March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The 2022 International Day focuses on the theme Voices For Action Against Racism and aims to highlight the importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination.
It is important to remember that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day.
Learn more about why this day was created, what racial discrimination has been like in Canada over the course of the pandemic, and what you can do to fight against racism on the VPFO EDI website.
Read more
Energy conservation measures implemented in I.K. Barber Learning Centre
The I.K. Barber Learning Centre is the main library on campus. The building was a significant user of thermal energy from the District Energy System (DES) due to its size.
Last year, Energy & Water Services implemented an energy conservation project to repair the heat pipe system in the main air handling units (AHUs) to improve thermal energy in I.K. Barber Learning Centre.
Upon completion, the building’s thermal energy demand has been reduced by approximately 22%, saving UBC approximately $11,000 per year in thermal energy cost and reducing emissions by approximately 40 tCO2e per year.
Read more on the Facilities website
Heat recovery chiller expansion in the Life Sciences Centre
The Life Sciences Centre (LSC) is the largest building on the UBC Point Grey campus. Due to the building’s size and the density of research activities hosted, the LSC consumes roughly 10% of the campus’s energy.
In 2021, a third chiller module was added to an existing two-module heat recovery chiller to maximize more recoverable heat in the building. This additional chiller module will recover 5800 GJ of heat per year, equivalent to reducing thermal consumption by 21%, and is expected to reduce the building’s GHG emissions by 166 tCO2e per year.
Visit the Facilities website for a timeline of the work implemented over the years to maintain the building and cut down on its energy consumption.
Upgrades to the Campus Energy Centre and Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facilities
Campus Energy Centre
Do you hear all that rumbling from the Campus Energy Centre (CEC)? Energy & Water Services is in the process of re-designing the three existing stacks on the rooftop to reduce the rumbling.
In addition to this project, Technical Safety BC (TSBC) has approved the CEC to operate remotely from the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF).
Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facilities
The control room at the BRDF will require an upgrade and renovation to house all the new monitors from the BRDF expansion.
A new and more efficient cogeneration engine will be installed. It will generate less Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and offset the electrical demands on campus by providing thermal energy to heat the campus as well as revenue through a Load Displacement Agreement with BC Hydro.
Two condensing economizers will be installed in Summer 2022, followed by the installation of heat pumps, to capture and recycle the thermal energy generated by the cogeneration engine and gasifier vents gases back into the District Energy System (DES).
This installation will increase the thermal output for a minimal cost of electricity and increase the efficiency of heating the UBC campus.
Learn more about the upcoming upgrades and their anticipated completion dates on the Facilities website.
Adding Labour Hours in Planon
 Currently, the only approved ways to add hours to a
Work Order in Planon are via:
- Back office - Timecards
- PMFS - using the start work and end/finish work functionality
A reminder not to use the Labour Hours section of the PMFS app as below. Time may not be applied correctly unless you are trained in the appropriate method.
Did you know?
If you get the following error message in Planon, clearing the browser cache resolves the majority of the occurrences.
Instructions on how to clear browser cache can be found on UBC IT website. If you are still getting this error message after clearing cache, please submit a ServiceNow ticket for EMMS Sustainment team to investigate.
Planon admin time types
Please note that the following admin time types will be removed in Planon on March 28, 2022. These time types are mandatory to enter on Workday and are auto-transferred to the resource planner planned board and Planon time cards.
- Paid Union/Business Time Off
- Unpaid Union/Business Time Off
- Training Overtime
- Training/Professional Development
New job strategy session (NJSS): March 8
Construction Office
Project Services
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UBC Life Building: Air Flow Issues — Subway Food Services (Subway) will be hiring an HVAC consultant to look at the system as a whole. The installation of the third oven and the lack of proper spacing and airflow around the ovens are creating an uncomfortable working condition for staff, as well as reducing the lifespan of the ovens. The HVAC system is working as intended.
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H.R. Macmillan Building: The School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture (SALA) would like to do a studio renovation on the third floor.
For more information, please contact the Facilities Manager
Reminder: Annual Mammography Screening Clinic
The Screening Mammography Program (SMP) Mobile Services will once again be visiting the UBC Point Grey Campus on April 5, 2022. BC women ages 40 and up with a primary care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner or naturopath) can book a screening mammogram directly through the program without a doctor's referral.
- When: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
- How: By appointment by calling 1.800.663.9203
- Where: BC Cancer Agency Digital Mammography Coach at University Commons by the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
Learn more
Welcome to the team... and fond farewell
- Albert Besa joins Facilities as Auxilliary Service Worker on March 21.
- Farewell to Jose Teres, Manager, Construction Office in Infrastructure Development. His last day at UBC is this Friday, March 25, 2022. All the best!
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:
- Associate Project Manager (JR6702) – Mar 30
- Business Analyst (JR6715) – closing Mar 30
- Project Manager I (JR6700) – Mar 30
- Trades 2 - Steamfitter (JR6783) – Apr 4
Please remember to apply as an internal candidate. This Workday Knowledge Base article shows how: How do I apply for an internal job posting?
In case you've missed it
Here is a quick recap of key events and information that you may have missed. For more details, please click on the links below or refer to our weekly portfolio newsletter, VPFO Update.
If you do not currently receive the VPFO Update in your inbox, please contact Samantha Tsui, Communications Coordinator.
UBC Policy SC1: Occupational Health & Safety at UBC
UBC is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and secure working environment for all members of the university, and takes preventative measures to eliminate accidental work injuries, occupational diseases, and risks to personal security.
UBC's Occupational & Health & Safety Policy SC1 outlines the university's commitment to providing a healthy and safe workplace, teaching and research environment for all UBC members and identifies the responsibilities and standards required to achieve the applicable standards.
Learn more about UBC's Occupational & Research Health & Safety Policy and your roles and responsibilities in ensuring a healthy and safe work environment.
Weekly Emergency Tip: Drop, cover and hold on
Practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON, the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
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DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)
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Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
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HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
The Great British Columbia Shakeout is on October 20, 10:20 a.m. this year. Every year, millions of people worldwide will practice how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Learn more on The Great British Columbia ShakeOut website.
For more information about what to do during an earthquake, visit ready.ubc.ca/earthquake.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: What are you feeling?
Mental health related issues can range from feeling a little anxious to having a diagnosable mental illness. This checklist can help you describe what you are feeling right now so you can share this with your doctor to help them help you.
Learn more about resilience and take this assessment to help evaluate and improve your emotional intelligence.
Managing your mental health
Human Resources has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our HR representatives are always available for a confidential conversation:
- Monica Haab (monica.haab@ubc.ca): Building Operations, Energy & Water Services, Customer Services & Informatics, and Municipal Services
- Arvind Kang (akang03@mail.ubc.ca): Custodial Services and Infrastructure Development
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