Updates from the VPFO
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Announcing Helen Yung as the new Comptroller for UBC: Helen Yung will be joining the university as UBC’s new Comptroller, effective June 12, 2023. Our thanks go out to Matt Boydston, who stepped up to bridge this important role for the last six months through the duration of the search process. Read the full announcement
Strategic Plan updates
Adam Rosenthal: Continuous improvement in action
"I’ve always liked to ask myself: What are we doing? Where can we improve? How can we sustain it and ultimately adapt as time changes?"
Adam was one of the first people in the VPFO to complete their Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Applying his learnings to changes both big and small, Adam is now on his way to completing his Lean Green Belt — go Adam!
This week, Adam sits down with us to talk about the importance of knowledge sharing, and his experience with the Lean Six Sigma training program.
Read the story
Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- Learning beyond the classroom: Last month, Building Operations was invited by Dr. Karen Bartlett, a Professor at the School of Population & Public Health to present to her Master of Science graduate class in the Occupational & Environmental Hygiene graduate program. Read more
- Planon User Experience Survey: The second Planon User Experience Survey is anticipated to launch in May 2023. This survey will help Facilities evaluate and prioritize the improvements we will need to make in the coming year to enhance staff’s experience when using Planon.
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- February Interest Rates: The February interest rates are now updated and available on the UBC Finance website.
- Operational Excellence' new intake form: Are you looking for support with a continuous improvement project or with data reporting? Operational Excellence has combined and refreshed its intake forms into one single easy-to-use form. Access the form
- New tools: Project Prioritization and Change Management Matrices: Designed to help you assess and prioritize the delivery of up to three projects, the new Project Prioritization and Change Management Matrices are available on the OpEx website.
- Attend the Adaptive Planning Reporting Tools Demo: An online demo will be held on Apr 27 to prepare the community for the transition from Hyperion to Workday’s Adaptive Planning for financial budgeting & forecasting in July. Learn more
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- The Healthy Workplace Initiative Fund Program applications close on April 14: There is still time to access the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund Program (HWIP) and apply for up to $3,000 for a workplace wellbeing initiative in your team. Learn more
Shout outs
Facilities
- Plumbing crew in Building Operations: Kudos to the plumbing crew for working collaboratively to identify and resolve the water issue at Ponderosa efficiently! Your speedy response helped minimize impacts on exams and building users. Great work!
- Patrick Wong and Customer Services & Informatics (CSI) team: Kudos to CSI for completing all six VPFO EDI training courses along with facilitated conversations per topic led by Patrick. Shout out to Patrick for planning and facilitating these sessions and to the team for their active participation. The entire team has also reviewed the Indigenous Strategic Plan and have completed the self-assessment toolkit.
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
- Selina Liu joins as Energy Conservation Engineer in Energy & Water Services’ Energy Conservation & Innovation team within Facilities today.
- Carol D’Souza is the new Executive Assistant to the Comptroller, supporting Matt Boydston in his role as Interim Comptroller, and assisting him over the next few months in preparing to welcome our new Comptroller, Helen Yung.
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:
- Labourer 3 (JR12078) – 04/12/2023
- Systems Analyst II (JR11061) – 4/14/2023
- Financial Operations Systems Processor: Workday (JR12110) – 04/14/2023
- Financial Processing Specialist 4 (Gr5) (JR12265) – 4/19/2023
- Procurement Program Advisor (JR12295) – 4/19/2023
- Procurement Officer - Construction (JR11717) – 4/21/2023
- Trades 2 - Steamfitter (Pipefitter) (JR12302) – 4/21/2023
- Procurement Program Manager (JR12105) – 04/28/2023
- Utilities Electrical Engineer (JR11625) – 04/28/2023
- Configuration Analyst (JR11101) – 04/30/2023
- Labourer 2 (Seasonal) (JR11189) – 06/30/2023
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.
Spotlight of the week
Each week a member of the VPFO will introduce themselves and their work through the Update.
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Tracy Pham, Manager, Digital & Creative, VPFO Communications & Engagement
Did you know there are currently 10+ websites in the VPFO portfolio? In my new role, I'll be leading the new website project which will allow for a more unified digital presence. This project is part of the VPFO Strategic Communications Plan as our team works towards building the right tools to tell our story in digital channels that represent and include us, in all our diversity.
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Managing your mental health
HR has mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs.
Manager or leaders: complete the new required training, Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace for Managers & Supervisors.
VPFO HR is always available for a confidential conversation, or access the Employee and Family Assistance Program's (EFAP) confidential services, through LifeWorks, by calling 1.866.424.0770.
Get active by participating in the Faculty & Staff Sports Day
The Faculty & Staff Sports Day is back this year and will be held in-person at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan on May 5.
Whether you want to participate as an office, department, group of colleagues or an individual, there are a variety of challenges and activities to choose from. Virtual activities will also be available from May 2 to 5.
You can get involved in a number of ways:
Anti-racism and solidarity in university settings
Learn key concepts related to race, racism and systems of oppression, and explore anti-racist practices through a lens of solidarity and allyship in university settings. This is an opportunity to look at how racism shows up at UBC, and discuss anti-racist practices.
- April 13, 1:00 – 3:00 pm | Online
Register and learn more
UBC Queer Faculty and Staff Collective: General Meeting
Faculty and staff who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are invited to join the group and attend the next monthly General Meeting on April 13 to make connections, build community and stay in the know.
- April 13, 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Online
Register and learn more
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.
- Research shows there is a science to psyching people up for better performance. This Harvard Business Review article shares the three key elements of giving an energizing pep talk. Read more
- As spring nears, Vancouverites look forward to the annual display of cherry blossoms that blanket streets and parks throughout the city. Find out what are some of the best locations to enjoy the blooms. Read more
