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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Featured

03/05/2025

'I have questions': UBC staffer speaks out after being detained by RCMP

By Spencer Izen

A man staring into a camera on the sidewalk, standing handcuffed by RCMP officers. He is wearing brown pants, a black jacket and a keffiyeh. Two police officers search or hold him as a third looks on.

04/21/2026

Zarifa Nawar remained an AMS executive despite internal report finding she violated fiduciary, confidentiality duties

By Spencer Izen, Stephen Kosar and Aisha Chaudhry

01/23/2026

Amid chaos and violence, hundreds at UBC show solidarity with residential school survivors

By Aisha Chaudhry, Julian Coyle Forst, Spencer Izen, Stephen Kosar and Amy Sheardown

A person wearing traditional Indigenous regalia, including a feathered headdress, holds a red-and-white flag as they stand in front of a crowd at an outdoor demonstration. People behind them watch, clap, and hold signs among leafless trees and campus buildings.

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10/09/2026

Campus mourns three years of Israeli genocide in Gaza

Community members gathered to remember the more than 76,900 Palestinians killed by Israel since late 2023. Nearby, Hillel House, Chabad, and Israel on Campus held an event commemorating the victims of Hamas's Oct. 7 attack.

By Juan Pablo Sastoque Vega, Saba Majd and Lizzy Whiteson

A person wearing a keffiyeh kneels in front of a long list of names.

10/01/2026

Orange 'flowers' fill Intergenerational March with hope

By Madeleine Semple, Juan Pablo Sastoque Vega, Stephen Kosar, Saba Majd, Harper Jasinski and Suhani Dosanjh

A photo of a child placing a hand print on the Engineering cairn, which was painted orange for the event and read: "Every Child Matters" and "Residential School denialism is a hate crime!"

09/23/2026

VPSL candidate Chengwei Hu withdrew, changed mind and now remains in race

Throughout Wednesday afternoon it was unclear whether Hu had withdrawn or not. Regardless, Elections Administrator Keiko Prasadja confirmed he will remain in the race.

By Juan Pablo Sastoque Vega, Spencer Izen and Stephen Kosar

09/23/2026

VP student life by-election candidate profile: Matthew Renzitti

Renzitti believes his time as interim VPSL and over four years of experience working in events logistics make him the right man for the job. His campaign is built around three pillars "athletics & recreation," …

By Juan Pablo Sastoque Vega and Thea Lee

A photo of Matthew Renzitti, former interim VP Student Life and candidate for the same position

09/23/2026

VP student life by-election candidate profile: Chengwei Hu

Despite not being familiar with AMS functioning, Hu believes he is the right man to bring "transparency" and "inclusion" to the VPSL office. He promises to create a virtual suggestion box and shift from what …

By Juan Pablo Sastoque Vega

09/16/2026

Senate meets to discuss 'Strategic Directions' progress, defers issues to next meeting

The Senate is meeting for the first time this school year and entering a new triennial. On the agenda: a presentation on progress for the University's 2025-30 "Strategic Directions" and a motion on allowing faculty …

By Wilson Wang, Suhani Dosanjh and Annika Gill