Category Archives: UBC Presidential Search

UBC’s new president is not a mathematician, but …

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Ghoussoub

The last time I saw the fabulous Frances Bula, she said that she liked my tweets whenever I commented on mathematics and mathematicians. I think she really meant for me to leave the rest of the news and analysis to her … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors, UBC Presidential Search | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Handling of conflicts of interest should be high on UBC’s governance reform

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Ghoussoub

Any discussion of governance reform that will move UBC forward, and facilitate the task of the next president, must not only address the procedural irregularities around Gupta’s dismissal, but must also identify those who resisted the former president’s proposed changes … Continue reading →

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The students join the faculty in requesting a judicial review of the UBC Board of Governors

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Ghoussoub

In a major reversal of past positions vis-a-vis president Gupta’s departure from UBC, the Student Society of UBC-Vancouver issued a public statement expressing disappointment in the process followed by the Board of Governors as revealed by the recent leaks. The AMS urges “the … Continue reading →

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Spring cleaning has started early at UBC

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Ghoussoub

It was historic, it was rowdy, and it was fun. It has been a while since UBC has seen a couple of hundred of its faculty screaming their heads off, protesting the Board of Governors meeting, and demanding UBC management and Board accountability. … Continue reading →

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Together we can make UBC transparent and accountable

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Ghoussoub

UBC faculty, staff and students will gather on Tuesday, February 2 at 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, 6163 University Boulevard. They will protest the upcoming UBC Board of Governors Meeting, and will publicly demand that the Board of … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors, Op-eds, UBC Presidential Search | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

A few wise words from the UBC Faculty Association to the presidential search committee

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Ghoussoub

By Mark MacLean, President, on behalf of the Executive Committee Dear Search Committee, Thank you for meeting with us on January 12. We welcomed the opportunity to communicate some of our concerns about, and hopes for, this presidential search process. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors, UBC Presidential Search | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Highlights from the installation speech of UBC’s 13th President, Arvind Gupta

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Ghoussoub

Here are excerpts from the speech of Arvind Gupta at his official installation as UBC’s 13th president. Canada’s post-secondary system should take notice. “We recognize UBC as a Place of Mind, but also as a place of shared cultures, traditions, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Honouring friends, Op-eds, UBC Presidential Search, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

UBC Presidential Search Committee: Large yet not representative enough

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Ghoussoub

“I understand you have been elected to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. Thank you so much for taking this important task on,” wrote the Chancellor. It is of course always nice to hear that you have once again gained … Continue reading →

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The faculty at UBC-Vancouver also want in!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ghoussoub

It can get quite lonely for faculty representatives on the Board of Governors. I have written before about the latent disparity in status between the elected and the appointed. But there is also the occasional dreadful feeling: what if no … Continue reading →

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UBC’s search for a president: Two down but many to go

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Ghoussoub

The Chancellor has just announced the official launch of the search for a new president of UBC to succeed Stephen Toope. “A Search Committee of 22 members broadly representative of the University community – faculty, staff, students and alumni – will be … Continue reading →

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The people who let you “matter” and those who don’t

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Ghoussoub

Being singled out by the Ubyssey as one of “The people who mattered at UBC in 2012-13” brought much honour and satisfaction, but also introspection. For someone who fusses regularly about whether his latest actions mattered, the mention by the venerable … Continue reading →

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A “piece of mind” on university governance revisited

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Ghoussoub

“Your post was so highly elliptical that individuals involved will be pissed and onlookers will be puzzled,” wrote one friend. The latter part of his statement got my attention. A few other personal emails, Menzies’ comment below, and Wakefield’s column … Continue reading →

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When the faculty needs to step up for their universities

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Ghoussoub

(From the archives) Stephen Toope announced yesterday that he would be stepping down as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia at the end of June 2014. This is a very unfortunate turn of events for UBC, and not only … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors, UBC Presidential Search | 2 Comments