University Common

A large mixed use vibrant academic and social place of gathering and community serving as a gateway to campus, integrated with public transportation and pedestrian movement corridors. 

Image Gallery

  • Aerial view of University Common

    Aerial perspective of the entire University Common plaza, with the AMS Student Nest on the top right, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on the bottom left, and the bosque on the top in the image shown. 

    Use the "next" and "previous" buttons below to navigate the gallery and see more images.

    Slide 1/3

  • Facing north toward the bosque

    Image taken from the perspective of someone standing in the middle of the plaza in front of the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, looking north toward the bosque, with the knoll and the AMS Student Nest on the right and the Hebb Building on the left.

    Use the "next" and "previous" buttons below to navigate the gallery and see more images.

    Slide 2/3

  • Facing SW toward University Blvd and the UBC Bookstore

    Image taken from the perspective of someone standing on the plaza between the AMS Student Nest and the Hebb Building, facing southwest toward University Blvd, the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre, and the UBC Bookstore.

    Use the "next" and "previous" buttons below to navigate the gallery and see more images.

    Slide 3/3

Location Information

Location name:
University Common
Address:
2045 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Size (approx.): 
2,600 sq. m. / 28,000 sq. ft. total across all subsections
Accessibility: 
Accessible at grade and via ramp for elevated surfaces.
Electricity: 
Standard draw available upon request.
Vehicle access: 
Via East Mall with approval only.
Availability:University Common is not available every year between the last week of August until the third week of September (strictly reserved for back to school and orientations programming). 

Picnic tables are located on the north end of University Common, near the bosque. If you would like to move these picnic tables for your event, a request must be made within your Outdoor Event Application. Picnic tables may only be moved by UBC Building Operations. There is a fee for this service. 

Standard draw (15 amp) is available, upon request only.

Additional power is available at the north end of University Common, for power up to 200 amp. An electrical permit must be attached to your request, and electrical tails must be provided by your event. This service is available with prior arrangement and approval only. 

Refer to the annotated site map under Files and Resources below for more information.

To access University Common by vehicle for event setup and take down, a bollard drop is required. There is a fee for this service. Bollard drops must be arranged prior to event setup with the Film and Events Office.

Please be advised that the bollard must never be left unattended when lowered.

Parking is not permitted on University Common. Vehicles may remain stationary for event set-up and take-down only. University Common is a high pedestrian traffic area with multiple movement corridors intersecting through the plaza. All moving vehicles within University Common must exercise extreme caution, be escorted by an event organizer, give way to all pedestrians/cyclists, and not exceed 10 km/h. 

Refer to the vehicle access map under Files and Resources below for more information.

Emergency vehicle access must be maintained at all times. No event infrastructure is permitted along East Mall, between the NW corner entrance and the SW corner entrance of University Common.

Refer to the annotated site map under Files and Resources below for more information.

The Shadow is a public artwork by Esther Shalev-Gerz, and is included in UBC’s Outdoor Art Collection. Three different shades of grey cement pavers thoughtfully placed across the ground of the University Common plaza create the image of a 100-metre-long shadow cast by an old-growth Douglas fir tree. This shadow is particularly visible when observing the plaza from afar or an elevated surface.

Pixilated through the use of differing shades of grey paving stones, The Shadow engages pedestrians through its varied tone underfoot and horizontal perspective. The Shadow invites us to consider the scale of the trees that once existed on this site. It establishes a dialogue between presence and absence, culture and nature, past, present and potential future. Click here for more information about the artwork. 

Event planners intending to host their event on University Common are encouraged to be mindful of the presence of this artwork and the importance of preserving a responsibly-maintained public realm for the enjoyment of the UBC community. 

Explore University Common Virtually

360° Street View

Explore this location virtually with street view and full 360° panoramas. This page loads with street view facing University Common by default.

Street View uses imagery captured by UBC Studios and Google. Imagery may not be accurate-to-date due to ongoing construction and maintenance on campus and public realm. 

  1. In the window to the left, click the plus/minus buttons (bottom-right in the window) to zoom in/out.
  2. Click and drag your cursor within the window to look around. Click the white arrows marked on the ground to navigate the public realm.
  3. Click the top-right corner  button to experience street view in full-screen.

Interactive Map

A birds-eye-view of University Common with precisely-placed icons for key information.

  1. The blue translucent area indicates bookable space. A downloadable site map is available at the bottom of this webpage, under Files and Resources.
  2. Each icon can be clicked to show more details. An information pane will open on the left-hand side. To hide details, click away at a blank space on the map.
  3. Click and drag your cursor to move around the map. 
  4. Click here to experience Interactive Map in full-screen.

Files and Resources

NameCategory
University Common Simple Site MapBlank site map
University Common Complete Site MapAnnotated site map
Vehicle Access Routes and Bollard LocationsVehicle access
Site PicturesImages

Next Steps

If you would like to book University Common for your next outdoor event, your first step is to review the Outdoor Event Booking Process. After you're familiar with the booking process, you will be required to submit an Outdoor Event Application.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and must be submitted a minimum of 15 business days in advance of event setup if the event has minimal impact to campus. If alcohol is being served, applications must be submitted a minimum of 45 business days in advance of event setup. High-impact events require a minimum of six (6) months in advance of event setup.

For questions, contact the Film and Events Office at outdoor.events@ubc.ca.