Eagle Glassheim is a Wesbrook Place resident and professor at UBC.
He is currently seeking re-election to the UNA board, and chairs the association’s Land Use Advisory and Newspaper Editorial committees.
(Editor’s Note: Glassheim has recused himself from all discussions and coverage of the election).
Q+A
What is the most important issue facing the campus neighbourhoods today?
As the neighbourhoods continue to grow, we need to ensure that services, parks, day care, schools, and infrastructure expand accordingly. During my past three years on the UNA Board, I’ve come to see my role on the Board as a watchdog, to keep a close eye on UBC’s stewardship of the neighbourhoods, and to bark on behalf of residents when needed.
Is UBC building a livable, viable, safe, and environmentally-friendly community for residents through Campus Vision 2050? Why or why not?
There is a lot that is good about the Campus Vision plan: a commitment to energy efficiency, rental housing, green streets, more child care, and improved transit connections within and beyond UBC. The plan also envisions significant growth and the doubling of UBC’s residential population over the next 30 years. I worry about the intensity and pace of that growth. We’ll need to insist that UBC expand services, amenities, and infrastructure to match this growth.
What is the most pressing safety issue facing the campus neighbourhoods and where would you put your focus in addressing it?
The neighbourhoods are very safe—crime is low and people look out for each other here. The biggest concern I’ve heard from residents is about pedestrian and bicycle safety on our streets and sidewalks. I support the UNA’s outreach to the RCMP, UBC, and the Ministry of Transportation to improve the safety of our streets and crosswalks. We still need to do more, particularly in the very congested (and poorly designed) core of Wesbrook.
What are your thoughts on the UNA’s current fiscal situation?
The UNA very effectively provides a large range of services to our community (community centres, programing for all ages, newcomer resources, landscaping, the Green Depot and much more). The UNA ran a surplus this past year and has a reliable financial model for anticipating future revenue. The challenge going forward will be to expand operations and services proportionately as the neighbourhoods grow. Board members will play an important role in this.
How can the UNA better foster a sense of community and connection among residents?
Encourage volunteerism among residents; engage and connect younger and older residents; offer programs that bring residents of all backgrounds and ages together; encourage people to write letters to the editor of the Campus Resident. The UNA already does all of these things, but they should do more. It’s also up to us, the residents, to build connection and community. What do you (readers) think we should do?