Updates from UBC
- March 11: President’s Update: Masks Still Required on UBC Campuses
- March 10: UBC Broadcast: COVID-19 update: Maintaining masks in UBC public indoor spaces
- March 10: UBC Broadcast: Search for a new lead for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UBC
- March 9: UBC Broadcast: Announcing the launch of the Centre for Workplace Accessibility
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- A Walk Through Time: Construction work along the sidewalks of the Earth Sciences Building has started, as part of an exhibit extension of the Pacific Museum of Earth. The museum will be installing a ribbon of steel plates and displays providing a timeline of significant geological and biological events in Earth’s history. Learn more
- Four newly funded projects aimed at boosting sustainability at UBC Vancouver: Four new Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) sustainability projects have just been awarded a share of $200,000 in funding, and will be set in motion this year on the UBC Vancouver campus. Learn more
- Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Labs Renewal Project wins VRCA’s Gold Awards of Excellence: UBC’s Undergraduate Life Science Teaching Labs Renewal — Biological Sciences Building project was one of the winners of Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s (VRCA) 32nd annual Awards of Excellence gala. Learn more
- Synchronizing our clocks at UBC: As part of UBC’s asset renewal initiative for buildings and equipment on campus, a project has been identified to progressively upgrade all of UBC’s synchronized clock technology in order to improve service reliability for campus users, while reducing long-term maintenance costs. Learn more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Claiming unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits: Please check through the list of unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits (updated as of Mar 3) to see if any payments belong to your department.
- Updated Course – Workday Expense Reporting: The Workday Expense Reporting course for all faculty and staff who use expenses in Workday has been updated based on community feedback. Learn more
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Maintaining masks in UBC public indoor spaces: Please note that UBC requires masks to be worn in public indoor spaces on both campuses, until the end of the 2021/22 Winter Session on April 30, 2022. Learn more
- Replacing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on campus: With the assistance of UBC Campus Security, all AEDs in the UBC Vancouver campus have now been replaced with a newer model. For a map of all the AEDs available across campus, visit the SRS website.
- Rapid testing kits continue to be distributed on campus: Rapid testing kits are now also distributed at Graduate Student Society for students, faculty, and staff with the presentation of a UBC ID. For a full list of distribution centres, visit the SRS website.
- Managers’ deadline to approve PD Fund claims is March 16: A final reminder to managers and supervisors that Professional Development Fund claims in Workday must be reviewed and approved no later than Wednesday, March 16. 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.
- Lubna Shawwa joins Operational Excellence as Continuous Improvement Program Manager today.
- Farewell to Doug Doyle, Senior Manager Mechanical Utilities in Energy & Water Services, Facilities, after nine years of service with UBC. Doug’s last day will be March 31, 2022. 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:
- Lead Advisor, Privacy and Information Security Risk (JR6451) – closing Mar 17
- Utility Worker (JR6800) – closing Mar 21
- Tax Analyst (JR6379) – closing Mar 22
- Emergency and Continuity Planning Associate (JR6725) – Mar 23
- Payroll Operations Support Specialist (JR6272) – Mar 24
- Safety Associate – Faculty of Medicine (JR6752) – Mar 24
- Service Centre (ISC) Representative (JR6682) – Mar 24
- Associate Project Manager (JR6702) – Mar 30
- Project Manager I (JR6700) – Mar 30
- Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance (JR6557) – closing Mar 3
- Business Analyst, Data and Reporting (JR5776) – Mar 31
- Business System Analyst (JR6656) – Apr 4
- Trades 2 – Steamfitter (JR6783) – Apr 4
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 recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2022
UBC has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2022. This designation recognizes employers across Canada with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
View the full announcement on the Focus on People website to see why UBC was selected for this award.
Workday 2022 Release 1 Complete
The latest Workday release – which included changes to the homepage, search functionality, and navigation – was completed successfully on March 12.
To help faculty and staff familiarize themselves with their new homepage and other features, the ISC has produced several helpful resources, which are available on the ISC website, Workday This Week, and through the Explore Your New Home Page announcement on your Workday homepage.
Workday has releases twice a year, and these are managed by the Integrated Service Centre. Visit Workday Releases on the ISC website for more information.
Help build UBC’s Zero Waste Action Plan
How can UBC support and facilitate a circular economy on campus? UBC is committed to moving towards a zero-waste community. To help us get there, we’re looking to you to provide feedback on our programs, policies and infrastructure for collective innovation for systems change.
Learn more about how you can help shape UBC’s Zero Waste Action Plan.
UBC Annual Screening Mammography Clinic on April 5, 2022
The Screening Mammography Program (SMP) Mobile Services will once again be visiting the UBC Point Grey Campus on April 5, 2022.
BC women ages 40 and up with a primary care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner or naturopath) can book a screening mammogram directly through the program without a doctor’s referral.
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.
- Is it time to move on from Wordle? Learn more about how doing different types of puzzles can help train your brain — from neurologist Robin Hsiung of UBC’s Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Read more
- Daylight saving time returned over the weekend. Find out in this National Geographic article the history behind daylight saving time and why some places participate while others opt out. 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.
- March 17: Adaptive Resilience by Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute
- March 22: Pet-ditate
- March 28 & April 5: Positive Coping with Truelove Twumasi
- April 6 & 13: Self and Community Care with Erica Altomare
- April 14 (PD funds eligible): Turning down the heat: Communication tips for handling challenging conversations
- Self-guided: Guidelines for unit leaders: Acknowledging collective tragedies and hateful incidents
- Self-guided: Wellbeing in the Workplace
- Self-guided: Preventing Burnout: Managing stress, emotions and our tendency to give
To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Resources and support for coping with difficult events
The last few weeks have been challenging with a number of distressing events, including the conflict in Ukraine and the shocking loss of a team member at UBCO. UBC has a range of health and wellbeing resources and supports available for faculty and staff dealing with difficult situations.