Academic leadership roles at UBC Okanagan — introducing a clearer structure
A message from Professor Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor
Last week, the Board of Governors endorsed a title change for the chief academic officer at UBC Okanagan.
This change is intended to clarify leadership roles and define a clearer administrative structure. As the university continues to implement its strategic plan: Shaping UBC’s Next Century, the change will further support our strategic academic priorities across both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
As a result of the change:
- Deborah Buszard’s official title will continue to be Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan and will continue to report to me as part of the UBC Executive. Dr. Buszard will cease to hold the title of Vice-President, Academic and Research.
- Ananya Mukherjee-Reed will take the title Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan. In addition to continuing to report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, this role will also be part of the UBC Executive. The former title Provost and Vice-Principal, Academic, UBC Okanagan, will no longer be used.
Recognizing the changes at UBC Okanagan, Andrew Szeri’s title will now consistently be referred to as Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver. Professor Szeri remains the chief academic officer for the Vancouver campus, and there are no changes to his current reporting lines or responsibilities.
The change to academic leadership roles at UBC Okanagan was recommended by the Okanagan Senate and supported by the Okanagan deans. I am confident that it will enhance the ability of UBC Okanagan to meet its strategic goals and contribute to the future success of UBC as a whole.
Clarification of these roles will also enhance system integration across the university. It will help fulfill one of the key strategies in Shaping UBC’s Next Century, namely, to enable, encourage and streamline collegial governance and create better transparency between the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
This adjustment will require amendments to Joint Board and Senate Policy 18 and a number of other Board and Senate policies and procedures, which will be made shortly.