Updates from UBC
Updates from the VPFO
Submit your questions in advance of the 'We are the VPFO' event on Wednesday, May 31
Do you have a question for our new Vice-President Frank Laezza? You can submit your questions using the form on the 'We are the VPFO' event page. We look forward to connecting with you at the end of the month and celebrating who we are, how we connect, and what we do for UBC!
Submit your questions
Strategic Plan updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- VPFO VP Frank Laezza tours shops in University Services Building (USB): The USB tour with Frank started with Waste Management, visiting various shops including the Sign Shop, Electrical and Mechanical Shop, Carpentry Shop, Plumbing Shop, Operations Centre, Sheet Metal Shop, Stores, and the Garage. If you did not get a chance to meet and hear from Frank, join us on May 31 for the ‘We are the VPFO’ event to connect and participate in a teambuilding activity. View photos from the event.
- German president's visit to UBC highlights clean energy and climate change solutions: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited UBC's Vancouver campus last week. During the visit, President Steinmeier toured UBC’s Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED) – a soon-to-open hydrogen fuelling station that showcases integrated energy generation for smart cities. Read more about President Steinmeier’s tour at UBC, and his official visit to Canada.
- Upgrades & renovations in Orchard Commons Room 1001: Orchard Commons Room 1001 is currently undergoing renovation work to create an active learning classroom. During this work, a small construction laydown area may be set-up in the courtyard area outside of Room 1001 for delivery of materials at various stages throughout the project. Learn more about the project
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- UBC Investment Management has released its second annual Responsible Investing Report: The Report summarizes the firm’s responsible investing activities during 2022 in support of the ESG-related goals and objectives of the UBC Endowment Fund and the UBC Staff Pension Plan. Learn more
- Reminder: Purchasing through supplier catalogues: Find out how you can purchase office supplies, lab equipment, laptops, and more through supplier catalogues in Workday. Learn more
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
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Using the correct style, tone & voice in your communications: The words and images we use contribute to the telling of UBC’s story, so it’s important to be in line with the university’s brand voice and editorial style. Find UBC’s editorial guide, ready-to-use 'About UBC' information and more on the VPFO Communications & Engagement website.
The VPFO consists of individuals doing important work to support the university. Our people bring our strategy to life and make our plans into reality. Read more about the people of the VPFO.
Shout outs
- Huge efforts to Facilities’ Custodial Services and Municipal Services for working in tandem in tearing down the exam spaces in Robert F. Osborne Centre (OSBO) gym and Student Recreation Centre, starting on the evening of April 28 throughout the weekend. If you’ve missed the set-up process, take a look on the Facilities website. Great work!
- Thank you to Facilities’ Waste Management team within Municipal Services for working with Student Housing & Community Services as thousands of students moved out of their residences over the last seven days. Well done and thank you for all your efforts.
- Thank you Facilities’ Municipal Services and Building Operations for participating in this year’s Earth Day ‘Clean-up the Campus’ on April 27. Participants teamed up and were sent on a one-hour litter collection session in assigned clean-up zones within the campus core grounds. Thank you for taking part in this annual event.
- Thank you to Peggy, Rich and the team for working on the chemical inventory initiative. The team resurrected the Chemical Safety Committee, created the “library” of over 32,000 chemicals and completed the chemical inventory in almost 60% of the buildings at UBCV. An extra big shout to the students involved – Cameron, Taj, Grace and Sam who were instrumental in this work!
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
People in motion
- Lachlan Elliott, Karman Phuong, Oliver Abro, Taren Carnahan, Max Kennedy and Skipp Uren will be joining the Facilities group as Labourer 2 (Seasonal) today, May 1. Welcome all!
- Jack Wong will be joining Safety & Risk Services' PrISM team as Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance today, May 1. Welcome Jack!
Read more about our people on the VPFO website.
Job openings
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:
- Configuration Analyst (JR12209) – 5/1/2023
- Day - Full-Time Service Worker (2 Positions) (JR12506) – 5/1/2023
- Knowledge and Training Analyst (JR12377) – 5/1/2023
- Night Service Worker (JR12545) – 5/1/2023
- Senior Financial Specialist 1b (Gr8) (JR12531) – 5/3/2023
- Financial Processing Specialist 4 (Gr5) (JR12628) – 5/5/2023
- PrISM Instructional Designer (JR12327) – 5/7/2023
- Trades 2 - Plumber (JR12569) – 5/8/2023
- Accounting Team Lead (JR12520) – 5/10/2023
- Executive Assistant (JR12639) – 5/10/2023
- Labourer 2 (Seasonal)-1 (JR12591) – 5/10/2023
- Cross-Functional Product Sustainment and Support Manager (JR12528) – 5/13/2023
- Functional Finance Analyst (JR12642) – 5/25/2023
Don't forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review Apply for an Internal Job Posting 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.
We are the VPFO: Spotlight
Each week, we'll meet another member of the VPFO as they introduce themselves and their work.
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Gardenia Honório, Business Operations Manager, Customer Services & Informatics
Our Service Centre Coordinators connect UBC Facilities with the university community, and our Clerks support many teams in Facilities on what's required for day-to-day operations. Learn more about our services and find out what you can do when you see a campus space that needs help.
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Notable updates
IRP Student: A preview of 2023
Throughout 2023, Integrated Renewal Program – Student (IRP Student) continues the Mission to Launch Workday Student at UBC. This year, IRP Student is moving from the Build phase into the Testing phase and preparing the UBC community for the upcoming transition. Learn more about the upcoming activities, engagements, and milestones as we prepare for the Launch of Workday Student.
View upcoming activites at IRP Student
Urban Biodiversity Action: A student-led research showcase
Join the SEEDS Sustainability Program and UBC Botanical Garden as part of Biodiversity Days 2023 for an inspiring and informative event showcasing student-led biodiversity research collaborations and innovative recommendations for a nature-positive campus.
The event will:
- Highlight local and global urban biodiversity research and initiatives, including key SEEDS student research and recommendations for nature-positive urban environments.
- Explore opportunities to advance urban biodiversity on the Vancouver campus and beyond, from climate resilient soils, to co-existing with endangered bats, and UBC's tree inventory.
Details
- When: Friday, May 5th 2023, 2:00-4:00pm
- Where: BC Hydro Theatre (Room 2331) Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS, 2260 West Mall), UBC
- Notes: Bring your own cup and container (in case of leftovers)
Please RSVP by EOD Monday, May 1
Helpful news
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.
- May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. This month recognizes the many contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage have made and continue to make to Canada. Learn more about Asian Heritage Month.
- Jellyfish robots could one day clean up the world's oceans. A team of researchers at the Max Plank Institution for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) have created the Jellyfish-Bot. Read more about this research.
