The faculties of Science and Land and Food Systems are committed to recruiting and retaining Aboriginal science students, and working to ensure that they succeed in their academic endeavours.

Both faculties are committed to providing an open and accessible environment for the students and will work toward ensuring that all Aboriginal people have the opportunity to undertake studies in Science and Land and Food Systems at UBC. Nurturing and attracting students from lower grades is a key aspect of this commitment. It is imperative that the University develops initiatives to make science more relevant and accessible to Aboriginal students.

Vision

UBC Science is working towards these goals through short- and long-term recruitment and retention strategies and by providing appropriate support to Aboriginal students attending the University. The initial recruitment focus will be on two groups: high school seniors and adults that have completed ABE and College Preparatory Programs. The aim is to recruit up to 12 students a year in Science and five in Land and Food Systems through 2008/2009.

A long term strategy of nurturing and attracting students from lower grades will also be undertaken. This would entail:

• Implementing outreach programs like picnics and other fun, networking-oriented, programs
• Promoting student mentoring of Aboriginal public school students by undergraduates
• Developing web pages and other media initiatives on Aboriginal science issues
• Developing other initiatives to make science more relevant and accessible to Aboriginal students

Aboriginal Science undertakes strategic partnerships with Aboriginal educational institutes and community colleges to attract more Aboriginal university transfer students. This will be helpful for Aboriginal students wishing to receive the more intensive and personalized instruction that smaller institutes can afford for the critical first two years of the science program.

Aboriginal Coordinator

The office of the Aboriginal Coordinator was created to address the low enrolment rates of Aboriginal students in Science and Land and Food Systems. Previously student support was provided by mainstream university support services and the First Nations House of Learning. The coordinator works towards developing new and innovative initiatives around recruitment and student support and will collaborate with mainstream university services and the First Nations House of Learning.