Monday update

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.

Operations updates

Facilities

Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development

  • Replacing an 800+lbs supply fan motor in Pulp and Paper Centre: Last weekend the millwrights replaced a failed 60 horsepower 800+lbs supply fan motor in the Pulp and Paper Centre. Read more

Finance

Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury

  • New September employee payment date: With the introduction of the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statutory Holiday on September 30, 2021, the payment date for employees has been moved to September 29, 2021. Learn more
  • Update on ISC Support Services: Over the past nine months, the ISC has continued to learn how they can best support the UBC community. Read more about ISC’s progress so far, what’s changing this fall, how they’re responding to your feedback, and what you can expect going forward. Read more

Operations & Advising

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

  • Updated mask mandate: Masks are required in all public indoor settings, including common areas of post-secondary institutions. In alignment with the new Public Health Order, signages have been updated and installed by Campus Security on all building entrances.
  • Clinical trial program opens in Irving K Barber Learning Centre: This clinical trial is intended to help researchers assess the viability of a new rapid test, the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test. The new testing site will run from August 31 to December 2021 (Tues, Wed, and Fri). Learn more
  • New photos available for use on Flickr: We recently added some new photos of the Campus Security team maintaining campus safety to our Flickr library. Visit the VPFO Flickr to see the collection, as well as other photos of VPFO teams that are brand compliant and free for UBC staff and faculty use.
  • 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 7: Hope you had a nice long weekend!
    • September 8: WFH
    • September 9: Arvind Kang, Gregor Macdonald
    • September 10: WFH
    • September 11: 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.

  • Scott Jolley joined UBCO today as Manager, Finance Services and Research Finance.
  • Marshall McDougall joined Operational Excellence today as a Business Data Analyst.
  • Vicky Zhang joined the ISC Application Sustainment team today as a Report Developer.
  • Adveen Dosanjh joined the ISC as the Cross-Functional Product Sustainment and Support Manager on September 1.
  • Best wishes to Chris Kwong, Mike Nichols and Sarah Royston. Thank you for your contribution!

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:

  • Shift Engineer (JR4031) – closing Sep 7
  • Operating Engineer (JR4037) – closing Sep 7
  • Patrol Officer II (JR3952) – closing Sep 9
  • Labourer 3 (Gardener) (JR3967) – closing Sep 9
  • Trades 2 – Landscape Tech 2 (JR4040) – closing Sep 9
  • SubHead Trades 2 – Landscape Tech 2 (JR4043) – closing Sep 9
  • Report Business Analyst (JR4088) – closing Sep 11
  • Director, Campus Security (JR3820) – closing Sep 16

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

Getting ready for Canada’s new National Day of Truth & Reconciliation: Why are the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action important?

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.

In support of each blog, a question will be posted to an online board, inviting all members of the VPFO to share their thoughts.

In part one, you’ll explore:

  • What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
  • What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)?
  • Why are the TRC Calls to Actions important?
  • What can I do as an individual?

Read more

UBC’s COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program Launches

UBC is requiring COVID-19 rapid testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions provided for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Starting today, September 7, all students, faculty and staff must complete an online, confidential declaration of your vaccination status.

Relevant resources:  

Reminder: Message from Peter Smailes — Our next steps for return to campus

To make sure you have the latest information to enable all VPFO staff return to campus by our current target of October 4, we will be hosting a series of meetings across the portfolio:

  • During the weeks of August 31 to September 10, SRS and HR will be leading meetings with all supervisors across the VPFO to give clear direction for how we plan to implement our return.
  • On September 10, the senior leadership team will meet online with their leadership teams to share and discuss our process and preparations for our return to campus.
  • On September 22, we will have an optional online all-staff meeting to revisit the most current information and confirm the steps and timing required.

As always, the university will be posting the most recent information and communications to the UBC COVID-19 website and we will be resharing this information through all of our VPFO communications channels.

Read the full message

Helpful news

Some interesting news articles 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.

Have an article for the VPFO team? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.