Monday Update

March 22, 2021

Last week’s updates from UBC

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 your ups and downs. Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation.

  • 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.
  • March 23: Mindfulness with Kunye
  • March 10 – 23: 10 Day Mindfulness Challenge – March: Improve your ability to manage stress, feel more connected while working from home, or get your morning started with an exercise to improve focus.

Operations updates

Facilities

Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development

  • University Services Building (USB) south vehicle gate: Starting April 1, the USB south vehicle gates will no longer be locked after hours and on weekends. The gates will remain open at all times.
  • University Services Building (USB) rooftop unit replacement: The USB rooftop unit is scheduled for replacement on March 31, 2021. The old unit will be removed and replaced with a new unit on the same day. This will impact the Project Services office (Unit 1100) and a crane will be parked at the front of the USB parking lot for the day to complete this work. For more information, please contact Facilities Manager, James Bellevance (james.bellavance@ubc.ca)

Finance

Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury

  • Upcoming important year end dates: A reminder to submit materials as early as possible to support year end processing. Full details of each year end deadline continue to be available on the Important Dates: Month End/Year End page.
  • T2200S resources: A reminder that resources relating to the T2200S tax form are available on the Claiming Employment Expenses page, including an info sheet and an FAQ sheet about home office expenses.
  • UBC’s Budget: The 2021/22 budget proposal for the university is in the final stages of development, and will be presented at the April Board cycle.

Operations & Advising

Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services

  • Safety & Risk Services (SRS) Strategic Plan: The 2021-23 SRS Strategic Plan is now available on the SRS website. This plan will provide a roadmap for the next 2 years for the department.
  • Access Services joining Safety & Risk Services (SRS): We are pleased to announce that Access Services will be joining SRS, hopefully in May 2021. More information will be shared when the details are finalized.
  • Carpooling Safety: Information on Carpooling Safety, in alignment with the guidelines set out by the BC Centre for Disease Control, is now available on the SRS website.
  • UBC-wide cyber insurance: Safety & Risk Services completed an extensive submission for UBC-wide cyber insurance, helping manage the risks from cyber crime and malware threats.
  • VPFO HR on-site support schedule this week:
    • March 22: Arvind Kang, Gregor Macdonald
    • March 23: Matt Furgal, Kasia Burza
    • March 24: Sonia Lachar, Gregor Macdonald
    • March 25: Arvind Kang, Gregor Macdonald
    • March 26: Matt Furgal, Kasia Burza

Other notable updates

Systemic racism: What it looks like in Canada and how to fight it?

At UBC, our commitment to building an open environment and a diverse workforce makes us stronger. However, we recognize that even in a diverse institution like ours and in Canada, systemic racism still exists as a challenge for racialized communities and Indigenous peoples.

Read the latest blog by VPFO EDI Committee to learn about what systemic racism is, what it looks like in Canada, and how you can initiate change.

Vaccination clinic at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

A vaccination site will be hosted at the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, opening on Monday, March 29, 2021. All bookings will be managed by Vancouver Coastal Health.

For more information, please visit the B.C’s Covid-19 Immunization Plan or the Immunize BC website.

2021 General Wage Increase, and BC Minimum Wage Increase

The Integrated Service Centre (ISC) will be implementing the 2021 2% General Wage Increase (GWI) for staff as follows:

  • Effective April 1, 2021: CUPE 116; CUPE 2950; IUOE 115
  • Effective May 1, 2021: BCGEU Childcare
  • Effective July 1, 2021: AAPS; BCGEU Okanagan; Technicians & Research Assistants; Executive Administrative; Farm Workers; Faculty
  • Effective Sept 1, 2021: CUPE 2278

In addition:

  • Effective June 1, 2021: BC Minimum Wage Increase

For full details, please review the March 17 memo on 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.

  • With the rise in anti-Asian racism over the last year, it is increasingly important to celebrate and support the work of writers who recount the unique stories of the Asian diaspora. Here are 10 books by Asian Canadian and Asian American women you need to add to your reading list.
  • Working from home has led to an increase in back and neck pain for reasons beyond just our desk setups. Read this article by Make It to find out what is causing those body aches and how to relieve them.
  • Last but not least, to mark the one-year anniversary of working from home, enjoy this relatable Official Canadian Pandemic Anthem, presented by This Hour Has 22 Minutes!

Have an article for your peers? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.

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.