December 23, 2003 For Immediate Release

• UNBC hosted a national workshop on climate change and its effects on northern and western forests. Federal Environment Minister David Anderson also spoke on the topic to a crowd of nearly 350 in the Canfor Theatre.

• The Board of Governors approved a balanced budget for UNBC totaling nearly $47 million, including a 33% rise in tuition fees.

• UNBC faculty worked with Government officials to develop research programs focusing on offshore oil and gas exploration, the mountain pine beetle infestation, and community-based projects aimed at reducing the number of youth in Government care. UNBC attracted $9.5 million in research funding, the University’s highest amount ever.

• The University hosted a number of conferences/workshops, including a creative writer’s festival, the BC Historical Federation meeting, a conference of the western division of the Canadian Association of Geographers, and a national symposium on forest management.

• 20 northern BC communities signed on to provide financial and political support for the Northern Medical Program by establishing the Northern Medical Programs Trust, the first meetings of which were in 2003.

• Dr David Snadden, the first leader of the Northern Medical Program, cycled 400km to Tumbler Ridge to thank the community for its $65,000 donation to the medical program and its future students. Visits were also conducted to other communities throughout the region. By the end of the year, two additional NMP appointments were made.

• Construction began in the summer on two major campus construction projects in Prince George: the Northern Health Sciences Centre and an expansion to the teaching laboratory. Both projects are being built by Wayne Watson Construction of Prince George. There was also an official sod-turning for a new CNC/UNBC North Cariboo campus in Quesnel.

• Prince George identified the Northern Sport Centre as its official Olympic legacy project. The proposal to establish a winter sport training centre in Prince George drew visits from the national cross-country development ski team, the president of the Calgary Olympic Development Association, and provincial sport development officials. UNBC student-athlete Barb Sharp carried the flag for Canada at the World University Games in Italy. UNBC Athletics also recieved a national community service award.

• UNBC climbed to 7th in the annual Maclean’s magazine ranking of Canadian universities, posting its highest ranking ever. An alumni survey concluded that UNBC grads are highly employed and a more satisfied with their education and making more money, on average, than other BC university grads.

• The University’s bachelor of education degree program admitted its first cohort of students interested in becoming secondary school teachers.

• Nearly 650 students graduated at the May Convocation ceremony, and an honorary degree was presented to Audrey McLaughlin. The ceremony was the last for Chancellor George Pedersen, who is being replaced by Canfor Chairman Peter Bentley.

• UNBC continued to grow in 2003, with registration in the fall semester reaching 3675 students.

“While 2003 was a very busy year with many new initiatives and opportunities, 2004 is promising to be equally exciting,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “Two new buildings will open, the Northern Medical Program will begin in the fall, and we are hoping to receive a commitment from Government concerning the proposed Northern Sport Centre.”