Thank you for your warm welcome from our new VP, Frank Laezza
Time is flying, it’s hard to believe a month has passed already since I joined the portfolio. I’m so impressed with the work I’m seeing across the team — most recently with our finance folks in finalizing UBC’s 2023/24 budget. My thanks to everyone for their hard work!
Click through to read about my experience since joining the VPFO
Updates from UBC
Strategic Plan updates
Adam Rosenthal: Continuous improvement in action
"I encourage my team to pursue their training because I believe this is how we drive a culture of continuous improvement, just like what we’re doing on a larger scale across the VPFO."
Find out what knowledge sharing, continuous improvement and accountability mean to Adam Rosenthal, Head Tool Crib/Store Operator (who also happens to be a verified artist on Spotify!).
Read Adam's story
Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- Roadwork on University Boulevard: University Boulevard in the westbound lane will be partially closed from April 17–19. The first stage of this work will be along University Boulevard. Buses, parking and sidewalk will be impacted. Learn more
- UBC's Space Management Policy approved: The Space Management Policy provides information regarding UBC's management, procedures, rules, or guidelines for UBC spaces. This policy was approved and issued by the Office of the University Counsel. Learn more
- UBC Facilities supports the construction of a unique building: UBC announced a vibrant new teaching and learning space that is one of Canada’s first institutional spaces designed to be near-zero embodied carbon. Learn more
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- UBC launches fifth year of the UniForum program: This program provides UBC with the ability to benchmark against other institutions and to develop best practices in support of service delivery. Learn more
- Update on UBC’s budget for the 2023/24 fiscal year: UBC’s Board of Governors has approved the 2023/2024 budget, setting out the university’s spending priorities for the year ahead. Read UBC’s 2023/24 Budget Report. Thank you to all those who helped create the budget.
- Update on purchases under $3,500: The Purchases Under $3,500 page has been updated in regards to the three options available for purchasing goods and/services. Learn more
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- New process for approving and recording paid sick time off for employees without an adequate balance: Managers will now contact their portfolio HR representative to discuss the employee’s specific circumstances and then submit a Workday Support request to adjust the employee's accrual bank in Workday. Read More
- Last chance to complete the Campus Security survey: Campus Security is looking for your feedback and input to inform its decision on a service delivery model. The survey closes today, April 18. Complete the survey and learn about other ways you can become a voice for campus safety.
Shout outs
Facilities
- Mark Lindsay, Clay McMullen and Plumbing team: Shout out to these folks for their work in completing all 425 of the 427 Primary Backflow Inspections for 2022. Great work!
- Adam Rosenthal, Elizabeth Cortens and Stores team: Kudos to the team for working together to process a large number of air handling unit filters and delivering them to site. Your teamwork and dedication are appreciated!
Finance & Operational Excellence
- Linda Lin and Victoria Zalamea: Big thank you to Linda and Victoria for their support for the Okanagan campus during the year end process and the lead up. Despite the hiccups along the way, Linda and Victoria were able to investigate and tackle the issues.
- Chayanin Kaewwetchawong (Ja): Ja successfully completes her Student Coop term with the ISC Change and Communications team this month. Ja's research and legwork has tremendously helped the team kick off key initiatives and projects. We will miss you!
- Krisch Pelingon, Chen Shi, Helen Wong, Derek Louie, Dan Mathers, Sean Yun, Thomas Straley, Chris Bastien, Rakhee Raj and Oraz Hezretov: Thank you all for your support and hard work with the Year End call-in session. Much appreciated!
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
- UBC Emergency Management in Safety & Risk Services is pleased to welcome Mariyam Syed, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisor, Alicia Head, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Associate. Learn more about Mariyam and Alicia.
- Campus Security in Safety & Risk Services welcomes Telen Yeung as a Security Officer, and Sid Lekhi, a 15-year employee, back after a few years of leave!
- Welcome Aparna Jain who joins the Procurement Services team as a Buyer.
- Yesterday, Jenny Kang joined as a Configuration Analyst in the Integrated Services Centre, Finance and Operations Excellence. Welcome Jenny!
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:
- Financial Processing Specialist 4 (JR12265) – 4/19/2023
- Procurement Program Advisor (JR12295) – 4/19/2023
- Trades 2 - Steamfitter (Pipefitter) (JR12302) – 4/21/2023
- Procurement Officer - Construction (JR11717) – 4/21/2023
- Millwright (JR7181) – 04/26/2023
- Utilities Electrical Engineer (JR11625) – 4/28/2023
- Procurement Program Manager (JR12105) – 4/28/2023
- Configuration Analyst (JR12209) – 5/1/2023
- Knowledge and Training Analyst (JR12377) – 5/1/2023
- PrISM Instructional Designer (JR12327) – 5/7/2023
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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Amelia Libonao, HR Coordinator
I'm a strong believer that people are the most important asset of any organization. Our team supports managers and staff by connecting them to meaningful career opportunities while upholding inclusive people practices at UBC. If you are a current staff member, don't forget to view opportunities and apply as an internal candidate on Workday!
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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.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
On April 27, join the CWA in welcoming Carli Miller and Taylor Yeomans from Autism Nova Scotia to discuss building autistic acceptance in the workplace on. In this 1-hour Building Autistic Acceptance in the Workplace webinar, speakers Carli and Taylor hope to emphasize a lived experience perspective on building autistic acceptance in the workplace, accessibility as an act of care rather than burden, and how to build spaces with autistic people in mind.
Register on the Workplace Learning website
Let's choose to reuse
We're working together to reduce single–use items on campus. Please bring your own cup or container to enjoy your beverage and meal or opt to dine-in when possible. Single-use cups cost 25¢ and food containers cost 50¢. Help UBC become a zero-waste community by transitioning toward reusables.
Learn more
Sustainability celebration
Celebrate a year of sustainability and climate leadership at the UBC Vancouver campus and honour the exceptional commitment and achievements of students, staff, and faculty members. Featuring vegetarian/vegan refreshments, community sustainability highlights, and presentation of the Sustainability Leadership Awards.
- Friday, April 21 | 5-6.30pm at BC Hydro Theatre (Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability)
RSVP now
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.
- Did you know that Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on either April 21 or 22 this year? Common greetings to mark this occasion include “Eid Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Eid”, or “Eid Sa’id”, meaning “Happy Eid”. Read this Quick Guide to Ramadan
- This Harvard Business Review article looks at seven tensions that executives need to manage as they choose how to behave in different contexts. Read more
