Richard Spencer
I graduated with a PhD from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand in 1966, and joined UBC Civil Engineering in 1968 to continue my research in the design of earthquake resistant buildings. During 20 years as a faculty member, I served as president of the UBC Faculty Association and the Canadian Association of University Teachers, and as an elected member of the UBC Senate. In 1988 I was appointed University Registrar, with a mandate to improve services and support for students, and to improve relations with Faculties. In 1993 I took on the additional role of Director, Student Services. In 2001 I joined UBC Information Technology as Senior IT Strategist. I was mandatorily retired from UBC in 2005, then rehired in 2007 after mandatory retirement was abolished. I served as acting Chief Information Officer for UBC, and then as Executive Director of UBC IT. I retired from UBC in 2011. In 2016 I was elected President of the UBC Association of Professors Emeriti, and worked, along with others, on the creation of the Emeritus College. I am an ex-officio member of the College Council, and a member of the Finance committee. I look forward to serving on the UBC Senate, drawing on my experience at UBC and with other organizations to serve the interests of emeriti and the broader university community.