded of and discouraged by the “Not in My Backyard” attitude that can often permeate these discussions. I worry that such attitudes, if they are present, may confound what might otherwise be productive discussions on advancing perhaps more important considerations around long-term sustainability and accessibility. Our quaint little community is no doubt growing and will continue to do so. As someone who values the peaceful, idyllic setting we have, I feel uncomfortable seeing the increased traffic and noise, and decreased forest and park space. In spite of my personal preferences, I believe that to support this inevitable growth in a sustainable way, it’s going to be important to build a transit system that is accessible (for both students and residents). Undoubtedly, this would have its drawbacks, but I believe that this is a sacrifice that ought to be made.
It is easy to understand, given our ego-centric nature, why many would favour Option 1. The great danger here then is in disregarding the needs of our fellow community residents (i.e., the 10,000 or so students who live along the West/Lower Mall corridor). Moreover, I’m concerned by the prospect of 10,000 students traversing the width of campus on a regular basis, and the safety (as well as noise) issues that may come from that. Given these considerations, I support Option 2 with its two facilities. It would bring convenient transit access to our entire (growing) community. I hope that our UNA community may adopt a fresh set of eyes to engage in this bus discussion, one that considers what is best for all rather than what is best for the self. David Chiu (Permanent) Hampton Place resident Car-less transit user UBC graduate student
In the July issue of The Campus Resident, we published an opinioneditorial by Lois Jackson, chair, Metro Vancouver, and mayor of Delta. UBC resident Angela Wheelock responded to the article in a July 28, 2010 letter to Ms. Jackson—which Metro Vancouver subsequently posted on line. Below, we publish Angela’s letter with her permission and with the following caveat she provided. “This letter was written quite a while ago. I would just add that caveat and also add that since the letter was written I have been impressed with the progress on local bylaws/rules.” Dear Mayor Jackson, Thank you very much for the letter that you wrote that went into the newspaper (The Campus Resident) that UNA residents receive. I have lived in Hawthorn Place, within the UNA neighbourhoods, for 9 years and I continue to be very concerned about the lack of true democratic government here. Despite the protests that Jim Taylor and Mike Feeley (former UNA chairs) make in a letter that also appeared in this paper, I do not consider an association true representative local government. In many ways, I will agree that the UNA has done a good job within the parameters that it must work within. The reality, however, is that UBC has the final say in any decision that the Board makes and that non-elected representatives sit on the UNA Board and have the right to vote. Imagine, if you will, appointed members from Telus or another large corporation sitting on the City Council of Vancouver and getting to vote. As you are no doubt aware, the UNA Board has, as far as I know, no control over land use and development issues. That control remains with UBC and the Province, surely, a situation that
is bound to be less than responsive to local residents. I think what has happened is that UBC has very cleverly created a Board that will then defend the status quo, because they are the status quo. This Board cannot and will not ask the tough questions about true democratic governance. I fail to see how a local municipality would take local control away from residents! So, despite what you may hear elsewhere, there are certainly many residents who have concerns about the present situation. However, we do not feel very hopeful about the Province doing the right thing on this issue. By the way, in the same issue of the local newspaper, Gary Gibson (former Metro Vancouver director for Electoral Area A) calls for a forum on governance issues to allow all sides to speak to residents on this issue. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you again for speaking out. Yours, Angela Wheelock P.S. I used to edit the UNA newsletter (In Your Neighbourhood), but I quit over issues related to governance. I did not feel that I could write objectively about an issue that I so completely disagree with.
