Updates from UBC
- November 25: UBC Bulletin: New funding rounds for major federal programs
- November 24: UBC Bulletin: Paid leave for staff between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) line near the Bioenergy Facility back in commission: Energy & Water Services steamfitters detected a leak with our system’s leak detection program. New piping has been installed with proper sealing to avoid water infiltration in the future. Learn more
- Project list for Infrastructure Development/Properties Trust: December 2021 construction project list is now available on the Facilities website.
- Thunderbird Boulevard multi-phase road closures from Nov 29, 2021 to Aug 2022: As part of the UBC Renewable Energy Hub project, the Hydrogen Refueling Station has started construction on Thunderbird Boulevard. During this project, there will be multi-phase road closures until the end of August 2022. Learn more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Impact on supply chain due to the state of emergency in BC: UBC is working to ensure that critical supplies continue to be available to support the campus community. You are encouraged to plan ahead for your upcoming purchasing needs. Learn more
- Early payroll deadline reminder: The payroll deadline to enter and submit time (both absences and hours worked) for Dec 12 to 25, 2021, is Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021. Managers must approve the time submitted by Wednesday, Dec 22, 2021. Payroll will be processed on Dec 23 for the Dec 31 pay date. 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 26) to see if any payments belong to your department.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Avoid slips, trips, and falls this winter with some simple tips: Winter is almost here, and with it comes cold weather and a greater risk of slips, trips or falls. Practice safe winter walking to help you stay on your feet this winter. Learn more
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.
- Kyle Fenton joins Infrastructure Development as Associate Project Manager today.
- Janet Hankins will be promoted to Manager, Research Compliance & Occupational Hygiene effective December 1.
- Paul Nakagawa will be promoted to Manager, Safety Program Management & Systems effective December 1.
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:
- Patrol Officer II (JR5216) – closing Dec 1
- Functional Support Analyst (JR5239) – closing Dec 2
- Finance Manager, Capital Financial Reporting (JR5198) – closing Dec 3
- HR Functional Analyst (JR5342) – closing Dec 9
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
Paid leave for staff between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
With the holiday season approaching, please note that certain UBC staff are eligible for paid leave during the university’s seasonal closure – the three normal working days between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. This year’s seasonal closure falls on December 29, 30, and 31, 2021.
Updated UBC Self Service Portal and New Workday Support Form
The Integrated Service Centre (ISC) launched their new Workday support form on Monday, November 29, as part of an update to the UBC Self Service Portal. These changes will help the UBC community access Workday support and help the ISC review and resolve support requests more efficiently.
The UBC community now has a dedicated form for all Workday-related support requests, including access issues, and will be able to provide more detailed information through categorization and additional fields. This helps the ISC assign the support ticket to the right team, reduces the need for follow-up questions, and makes it easier to identify the issue and cause.
Read more about what’s changed on the ISC website or on Workday This Week.
UBC Food Hub: It’s more than just food! — Website Launch & Pop-Ups
The new UBC Food Hub aims to create a food secure campus community, where all community members can obtain adequate, accessible, nutritionally, and culturally appropriate food in a just and ecologically sound manner.
It’s more than just food! The Food Hub not only connects you with budget-friendly food options but also includes financial supports, wellbeing resources, and opportunities for you to take an active role with us in growing a vibrant, food secure campus community.
Stay tuned for more pop-ups happening across UBC campuses throughout the end of November and December!
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.
- With global supply-chain issues, buying gifts for the holidays is challenging this year. Yet in this particularly difficult year, we still crave traditions to see us through. But what if we took a new, more sustainable approach to holiday gift-giving entirely? Read more
- The lines between work and life have blurred even more over the last couple of years. These 5 books may help you finally achieve a better work-life balance. 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 29: Leading, supporting and responding to change & transition
- Dec 2: QPR Suicide Intervention Training
- 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
To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.