Updates from UBC
- November 1: UBC Broadcast: Share your experience of working at UBC in the 2021 Workplace Experiences Survey
- October 28: UBC Broadcast: UBC’s progress in support of Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence
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.
- Nov 2: Stress Relaxation Techniques Facilitated Webinar – November 2021
- Nov 3: Mindfulness with Melissa Nkomo From Kunye
- Nov 4: Introduction to Ayurveda with Navi Gill
- Nov 9: Mindful Tea Meditation with Dr. Vo
- Nov 18 & 25: Positive Coping Strategies
- 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
- Siu Tse is Acting Managing Director, Energy & Water Services: With David Woodson’s last day at UBC on October 29, Siu Tse has agreed to step into the role as Acting Managing Director, Energy & Water Services while we recruit for the permanent replacement for the position. Read AVP, John Metras’ full announcement.
- Project list for Infrastructure Development/Properties Trust: November 2021 construction project list is now available on the Facilities website.
- New functionality live in Planon: Planon Release 3.2 is live effective November 1, 2021, introducing further new functionality within the Resource Planner and Service Requests. Learn more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- UBC Capital Assets Accounting Principles document available: These guidelines help to establish the accounting treatment for the purchase, maintenance, and disposal of tangible capital assets at UBC, and achieve consistency of capital accounting across all departments and units of UBC. Learn more
- Auditor General’s report gives context on their audit of UBC’s financial statements: In their 2021 report, they share their general findings as well as specific highlights of their findings at UBC and our response, starting on page 39 of their unabridged report.
- Reminder to use your UBC email to register for Lean Six Sigma training: This allows the Operational Excellence team to identify VPFO team members. For questions about registration, please reach out to the Operational Excellence group.
- Reminder to share your feedback on the proposed business expense rules by Nov 1: The UBC Board of Governors recently approved the updated Business Expenses Policy and Procedures, which are expected to become effective in early 2022. You’re invited to review the new business expense rules and share your feedback by Nov. 1. Learn more
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- UBC Vancouver Flu clinics: The flu clinic opened last week, offering free flu immunization to students, faculty, and staff. The clinic is by appointment only. To book your appointment or view other flu clinics available, visit the Safety & Risk Services website.
- Cold Stress Awareness course now available: Available on UBC Workplace Learning, this online course helps increase awareness on cold stress risk factors, cold stress illnesses, and cold stress controls. Learn more
- 75,868 text notifications sent via UBC Alert as part of the ShakeOut drill: As part of the annual ShakeOut drill, 75868 SMS text notifications and 75896 phone call notifications were sent via UBC Alerts on October 21, 2021 at 10:21am, to remind students, faculty, and staff to drop, cover, and hold on when an earthquake occurs. Register for UBC Alert
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.
- Shilan Keshvadi is joining the Safety & Risk Services as the Associate, Health & Safety Education and Audit today.
- Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd have joined the Emergency Management team in Safety & Risk Services as Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisors.
- Farewell to Elizabeth Kukely, Communications Coordinator, Governance in Communications & Engagement. 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:
- Information Security Change Advisor (JR4381) – closing Nov 5
- Senior Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk (JR4783) – closing Nov 5
- Buyer (JR4961) – closing Nov 8
- Bank Reconciliation Clerk (JR4941) – closing Nov 8
- Front Counter – Receptionist/Admin Clerk (JR4913) – closing Nov 8Sr. Advisor, Information Security Compliance (JR4942) – closing Nov 15
- Sub-Head Tool Crib/Store Operator (JR4958) – closing Nov 11
- Sustainable Travel Coordinator (JR4963) – closing Nov 12
- Accounts Payable Processor (JR4962) – closing Nov 12
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
Reminder: Take the 2021 UBC Workplace Experiences Survey by Nov. 19
What’s your experience of working at UBC?
Until Friday, November 19, you have the opportunity to share your feedback in the UBC Workplace Experiences Survey.
Faculty and staff received an email invitation directly from UBC’s survey provider, TalentMap. Check your inbox to access the survey. If you did not receive an invitation, please contact workplace.surveys@ubc.ca.
This survey is the primary opportunity that all faculty and staff have to share feedback on their experiences of working at UBC so be sure to participate—today!
Facilities shared a photo of getting under their desk during Shakeout at 10:21
Did you Drop, Cover and Hold On at 10:21am for the Great BC ShakeOut?
The International annual ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October. UBC participated in the province-wide earthquake preparedness exercise on October 21 at 10:21 am. It is important to do a DROP, COVER, and HOLD-ON drill to react quickly in the event of an earthquake. Remember, you only have seconds to protect yourself. Practicing helps you be ready.
Look at our Facilities team members taking cover under a desk during ShakeOut:
For more information on earthquake and emergency preparedness, visit ready.ubc.ca
Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation
Cultural Appreciation is appreciating another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally, while cultural appropriation is taking one aspect of a culture that is not their own and mimics it without consent, solely for personal interest. In this week’s EDI article, learn about how cultural appropriation fuels social inequality, injustice, and racism.
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.
- Nothing like a fun, animated riddle to start your week! Can you use math to get you and your friends over the bridge before the zombies arrive? Available on TED Ideas.
- This Harvard Business Review article offers actionable steps managers can take to end imposter syndrome in their teams. Read more
- If you missed out on the beautiful aurora across BC over the past weekend, check out this photographer’s stunning pictures of aurora borealis, captured early in the morning on October 31.
Have an article for the VPFO team? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.