The University of Northern British Columbia operates under the authority of the University Act and is governed by a Board of Governors and a Senate. The Board of Governors is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University. The UNBC Board of Governors operates under a set of rules and has established the following Standing Committees and Advisory Boards:
- Standing Board Committees and Membership
- Board of Governors Rules
- Finance and Investment Committee - Meeting Schedule 2026
- Investment Advisory Sub-committee (Terms of Reference)- Meeting schedule 2026
- University Advancement Advisory Board (Terms of Reference)
- Audit and Risk Committee -Meeting Schedule 2026
- Governance and Human Resources Committee - Meeting Schedule 2026
Please note: As per item 12.1 of the Board Rules, if members of the public or members of the University Community wish to make a presentation to the Board, they must submit a written request to the Board Chair via the Office of University Governance at least five (5)business days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Board. The requester must indicate clearly the subject or issue the person or group wishes to address, and the name(s) and title or position, if applicable, of the intended speaker(s).
The fifteen-member Board consists of: The Chancellor, the President and Vice-Chancellor, two elected faculty members, one elected staff member, two students elected by the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Societies, and eight members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The Act requires that the Board meet at least once every three months. Each year, one of UNBC’s regular quarterly Board meetings is held in one of the regions served by UNBC. The full Board meets on average five times per annum; additionally, a joint workshop on governance issues convenes annually with Senate. See the Board Meeting Dates, Agendas and Minutes.
Service on the Board of a university in British Columbia is voluntary. No remuneration is provided. General information on the role of a Board Member in a Post-Secondary Institution in British Columbia can be viewed below:
The Board of Governors receives a Mandate Letter from the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, outlining the respective accountabilities, roles and responsibilities of the University and Government. UNBC 2024-2025 Mandate Letter. For additional information, see also Reporting Requirements for BC Post-Secondary Institutions and BC Ministry of Advanced Education - Post-Secondary Funding and Accountability Resource Page.
For more information contact the Office of University Governance unbcboard@unbc.ca.
Appointment of a University President under the University Act
As per section 27(2)(g) of the University Act, the board has the power to appoint the president if the university and to set their salaries or remuneration, and to define their duties and their tenure of office or employment.
As per section 27(2)(f) of the University Act, the board has the power, with the approval of the senate, to establish procedures for the recommendation and selection of candidates for President.
October 2, 2025
I am pleased to share that Dr. William (Bill) J. Owen has accepted the role of Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, effective October 4, 2025, for a term of up to 18 months.
Many of you know Dr. Owen through his long history of leadership at UNBC. Most recently, he has served as Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic, where he led the development of the Ready Roadmap: Academic Plan 2025–2031. Prior to that, he served as Vice-Provost Faculty Relations, Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences and Vice-Provost Student Engagement.
Dr. Owen’s connection to UNBC began in 2002, when he joined the Department of Psychology as a faculty member. Over the past two decades, he has contributed in many capacities, consistently demonstrating his commitment to UNBC’s students, faculty, staff and the communities the University serves across northern B.C.
Key focus areas over the next 18 months will be fiscal management, enrolment and student experience, operational effectiveness and engagement.
Dr. Owen will continue to serve as Acting President and Vice-Chancellor this week. Dr. Payne’s final day as UNBC’s President will be October 3. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank Dr. Payne for his leadership and accomplishments over the past five and a half years. We wish him the best in his new leadership role with Michael Smith Health Research BC.
This fall, the Board of Governors will launch the search for UNBC’s next President and Vice-Chancellor. More information on this process can be found in the Appointment and Reappointment of the President and Vice-Chancellor Policy and the Search and Recommendation for the Selection of the President and Vice-Chancellor Procedures.
Sincerely,
Joel McKay
Chair, UNBC Board of Governors