University of Northern British Columbia

{{Short description|Public university in Prince George, British Columbia}} {{Infobox university | name = University of Northern British Columbia | native_name = {{native name|crx|Nizdeh Nekeyoh Hohudel’eh Baiyoh}} | latin_name = | image = UNBC Coat of Arms.png | image_size = 150 | motto = {{native name|crx|'En Cha Huná}} | mottoeng = He/she also lives (translated as "respecting all forms of life") | established = {{start date and age|1990}} | type = Public university | endowment = US$62.8 million (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> | president = Bill Owen (Interim) | provost = Michel S. Beaulieu | chancellor = Darlene McIntosh | total_staff = 790 | students = 2,422 (2024-25 FTE)<ref name="Student Enrolment Statistics">{{cite web|access-date=2025-09-01|url=https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/full-time-equivalent-enrolments-at-b-c-public-post-secondary-institutions/resource/0a424d2a-c620-43a5-8b99-01d395509e5b|title=2024_25_Student_Full_Time_Equivalent_Enrolments_at BC_Public_Post_Secondary_Institutions |publisher=BC Government}}</ref> | undergrad = 2,927 | postgrad = 730 | city = | country = Canada | campus = {{ubl|UNBC Main Campus (Prince George)|Wood Innovation and Design Centre (Prince George)|Peace River-Liard Campus (Fort St. John)|Northwest Campus (Terrace)|South-Central Campus (Quesnel)}} | free_label = Tagline | free = Canada's Green University | colors = | colours = {{color box|#b79527}} {{color box|#035642}} Gold and green | sports_nickname = Timberwolves | mascot = Alpha | academic_affiliations = UArctic, Universities Canada | sporting_affiliations = U Sports | footnotes = | website = {{URL|https://www.unbc.ca| unbc.ca}} | address = | coor = | logo = British columbia univ logo.png | logo_size = 250 }}

The '''University of Northern British Columbia''' ('''UNBC''') is a university serving the northern region of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The main campus is located in Prince George, with additional campuses located in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John. Because of its northern latitude, UNBC is a member of the University of the Arctic. In the 2020–21 academic year, 4,253 students were enrolled at UNBC.

In 2022, ''Maclean's'' magazine ranked UNBC as the number one university of its size in Canada, in the Primarily Undergraduate category.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.macleans.ca/education/canadas-best-primarily-undergraduate-universities-rankings-2022/| title=Canada's best Primarily Undergraduate universities: Rankings 2022 - Macleans.ca| date=7 October 2021}}</ref> UNBC also finished first in the rankings in 2015 and 2016 and routinely finishes in the top three in its category. In 2026, UNBC placed second in its category.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maclean's |date=2025-10-14 |title=Canada’s Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities for 2026 |url=https://macleans.ca/education/university-rankings/canadas-best-primarily-undergraduate-universitiesnbspfor-2026/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=Macleans.ca |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, the university obtained the trademark for "Canada's Green University".<ref name="green">{{cite web| url=http://www.unbc.ca/green/| title=UNBC is Canada's Green University - University of Northern British Columbia| website=www.unbc.ca| access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref>

==History== In response to a grass-roots movement spearheaded by the Interior University Society, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia established the university when it passed Bill 40, the University of Northern British Columbia Act, on June 22, 1990.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.canlii.org/en/bc/laws/stat/rsbc-1996-c-472/latest/rsbc-1996-c-472.html| author=Elizabeth II| title=University of Northern British Columbia Act| year=1996| publisher=Queen's Printer| accessdate=18 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=unbchistory>{{cite web| url=https://www.unbc.ca/unbc-history/timeline| title=UNBC History Timeline| publisher=University of Northern British Columbia| accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref> UNBC offered a limited number of courses in rented office space in 1992 and 1993, but its campus was opened officially by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on 17 August 1994.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://search.nbca.unbc.ca/index.php/royal-visit-94-visit-of-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii-to-prince-george-august-17-1994| title=Royal Visit '94: The Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Prince George, August 17, 1994| publisher=Northern BC Archives| access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> Some 1,500 students were enrolled that year, upon the completion two years of construction and the opening of the Prince George campus.<ref>{{cite book| last=Pound| first=Richard W| title=Fitzhenry and Whiteside Book of Canadian Facts and Dates| publisher=Fitzhenry and Whiteside| year=2005}}</ref>

The university gained attention with the introduction of the Northern Medical Program (NMP),<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www2.unbc.ca/northern-medical-program| title=Northern Medical Program| publisher=University of Northern British Columbia| accessdate=17 August 2022}}</ref> a collaboration with the University of British Columbia.<ref name=nmp>{{cite web|url=https://www.unbc.ca/northern-medical-program|title=Northern Medical Program|website=www.unbc.ca|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> Through this arrangement, several academic physicians have been attracted to the city, which has led to an emerging academic medical community.

