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Updated UBC Technical Guidelines
The UBC technical guidelines have recently been reviewed and updated for 2022.
The Technical Guidelines play an important role in the development and projects at UBC, and help to ensure that buildings and renovations are designed and constructed to optimize service life and minimize the whole life-cycle cost for the University.
Shout out to the Transition Team within Asset Replacement & Improvement in Infrastructure Development — Kayna Merchant, Facilities Architectural Manager, Jeff Cheong, Electrical Engineer, Jenny Ng, Records Technician & Andrew Porritt, Senior Engineer, Technical Services for leading joint UBC Vancouver /UBC Okanagan working group meetings and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to update the UBC's Technical Guidelines, which were recently endorsed by the Technical Guidelines Steering Committee. Well done!
Read the UBC Technical Guidelines
Reminder to only flush toilet paper (video)
When anything else is flushed down the toilet, your building is at risk of a sewage backup and flood.
Thank you Russell Neal, People & Process Manager, Utilities Trades in Energy & Water Services for starring in this hilarious short video to remind everyone to flush only toilet paper to avoid clogging toilets. Watch the video now
Learn more about what you can and cannot flush down the toilet.
Classroom renovation in H.R. MacMillan, Room 360
The existing drop in lounge and study space in H.R. MacMillan, Room 360 is currently undergoing a full conversion to a 160+ student classroom and lecture space. The renovations will include new architectural finishes, acoustic performance enhancement, new furniture, new audio-visual systems, new lighting, and mechanical systems upgrades.
The intent of this renewal is to form meaningful, active and collaborative interactions between participants, using innovative technologies and design to enrich the learning experience. The project is anticipated to be completed by September 2023.
Learn more about the project
Webinar: UBC's Latest & Greatest: Passive House, All-Electric and Solar
Join ZEBx and UBC’s Campus and Community Planning (C+CP) for a Decarb Lunch featuring presentations by the architect, ZGF, and the builder, Peak Construction Group.
Learn more and register
Reminder to nominate your colleague(s) for the 2022 Facilities Staff Excellence Award!
UBC Facilities provides recognition and rewards through the Staff Excellence Award (SEA) Program, to staff who have consistently demonstrated excellence in the performance of their work and service to the university.
The winners will be chosen by the Staff Excellence Awards selection committee and winners will be announced at the Facilities holiday events in December 2022.
Eligibility
Staff with a minimum of one year of service who are actively working in UBC Facilities at the time of the award presentation. For the Kim Nulty Award, a minimum of five years of continuous employment with UBC Facilities is required.
Award Categories
- Leadership Development
- Asset Stewardship
- Creativity and Innovation
- Customer Service Excellence
- Safety and Wellbeing
- Inspiration: The Kim Nulty Award
Submission
Submit a nomination online or complete the attached nomination form. Please send the completed paper nomination form to facilities.vpfo@ubc.ca on or before Friday, November 18, 2022.
Learn more: facilities.ubc.ca/SEA
Pumpkin pick up starts today, October 25!
Show off your pumpkin carving talent and participate in the annual Facilities pumpkin carving for the kids! Do you have what it takes to be the favourite carved pumpkin this year?
Please select your pumpkins at the University Services Building Atrium.
Our local Cariboo daycare in the University Services building will be Trick-or-treating in their best costumes and voting for their favourite pumpkin.
Trick-or treating for the kids start at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 31, 2022. Join the fun, enjoy pumpkin pie and coffee while you vote for your favourite carved pumpkin too!
Security Awareness Week: October 24–28
Safety & Risk Services' Campus Security will be hosting Security Awareness Week from October 24–28 to actively engage and educate students, faculty and staff on theft prevention and security tips.
Stop by tomorrow (October 26) from 11:00 am–3:00 pm at the University Commons (University Boulevard & East Mall) to support Campus Security and chat with our community partners, including RCMP, Transit Police, SVPRO, ICBC, Crimestoppers, Health and Wellness, C+CP and more.
Learn more
Have a question about Envisio? Attend a virtual drop-in session
To support the VPFO community in providing quarterly updates in Envisio, Operational Excellence will be offering online, 30-minute drop-in sessions for Envisio, VPFO’s strategic & business planning tool in October and November.
Upcoming workshops:
- Tuesday, October 25, 1:30 pm–2:00 pm
- Thursday, October 27, 11:00 am –11:30am
See event time and dates
United Way: Free Coffee?
Give back to community and get free coffee for a month!
When you sign up for $5 or more per pay donation to United Way through payroll giving (or a one time gift of $120 or more) by October 31st, 2022, your coffee will be on us for the month of November.
Learn more and support the UBC United Way Campaign
EDI: Culture is not a costume, even on Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner and we all love to dress-up! In recent years, you may have heard the phrase “my culture is not your costume” going around social media as a result of many people of colour speaking out on the use of their cultural clothing and symbols during Halloween.
Here are some tips to consider if you are wondering whether your costume is appropriate.
Read this VPFO EDI article to learn more about cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: Supporting Positive Work Culture
Work plays an important part in our lives. It can give us a sense of accomplishment and provide a sense of belonging and security. But it can also be a source of stress. Therefore, it is really important to build and support a positive mental health culture in the workplace.
A positive work culture is safe, supportive and mentally healthy. Employees at all levels feel valued and comfortable sharing their ideas, raising issues, asking questions and bringing their whole selves to work.
What does that look like in practice?
- Employees are respectful of one another; they are thoughtful with their words and actions.
- People feel like they have what they need to do their job and that they can ask for help when they need it – from their managers and from their co-workers.
- Employees are encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns.
- When there are issues, teams work together in productive ways to find solutions.
- Everyone is encouraged to take care of their mental health; they know the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, and they know how to find support for themselves and others when mental health problems arise.
- Everyone is included and valued for what they bring to the workplace and to the work itself.
How can you help?
Everyone plays a part in creating a positive work culture.
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Leaders: Consistently communicate and embody the vision and goals of the organization. Model values that foster a safe, supportive and mentally healthy work culture.
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People Managers: Reduce work stress by making space to talk about job-related stressors. Encourage people to ask for help and point them in the right direction when you can. Be flexible to find solutions that can work for everyone.
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Employees at All Levels: Bring the values of a psychologically safe workplace to life. Become more aware of signs and symptoms of mental illness. Support co-workers during challenging times.
Emergency tip: Keep cash on hand
Make sure you have some money in small bills in your emergency preparedness kit. If there is a prolonged power outage, you will not be able to use your debit or credit card.
For information about emergency preparedness kits, visit the Canadian Red Cross website.
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.
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
- Gregor MacDonald (gregor.macdonald@ubc.ca): Custodial Services and Municipal Services
In case you've missed it
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.
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