Protocol

Maintaining the Protocols & Traditions of UBC

UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events functions as the Protocol Office of The University of British Columbia. Not only does UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events maintain the protocols and traditions of the University, it is also responsible for protocol expertise for special international visitors to the campus such as Her Majesty the Queen, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and most recently the President of Germany, as well as Canadian dignitaries including the Governor-General, the Lieutenant-Governor of BC and senior government officials.

UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events works very closely with the Offices of the President, Vice-Presidents, International and Government Relations in ensuring that the appropriate attention is paid to visits of Canadian and international dignitaries to the Vancouver campus.

UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events team in Vancouver also provides support and expertise to the Ceremonies & Protocol office at the Okanagan campus for similar high-level visits.

VIP Visits

Usually, UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events is made aware of visits of high-ranking officials through the President’s Office or the BC Protocol Office. Occasionally, departments or faculties initiate an invitation to a high-level official and the invitation is accepted. It is preferable if Ceremonies and Events can be brought into the planning for such a visit prior to the invitation being extended. However, as early as possible in the planning, UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events should be advised and engaged for advice and guidance. Depending on the official and the nature of the visit, UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events may assist with the coordination.

UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events also provides guidance regarding general protocol questions such as flags, staging, order of precedence, speaking order and seating.

UBC Protocol for Institutional Flags, Street Banners and lighting at Ladner Clock Tower

UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events is responsible for coordinating an annual calendar for institutional flags, street banners and lighting at Ladner Clock Tower at the Vancouver campus. The consistent and predictable calendar is aligned across the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses and with provincial and/or federal initiatives, where possible.

The Ladner Clock Tower is lit from dusk to dawn in UBC’s colours, blue and gold. On two occasions each year, the Tower is lit as follows –

The month of June – multi colour, in acknowledgement of Pride Month
One week in October – red, in acknowledgement of the university’s annual United Way Campaign launch at the Vancouver campus

Street Banners are installed on poles around major routes on campus over the course of the year to showcase and highlight the university. On four occasions each year, different banners are installed as follows –

January/February – MoveUBC
May/June and November – UBC Graduation
September/October – Orange Shirt Day

On the Vancouver campus, the University flies four official flags – Canada, BC, UBC and Musqueam. On two occasions each year, the UBC flag is replaced as follows –

The month of June – with the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag, in acknowledgement of Pride Month
One week in October – with the United Way of British Columbia Flag, in acknowledgement of the university’s annual United Way Campaign launch

In addition, UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events is responsible for the protocol around the use of and (when required) the lowering of the Canadian and BC, UBC and Musqueam flags on campus.

For more information, please contact ceremonies.protocol@ubc.ca.

UBC Protocol for amplifying Days of Significance

The university acknowledges key Days of Significance on UBC enterprise social channels that have university, faculty or student-led events, physical activations and activities taking place at UBC campuses or which are attended by the President and Vice-Chancellor (at Vancouver campus) or Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (at UBCO). All language in the university event calendar and online acknowledgments will be aligned with provincial and/or federal government language wherever possible. These Days of Significance and the acknowledgements connected to them are reviewed annually to ensure a consistent approach aligned with university principles grounded in institutional neutrality. You can learn more about all UBC events, physical activations and campus activities at https://events.ubc.ca/.

Guidelines for Acknowledging Musqueam Band and other Indigenous Nations

Guidelines have been developed to provide instruction for campus units on when and how to engage Musqueam representatives at UBC events and ceremonies:

PDF – Guidelines for incorporating and honouring Musqueam Protocol at UBC events

In consultation with colleagues at Musqueam and the Syilx Okanagan Nation, and at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, UBC Protocol, Ceremonies and Events has developed the following land acknowledgements to be used for virtual events. Please include these acknowledgements where you would have otherwise included a land acknowledgement during an in-person event or gathering:

PDF- Guidelines – Land Acknowledgments at Virtual Ceremonies and Events

For more information about these protocols and the language used:

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: LANGUAGE GUIDELINES

To learn more about why we acknowledge the Musqueam Territory, please follow this link to short videos: http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/community-youth/musqueam-and-ubc/

UBC Honorary Degree Protocol

Each year, UBC awards honorary degrees to individuals who reflect the university’s vision to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world and who have made substantial contributions to society. Guidelines have been developed to provide information to the UBC community and honorary degree holders on how and when to refer to the honour in title and style of address.

PDF – Titles, Styles and Address for Honorary Degree Recipients

For more information about UBC’s Honorary Degree recipients, please visit our graduation website.

Contact Us

For inquiries regarding protocol, please contact us at ceremonies.protocol@ubc.ca.