UBC is committed to providing an open, accountable and respectful environment that fosters academic excellence.
The following guidelines and policies are relevant to the university’s academic mission.
Academic freedom
The freedom to engage in research, scholarship and teaching without constraint is the backbone of any university. Above all, we protect and promote an open environment in which to explore, question, discover and share knowledge. Learn more about how UBC is working to protect and promote academic freedom.
Appointment guidelines and policies
The University of British Columbia has a number of policies and guidelines that govern academic appointments. Learn more
Classroom recording
Classroom recording can be a valuable component of the design and delivery of a course; it provides flexibility for students, together with the opportunity to review the materials after the class or for study purposes; it can also provide greater accessibility of learning materials in a course. It is not generally a replacement for regular attendance at in-person sessions, though can offer a way to ‘catch up’ on the odd missed class.
For further information, please read the UBC principles for classroom recordings (PDF) which provide guidance on topics such as: copyright and intellectual property; notification and consent requirements; privacy and sharing (including guidelines for students on using and sharing class recordings); and more.
And for a more detailed review of the benefits and drawbacks of recording classes, together with a set of recommendations, please read the Discussion paper on class recordings (PDF), prepared by members of the UBC Learning Technology Advisory Group.
Academic misconduct
The UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar has information on academic misconduct.
External reviews
UBC conducts periodic external reviews of faculties and academic units in order to continuously improve academic excellence and promote accountability and transparency across the university. See the Principles, Procedures and Guidelines for External Academic Unit Reviews.
Third-party recruitment agreements
The Joint Policy of the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Senates on Third-Party Recruitment (#J-55) represents a part of the University of British Columbia’s response to the opportunities and challenges posed by third-party recruitment agent engagement.
An interpretive and procedural guide has been developed to provide guidance to UBC's academic and other units interested in engaging with recruitment agents and agencies. The guidelines detail the steps that must be taken before the University will enter into an agreement with an agent or agency, and are available on request. Please email the International Student Initiative (ISI) directly.
Board policies
UBC’s Board of Governors develops and approves policies for the University. University policies provide direction on specific topics and issues, along with procedures and standards for compliance. Please visit the Repository of Board of Governors Policies, Procedures, Rules, and Guidelines page to read all UBC Policies.