Updates from UBC
- January 20: UBC Broadcast: Share your ideas to help shape the future of the UBC Vancouver campus
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- Follow MOA’s Great Hall Renewal project: Witness this impressive undertaking on the live webcam as we begin to dismantle the outer walls of MOA’s Great Hall. The project is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2023. Learn more
- Facilities Annual Injury Statistical Review: An overview of the health and safety efforts in the departments within Facilities in 2021, and identifies opportunities and areas for improvement. Read more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Importance of Setting Up Your Supplier Early in Workday: UBC departments have access to request a new supplier to be set up in Workday internally. This allows more visibility and control over the approval process. Learn more
- Claiming unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits: Please check through the list of unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits (updated as of Jan 20) to see if any payments belong to your department.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Rapid Antigen Testing distribution centre at Life Sciences Centre is closing on Jan 28: To find the closest COVID-19 testing centre, please visit the BCCDC website.
- Data Privacy Day is January 28: Join the Privacy Matters @ UBC team on Jan 28 from 11:00am – 12:00pm with an important discussion about changes to Data Residency Restrictions in BC. Learn more and register
- Three steps to great communications: Whether you’re planning a full-blown marketing campaign or writing an office email, this simplified model will help you develop effective communications to meet your business goals. Learn more on the VPFO Communications website
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.
- Tom Kiely joined as Financial Analyst on Jan 17.
- Syed Saif Ali will be moving on from his role as Processor, Accounts Payable to Functional Support Analyst, ISC Cross-Functional on Jan 17.
- Gavin Esdale is joining as Sustainable Travel Coordinator, Procurement Partnerships today.
- Farewell to Serena Wang, Vendor Clerk, Customer Support. 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. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Relief Shift Engineer (JR5906) – closing Jan 25
- Project Coordinator (JR5941) – closing Feb 2
- Operating Engineer (JR5938) – closing Feb 4
- Human Resources Advisor (JR6009) – closing Feb 11
- Project Manager II (JR5779) – closing Feb 15
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
How does Operational Excellence measure success?
In July 2021, we began to roll out Lean Six Sigma White Belt training across the VPFO portfolio. Now that the tools and knowledge to support and lead successful continuous improvement projects are beginning to spread — how do we measure our success?
In Operational Excellence, we measure success through Benefits Realization Management (BRM).
In this article, find out:
- What is Benefits Realization Management and why is it important?
- What role does BRM play in our past and future projects?
- How can I learn more about BRM?
UBC is one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People 2022
UBC has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People in 2022, for the tenth consecutive year. This special designation recognizes the employers that offer the nation’s best workplaces and programs for young people starting their careers.
View the full announcement on the Focus on People website to see why UBC was selected for this award.
Windows 10 Forced Restart Initiative
Out-of-compliance, UBC IT PCs have been enrolled in a new service that will automatically restart PCs if a newly installed Windows Update requires a restart to complete the installation.
The enrolment will take place starting in February and users will be notified to upgrade their Windows machine to ensure they are running the latest version and to stay in compliance with the security standards.
If these updates are installed while you are logged into your PC, a two-week countdown for a forced restart will begin. During these two weeks, pop-up notification reminders will display every three-hours prompting you to restart your computer or snooze.
Recording of the Digital UBC Townhall Now Available
If you missed the townhall in December, you can view the recording to learn more about Digital UBC, how you can get involved, and learn more about the opportunities for the university to harness digital technologies.
January 26: Staff Hot Lunch with Professor Santa Ono
Register for the upcoming online Hot Lunch with President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC, Santo Ono.
- When: January 26, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
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.
- Lesley Lutes, a UBC psychology professor, says about 95% will have abandoned their resolutions by the end of January. So instead of setting specific goals, this toolkit from LifeWorks includes information to help you balance physical and emotional wellness.
- Understanding these five stages of team development enables you to get teams started, resolve conflicts more smoothly, share information effectively, achieve top results, and then review outcomes to keep finding ways to improve. 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.
- Jan 19 – Mar 9: Weekly mindful sessions with Aisha Tejani
- Jan 26: Ergo your posture
- Jan 26 (Part 1) & Feb 3 (Part 2): Self and Community Care: Building Skills to Manage Stress
- Feb 22: Search Inside Yourself Half Day Program
- 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.