A weekly snapshot that captures important university updates, work across VPFO departments, and relevant resources.
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Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Service
- Updated UBC Technical Guidelines: The UBC technical guidelines have recently been reviewed and updated for 2022. The Technical Guidelines play an important role in development and projects at UBC, and help to ensure that buildings and renovations are designed and constructed to optimize service life and minimize the whole life-cycle cost for UBC. Learn more
- Reminder to only flush toilet paper (video): When anything else is flushed down the toilet, your building is at risk of a sewage backup and flood. Energy & Water Services created a fun video to remind everyone to flush only toilet paper to avoid clogging toilets. Learn more about what you can and cannot flush down the toilet. Watch now
- Classroom renovation in H.R. MacMillan, Room 360: The drop in lounge and study space is currently undergoing a full conversion to a 160+ student classroom and lecture space. The project is anticipated to be completed by September 2023. Learn more
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Envisio drop-in sessions: Operational Excellence will be offering online, 30-minute drop-in sessions for Envisio, VPFO’s strategic & business planning tool in October and November. The next workshops will be held on Oct 25 and 27. See event time and dates
- Change in period end date: The date for "Period+1 Opens for All Companies" will be moved back one business day from Monday, Oct 31, 2022 (8:00 am) to Fri, Oct. 28, 2022 (9:45 am). For more important finance dates, visit the UBC Finance website.
- Upcoming Event: Equitable compensation for non-Indigenous community partners: On Nov 8, join UBC’s Community Engagement Network to discuss and share tangible tips, resources, and existing practices that support equitable compensation for community partners. Learn more and register
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Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Report all information security incidents to security@ubc.ca. Did you receive a suspicious email? Did you get an odd alert? Did your AVP or Director ask you to buy a large pack of gift cards by text or email and refuse to discuss? If in doubt, report the incident!
- VPFO newsletters: One way the Communications team keeps our teams informed is through a series of regular newsletters. If you aren't receiving your departmental newsletter or would like to sign up for other VPFO newsletters as well, please reach out to Communications Coordinator, Samantha Tsui.
- Did you drop, cover and hold on: Thank you to everyone who took part in the annual Great BC Shake Out on October 20! Just for fun, here are some of our teams from Facilities and Safety & Risk Services demonstrating their Drop, Cover and Hold on. See photos
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People of the VPFO
At the VPFO, we love celebrating success! Join us every week in recognizing the great work our VPFO team members are doing to support the university.
Facilities
- Kayna Merchant, Facilities Architectural Manager, Jeff Cheong, Electrical Engineer, Jenny Ng, Records Technician & Andrew Porritt, Senior Engineer, Technical Services – Throughout the past year, the team led joint UBCV/UBCO working group meetings and collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders to update the UBC's Technical Guidelines, which were recently endorsed by the Technical Guidelines Steering Committee. Well done!
Safety & Risk Services
- Steve Morris, Communications Operator – Shout out to Steve in Campus Security for his professionalism and attention to detail while managing high-call volume over the weekend. Great work, Steve!
- Sahibzar Sandhu and Lauren Neilsen, Patrol Officers – Thank you both for your support and proactive engagement at the Apple Festival First Aid Booth! They provided first aid as well as a safe environment for the patient until the RCMP arrived.
- Access Technician team and Gordie Chow, Head Access Services Technician – Your prompt response and expertise helped successfully address system impacts at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) following the power outage. The level of professionalism, dedication and collaboration with site staff ensured the continuous protection of UBC assets. Good job, team!
- Evan Lloyd, Advisor, Emergency & Continuity Planning and Cassandra Torres, Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning – Shout out to Evan & Cassandra for a very engaging annual Great BC ShakeOut on October 20!
Well done! Want to give someone a shout out in the next edition? Submit your kudos in your local recognition program or email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca
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- Interim Vice-President Finance, Karamjeet Heer's last day is October 31, 2022. Thank you for your leadership, Karamjeet, and we wish you all the best in your new role as Associate Vice-President, Finance, at SFU. We'll miss you!
- This week, the ISC is pleased to welcome Aiyazhan Ibrasheva as Service Centre (ISC) Representative and Boris Gunn as Functional Support Analyst
Read more about our people on the VPFO website.
All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Millwright (JR7181) – 10/31/2022
- Trades 2 - Steamfitter / Pipefitter (JR7935) – 10/28/2022
- Oper/Drvr-Heavy Equip (JR8236) – 11/8/2022
- Trades 2 - Bricklayer (JR8528) – 12/30/2022
- Trades 2 - Access Control Tech Locksmith (JR10001) – 10/28/2022
- Manager, PIA Operations & Engagement (JR9997) – 10/28/2022
- Labourer 2 (Seasonal)-1 (JR10120) – 11/3/2022
- Custodial Attendant (JR10143) – 11/1/2022
- Safety Advisor - Scientific Diving (JR10156) – 11/14/2022
- Financial Analyst (JR10154) – 11/10/2022
Don't forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review the Apply for an Internal Job Posting guide in the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on how to apply. Reminder to attach a copy of your resume when you apply for a career opportunity in Workday.
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UBC’s Thrive is November 1-30, 2022
After years of uncertainty and social distancing, we are finally back together. Let's learn to Thrive by taking part in our community-led events and focusing on connecting socially.
Check out the Thrive Events Calendar to learn more at thrive.ubc.ca/events
EDI – Culture is not a costume, even on Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner and we all love to dress-up! In recent years, you may have heard the phrase “my culture is not your costume” going around social media as a result of many people of colour speaking out on the use of their cultural clothing and symbols during Halloween.
Here are some tips to consider if you are wondering whether your costume is appropriate.
Read this VPFO EDI article to learn more about cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation.
New course to help you learn about Accessibility Features on Windows OS
Learn how to maximize accessibility on your computer! The Centre for Workplace Accessibility has published the Accessibility Features on Windows OS Course that includes step-by-step guides on how to enable the accessibility features that already exist on your windows computer.
Learn about other programs, tools, and services available to support workplace accessibility at UBC through the Centre for Workplace Accessibility.
Webinar: UBC's Latest & Greatest: Passive House, All-Electric and Solar
Join ZEBx and UBC’s Campus and Community Planning (C+CP) for a Decarb Lunch featuring presentations by the architect, ZGF, and the builder, Peak Construction Group.
- Friday, October 28, 2022, from 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Learn more and register
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Some interesting news articles our team members have found informative, helpful, or fun! These are provided for information and entertainment only. Unless noted, UBC doesn’t specifically endorse or supply this content.
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Diwali or Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Light. The holiday falls in late October or early November, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Hear more about this holiday from Yale University Hindu Chaplain Asha Shipman in this 4-minute video.
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Here are 3 life lessons from one of the world’s best-known executive coaches on how to create a regret-free life that goes beyond success. Read more
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HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation. Refer to this service map to connect with the HR Advisor supporting your area.
Access the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) confidential services, through LifeWorks, by calling 1-866-424-0770.
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