Spencer Izen
Managing Editor
Before becoming managing editor, Spencer previously served as opinion editor from 2023 to 2026, and also served as deputy managing editor in the 2025-26 year. He covers a range of topics, chiefly in the News section. Spencer was the Book and Periodical Council's 'Champion of Free Expression' for 2023, awarded for drafting a law to protect student journalists that was considered "a major contribution" to the defence of free expression in Canada. Since 2022, he has also been a staff researcher with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, and has previously held research positions at UBC, NYU, and McGill. managing@ubyssey.ca
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Divestment movement continues to push Board as university budget is approved
Work continues on an updated responsible investment strategy, governors were told in the meeting.
Board of Governors approve budget as protestors call for divestment
Now passed, this year’s budget calls for $3.077 billion in operating expenses, a four per cent — or $132 million — increase in spending compared to last year’s forecasted budget.
Jasper Lorien resigns from Board of Governors
Student Governor Jasper Lorien has resigned from UBC’s Board of Governors — the university’s highest decision-making body — citing personal reasons.
Nawar, Fontana, Lorien, Razia and Panchi win UBC Senate seats
Zarifa Nawar, Drédyn Fontana, Jasper Lorien, Sultana Razia and Jaiya Panchi have been elected student senators-at-large.
Protest, criticism surround ‘Restore the North’ in the AMS Nest
Protest opens a window into the recent past of the campus’s relationship with controversial right-wing speakers.
Candidate profile: Drédyn Fontana, Board of Governors
If elected, Drédyn Fontana says he'll push for increased faculty-level financial transparency and facilitate the development of a human rights investment framework for the university by the end of his one-year term.
Candidate profile: Drédyn Fontana, Senate
If elected, Drédyn Fontana said he plans push through initiatives to make the Senate’s work more efficient, and be a voice for more flexible academic requirement timelines.
Generative AI statements required on syllabi next September
Next Fall, students can expect to see on their syllabi "A statement on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) usage in student-submitted work that clarifies how the use of GenAI is permitted or not permitted."
VP Students Ainsley Carry exits role early
Carry stepped down from his role effective Jan. 28, UBC announced yesterday in a message to senior leadership signed by President Benoit-Antoine Bacon.
University facing criticism from Indigenous organizations after OneBC event
The Indigenous Student Society, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and B.C. Assembly of First Nations have all derided the university’s decision not to prohibit the demonstration.
Amid chaos and violence, hundreds at UBC show solidarity with residential school survivors
As dances and songs honoured Indigenous resilience, multiple assaults took place metres away amid clashes on the grass outside IKB, and residential school denialist MLA Dallas Brodie barricaded herself inside the Aquatic Centre. Another denialist …
Shows of solidarity planned as residential school deniers seek to hold event on campus
MLA Dallas Brodie, who has been called the “antithesis of reconciliation,” and other residential school denialists are planning on holding an on-campus event this Thursday. And unlike UVic and TRU, university administration is being ambiguous …
AMS brings back Friendlier alternatives at Blue Chip
AMS Council met to discuss its priorities for UBC's operating budget 2026-27 and hear an update to the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. Among council's updates for the evening included the re-introduction of single-use alternatives …
