During their June 17 monthly meeting, the UNA Board voted unanimously to hold their annual general meeting on September 23.
The UNA’s annual general meetings are an opportunity for community members to learn about the activities of the UNA and its financial health. The meeting also provides an opportunity for residents to be informed about other aspects of the association and its administration of municipal-like services for residents of UBC’s residential neighbourhoods.
The upcoming meeting will be held at Wesbrook Community Centre, with proceedings beginning at 7 p.m.
Last year’s meeting was attended by roughly 40 people.
Emergency planning
At the beginning of the June board meeting, UBC Safety and Risk Services made a presentation to directors regarding emergency management on campus.
The board was told in the event of an emergency, UBC will alert residents through a variety of tools, including the UBC Alert mass notification system on mobile devices, and UBC Safe smartphone app. University officials would also liaise with the UNA administration when responding to any incident.
Following any event, UBC’s Mass Care Program would be activated to provide the affected with information, lodging and provisions.
A series of initiatives are planned by UBC Safety and Risk Services to improve disaster response including preparedness workshops, training for building managers and UNA Staff, and further exercises to simulate potential scenarios and responses to a disaster.
Wesbrook plan approved
Following the emergency planning presentation, Carole Jolly, a director at UBC Campus and Community Planning, notified board members that the Wesbrook Place Neighborhood Plan was approved by the UBC Board of Governors’ Property Committee in early June, and it will now be implemented by campus planners.
The Wesbrook Place plan is described as the first major step towards implement Campus Vision 2050, which seeks to double the population of the university neighbourhoods by 2050 while meeting the institutional needs of the university.
UNA finances
Also during the meeting, UNA staff provided a preliminary overview of the organization’s finances for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Staff said total revenue was $201,000 below budget as a result of lower than projected revenue from the Neighbours Levy. However, total expenditure was $485,000 under the budget due to lower landscaping, community support and online election costs.
As a result, the UNA is looking at a surplus for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
In a report, UNA staff said once the external financial audit is complete, directors will receive a report providing further details on finances, as well as ideas for how the potential surplus can be used.
DANIEL LI IS A GRADE 12 STUDENT PASSIONATE ABOUT POLITICS AND JOURNALISM.