Don Cho Helps Korean Neighbours
Understand Local Issues UNA volunteer is of Korean descent himself; has long been active in community Don Cho estimates as many as 450 people of Korean descent live in the UBC area. Quite a few have difficulty with the English language, and of Korean descent himself, Mr. Cho—who has lived with his family at UBC for eight years and is a member of the UNA multicultural committee—has volunteered to help those who wish to converse in Korean about local issues. So far, Mr. Cho has helped about 20 resident families at UBC and in the University Endowment Lands (UEL) to understand such important local issues as proposed bus route options and Land Use Plan amendments. The UNA volunteer would like to see the Korean community become more active politically. “Perhaps we could raise our voice when there is an issue, and have meetings,” he said. A professional person who came to Canada to work as a research associate in microbiology at UBC and who has since become a realtor, Mr. Ho also works as a certified interpreter for the
Don Cho, UNA Volunteer
Provincial Language Service. If you wish to correspond with Mr. Cho in Korean please email him at koreaninfo@myuna.ca.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
ACADIA from page 1
A large section of campus, Acadia Park stretches between Wesbrook Mall to the west and Acadia Road to the east, Hampton Place to the south and University Boulevard in the north. The married students housing in Acadia Park suffers from that unforgiveable blight modern-day planners refer to as ‘low density’, meaning there is nary a high-rise in sight with most student homes ‘ground-oriented’. It also suffers with age. In recent surveys conducted by UBC, Ms. Colby says, students have complained about mould in some of their buildings. Looking to the future, Ms. Colby said emphatically, “No current residents of Acadia Park will be displaced as older student family housing stock would be replaced with new, higher density student family housing on this site, and there will be no net loss in student housing.” In essence, instead of married students getting 100% of the homes in lowdensity Acadia Park, as is the case now, they will get 50% of the homes in highAcadia Park—with market-housing residents getting the balance—20 years from now. UBC, which is proposing to amend its Land Use Plan and has been conducting extensive consultation with its various constituencies (see www.planning.ubc. ca), sees a social benefit to the proposed redevelopment of Acadia Park—the eastern half for market housing people,
and the western half for married students. Ms. Colby says, “Locating housing for families close together will allow for greater integration of our family housing (UBC terminology for market housing) and student family communities.” She also says, “The transfer of housing density from UBC Farm and other areas supports sustainable development and UBC’s academic mission.” Meanwhile, east and west of Acadia Park, where change may not take place for another decade or so, other developments have already started. To the immediate west, UBC has begun building out a relatively small market housing enclave called East Campus—Polygon Homes has applied for a development permit to build an multi-story market housing tower at Wesbrook Mall and Agronomy Road (which is being realigned). To the immediate east, the Musqueam First Nation has begun planning the development of so-called Block F’—this was once a part of Pacific Spirit Park. Media reports indicate the Musqueam have plans for a high-density development in Block F which lies between University Hill School to the south and University Boulevard to the north, between St. Anselm’s Anglican Church to the east and University Village (on University Endowment Lands) to the west. These same reports indicate a major hotel chain has expressed an interest in building a facility there.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
Consultations Come to Close —Hearing Next UBC is amending its Land Use Plan (formerly known as the Official Community Plan—or OCP); public hearing is slated for later this year UBC recently concluded its second phase of public consultation around proposed amendments to its Land Use Plan, and a draft plan to be put before a public hearing comes next. The provincial government will consider a final draft of the amended plan likely in the New Year. UBC planners say that if accepted by the government, the new Plan will guide more sustainable community development and better meet the needs of UBC’s current residents. “We have a campus community that was planned many years ago with very low density,” says UBC’s Campus and Community Planning associate vice president, Nancy Knight. “Our goal is to create a model university community that is vibrant, livable and sustainable, but that vision is challenged by a num-
ber of the Land Use Plan’s current parameters.” 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, which was created in 1997 with a 25-year planning horizon, also sets housing and transportation targets for the UBC campus. Each year, the university assesses its progress against these targets and has since met or exceeded them. The Land Use Plan’s first public consultation events were held on July 15 had 165 people in attendance. An online consultation ran from July 19 to 30 and received 110 unique visits.
