Updates from UBC
- October 15: President’s Update: Vaccination Clinics at UBC
- October 14: UBC Bulletin: Remote Work Update
- October 12: UBC Broadcast: Changes to end-of-course student feedback surveys
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.
- Oct 27: Return to Work Resilience with Thara Vayali
- Self-guided: Wellbeing in the Workplace
- Self-guided: Preventing Burnout: Managing stress, emotions and our tendency to give
- Self-guided: Feeling safe and engaged returning to the workplace
- Self-guided (until Oct 15): Dealing with sleep issues
To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Return to campus: Supporting your mental health
As we start a new academic year, many who are returning to campus will experience excitement, while others may have concerns and feel some anxiety. UBC offers a range of mental health resources to support you and your team.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Infrastructure Development welcomes Asset Replacement & Improvements (ARI) — Transition Team and Construction Office: This alignment will better integrate our teams to provide robust and timely project delivery, documentation and asset inputs that are critical to decision-making for Facilities. Read AVP, Facilities, John Metras’ message
- New Water Pump Station featured in Stantec article: Learn about how the new pump station not only serves the water needs of the Vancouver campus, but also educates the community about operational infrastructure. Read more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- September Financial Operations service delivery levels: The September dashboards are now available to view on the UBC Finance website. Learn more
- Scheduled maintenance for Tuition Waivers: The Tuition Waivers system will be unavailable on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, between 4:30pm – 5:00pm. Learn more
- Have you completed your Lean Six Sigma White Belt training: A reminder that the White Belt training is available through a link and course ID provided by your supervisor. The training will empower you with the tools to build your capacity in problem-solving and drive operational excellence in your work. Learn more
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Outdoor event on safety & security (Oct. 19-21): Meet our Campus Security team and community partners (RCMP, Transit Police, ICBC), and learn more about safety and security on campus. Find them at the University Commons from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Learn more
- New photos available for use on Flickr: We recently added some new photos of members of the apprentice program 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.
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.
Celebrating UBC VPFO’s longest-serving staff
The VPFO team has a number of long service member inductees this year. This is an amazing personal accomplishment for the individuals and a true testament to their devotion to service at UBC.
For a full list of VPFO team members in the 25, 35, and 40 Year Club 2021, visit the VPFO website.
Learn more about the 25 year Club at UBC
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:
- Business Data Analyst (JR4560) – closing October 18
- Project Manager II (JR4550) – closing Oct 18
- Sr. Procurement Officer (JR4517) – closing Oct 18
- Programmer Analyst (JR4506) – closing Oct 20
- Procurement Officer (JR4592) – closing Oct 21
- Senior Materials Resource Coordinator (JR4625) – closing Oct 22
- Head Service Worker (JR4706) – closing Oct 22
- SubHead Trades 2 – Carpenter (JR4610) – Oct 22
- Managing Director, Building Operations (JR4524) – closing Oct 24
- Security Administrator (JR4611) – closing Oct 31
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
UBC ShakeOut: Wherever you are, “Drop, Cover, & Hold On!”
Join us in the annual Great BC ShakeOut at 10:21 a.m. on October 21, 2021, and learn more about the risks in our community and what UBC is doing to plan ahead.
The Great BC Shakeout is an annual province-wide earthquake drill for everyone to practice how to protect themselves and to be better prepared in the event of an earthquake: DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!), take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLD on to it until the shaking stops.
If you are registered for UBC Alert, you’ll receive a test notification by text and voice message on October 21, 2021. UBC Alert is used in active and urgent situations that require your immediate attention to maintain safety and security on campus. The test will also run on our campus-wide digital signage systems.
Reminder to:
- Update your contact information on Workday (for staff and faculty) and Student Service Centre (for students) to ensure you receive the latest information in urgent situations through UBC Alert.
- Download the UBC Safe Vancouver app for direct access to campus safety resources, and turn on push notifications to receive timely alerts and notifications.
We all have a role in protecting ourselves and making our campus safe.
Share your feedback on the proposed business expense rules by Nov. 1
The UBC Board of Governors recently approved updated Business Expenses Policy and Procedures, which are expected to become effective in early 2022. All members of the UBC community are invited to review the new business expense rules proposed to support the policy and share your feedback by Nov. 1.
Increase in paramedical (psychologist/mental health) coverage
As of October 1, 2021, the maximum for each person per benefit year for licensed psychologists, social workers, or registered clinical counsellors has increased from $2500 to a maximum of $3,000.
How does Hot Lunch with an actual HOT LUNCH sound?
This month we will have lunch available for pick-up in our Social Lounge at St. John’s College for the same low price it has always been – $10.
Hearing about Associate Dean, Equity and Diversity in the UBC Faculty of Science, Dr. Ninan Abraham’s role in CoVaRR-Net, a national network of COVID researchers, his equity and diversity role in the Faculty of Science, and how they merge together.
Read the full message for more information and registration details.
Learn more about Hot Lunch for UBC Staff
Share your feedback in the UBC Workplace Experiences Survey, coming Nov. 1
What’s your experience of working at UBC? From November 1 to 19, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to share confidential feedback in the 2021 Workplace Experiences Survey.
The survey will include questions related to several themes including your professional growth, inclusion and respect, health and wellbeing, work environment and more.
On November 1, you will receive a survey invitation directly from UBC’s survey consultant, TalentMap. This will contain your unique survey link and it can only be used once – please do not forward this link.
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.
- As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Canada is seeing a resurgence of many respiratory viruses — and many experts predict this year’s flu season could be severe. Dr. Michael Curry from UBC Faculty of Medicine weighs in on how to reduce your risk of getting sick. Read more
- October is the month for fall colour. In case you need a reminder of how beautiful our campus is — here are four places to enjoy fall foliage at UBC.
Have an article for the VPFO team? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.