Last week’s updates from UBC
- March 24: UBC Broadcast: Celebrate UBC global engagement at the strategy launch
- March 24: UBC Broadcast: Share your voice by April 16 to help shape UBC’s Climate Action Plan
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.
- April 13 (Part 1), 21 (Part 2): Self and Community Care: Building skills to manage stress: Learn to integrate relaxation and your personal needs into your daily life in this 2-part facilitated webinar.
- April 15: Courageous Leadership through Change: Designed for leaders, managers and individuals responsible for or involved in a change effort, learn more about change + transition and building capacity and resilience during change.
- April 19: QPR Suicide Intervention Training: This internationally recognized suicide intervention program is designed to help you question, persuade, and refer.
- May 10, 17: The Working Mind Virtual: Mental Health Training for Faculty & Staff: Established by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this program is designed to address mental health and reduce stigma in a workplace setting
- May 11 (Part 1), 19 (Part 2): Understanding Mental Health: The goal of this session is to increase mental health literacy while providing tools and skills to respond effectively in a caring and respectful way.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Charge-out rate increase for 2021/2022: The Facilities charge-out rate to UBC ancillaries and building tenants for non-core services and capital renewal work have been updated. For updated rates, visit the Building Operations website.
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Upcoming important year end dates: A reminder to continue 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.
- Year end: Financial Operations and Financial Reporting are holding multiple sessions each week with UBC’s finance community to address questions relating to year end activities, in support of our first year end in Workday.
- Q3: The third quarter close in Workday was successful. This was the first quarter-end close in the new system, and both the Financial Reporting and the ISC teams worked diligently and collaboratively around the clock to achieve this milestone. A special thanks to both teams for a job well done.
- UBC budget: Last week a deep dive session on the university budget process was presented to the Board of Governors, to facilitate understanding in advance of the 2021/22 Budget Proposal. The Board was complimentary of the material presented.
- AA+ credit rating for UBC: Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings (formerly Standard & Poor’s) has re-affirmed UBC’s credit and senior unsecured debt ratings as “AA+”. Read more on the UBC Finance website.
- Integrated Service Centre’s (ISC) new hours: As of Tuesday, April 6 the ISC hours of operation will change to 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Covid-19 campus leadership advisory committee: The committee has started to meet and plan for a return to on-campus activity for Winter Session, Term 1, in September 2021.
- Vancouver coastal health (VCH) vaccination site: The vaccination site in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building officially launches today. For more information, visit the Safety & Risk Services website, or the Immunize BC website.
- Rapid Covid-19 screening tests: This voluntary initiative for first-year residences has been extended until the end of exams on Friday, April 23, 2021. For more information, visit the Student Housing & Community Services website.
- VPFO HR on-site support schedule this week:
- March 29: Sonia Lachar, Gregor Macdonald
- March 30: Arvind Kang, Rachel Lau
- March 31: Matt Furgal, Rachel Lau
- April 1: Sonia Lachar, Gregor Macdonald
- April 2: Happy Good Friday!
Other notable updates
Microaggressions: What are they, how are they harmful and what to do if you commit one?
There is nothing “micro” about the impacts of microaggressions. A key part of what makes microaggressions so dangerous is that they happen casually, frequently, and often without any harm intended, in everyday life.
The latest EDI article from the VPFO EDI Committee covers what microaggressions are, how they are harmful, and what you can do if you commit one.
The ALAViDA TRAiL offers resources to help with substance use
The ALAViDA TRAiL is your one-stop-shop to a life where you’re in control of your relationship with substances – no matter if you’re just curious, or facing mild, moderate or severe challenges.
You can access ALAViDA directly from your smartphone. Learn through self-guided resources, or message and meet coaches, therapists and physicians who deliver a personalized program proven to reduce substance use.
Wondering if you’re #dry-curious? Take this quick, confidential quiz, and (for a limited time) get a free coffee.
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.
- Are you struggling to create boundaries between work and life? Read this article by Forbes for 5 tips on how to prioritize your mental health and achieve work-life balance.
- Business jargon often actually starts out useful. Problem is, a lot of it is overused phrases that express something which can be said much more concisely. Here are a few examples of annoying business jargon — and what to say instead.
- Puppy scams have cost Canadians more than $105,000 since January 2020. In celebration of National Puppy Day on March 23, the Better Business Bureau put together a list of tips to avoid being ripped off.
Have an article for your peers? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.