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
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.
The UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar outlines examples of academic misconduct and plagiarism.
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.
Information about what UBC is doing to keep our campuses safe and resources for faculty and staff.
Sexual assault response and education for faculty and staff: view protocols and resources for assisting student survivors.
Learn more
Find sexual assault resources for faculty and staff.
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This 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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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 Intitiative (ISI) directly.
Selected policies
Browse a selection of important UBC policies below.
- #17 Appointment of Registrar and Librarians (Joint Senate and Board Policy)
- #18 Appointment of Designated Senior Academic Administrators (Joint Senate and Board Policy)
- #20 Advertising of Position Vacancies
- #21 Appointment of Deans and Principals (Joint Board and Senate Policy)
- #22 Appointments and Extension of Appointments for Heads of Academic Units
- #23 Extension of Appointments for Deans and Principals
- #24 Extension of Appointments for Designated Senior Academic Administrators
- #25 Board of Governors Appointments
- #26 Acting Administrators in Cases of Absence
- #27 Appointment of Retired Faculty Members
- #28 Casual Instruction Without Board Appointment
- #31 Total Compensation for Executive Officers, Management Officers, Service Unit Directors Excluded from AAPS, and Staff Members who are Excluded From or Not Represented by a Union or Association
- #35 Research Grants During Periods Other Than Study Leave
- #36 Leave Requests in a Tenure Decision
- #37 Research Grants as Part Payment During Study Leave
- #39 Death Notices
- #42 Faculty Term Appointments Without Review
- #43 Extension of Appointments for Registrar and Librarians
- #47 Chair, Professorship and Distinguished Scholar Honorifics
- #49 Reduced Workload/Responsibility Appointment — Non-Academic Staff
- #50 Leave to Take Political Office
- #51 Curriculum Vitae and Publications Record
- #54 Study Leave (other than Faculty)
- #56 Vacations — Non-Union, Management and Professional Staff
- #57 University Killam Professors
- #61 Postdoctoral Fellows
- #62 Leave Due to Illness of Members of Faculty
- #64 Crossing of Picket Lines
- #65 Religious Holidays
- #75 Appointment of Graduate Students to Teach a Course Requiring a Board of Governors Appointment
- #97 Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment
- #16 The Non-University Use of University Services and Facilities
- #85 Scholarly Integrity This policy makes clear the responsibilities and standards required of UBC researchers engaged in scholarly activity. It also provides a process for dealing with allegations of scholarly misconduct. Read more
- #87 Research
- #88 Inventions and Discoveries
- #90 Over-expenditures on Research and Specific Purpose Trust/Project Grants
- #97 Conflict of Interest & Conflict of Commitment It is important COI forms are completed when submitting Ethics documentation.
(RISe On-line Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Declaration forms) - #105 Acceptance, Management and Sale of Technology Licensing Equity
- #109 Ownership
- #110 All Commercial Uses of the University Trade Marks
- #111 Internal Audit, Investigations and Financial Whistleblower
- #65 Religious Holidays
- #67 Late Payment of Fees and Accounts
- #68 Disruption of Classes/Services by Snow
- #69 Student Safety Abroad
- #71 Consultation with Students about Tuition and Mandatory Fees
- #72 Access to the University of British Columbia
- #73 Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
- #75 Appointment of Graduate Students to Teach a Course Requiring a Board of Governors Appointment
See the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar 2016/17 for a list of student policies and regulations, including examples of academic misconduct/plagiarism
The UBC community is invited to comment on proposed Policy #131 (Sexual Assault). To read more about the Policy Consultation information, visit the University Counsel website here.
Joint Policy #J-55 (Third-Party Recruitment Agreements) was produced to provide binding regulation regarding the place of third-party recruitment agents within UBC’s academic system.