A note from VPFO Communications & Engagement
Over the past few weeks, some of you may have noticed some changes to our weekly newsletter.
The VPFO Monday Update started last year as a way for our portfolio to stay connected and share important operational information during COVID-19.
Things have changed so much since we distributed our first newsletter, and we want to ensure that the VPFO Update adapts to your changing needs while continuing to deliver content that is informative and relevant to your work at the VPFO.
Fill out a brief one-minute survey to tell us what you think about these new changes and how we can better serve your needs.
Thank you and have a great week!
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Updates from UBC
- September 16: President’s Update: Homecoming
- September 15: UBC Broadcast: Reminder: Please complete UBC’s COVID-19 vaccination status declaration
- September 15: President’s Update: IRP Student: UBC’s Renewal Journey Continues
- September 14: UBC Bulletin: New funding available to support Indigenous Strategic Plan implementation
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.
- Self-guided: Self and Community Care: Building skills to manage stress
- Self-guided: Wellbeing in the Workplace
- September 23 & 29: The Working Mind Virtual: Mental Health Training for Faculty & Staff
- September 24: QPR Suicide Intervention Training
- September 24: Feeling Safe and Engaged: Returning to the Workplace – Facilitated Webinar
- September 28: Strengthening Resilience
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- HVAC Working group: The COVID-19 Heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) working group continues to review, evaluate, and address any HVAC concerns raised regarding spaces on campus. For the most up-to-date information on HVAC, please visit the Facilities website.
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- September Period-End Dates: The September (Q2) period-end dates are now available for the community as a PDF and on the UBC Finance website.
- High Volume of Workday Support Tickets: The ISC Service Desk is receiving a high number of support tickets and phone calls, and is asking for the community’s patience and support as we work to resolve these issues. Learn more
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- COVID-19 return to campus page added to the SRS website: Information about the measures UBC is taking to keep the community safe as we return to campus has been added to the Safety & Risk Services website. Learn more
- Customized GatherContent training now available: We use GatherContent to manage and collaborate on website content. Schedule a training session with our communications expert or access the self-service training library on the VPFO Communications website. Learn more
- VPFO HR on-site support schedule: Due to increased safety measures, the VPFO HR team will be working from home on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. For any questions, please contact Senior HR Manager, Arvind Kang.
- September 20: Monica Haab, Gregor Macdonald
- September 21: WFH
- September 22: Arvind Kang, Rachel Lau
- September 23: WFH
- September 24: WFH
People in motion
Please join us in welcoming those who are joining us, celebrating promotions, and saying goodbye to team members who are moving on to their next steps.
- Calvin Cheung, Kelvin Chan, Sabrina Basra, Masa Ishida, and Attile Andino begin their new roles at ISC as Support Analysts today.
- Robert Tremonti is joining Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk.
VPFO job openings
All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Student Litter Picker (JR4299) – closing Sep 22
- Procurement Partner Manager (JR4180) – closing Sep 23
- Sr. Accounts Payable Specialist (JR4300) – closing Sep 24
- Shift Engineer (CEC) (JR4031) – closing Sep 24
- Lead Privacy & Information Security Advisor (JR2674) – closing Sep 28
- Custodial Assistant Storekeeper (JR4274) – closing Sep 28
- Manager, Finance Services (JR4348) – closing Oct 1
- Service Centre (ISC) Representatives (JR4271 & JR4273) – closing Oct 1
- Payroll and Benefits Support Analyst (JR4355) – closing Oct 4
Please remember to apply as an internal candidate. This ISC Knowledge Base article shows how: How do I apply for an internal job posting?.
Other notable updates
Do Your Part: Declare Your Vaccination Status
As you know, all students, faculty and staff must complete an online, confidential declaration of vaccination status. It’s quick and easy to complete the declaration.
I’d like to thank the many members of the UBC community who have completed the declaration.
I understand that many of you may have questions or concerns about the declaration of vaccination status or about the rapid testing program. Please visit the UBC Rapid Testing website for answers to your questions.
Read the full President’s Update
Getting ready for Canada’s new National Day of Truth & Reconciliation: What is the United Nations Declaration for the Recognition of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)?
This month, in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the newly introduced National Day of Truth & Reconciliation, the VPFO’s EDI Committee will be sharing a series of blogs to drive awareness of the legacy of residential schools and help us all foster a commitment to reconciliation.
Read the series on the VPFO EDI website:
- Part one: Why Are the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action Important?
- Part two: What Is the United Nations Declaration for the Recognition of Indigenous Peoples (Undrip)?
- Part three: What is UBC’s Commitment to Truth & Reconciliation?
Don’t forget to vote
A reminder that the Canadian federal election takes place today between 7:00am and 7:00pm.
UBC employees who are registered voters, and scheduled to work that day, are entitled to three consecutive hours free from work in which to vote.
Campus Vision 2050, launching early 2022
UBC is initiating a comprehensive planning process for the Vancouver campus that will shape how the physical campus changes and grows over the next 30 years.
To learn more about the Campus Vision 2050 process and how you can get involved, please visit the UBC Campus + Community Planning website.
Are you your own Project Runway?
Have you ever been judged by someone based on what you choose to wear on a given day, or misjudged someone based on their appearance? For centuries, dress codes have been used to maintain specific social roles and hierarchies. The VPFO EDI committee invites you for a quick refresher on the equity, diversity and inclusion messages of our clothes, homes, and cars.
Helpful news
Some interesting news articles our team members 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.
- A year and a half of the Covid pandemic has left many of us bereft of the joy we once felt at work. Learn about the four steps to take to rebuild our sense of professional joy, available on Harvard Business Review.
- 3% of Canadians got a pet over the pandemic. Dr. Alexandra Protopopova, an assistant professor at the animal welfare program at UBC, and a BC SPCA industrial research chair, shares ways to make the transition back to the office easier on your pandemic pet.
- Watch — and listen — to a tortoise snacking on veggies in adorable ASMR video, available on the Animal ASMR YouTube channel.
Have an article for the VPFO team? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.