Dear colleagues,
In the fall of 2023, UBCO Athletics and Recreation launched an external review of its operations to ensure that the department is meeting the needs of students, student-athletes and the broader campus community. As we know, the campus has grown extensively since it became a member of the Canada West conference and U SPORTS in 2011, which has created incredible opportunities for student-athletes and staff but also some challenges.
The review committee spent several weeks on campus interviewing department staff, coaches and key strategic partners across UBCO as well as conducting a thorough documentary review. This included budgets, business plans, the original Canada West application, as well as written feedback from campus stakeholders not included in the interview process.
Their findings will serve as a robust foundation for UBCO Athletics and Recreation as we learn from our 20-year history and prepare for the next 20. I am pleased to share an overview of the report here: goheat.ca/documents/2024/6/18/A_R_External_Review_-_For_Web.pdf.
In total, the review committee made 33 recommendations for consideration by university leadership and the department. Athletics and Recreation has already begun to implement several recommendations and will rely on the report to inform strategy over the next five years.
Amid the recommendations was a common thread that speaks to the calibre of our student-athletes and staff. The report was clear that there is a palpable sense of pride for our students and an unshakable commitment to an exceptional student experience. That dedication serves as a sturdy foundation as we look to integrate the learnings and advice from this report, which range from highlighting the need to clarify UBCO’s athletic philosophy, to embracing an innovative and entrepreneurial approach around infrastructure needs, to re-invigorating culture and morale.
I’m very grateful for the diligence and professionalism of external reviewers Clint Hamilton, Sandy Slavin and Christine Stapleton and for the honest and constructive feedback our campus offered.
The external review process is an immensely valuable one and as an institution of higher learning, I am inspired by how we embrace these opportunities to look inward and better understand how we can contribute to what makes our campus so special.
Please take some time to read the report and I look forward to the new and exciting ideas that will undoubtedly propel our athletics and recreation offerings into the future.
Dale Mullings
Associate Vice-President, Students
UBC Okanagan