HAWTHORN from page 1
UBC has unveiled its long-range plan for Hawthorn Place as part of a larger unveiling of what planners are calling ‘transfer of housing density’ on campus. UBC will update its complete Land Use Plan (LUP) for campus later this year or early next, and planners have undertaken to consult with the public on proposed amendments to the LUP. The proposed transfer of density to Hawthorn Place of about 150 residential units would compensate UBC for having to abandon the idea of one day developing UBC Farm—which sits across 16th Avenue from Hawthorn Place. A grass-roots movement both on and off campus convinced UBC governors in November 2008 that UBC Farm should remain a farm and no longer be classified “future housing reserve’, but this convincing came at a price: UBC was compelled to find elsewhere on
campus space for housing units that might have gone on UBC farm land. As well as Hawthorn Place, part of a block of land called Acadia Place— currently 100% occupied by married students—qualifies for density transfer as does some land in South Campus,Site of the old BC Research Corp (recently demolished) also qualifies. A practice field for UBC Thunderbird football team lies on the land earmarked for long-term expansion of Hawthorn Place. UBC Athletics will lose the use of this field eventually, but a nearby development this summer and fall will have lessened the pain of this loss. Athletics completed laying down an artificial playing field at Thunderbird Stadium—replacing the grass turf which was there before. This artificial surface will carry twice the amount of football action that the old grass field,
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Transfer of housing density from UBC Farm and other areas
‘Night of Fun’ Nets Funds For United Way Reception is held at Sage Bistro for first time; prizes are top-of-line A night of ‘fun and fund-raising’ took place at the Sage Bistro at UBC October 7th. Nicholas Yamada, catering co-ordinator at the elegant Sage, said, “We did manage to raise just over $4,000.00 for the United Way.” The event took the form of a reception at which everyone was welcome, Mr. Yamada said. An attendee at the
Sage Bistro United Way Reception— held for the first time—called the food served there “out of this world.” Sage Bistro received prizes for its Silent Auction from a long list of donors. The list included some of the top names in the hospitality industry—hotels, restaurants, casinos—in the Vancouver area and Whistler.
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page 6
THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
Trees That Touch Our Lives
Stories and Photos by Charles Menzies
Lone Pine Beside Homes Testifies to Past
Planners will Put Saved Trees On South Campus Site According to UBC’s community planning page, valuable trees were recently rescued during a demolition project on campus. Two buildings—Earth and Ocean Sciences East Building and the Engineering Annex Building—were knocked down in preparation for the construction of the Earth Systems Science Building (ESSB) at 2219 Main Mall. When Dean Gregory, landscape architect at campus and community planning, realized that a group of Japanese maple trees and various shrubs were at risk during the demolition, he brokered a deal that would see the plants ultimately replanted at South Campus. This is, clearly, an important thing to be doing. It might, however, obscure all of the ‘non-valuable’ trees that have been and continue to be removed.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
What’s happening to the trees at Fairview and Wesbrook in East Campus, for example? There’s a long list of trees that have been cleared without ceremony across campus. Once, during a planning workshop, I suggested that there be a biomass replacement policy. That is, for each cubic meter of wood fibre removed from campus, an equivalent volume be replanted somewhere. The senior UBC official was present. At first he seemed to be in agreement with the policy. Then, as the implication dawned, he quickly revised and said that UBC has a tree replacement policy. That is, for each tree removed, another tree is planted in its place. This is not quite the same thing, but at least it’s a nice idea...
Pine tree growing along Thunderbird Boulevard and Eagles Drive
There used to be a fine row of pine trees growing along Thunderbird Boulevard and Eagles Drive. One tree remains at the corner of the Formwerks townhouse development that stands there now. For years prior to the townhouses my partner and I would collect pine cones from these trees for Christmas wreaths.
There are only a few places on campus where one could find cones such as these. I was so saddened by the removal of these trees that I took a series of photos of their destruction. The lone tree at the corner of Thunderbird and Eagles Drive is a testament to the survival of trees on campus.
There are a number of examples of other trees that survived the developer’s axe. The trees in the pocket park on the western edge of Hawthorn Place are another nice example. As are the western row of old trees along the block on Main Mall east of Thunderbird.
