Monday Update

September 28, 2020

VPFO Monday Update

Each Monday we capture a snapshot of important university updates, the work across our departments, and other resources relevant to the VPFO team. This will be reposted, along with all past issues, at vpfo.ubc.ca/news.

Additions or questions can be sent to communications@vpfo.ubc.ca at any time.

Managing Your Mental Health

HR has collected a great set of mental health resources to help you manage the ups and downs of our COVID-19 experience. Our VPFO HR staff is on campus every day for confidential conversations. See below for this week’s HR duty roster.

A few of the courses and resources available to you:

Last week’s updates from UBC

General updates about UBC and its response to COVID-19 continue to be updated at covid19.ubc.ca.

Department updates

VPFO

  • A new structure for the VPFO’s administrative professionals: Effective September 24, Sandy Zarka is promoted to Manager, VPFO Administration. Congratulations Sandy and welcome to her new team as they prepare to support us through the changes to come.
  • Caroline Macleod, Executive Secretary for Energy & Water Services (EWS): After filling in the Executive Secretary role on a temporary basis for an extended leave, Caroline Macleod has proven to be a great fit for the EWS team and is the successful candidate for the recently posted permanent role.

Facilities – Building Operations, Energy & Water, Infrastructure Development

  • Enterprise Maintenance Management System (EMMS) Sustainment Team: In order to ensure that Planon continues to meet the long-term business objectives and requirements of current and future system users, the EMMS Sustainment Team is created. For more information about the EMMS Sustainment team, visit the Facilities website.
  • Updated COVID-19 Safety Plans: Building Safety Plans have been updated to reflect new policies and exemptions around the use of non-medical face masks for Building Operations, Infrastructure Development, and Energy & ater Services. The plans are now posted on the Facilities website.
  • New Director for Project Services: Jay Hiscox is the successful candidate for the position of Director, Project Services with Infrastructure Development. Read more on the Infrastructure Development website.
  • Plaque for Professor Santa J. Ono’s reappointment: In celebration of Professor Santa J. Ono’s reappointment as President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC, Building Operations’ Sign Shop and Carpentry Shop created a beautiful plaque and presented it to President Ono. Read more on the Facilities website.

Finance – Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence, and Treasury

  • Changes to Purchasing and Paying for Goods and Services: Business processes relating to purchasing and paying for goods and services will change with the launch of workday on Nov 2. Learn more in the Preparing for Workday section of the UBC Finance website (CWL required).
  • Introducing Catalogues: Catalogues are an e-procurement solution that UBC users will be able to access when creating requisitions with the launch of Workday on Nov 2. Learn more in the Preparing for Workday section of the UBC Finance website (CWL required).
  • Hyperion 2.0: Slides and a recording from the first Hyperion 2.0 workshop are now available in the Preparing for Workday section of the UBC Finance website, as well as information about upcoming workshops.
  • Financial Reports: Last week the US GAAP, Single Audit, and William Ford Loan audit reports were approved by UBC’s audit committee and the Board of Governors. The SOFI report will also be finalized this week.
  • Foundation Financials: The HK Foundation of UBC financial statements were approved by the HK Foundation Board. The financial reporting team is working on the UBC Foundation and American Foundation audit.
  • Data conversion: The Comptroller’s team has engaged KPMG to support the conversion of data from FMS to Workday for Nov 2 go-live.

IRP/AEP/ISC – Integrated Renewal Program, Application Ecosystem Program, Integrated Service Centre

  • One month to go live! This Friday, October 2 marks one month to go live for Workday, and completing your training is the best way to be prepared. Don’t forget to complete your Workday Basics training by Sept 30 to be entered to win a selection of prizes.

Operations & Advising — Communications & Engagement and Human Resources

  • VPFO HR on-site support schedule this week:
    • September 28: Kasia Burza
      September 29: Matt Furgal, Rachel Lau
      September 30: Gregor Macdonald
      October 1: Matt Furgal, Rachel Lau
      October 2: Arvind Kang, Kasia Burza

SRS Updates

  • ShakeOut 2020: Each year thousands of people across BC take part in the annual ShakeOut earthquake drill and this year is no different. On October 15th between 10:00 and 10:20, SRS’s Emergency Management team will be hosting a virtual ShakeOut drill via Zoom to help you prepare for an earthquake. Register for the event here and download a ShakeOut 2020 virtual Zoom background here.

Other notable updates

ENROLMENT REMAINS STRONG AT UBC

Student enrolment numbers remain strong this fall at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan—a sign of the university’s stellar academic reputation. Students are keenly interested in achieving their educational ambitions at UBC, despite challenges posed by COVID-19.

PROPERTY THEFT — 5 TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR STUFF

Universities are considered target-rich environments for criminals to commit property crime. Follow Campus Security’s tips and keep hold of your property.

Helpful news

People have been suggesting news articles that they have found informative or helpful at work. These are provided for information and entertainment only. Unless noted, UBC doesn’t specifically endorse or supply editorial to this content.

Sharing an article that may be helpful to your peers? Send it to communications@vpfo.ubc.ca at any time.

Thank you to all for your continued hard work and dedication to enabling excellence at UBC. From the VPFO Executive Team.

Be Part of the VPFO Monday Update

Each Monday we capture a snapshot of important university updates, the work across our departments, and other resources relevant to the VPFO team. This will be reposted, along with all past issues, at vpfo.ubc.ca/news.

Additions or questions can be sent to communications@vpfo.ubc.ca at any time.