Alumni Centre FAQ

Why are you building an Alumni Centre?

Our Alumni have consistently said in surveys that they don’t feel welcome on campus. We are going to create a building which is the first stop for all alumni coming back to campus. A place to start and reconnect with UBC.

Is there parking?

• The university plans want to reduce parking in the area due to the high level of pedestrian traffic
• There will be a limited amount of short term free parking right beside the building
• There will be a few accessible disability parking spots beside the building
• The nearest parkade, the North Parkade is only 350m away from the entrance to the building. A 3½ minute walk on average.

What are your plans for programming of the centre?

• We are planning on moving a large portion of our current alumni programming into the building. We are also planning on having portions of the centre used on a more informal basis for alumni.
• We are partnering with many on and off campus groups to ensure that the space is used frequently by them especially where their programs benefit UBC alumni
• We are making the space flexible to ensure that many different groups can use the space for a variety of uses.

What happened with the underground bus loop and the knoll redevelopment?

• Initially this area was slated for market housing and retail. Students were upset with this and started a lot of advocacy and activism around it.
• The programming around the Ublvd Square has now shifted to allow for a new SUB and a new Alumni Centre along with future student housing. This has been positive for the Alumni Association as it allows us to be at the heart of campus.
• Translink pulled out their funding for the underground bus loop which necessitated a relocation of the diesel buses. The trolley buses will still go down University Boulevard and terminate adjacent to the Alumni Centre.
• The Knoll will be shifted slightly and incorporated into the new SUB building. The AMS (SUB) architects are working on how to use this feature as effectively as possible and all costs of redevelopment of the knoll will lie with the SUB project.

How do we ensure safety around the building?

• The building is located at the heart of campus which is one of the best lit areas on campus.
• The building is located just next to the Trolley buses and the ease of getting to the bus, and the amount of traffic generated, helps to create a safe environment
• We will promote safety services during and after our events (safewalk, campus security, cab companies, etc.)

Will students be allowed to use the centre?

• Students are an integral partner in the UBC community and are our future alumni. We want to create an atmosphere where they see the benefits of being an alumnus and are excited to become part of our community. We also run some programming that caters to students and young alumni.
• There will not be restrictions on students using the building, but we will design the building to cater to our Alumni needs.

How have you attained feedback from alumni?

• We ran many surveys open to our Alumni over the past few years to ensure that we develop a program to suit the needs of our Alumni.
• We have run a number of focused sessions with many alumni to discuss the plans in greater detail. We do our best to consult the whole association population whenever we can, but that isn’t always the most practical way to move forward this project.
• This project has been something that we have consistently heard is needed from Alumni time and time again. We hope that you can help us inspire the programming of the space to ensure that our alumni can make the most out of this new centre. You can give your feedback on the feedback page of this website.

How is the centre being financed?

• UBC has donated the land to the association and has agreed to pay for the operations and maintenance of the facility.
• All the money for construction for the building is coming from donations from alumni and friends of the university.

How will this development impact the community?

• The Alumni Centre and the UBlvd development are creating a compact community that is cyclist and pedestrian friendly
• The Alumni Centre is showing leadership in sustainable development and will be certified LEED Gold.
• The Alumni Centre in honouring the natural landscape and environment (We are retaining the two landmark oak trees slightly south of the project)
• We recognized the need to develop on-campus neighbourhoods to keep first-rate students, faculty and staff engaged at UBC.
• The University Boulevard area is focused on creating the heart of campus by providing community services