$400,000 in student awards was handed out to nearly 300 students at the annual awards ceremony.... University Resources Inc is created to promote the University's business opportunities.

March

UNBC research forests are announced at Aleza Lake (BC's oldest research forest) and north of Fort St James (managed in partnership with the Tl'atz'en Nation).... The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council contributes $240,000 to help UNBC establish research links with local industry.

April

Forest Renewal BC, the BC government, the federal Canada Foundation for Innovation, and forest industry partners invest millions with UNBC to build the state-of-the-art I.K. Barber Enhanced Forestry Lab and hire two research positions in forest growth and yield and mixedwood ecology.... UNBC receives $900,000 to develop a research plan for Northern Rockies (Muskwa-Kechika), one of the world's most spectacular and wildlife-rich areas.

May

Governor General Romeo LeBlanc visits.... Health Minister Allan Rock announces UNBC will host a national rural health research summit.... 460 students graduate at the annual Convocation ceremony, with Founding Chancellor Iona Campagnolo receiving an honorary degree. Meanwhile, Founding UNBC President Geoffrey Weller is awarded an honorary degree from the University of Lapland in Finland.

September

Nearly 3400 students register for classes, up about 6% over the previous year.... A BC-wide survey of 1996 university grads finds that UNBC grads found work faster and make, on average, more money than the 1996 grads of other BC universities.

October

UNBC joins with Health Canada to host the first-ever national summit on research in rural health. The 100 delegates developed a blueprint for rural health research, which calls for greater collaboration, community involvement, and communication of research findings.

November

IN the annual Maclean's ranking of universities, UNBC rises from 9th to 8th in the Primarily Undergraduate category.... About 1000 fans pack in to see UNBC's Northern Timberwolves basketball teams play their first-ever varsity games.... UNBC student Barb Sharp, a member of the UNBC Nordic Ski team, is ranked the top female biathlete in Canada and spends the winter with the national biathlon team in Europe.

December

UNBC announces plans to build a Sportsplex on campus, though a funding plan must still be developed.... UNBC professors conduct a Millennium Survey, which captures, for the first time, British Columbians' predictions for what will happen in the next century.

The Vision

"While it's gratifying to look into the past and see what we've accomplished this year, our vision for the Year 2000 and beyond will continue to see UNBC evolve as a top university and a crucially significant resource for northern BC," says UNBC President Charles Jago.

• In January, formal proposals will be sought from developers interested in creating a research and development park on campus. The research park will provide an opportunity for private companies to locate on campus and benefit from a research partnership with the University.
• In late January, UNBC and the North Central Municipal Association will present a provincial conference on rural health. More than 300 delegates are expected.
• UNBC's research infrastructure will be enhanced by the completion of the Enhanced Forestry Laboratory.
• UNBC will develop a bachelor's degree program in Education in consultation with northern school districts, First Nations, the northern colleges, and with the Ministry.
• Campus expansion will continue to be sought. The top priorities are a laboratory expansion and a sportsplex.
• In the spring, UNBC will host the first international conference on how to increase the retention rates of aboriginal students in colleges and universities. More than 500 delegates are expected.