A weekly snapshot that captures important university updates, work across VPFO departments, and relevant resources.
Updates from VPFO
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Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- PCAPPA presentation: Facilities will be presenting UBC's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program to industry leaders at the Pacific Coast Region of APPA (PCAPPA) conference this year. The presentation will highlight UBC’s established operations and maintenance practices before, during and beyond COVID-19.
- NAFA Clean Air Award Program: Facilities received eight NAFA Clean Air Awards for UBC buildings this year — AMS Student Nest, UBC Aquatic Centre, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), Forest Sciences Centre, Henry Angus Building, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and Wayne & William White Engineering Design Centre, in addition to four renewal awards. The NAFA Clean Air Award validates leadership and excellence of UBC's IAQ Program, specifically in air filtration. Read the full announcement
- Completing the annual Confined Space Rescue Team exercises: Conducted annually, these facilitated exercises allow rescuers to practice with the rescue equipment while effecting safe and timely rescues in a confined space under different scenarios. Read more
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
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Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
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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.
Finance & Operational Excellence
- Adveen Dosanjh, Cross-Functional Product Sustainment and Support Manager & Chris Provencher, Configuration Analyst – Excellent work in launching the Staff Conflict of Interest (SCOI) declaration system in Workday prior to the start of the academic year. Thank you both for your commitment, professionalism and hard work!
Well done! Want to give someone a shout out in the next edition? Submit a kudos in your local recognition program or email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca
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- Helen Shen joins Operational Excellence as Continuous Improvement Program Manager today.
- This week, the ISC welcomes Srinivas Jeeva as a Configuration Analyst and Aaron Hesketh as Manager, Service Center.
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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:
- Service Centre (ISC) Representative (JR9750) – 10/16/2022
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 community came together to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at second annual Intergenerational March
On September 30, community members gathered at UBC the second annual Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
Led by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) and Faculty of Applied Science, the march aimed to be educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond.
.Read more on Ubyssey and see photos on UBC's Twitter
EDI: Vote in your Municipal Election on October 15
The right to vote in Canada has evolved over time and for many marginalized groups voting was not a right until the nineteenth century. Watch Historica Canada's YouTube video to learn more about our voting history and the democratic election process in Canada.
Helpful resources
Listen to Vancouver City Council candidates from the major parties for Vancouver City Council discuss how they are centering equity in their policy platforms, and what commitments they will make to ensure Vancouver is a city where everyone belongs. Watch a recording of the forum, available on SFU Public Square.
Refer to BC Voters' Guide for everything you need to know before voting. Voting places are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on October 15, 2022.
Participate in the Corporate Wellness Challenge
This fall, VPFO's Finance & Operational Excellence is collaborating with Ignite Nutrition to present the Corporate Wellness Challenge, a 6-week program that will help you meet your health and nutrition goals.
Starting on October 5 until November 15, there will be three webinars:
- Oct 5 (12 pm): Kickoff webinar:
- Oct 26 (12 pm): Online live cooking demo
- Nov 15 (12 pm): Wrap up webinar
This program is open to all VPFO team members.
Register here
UBC Connects: Fall 2022
UBC Connects is pleased to announce our next speakers for Fall 2022. This series continues to bring together some of the world’s most esteemed thought leaders for events both live in Vancouver, and virtually around the world.
UBC Connects will be welcoming two speakers this fall – Tanya Talaga and Fran Lebowitz.
- October 27: Tanya Talaga: Covering the Apocalypse: What it is like being an Indigenous journalist in Canada
- November 15: An Evening with Fran Lebowitz
Learn more
A jaunt through Musqueam territory!
Join the annual Great Trek for a “Jaunt Through Musqueam Territory” on Saturday, October 22, 2022!
The Great Trek is a race put on by UBC in partnership with RUNVAN®. This event features races for everyone with a Half Marathon, 10KM, 5KM and 36.1KM Hat-Trick.
Learn more & 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.
- Climatarian, flexitarian, vegetarian, vegan: Which diet is best for the planet, and what do they mean? Read more
- If you’ve eaten at UBC in the past 50 years, you’ve probably seen UBC Ponderosa Cake. More than five decades later, UBC Food Services is still making Ponderosa Cake from the same simple recipe: flour, butter, bananas, sour cream and chocolate chips. And you, too, can make it at home!
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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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