UBC guidelines + policies

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.

Important guidelines

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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.

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.

Sexual assault response + education

UBC is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all members of our community. The University recognizes that sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct are significant issues on our campus and in universities across Canada.

Sexual assault response and education for faculty and staff: view protocols and resources for assisting student survivors.
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Find sexual assault resources for faculty and staff.
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Respectful Environment statement

The Respectful Environment statement speaks to our freedoms and our responsibilities, and provides the guiding principles to support us in building an environment in which respect, civility, diversity, opportunity and inclusion are valued.
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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.

Senate policies

View UBC Vancouver Senate policies.

View UBC Okanagan Senate policies.

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