==Organization and administration== The governance was modeled on the provincial ''University of Toronto Act 1906'', which established a bicameral system of university government comprising a Senate (composed of members of the faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a Board of Governors (composed of members of the community), which exercises exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters. The President, appointed by the board, was to provide a link between the two bodies and to perform institutional leadership.<ref name="governance">{{cite web|url=https://www.unbc.ca/about-unbc/organizational-structure|title=Organizational Structure - University of Northern British Columbia|website=www.unbc.ca|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> The founding President, in post until 1995, was Geoffrey R. Weller.

The University of Northern British Columbia is an active member of the University of the Arctic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members |url=https://www.uarctic.org/members/member-profiles/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic |language=en-US}}</ref> UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.uarctic.org/about-us/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic - University of the Arctic |language=en-US}}</ref>

The university participates in UArctic’s mobility program north2north. The aim of that program is to enable students of member institutions to study in different parts of the North.<ref>{{Cite web |title=north2north |url=https://www.uarctic.org/activities/north2north/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic - University of the Arctic |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Campus== {{Infobox Canadian university rankings |QS_W = 781–790 (2024) |QS_N = 26 (2024) | MAC_undergrad = 2 | MAC_rep = 32 | THES_W = 1,201-1,500 | THES_N = 30 }}

The Prince George campus is located on Cranbrook Hill, overlooking the city of Prince George from the west, and is widely renowned for its innovative architecture. The award-winning [https://www.unbc.ca/engineering-graduate/wood-innovation-and-design-centre Wood Innovation and Design Centre], designed by [http://mg-architecture.ca/ Michael Green Architecture], was the world’s tallest modern all-timber structure upon completion and serves as a facility for the research and education on the uses of wood.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thinkwood.com/our-projects/wood-innovation-and-design-centre|title=Wood Innovation and Design Centre|website=Think Wood|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-03}}</ref> The Wood Innovation Research Lab is an example of Passive House design in a northern climate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www2.unbc.ca/engineering/wood-innovation-research-laboratory | title=The Wood Innovation Research Laboratory }}</ref>

The separate buildings are linked by an agora that is partially below ground level. It is the efficient heating system connected to all the core campus buildings that permits UNBC to pursue its goal of heating the university by the gasification of clean-burning, renewable wood pellets collected from the waste of pine trees killed by the mountain pine beetle epidemic.

The buildings at UNBC are designed to represent the northern landscape. The Canfor Winter Garden area has a flowing blue staircase below a ceiling of wooden lattices, representing the west coast rain forests. The cafeteria has a lighthouse design that represents the rugged coastline of northern British Columbia. Another structural feature, a pair of triangular glass peaks, represents mountains and functions as skylights above the UNBC Bookstore.

On October 13, 2010, UNBC was co-awarded the Campus Sustainability Leadership Award by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for its bio-energy project, which targets a reduction in fossil fuel use by supplying 85% of the heating needs at UNBC.<ref>[http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/17893/3/unbc+wins+aashe+award UNBC Wins AASHE Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721105452/http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/17893/3/unbc+wins+aashe+award |date=2011-07-21 }}. Opinion250.com (2010-10-12). Retrieved on 2013-08-12.</ref>

===University Hospital of Northern British Columbia=== The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia is a Level III trauma centre in Northern BC.

==Culture==

===Motto=== The UNBC motto,'' 'En cha huná,'' directly translates as "that person also lives" in the Nak'azdli (Fort St. James) dialect of the Indigenous language Dakelh (Carrier). It is interpreted in English as "respecting all forms of life".<ref name="unbcabout">{{cite web|url=https://www.unbc.ca/about-unbc|title=About the University of Northern British Columbia - University of Northern British Columbia|website=www.unbc.ca|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

===Student life=== The Northern Undergraduate Student Society, known colloquially as NUGSS, represents the undergraduate student body at the University of Northern British Columbia. A non-profit organization, NUGSS serves and represents all undergraduate students at all UNBC campuses. The Society governs student-led organizations on campus, provides the health and dental plan, advocates for student needs in local transit, and hosts various events. Annual NUGSS events include Backyard BBQ, Jump Back to NYE, and Final Affair.

