On July 16, 2002, the University of Northern British Columbia will reach a milestone in its evolution. On that date, the University will no longer operate under the UNBC Act and will instead be governed by the University Act of British Columbia, the same legislation that governs UBC, SFU, and UVic.

The University of Northern British Columbia Act was passed on June 21, 1990, and served to establish UNBC. The Bill established the Interim Governing Council (later, a separate Board of Governors and Senate) to oversee the initial development of UNBC.

"The UNBC Act guided the University's formative years," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "The Provincial Government of the day recognized that UNBC would grow to be a fully functioning university and determined that the UNBC Act would be repealed when UNBC had 2500 full-time students for two consecutive years. We have accomplished this milestone and the repeal of the UNBC Act represents a coming-of-age for UNBC."

President Jago, Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond, and Board Chair Alice Downing will speak at an afternoon reception to mark the repeal of the UNBC Act. The event will begin at 3pm on Tuesday, July 16 on the patio outside of the Upper Cafeteria.

Large parts of the UNBC Act - concerning the roles and powers of the Chancellor, President, the Faculties, etc - are the same as the University Act of BC. The Board of Governors will continue to have 15 members, including eight who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. There will, however, be a significant change in the composition of the Senate: it will grow from 27 to 45 members. The expanded Senate will primarily provide for additional representation from students and faculty; voting for the additional members will take place among the students and faculty this fall. The Senate is the primary body for academic governance at the University, while the Board is responsible for the University's financial and administrative operations.