Updates from UBC
- November 15: UBC Broadcast: Planning for succession of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver
- November 12: President’s Update: Thanks to you, UBC is COVID safe
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Preparing for extreme weather at UBC: As we head into winter, find out how the UBC campus will be kept safe during extreme weather, and how to report slippery conditions. Learn more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- October Financial Operations service delivery levels: The October dashboards are now available to view on the UBC Finance website. Learn more
- Claiming unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits: Please check through the list of unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits (updated as of Nov 12) to see if any payments belong to your department.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Providing flu shots for the community: Between November 1 and November 10, over 3,300 flu shots were provided free of charge to the university community through the flu immunization clinics.
- Resource on VPFO hierarchy terminology: Each level of the VPFO fits into the portfolio’s overarching hierarchy. This 1-page document helps you consistently attribute the correct names to each of our groups, departments, units, and teams.
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.
- Eve Neesham-Grenon joined Safety & Risk Services as Occupational and Research Associate on November 9.
- Sarah Lee joins as Finance Director, Capital Financial Management and Reporting (CFMR).
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:
- Sr. Advisor, Information Security Compliance (JR4942) – closing Nov 15
- Patrol Officer II (JR4993) – closing Nov 15
- Truck Driver Medium/Labourer (JR5075) – closing Nov 16
- Financial Analyst (JR5031) – closing Nov 18
- Information Security Change Advisor (JR4381) – closing Nov 22
- Senior Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk (JR4783) – closing Nov 22
- Sr. Procurement Officer (JR5105) – closing Nov 23
- Supply Chain Analyst (JR5156) – closing Nov 24
- Payroll Analyst (JR5174) – closing Nov 29
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
Share your feedback in the 2021 UBC Workplace Experiences Survey by Friday, 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.
As of Nov 12, the overall response rate is 24%. 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!
Reminder: 90-day data retention schedule for FASmail default transitory folders
Starting October 4, 2021, a 90-day automated data retention schedule will be implemented at UBC to default transitory folders in the enterprise email service UBC Faculty and Staff Email (FASmail) in compliance with UBC Records Management policies and requirements. This data retention schedule will affect all faculty, staff and student employees at both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses who use FASmail.
Information stored in the Deleted items, Junk Mail and RSS Feeds default transitory folders in FASmail will be automatically destroyed after the 90th day.
Let your colleagues know how they made a difference over the past year
As we approach the holiday season and the end of 2021, the UBC Internal Communications team invites you to reflect on the last year and thank a UBC colleague (or colleagues) who made a difference at work. You can also thank a team, Faculty or department. Your messages will be shared on the UBC Today website.
What do you need to do?
- Complete and submit your thank you message via this online form by Dec. 3.
- Include your name, location, and Faculty/unit/department, as well as the name of the individual or group that you’d like to recognize.
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.
- Learn how to work faster and more comfortable using these keyboard tricks in this Wired article. Read more
- Stunning drone footage from the University of Exeter and the Center for Whale Research (CWR) reveals the complex social lives of killer whales — and that they have best friends. Read more
Have an article for the VPFO team? Email communications@vpfo.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 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.