Walter Gage

Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund

The Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund provides financial support for non-curricular student projects and activities that enhance the University’s reputation and have broad interest to students at UBC. 

The Fund is named after Walter Harry Gage, who served UBC for more than 50 years, five as President (from 1969 to 1975). He served as Acting President for two years ahead of his official acceptance of that office in 1969. His commitment to students and teaching distinguish his contributions to the university. He impressed students with his superior teaching, his ability to remember names throughout the years, his concern for individual students, and his legendary willingness to help students. 

Walter was particularly interested in developing student financial support programs and often gave financial assistance to students from his own pocket. Walter H. Gage was affectionately referred to as the Dean of Everything, his generosity cut across all faculties at UBC and left an indelible mark. Professor Gage began his career at UBC as a student, graduating with a B.A. in 1925.

After earning a M.A. in 1926, he taught mathematics at Victoria College (1927-1933) and served as Registrar for that institution (1929-1933). He returned to UBC in 1933 and became Professor of Mathematics in 1943. Professor Gage served as Dean of Administrative and Inter-Faculty Affairs in 1948 and later as Dean of Inter-Faculty and Student Affairs. 

Walter Gage signing a paper

Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund Committee Mandate

The Walter Gage Memorial Fund Committee is responsible for disbursing the proceeds from the Walter Gage Memorial Fund based on the approved criteria. 

The Fund is permanently endowed through gifts from alumni, students, faculty, staff and others. Income from the endowment fund amounts will vary based on the rate of return determined by Financial Services. 

The Fund provides support within the University of British Columbia for student projects and activities that are campus-oriented, of broad general interest, enhance the reputation of the university or have academic components involving merit and initiative.

Current members

  • Chad Hyson, Office of the Vice-President, Students
  • Administrative Coordinator, Office of the Vice-President, Students 
  • Alma Mater Society representatives to be confirmed

The Process

Please take a look at the detailed Committee-related information and the application process:

Funding criteria

  1. All applicants must be UBC students in good standing at the time of the application, and during the period of the project itself.
  2. Applications must be received by the Committee a minimum of four weeks in advance of an event or project start date. Applications submitted after an event or project has been completed will NOT be considered.
  3. Applications will be accepted from student groups or clubs affiliated with the AMS, a Faculty or School or associated with some other officially-recognized UBC organization. Applications will NOT be accepted from faculty members, staff, or off-campus organizations, or from UBC students applying on behalf of off-campus organizations.
  4. Students should be aware that applications by individuals on their own behalf are rarely, if ever, funded.
  5. Projects that are eligible for funding include the following:
    1. Hosting an undergraduate conference at UBC;
    2. Attending as a UBC delegate at an undergraduate conference held elsewhere;
    3. Participating in an education-related activity (e.g. debating competitions; youth parliaments; scientific or engineering competitions; participation in sporting competitions by athletes representing UBC on teams not fully sponsored by UBC Athletics).
  6. The Fund does NOT fund projects or activities that are in any way a part or extension of the academic curriculum at UBC, such as field trips or graduate student attendance at academic conferences.
  7. It is expected that students will secure additional sources of funding, including personal contributions.
  8. The Committee may allocate up to $2,000, but the Fund CANNOT be the sole or largest single source of funding for any project or activity.
  9. A group may NOT apply for funding support in two consecutive years for the same project if its membership remains unchanged.
  10. Following completion of the activity or project, a brief written report, including a cost accounting, must be sent to the Committee. Future funding for the group or club will be contingent upon receipt of this information.
  11. Funds that are unspent must be returned to the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund.
  12. Conference Guidelines:
    1. Each delegation may receive funding to a maximum of $2,000.
    2. The Committee anticipates that students will contribute personally to the cost of hosting or attending the conference, and will have sought other funding sources as well.
    3. The grant may not exceed 50% of the total expenses of hosting or attending the conference.
    4. The Fund does not provide support for hosting or attending non-student conferences, or for graduate student travel or registration at academic conferences.
    5. Following the conference, the delegation must provide a cost accounting and a final report. The student body represented by the delegation must also be given a report on conference activities.

Application process

A currently enrolled UBC student must complete the application form with the following requirements:

  • The Applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is fully completed and all required and relevant information is included for the Committee’s consideration.
  • The Applicant must sign and provide the completed application and supporting documentation, namely detailed budget; list of confirmed participants; supporting letter from AMS or department. Note: letter of support can be submitted later in order to meet application deadline.
  • Applications should be received a minimum of four weeks in advance of an event start date and take into account the application deadlines. Please check application deadlines and meeting schedule to enure your application meets the criteria. Applications received after an event has occurred will be declined.

Please use the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund Grant Application form/checklist and submit the required information along with a supporting letter. The application should be one PDF only – the preferred format is a Word document (including budget) that is combined with a supporting letter into one PDF and submitted to vpsassist@mail.ubc.ca. Applications are ONLY accepted by email and the date received by email will be noted as per criteria. 

Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund Committee
The Office of the Vice-President, Students
Old Administration Building
6328 Memorial Road
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 
Tel: 604.822.3644 

Committee details and schedule

Membership

The Committee shall consist of nine members, comprised of:

  • Three representatives nominated by the Office of the Vice-President, Students
  • One representative nominated by the Office of the President
  • Two representatives appointed by the UBC Alumni Association
  • Three representatives nominated by the Alma Mater Society, with normally one being the Vice-President Administration

Term of appointment

Student appointments will be for one year. All other appointments will be for three-year term, which is renewable one time.

Chair

The Committee shall elect a Chair annually from its membership. The Chair shall hold that position for a maximum of two years.

Reporting

The Committee shall forward a report of its activities annually to the UBC Alumni Association and the Office of the Vice-President, Students. A copy of the annual report will be shared with the Alma Mater Society.

Administrative support

The Office of the Vice-President, Students will provide administrative support to the Committee, who shall:

  • Act as secretary to the Committee
  • Maintain the records of the proceedings of the Committee
  • Coordinate the application process

Schedule 

Meeting DatesApplication Deadlines
January 30, 2024 January 16, 2024
February 27, 2024February 13, 2024
March 26, 2024 March 12, 2024

Please note that the Committee does not meet over the summer.

Donations

If you wish to donate to the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund, please contact UBC Development and Alumni Engagement:

500 – 5950 University Blvd
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
V6T 1Z3
Tel: 604.822.8900
Toll-free: 1 877.717.4483
Email: info@support.ubc.ca