Produced Prod od duc uced ed d wit wi with iith th thee as assist assistance sisttance sist nce cee o off
Arbutus tree at Agronomy Road and Main Mall
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At the northwest corner of Agronomy Road and Main Mall stands a grand old arbutus tree. It’s an impressive example. There are few such trees found at UBC these
days—more were likely here in the past. I first met arbutus trees on summer visits south from my childhood home on BC’s north coast. For those more acquainted with temperate rainforest
conifers, the arbutus tree is a surprising plant—peeling paper-thin bark, twisting smooth branches, and leaves all winter when other broad-leaf trees drop theirs. Trees at UBC
Trees Touch Lives in Ways We Appreciate Charles Menzies, who wrote the articles for this spread—and took the photographs—has launched a website (blog) about campus trees. Mr. Menzies, an associate professor of anthropology at UBC and director of the ethnographic film unit in the department of anthropology, lives on campus. He says trees inspire, shelter, feed, and entertain residents. “Living at UBC, on the edge of a former rainforest, we are surrounded by trees. Some trees are imports, others survivals from earlier times, others thrive.
“The stories on these pages and in my blog are about the trees that live in our community and in our memories. If you know of a special tree let me know and I’ll write it up with a picture.” Commenting on the Menzies blog, Linda Moore, chair of the UNA Sustainability Committee, said, “This is a very thoughtful initiative, and very timely given how trees at UBC more often than not continue to be destroyed without much consideration or accountability. “Besides setting up a more accountable process for tree maintenance, removal
and/or replacement, I think valuable community blogs like this should be linked directly to the UNA Web Page so that more UNA residents – as well as the UBC population in general – know what’s going on and have a voice.” Visit Charles at his blog about campus trees at http:// blogs.ubc.ca/trees. Also contact him at cmenzies@interchange.ubc.ca. Charles Menzies Jade in the Coal 4.875x7_CMYK_OUT.indd 1
10/16/10 5:49:06 PM
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
Student Seeks Funds for Idol-like Event UNA is asked for $10,000 seed-money; residents would be eligible to perform in UBC’s Got Talent The idea of an American Idol-like talent competition at UBC has been presented to directors of the University Neighbourhoods Association with the request they provide the first $10,000 to fund the student-organized event. Bijan Ahmadian, 101st president of the (student) Alma Mater Society, said a $10,000 UNA sponsorship will help secure the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts as the venue for UBC’s Got Talent and “will set the standard with other sponsors, whose contribution will then help with production costs as well costs of staff and promotions.” According to a business plan Mr. Ahmadian presented to UNA directors at their October board meeting, UBC’s Got Talent would generate $50,000 in income from sponsorship of $40,000 (including $10,000 from the UNA) and ticket sales of $10,000. Expenses would come to $40,000, leaving $10,000 in proceeds to be donated to the UBC United Way Campaign. UBC’s Got Talent is the first ever program that uses performing arts as a plat-
form to inspire learning and interaction within five of the University’s communities, Mr. Ahmadian said. Students, alumni, faculty, staff and residents will watch and showcase live performances from different cultures. UBC President, Professor Stephen Toope, and Mr. Ahmadian, have vowed to sing a duet if the event sells out (1000+ tickets). Auditions are scheduled for November 15th-16th at the Norm Theatre in the Student Union Building and applications close on November 8th online. The winners—chosen by public vote and a panel of judges—will perform live at the final talent show on January 14th at the Chan Centre. Mr. Ahmadian said the University Neighbourhoods Association has an unparalleled branding opportunity in becoming a sponsor. “Not only will this be a strong partnership building exercise with the AMS, UBC and Alumni Association, it will also serve as an opportunity for increasing awareness about the residential community on campus.”
According to its president, AMS is grateful for “the strong relationship that we are building with the UNA on the UBC Line campaign this year. “I would like to create a project that has an ongoing relationship-building component to it. A well-run UBC’s Got Talent will make it an annual tradition. That means that every year, UBC, Alumni, UNA and AMS will get together building the relationship that will facilitate their partnership on other projects.” More information is available at www.talent.ubc.ca.
Bijan Ahmadian, president, Alma Mater Society
New Minister Makes Same Promise as Past Ben Stewart is committed to governance review at UBC; before him, Bill Bennett was of the same view
Ben Stewart, the new minister with oversight for local governance at the University of British Columbia, has expressed himself of the same opinion as his predecessor Bill Bennett on the potential for governance change on campus. In a recent letter to Lois Jackson, chair of Metro Vancouver, Mr. Stewart says, “In a May, 2010, letter, my predecessor, Honorable Bill Bennett, advised it may be time to start thinking about a more representative local government for the Point Grey Peninsula, given the significant population and projected growth, and the increasing complexity of managing the area with the benefit of a municipal government. “I can confirm that the Province will be exploring the idea of greater local selfgovernment in the area.”
