Community Impact Report 2023-2024

UBC Inspired at a Glance

Our Annual Community Impact Report provides an overview of our programs, events, placemaking initiatives and community engagement. It also highlights the growth and success of our portfolio in the last year, and ways we are work to fulfil UBC priorities, and respond to community needs. Most of all, it shows how working in partnership with community members, departments, student organizations and others helps create extraordinary experiences at UBC.

This year saw the return of many beloved campus events (and even some new ones!), community programs developed in collaboration with campus partners, and inspiring activities facilitated by community members through the Inspiring Community Grant program.

You’ll also notice a brand-new look for us! We’ve transitioned from UTown@UBC to UBC Inspired, an identity meant to better reflect our unit mandate supporting the entire UBC community in creating extraordinary campus experiences and community-building opportunities, as well as our support of Campus + Community Planning’s vision for a vibrant, connected community.

We look forward to another year of sparking imagination…together!

From events that brought us together

Chef Challenge

After a three-year hiatus, Chef Challenge returned to campus and the competition was hotter than ever! Four fabulous chef teams competed for votes (and year-long bragging rights!) by preparing a tasty bite perfectly paired with a local brew. Community members gathered to sip, savour, and socialize under the sun!

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Thrive by the Fire

Community members gathered to listen to talented student performers as Lee Square was transformed into a cozy space for connection, community building, and conversations about mental health in support of Thrive month.

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The first round of funding was awarded to “The Conception of Summer” an original musical written by theatre student Muleba Chailunga.

Student Art and Animation funding awarded!

Yoga on the Mall brought community members out of their offices and classrooms to enjoy some savasanna in the sun all summer

12

Campus venues (and 24 partners!) were “taken over” during Kids Take Over UBC! 2024

400+

Community members joined UBC Inspired and Active Kids for circus fun at Tough Toddler!

to programs that inspired…

Light Up Lee Square

We celebrated community artwork at Money and Raymond MC Lee with a glow-in-the-dark extravaganza and countdown to unveil the winning submissions at this brand-new event!

Check it out

Kids Fit

Kids Fit, a long-standing program with Active Kids, helped UBC kids move more and learn physical literacy skills, courtesy of UBC Kinesiology students who have the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom into the community. It has been so successful, we piloted a FREE pop-up physical literacy program at Acadia Park this year!

3700+

community members were “Inspired at the Chan” during this concert season!

A beautiful Coast Salish 2 Spirit Pride symbol developed by Mack Paul (xwməθkwəy̓əm) was installed as a mosaic outside the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, as a visual representation of Coast Salish Two Spirit unity, dignity and respect.

In collaboration with EIO and Musqueam community members

In the forefront a bike on a bike stand with a student mechanic crouched behind the bike applying oil to the chain.

199

bikes registered through Project 529

$12,000

Awarded to 30 exceptional community projects through the Inspiring Community Grant program!

we shared and celebrated a year of community and connection

Growing Up to Grown Up

A student-led placemaking project inspired students to think of their childhood aspirations and their future dreams

Growing Up to Grown Up: Reflecting and Relaxing

Kids Take Over UBC

Brought 1437 kids (and their grownups) to campus for Family Day fun, courtesy of 24 campus and community partners, making this our largest Family Day celebration yet!

Kids Take Over UBC

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED THROUGH JOINT PROGRAMMING WITH THE UNA FROM COMMUNITY BIKE JAMS TO CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND MORE!

1475

  “I was able to have very genuine conversations with a few students. Some had questions about the counselling available on campus vs receiving counselling off campus, and some just wanted to learn about mental health resources in general at UBC.”

Peer Health Educator