Campus safety

The health and wellbeing of the UBC community is the university's first priority.

Overview

UBC is working hard with provincial health authorities to make sure the campus is safe for all students, staff, and faculty.

  • Mandatory masks in indoor spaces
    The provincial government has implemented a mandatory mask requirement for indoor spaces. You must wear a mask to access all indoor public areas at UBC Vancouver, including lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, classrooms and labs.
  • Proof of vaccination requirements
    By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), proof of vaccination will be required to access some events, services, and businesses. UBC will also require COVID-19 testing for those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or who choose not to disclose their vaccine status.
  • UBC COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program 
    UBC requires COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions provided to those fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you haven't been vaccinated yet

Make a plan to receive your COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free for all UBC students, including international students. You can drop in to a clinic near you, or register for an appointment to get your vaccine.

UBC requires COVID-19 rapid testing for students who haven’t been vaccinated, or choose not to disclose their vaccine status.

International student information

If you're an international student, you are encouraged to get a Personal Health Number (PHN) to use the online vaccination booking system. Call 1 833 838 2323 from 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week, to get a PHN. Translators are available.

Limited personal information will be collected, such as your name, date of birth and address. You do not need to provide proof of a Social Insurance Number or proof of immigration status.

Requirements for all students

  1. Submit your Vaccination Status Declaration, if you haven't yet.
  2. Complete the Return to Campus Orientation through Canvas by Mon, Oct 18, 2021.
  3. Register for or pick up your UBCcard if you haven't already.
  4. Read and review the COVID-19 Campus Rules and the Campus Return Plan FAQ.
  5. Assess yourself daily for COVID-19 symptoms through the BC self-assessment tool.
  6. Stay home if you or anyone in your household is feeling sick or ill, self-isolating due to COVID-19, or have travelled internationally in the last 14 days.
  7. Wear a mask if you're accessing any indoor public spaces on campus. Review the British Columbia mask mandate.

When you're on campus

  • Stay up-to-date with the official UBC COVID-19 campus rules.

  • Make sure you have a non-medical mask, as these are required in public indoor spaces on campus including classrooms. Read about the BC mask mandate. If you’re unable to wear a mask, learn more about the face covering or mask exemption.

  • Wash your hands regularly.

  • Everyone’s level of comfort and tolerance for risk will be different, so please be respectful of everyone’s personal choices. Review the UBC Respectful Environment Statement (pdf).

  • If you have questions about UBC’s return to campus or public health guidelines, connect with a Return to Campus Ambassador at the UBC Life Building or first-year residences. You can also pick up a free mask or hand sanitizer from their booth.

Returning to campus

Get the latest updates on what the UBC Vancouver campus looks like for the 2021/22 Winter Session.

Find out more

If you're coming from abroad

Before arranging any travel, check if you're eligible to enter Canada, prepare documents to support essential travel, create and submit a self-isolation plan, and know what to do when you arrive at the airport or border.

Go to the guide

How we're keeping you safe

Additional safety tips

Get help if you’re injured

For medical emergencies, please call 911. 

If you’re injured, you can visit UBC Student Health Service on campus, or go to Urgent Care at the UBC Hospital.

If you need help getting to a class or another location on campus due to mobility issues, book a ride on the Accessibility Shuttle.

Contact Campus Security anytime

Campus Security is available 24/7. Call 604 822 2222 if you need help, feel threatened, or notice suspicious activity.

You can also reach them immediately on a Blue Phone, one of 40 blue-coloured poles on campus that have the word "Assistance" printed on them.

Keep your stuff safe

Don’t leave valuables like your phone or computer unattended in libraries and other public spaces. It can only take a few seconds for them to disappear.

As a preventative measure, upload free device location software like Find My iPhone to track your phone or computer if it should ever be lost or stolen.

If you bike to campus, investing in a high-quality lock goes a long way to preventing bike theft. See helpful tips on keeping your bike safe and cycling to campus. 

If you lose something on campus, you can search the Lost and Found Database to see if your item has been turned in. Most lost items will typically be brought to the on-campus Lost and Found desk.

Walk with a buddy at night

If you don’t feel comfortable walking around campus by yourself, particularly in the dark, plan to walk with friends, or contact AMS Safewalk for a co-ed team to walk with you or drive you to your destination.

Safewalk is available until 2:00 am. After that, UBC Campus Security will gladly provide the same service.

Stay safe online

Watch out for emails that do not seem legitimate as they can be phishing emails, which try to steal your personal info by inviting you to click on links.

Remember that UBC will never send you an email asking for your Campus-Wide Login or password. 

Visit Privacy Matters @ UBC to learn more about how to stay safe online, including how to encrypt your computer and mobile devices.​​

Beware of scams

Unfortunately, there are many different frauds and scams out there, such as those impersonating government departments like the Canada Revenue Agency.

See the RCMP website for valuable tips on how to protect your money—and remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

If you suspect a phone call, email, rental, job offer, or anything else may be a scam, or if you have been the victim of a scam, the best thing to do is call the police at 911.

Know the signs of an overdose

If you plan to use or misuse over-the-counter, prescription, street or illegal drugs, make a plan to stay safe and know how to recognize the signs of an overdose.

Fentanyl is a strong painkiller, or opioid, that is being mixed into street drugs in Vancouver. Fentanyl has been found in drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, ecstasy and designer drugs resembling Percocet or Tylenol #3.

You can get a free and confidential naloxone kit from Student Health Service or UBC Urgent Care.

To help save lives, get training to use a Naloxone Kit.

Reach out for sexual assault support

If you have experienced sexual violence or if you know someone who has, contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) to get support and explore your options. A staff member will reply to your confidential message by the next business day.

Sign up for safety updates

Campus Security works to ensure the safety of everyone at UBC. They send out safety alerts to ensure all students, staff, and faculty are up to date with any safety news and information.

To stay in the loop, sign up for their safety alerts.

Report unsafe campus features

When you notice broken lights, overgrown landscaping, or unsafe building infrastructure, please contact Building Operations.

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