UNBC's Student Life department is dedicated to student success, and aims to raise student engagement in the UNBC community. Led by community leaders known as "student ambassadors", Student Life hosts regular events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities for all UNBC students. The Student Life department is also in charge of UNBC's Orientation and Weeks of Welcome.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us - UNBC Orientation |url=https://www2.unbc.ca/orientation/contact |website=UNBC |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref>

The [https://blogs.unbc.ca/nbcgss/ Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704164237/https://blogs.unbc.ca/nbcgss/ |date=2019-07-04 }} (NBCGSS), represents about 750 full-time and part-time graduate students. It was founded in the year of 1997, less than a decade after UNBC was founded. Every year NBCGSS holds events like winter/semi formals, a ski trip and a summer trip. NBCGSS is a member of the [http://www.wearebcstudents.ca/ British Columbia Federation of Students] (BCFS).<ref>{{cite web |title=About: Our Approach|url=http://www.wearebcstudents.ca/about|website=wearebcstudents.ca|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

The UNBC First Nations Centre provides support services for indigenous students, including bringing in elders, counselling, and events such as talking circles and sweat lodges. The Northern Pride Centre or (also known as the "PC") offers a safe space, support, and resources to the LGBT and ally community, including a new Positive Space Campaign designed by UNBC

===Student media=== * Over the Edge'','' a bi-weekly student newspaper. Established in 1994. *[http://cfur.ca/ CFURadio 88.7 FM], the independent campus community radio station.

===Athletics=== {{main|UNBC Timberwolves}} The Timberwolves compete in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association. UNBC fields men's and women's teams in soccer and basketball.

==Gallery== <gallery mode=packed heights=90> Image:UNBC icicles.JPG|UNBC's Student Services Street File:UNBC.jpg|Main building Image:UNBC Research Laboratory.JPG|Research Laboratory Building Image:Timberwolves Basketball.jpg|UNBC Timberwolves basketball team playing UBC Okanagan Heat Image:Cascades soccer - women vs UNBC 12 (9906310093).jpg|Women's soccer match versus UFV File:Heading the ball.jpg|Men's soccer match Image:Neyoh.jpg|Neyoh residence Image:UNBC Library.jpg|Geoffrey R. Weller Library </gallery>

==Arms== {{Emblem table | name = the University of Northern British Columbia | image = UNBC Coat of Arms.png | imagesize = 150 | notes = Granted 21 March 1994 | year_adopted = | coronet = | crest = Rising from a circlet of maple leaves snowflakes and dogwood flowers set alternately all Argent a wave Azure leaping therefrom a salmon as styled by Ron Sebastian.<ref name=unbc>[https://www.unbc.ca/about-unbc/coat-arms Coat of Arms] at the UNBC website</ref> |supporters = Upon a compartment rising above barry wavy Argent and Azure charged with a killer whale as styled by Ron Sebastian per pale dexter a forest Vert beneath mountain peaks Argent sinister a field of ears of grain Or embellished Vert dexter a female kermodei bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) Or chested Argent gorged with a collar of conifer branches Vert fructed Or sinister a woodland caribou buck (Rangifer tarandus caribou) Or gorged with a like collar.<br> A banner of the Arms the three sides of the fly bordered Vert and Or. | torse = | helm = | escutcheon = Vert a coniferous tree eradicated Or on a chief also Or an open book proper bound Sable between two ravens respectant also Sable.<ref name=unbc/> | compartment = | motto = ''EN CHA HUNÁ'' (Respecting All Forms Of Life) | orders = | other_elements = | bannerimage = | banner = | badgetitle =  | badgeimage =  | badge = A sun in splendour Argent charged with a stellar jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) wings displayed Azure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=1739&ShowAll=1 |title=University of Northern British Columbia |date=12 November 2020 |publisher=Canadian Heraldic Authority |access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref> | badge2title =  | badge2image =  | badge2 = | badge3title =  | badge3image =  | badge3 = | symbolism = | previous_versions = | other_versions = }}

==Notable alumni== * Robin Austin, businessman and former politician * Shirley Bond, politician * Kady Dandeneau, wheelchair basketball player * Currie Dixon, 12th premier of Yukon * Jocelyn Joe-Strack, Aishihik microbiologist, and hydrologist * James Moore, politician * Lynda Price, Dakehl chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation * Rheanna Robinson, Métis professor * Sonya Salomaa, actress * Steph St. Laurent, documentary filmmaker

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book|title=UNBC, a Northern Crusade: The how and who of B.C.'s Northern University |author=Charles J. McCaffray |location=Duncan, British Columbia|publisher=the author|year=1995 |isbn=0-9680300-0-9}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} * [https://unbctimberwolves.com/ Athletics website]  * [http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/centres-clinics/bc-cancer%E2%80%93prince-george BC Cancer Society - Centre for the North] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025122255/http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/centres-clinics/bc-cancer%E2%80%93prince-george |date=2022-10-25 }} * [https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/hospitals/university-hospital-northern-british-columbia-uhnbc University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC)] * [https://www.nugss.ca Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS)] * [http://www.nbcgss.ca/ Northern British Columbia Graduate Students' Society] * [http://overtheedgepaper.ca Over The Edge Newspaper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417210138/http://overtheedgepaper.ca/ |date=2022-04-17 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Northern British Columbia, University of}} Category:University of Northern British Columbia Category:1994 establishments in British Columbia Category:Educational institutions established in 1994