According to Mr. Stewart, consideration is being given to the scope and timing of the process that will be established to study a new governance model of the area. In the letter, he says, “The Province will develop a process that includes residents of the many communities on the Point Grey Peninsula, including the UNA, the UEL, the Director of Electoral Area A (Maria Harris) and the Musqueam First Nation, in its review for greater local self-government.” In the letter to Ms. Jackson, Mr. Stewart also expresses himself in support of the Electoral Area A Committee (chaired by Ms. Harris) and a second Metro committee (regional planning) providing public forums for discussion of (both) local and regional matters affecting UBC and its residents.
“The Director (of Electoral Area A Committee) will continue to represent residents on the UBC campus, the University Endowment Lands (UEL) and other parts of the Electoral Area on the (Metro) Board. “In this role, the Director will be able to articulate resident interests in regional planning and service delivery, especially in relation to Pacific Spirit Regional Park.” As well as explain why Electoral Area A Committee has a vigorous future as a public forum on UBC land use planning and governance issues, Mr. Stewart in his letter explains why the once-important Metro Vancouver/UBC Joint Committee has only a past. With respect to the joint committee, he said, “I do not think the committee is necessary given the change in planning
UNA Members Make Weak Show at Polls 2,800 residents belong to UNA; only 14% voted in election of residents-directors Members of the University Neighbourhoods Association made a poor show of turning out to vote at the recent election of residents-directors. At their October Board meeting, UNA directors heard that only a little over 400 members out of a total membership of 2,800 voted—a turnout of about 14%. Jan Fialkowksi, UNA executive-director, called the turnout “very, very poor.” Moreover, Ms. Fialkowki said, it came despite ample advertising about the election and notice to voters where and when it was being held. Personalized invitations to the UNA annual general meeting, profiles of the four candidates (Mankee Mah, Prod Laquian, Linda Moore and Fred Pritchard) and mail-in ballots were sent to all UNA members at the end of August. A personalized postcard was mailed a week later to announce the location of the nearest polling place and the advance polling place. Revelation of the low turnout by UNA staff caused some soul-searching by directors. A September 14th all-candidates meeting a week or so before the election garnered attendance of only 40 people—5 of them UNA staff and board. The ample advertising of the election and notification of voters about when it was being held came as part of a substantial UNA initiative to cast its election process in the polling-station mold of municipalities for the first time.
For the first time then, the UNA appointed a professional person (Ben Aissa) with considerable experience at all levels of government elections as the UNA Chief Electoral Officer. In a preliminary written report to Director, Ms. Fialkowski revealed that on Wednesday, September 15th an Advance Poll was open from 7 AM – 7 PM at the Old Barn Community Centre. This was to accommodate UNA members who would not be available to attend a voting place on Sept. 22nd (Election Day). The Advance Poll was attended by 21 voters. On Wednesday, September 22nd, there were four polling places which were open from 7 AM – 7 PM and conveniently located in each neighbourhood (except East Campus - these residents voted at Hampton Place). The four locations were Carey Hall (Chancellor Place), The Chatham (Hampton Place), The Tapestry (Wesbrook Place) and The Old Barn Community Centre (Hawthorn Place). A total of 158 UNA members voted at the polling stations on September 22nd. UNA members were also permitted to vote by mail-in ballot as is allowed in the UNA Constitution. A total of 205 people chose to mail-in their ballot. The initiative is still being analyzed with Mr. Aissa scheduled to meet with the UNA staff at the end of October to review procedures and provide recommendations for future AGMs. Ms. Fialkowski said a more comprehensive
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general meeting, at which election results were announced, was attended by only about 60 people (slightly more than in 2009). Ms. Mah and Mr. Laquian were elected.
Elected UNA resident-directors Mankee Mah and Prod Laquian. The UNA directors subsequently acclaimed Mr. Laquian vice-chair and Ian Burgess secretarytreasurer
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responsibilities that has me replacing the Metro Vancouver Board as the local land use planning authority for the Point Grey campus.”
