August 12, 2004 for immediate release

The Board of Governors of the University of Northern British Columbiawill be participating in events in Prince Rupert, Terrace, and NewAiyansh designed to explore the University's role in regionaldevelopment.

Board members will be in the region from August 20 - 22, and theiragenda will include their regular meeting, participation in a publicpanel discussion on regional issues, and a meeting with the Board ofWilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a (the Nisga'a post-secondary institution).

Prince Rupert - Friday, August 20
1:30pm Public Board of Governors meeting at the Crest Hotel. Items onthe agenda include discussion of the projected enrolment for the fallsemester and approval of a business case for the proposed NorthernSport Centre.

4:00pm Tour of the new Northwest Community College campus, currently under construction.

7:30pm Panel Discussion on issues for Prince Rupert and the region.Panelists will include Mayor Pond, Prince Rupert Grain Manager JeffBurghardt, Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Manager Jack Cecil, and UNBC researcherGreg Halseth. Dr Halseth, a national expert in rural and small townissues, will moderate the discussion.

The event will be held at the Crest Hotel and is open to the public.

New Aiyansh - Saturday, August 21
1:00pm Meeting with the Board of Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a at St Peter's Hall.

Terrace - Saturday, August 21
8:00pm Coast Inn of the West. Public reception to provide localresidents with the chance to meet the Board of Governors and provideinput on UNBC's activities in the community and region.

During the morning of Sunday, August 22, the Board will be engaged in an in-camera (private) meeting.

"These annual regional Board meetings really give Board members an ideaof what it takes to be a regional university in such a large area,"says Board Chair Ron Fichtner. "Meeting people locally also gives us afresh perspective of what UNBC is doing - or should be doing - so weencourage residents of the region to meet with us and attend the publicevents that have been arranged."

The Board of Governors is responsible for the operation of theUniversity. Its members include faculty, staff, and students, as wellas regional representatives who are appointed by theLieutenant-Governor in Council. Prince Rupert resident SheilaGordon-Payne is the representative of the Northwest region on the Board.