Last week’s updates from UBC
- February 8: UBC Broadcast: 2021 President’s awards for staff: Call for nominations
- February 5: President’s Blog: Weekly Update
- February 1: UBC Broadcast: Consideration of the reappointment of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Managing your mental health
HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage our ups and downs. Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation.
- February 17: Mindfulness Made Simple
- January – March: Through the Lens: A series of interactive workshops designed to enhance UBC’s understanding of diversity, while offering practical ideas for creating a more equitable and inclusive campus.
- February 19: Adaptive Resiliency by Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute
- February 19, 22, 25: Adaptive Resiliency by Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute
- February 25: Cops in the Head: The Enforcers of Imposter Syndrome
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Priorities for ice prevention and snow removal: Cold weather is in the forecast this week. For staff who are working on campus, please plan accordingly, and review snow and ice treatments for priority routes on the Building Operations website.
- Gas curtailment: Fortis BC will likely curtail UBC’s natural gas usage if temperatures drop below -7 degrees Celsius. Energy & Water Services will be switching to diesel fuel at the Campus Energy Centre to continue heating the campus.
- Water pump station: The new 600 mm section of watermain connected to the new booster pump station and all lines inside the building were flushed last week. The new pump station now runs into the building, and the sprinkler system is ready for testing. The discharge side is currently locked and isolated until the pumps are commissioned this week.
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Responsible investing update: As part of UBC’s commitment to a low-carbon, sustainable future and divesting the endowment, the university is pleased to share that $34M of endowment funds have been transitioned to fossil-fuel-free investments. This marks the first transitioning of funds through the Responsible Investing Strategy.
- Tax slips for faculty and staff: This year, T4 tax slips from Payroll (and T4As, where applicable) for the 2020 tax year will be made available for faculty and staff through the Workday system before the end of February, in line with Canadian tax legislation. More information will be shared
when the tax slips are available. - Costing allocations call-in session: On Tuesday, Feb 16, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM the ISC is hosting a call-in session to provide guidance on costing allocations in Workday. Register here.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Tips to stay upright during the winter season: As the temperature drops, a reminder to dress accordingly and take note of your footwear to minimize slips, trips, and falls. For tips to help you stay upright during the winter season, visit the Emergency management website.
- Inspections by Transport Canada: Environmental Services Facility (ESF) will undergo remote inspection by Transport Canada. Safety & Risk Services’ Environmental Protection team is preparing and organizing required documentation for submission to Transport Canada by February 17, 2021.
- Water quality monitoring: Safety & Risk Services’ Environmental Protection team is working in collaboration with Energy & Water Services in reviewing the bi-annual drinking water quality monitoring program inside buildings. This monitoring goes above and beyond the regulatory requirements and the teams are looking to improve the program and increase process efficiencies.
- Restarting the Emergency Support function: The Emergency Support Function for infrastructure and utilities is a cross departmental planning group (Safety & Risk Services and Facilities) to look at resilience enhancing initiatives such as ensuring potable water supply post disaster, emergency diesel supply for the campus, Rapid Damage Assessment of buildings post seismic event, and Supporting Mass Care activities. The group will be meeting regularly to ensure that operational responses are aligned.
- Insurance for cyber liability: This year’s insurance for UBC is significantly more onerous than prior years due to global increasing cyber security threats. Safety & Risk Services’ Insurance and PrISM teams are collaborating with UBC IT to complete the submission for competitive tender in March 2021.
- VPFO HR on-site support schedule this week:
- February 8: Matt Furgal, Kasia Burza
- February 9: Sonia Lachar, Rachel Lau
- February 10: Arvind Kang, Gregor Macdonald
- February 11: Matt Furgal, Rachel Lau
- February 12: Sonia Lachar, Kasia Burza
Other notable updates
Virtual Sustainability Speed Networking Social
Looking to make new connections and swap ideas with other like-minded employees who are advancing sustainability projects, large or small, in their campus workplaces? Learn about some innovative workplace sustainability projects happening across campus, and meaningful small-group conversations about your own sustainability experiences and goals — all while expanding your UBC network.
On Friday, February 12th, 2020 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 pm, join Campus & Community Planning’s first-ever Virtual Sustainability Speed Networking Social to chat with like-minded colleagues. RSVP on the C&CP zoom website.
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month. While we should celebrate Black history and excellence every day, this is an opportunity for a focused, intentional, and elevated reflection and recognition of Black history and achievement – and the many contributions of Black Canadians, Black British Columbians, and Black students, faculty and staff at UBC.
Visit the UBC Black History Month website for featured UBC events, community events, stories, resources and more.
Submit your Professional Development Fund claims by March 15
A reminder to use available professional development (PD) funding and submit your claims for the current PD funding year (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) before the annual funding pool is exhausted or by March 15, whichever comes first.
To meet year-end deadlines:
- If you are staff, please submit your reimbursement claim in Workday by Monday, March 15.
- If you are a manager or supervisor, please review and approve all claims in Workday no later than Thursday, March 25.
For more information, visit the HR website.
Helpful news
Some interesting news articles people 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.
- Time management when working remotely can challenge anyone. But here’s a question you’ve probably never asked yourself: are you a busy donkey or a productive unicorn? Inc.com has some thoughts on the difference between busy people and productive people and how to find a groove and make the shift.
- Once in a while, you need to stop and smell your roses: Not only is it good for you, it will motivate you to plant even more.. Inc.com has 7 unexpected signs you’re a lot more successful than you think.
- Are the days of winter closing in? The Atlantic shares a study that shows that things can make people happier than experiences, depending on the kind of happiness being measured. So many a little online splurge is ok?
Have an article for your peers? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.