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
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Metro Makes Plea for Planning Clarity
20th annual Apple festival took place at the UBC Botanical Garden on the weekend of October 16-17. Organizers ordered more than 37,000 pounds of apples, including 9,000 pounds of organic fruit from local suppliers. More than 70 varieties of heritage and new apples were available, including Grimes Golden and Ambrosia apples. Also available for sale were apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock, ideal for the home garden or patio.
A committee of Metro Vancouver has pleaded with UBC to explain why the proposed size of its non-student residential community on campus has increased so dramatically. UBC now plans a market-housing community of 25,000-30,000 people on campus (which would rise to 50,000 if students living in halls of residence are included), whereas originally it planned to have only 18,000 residents, including students. The Metro Vancouver Electoral Area A Committee at a meeting October 15th, felt more information was needed in this proposed bump-up of population figures, and asked for UBC to provide it. Metro hopes to get this information in time for chair Lois Jackson to meet an October 27 deadline for sending UBC a letter outlining Metro concerns about proposed UBC amendments to its land-use plan. Members of the Electoral Area A Committee, chaired by Maria Harris, of the UEL, discussed a Metro report which held that “Metro Vancouver’s concern is about the regional implication of significant residential development at UBC that would not be for students or employees.” According to Metro, the current population in market housing is 6,410, and so the proposed Land Use amendments envision an additional 19,000 to 24,000 people in the area for family housing. (Editor’s note: UNA count has 7,800 people living on campus.) “This level of population growth was
not contemplated in the preparation of the Livable Region Strategic Plan or the new Regional Growth Strategy. There are a number of concerns with this level of growth, especially if this results in substantial commuting off campus,” the Metro report reads. A population of 50,000 (non-student and student populations combined) would make UBC only slightly smaller than New Westminster. Even at current levels of population, it has the secondlargest amount of transit in the Lower Mainland (only downtown Vancouver has more). All this potential growth has serious implications for local neighbourhoods in Vancouver such as West Point Grey, Dunbar and Southlands, and the Metro directors expressed concern about this high level of impact. “UBC was never meant to be a stand-alone city,” one director said. Ms. Harris and her colleagues on the Electoral Area A committee also expressed concern about a UBC proposal to remove height restrictions on its buildings. Under the current land use plan, UBC may build no higher than 18 storeys. A motion moved by Ms. Harris calls for UBC to retain and strengthen policies in its existing Land Use Plan that work towards protecting Pacific Spirit Regional Park. All committee members expressed concern that eliminating height restrictions would adversely impact the integrity of surrounding Pacific Spirit Park.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
Concert Hall Harks Back To Birth of Campus Many celebrities have been welcomed to the Old Aud over the years; opera Don Giovanni is planned there in November Campus residents with an ear for music—especially opera—now have another top-class local venue at which they may indulge their passion. UBC has reopened the Old Auditorium following a $21 million makeover. The ‘Old Aud’, as it is affectionately known, has offered a public stage to UBC students and world-famous performers and celebrities for 85 years— it belongs to the small class of UBC buildings that date from the first years of the University. Over the years, Paul Robeson has sung African-American spirituals there; Dylan Thomas has recited some of his famous verses there; Eleanor Roosevelt has defended the New Deal policies of her husband, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, there; Van Morrison has rocked there. In November, the UBC Opera Ensemble with the UBC Symphony Orchestra will perform Don Giovanni by Mozart there. Fifteen years ago, however, despite its sterling artistic lineage, the Old Aud was scheduled to be torn down. Nancy Hermiston, head of voice and opera at the UBC School of Music, had just arrived on campus then to teach. “I fell in love with this beautiful old building the moment I stepped through the door,” Professor Hermiston told students, fellow faculty, UBC administrators, alumni and prominent members of the world of music in Vancouver, all gathered in the Old Auditorium October 12th to commemorate and celebrate its reopening as a major facility in the creative and performing arts precinct at the north end of campus. However, she soon discovered the dark cloud of prospective demolition hanging over the elegant but decaying building. “I was horrified when I heard it was to be torn down,” said Prof. Hermiston, who led the hour-long commemoration ceremony. Fortunately, others were also horrified, and out of this concern sprang a movement to save the Old Auditorium and rebuild it as a vibrant part of the School of Music—indeed the whole of campus. The 533-seat Old Auditorium’s $21-million makeover was funded in part by $12.2 million from UBC Renew Phase One, a $120-million cost-sharing partnership between UBC and the B.C. government that will have modernized 10 historic landmark buildings at UBC by 2011. An additional $9 million will come from the University and fundraising efforts. “We are committed to ensuring students across the province have a firstclass learning environment in which to pursue their post-secondary goals,” said
Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labor Market Development. “The rejuvenated Old Auditorium provides students in the School of Music with a state-of-the-art performance venue that will contribute greatly to their growth and development in their craft.” Old Auditorium improvements include all new seating, a new 60-person orchestra pit; new stage lighting and rigging systems; modern classroom technology; two rehearsal halls; a 2,000-square-foot costume shop; expanded lobby, box office and reception spaces; mechanical equipment lifts, and seismic upgrades. Restored in the process were many heritage features, including wood windows, plasterwork and a wall painted with alumni autographs. The Roy Barnett Recital Hall in the School of Music building adjacent to the Old Auditorium—a second University of British Columbia concert hall with rich history of teaching, learning and musical excellence—also officially reopened October 12th thanks to revitalization funding by the provincial government, the university and a donor with a passion for classical music. The newly renamed Roy Barnett Recital Hall (formerly the Recital Hall) received $1 million in upgrades thanks to a donation of up to $2 million by Roy and Gunilla Barnett. Roy Barnett is a UBC alumnus and former executive at Novopharm (now Teva Canada), one of Canada’s largest generic pharmaceutical companies. “Funding the renewal of the (255-seat) Recital Hall was an exciting and effective way to give back to the community,” said Roy Barnett, whose lifetime passion for classical music inspired him to enroll at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at the age of 72. “We are absolutely thrilled with these remarkable spaces,” says Richard Kurth, professor and director of UBC’s School of Music, the largest music school in western Canada and home to the country’s top opera program. “Their modern functionality and versatility enable us to undertake more complex and elaborate music and theatre productions, and give our students and faculty a truly exceptional environment for learning, teaching and performing.” The two venues will be used by UBC’s 450 undergraduate and graduate music students, and the Old Auditorium will also host other Faculty of Arts classes and events. Campus sources say UBC Renew projects consume nearly 60 per cent less resources than demolishing and constructing new buildings, with huge sav-
PHOTO: UBC ARCHIVES
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Old Auditorium as it was circa 1925
Back from the Dead: UBC restores Old Auditorium UBC Photo by Martin Dee (See also photo of page 12.)
Eleanor Roosevelt
Van Morrison
Dylan Thomas
Paul Robeson
ings in capital expenses, carbon emissions, water, energy and landfill waste. The ten buildings targeted in phase one would have cost $209 million to demolish and rebuild, compared to renovations costs of $120 million. Savings through UBC Renew essentially mean that the cost of providing every third campus building is free. “From opera star Ben Heppner to acclaimed composer John Estascio, thousands of UBC music alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural fabric of Canada and the world have trained in these venues,” said UBC
President Stephen Toope. “The arts are crucial to building creative societies with innovative foundations, and I am delighted to see these historical venues revitalized for future generations.” More than 10,000 singers, musicians, composers and scholars have trained in the venues, including the multiple Grammy award-winner Heppner, tenor Lance Ryan, mezzo-soprano Judith Forst, composers Estascio and Alexina Louie, pianist James Parker, rising opera stars Rhoslyn Jones and Simone Osborne and school founders Harry and Frances Adaskin.
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THE CAMPUS RESIDENT OCTOBER 26, 2010
From the left, UBC President Stephen Toope, Dean of Arts Gage Averill, Director of School of Music Richard Kurth, Graduate student Leah Field, Professor of Music Nancy Hermiston, Musqueam Elder Mary Charles, and Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano Ralph Sultan. UBC Photo by Martin Dee
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