Updates from UBC
- March 17: UBC Broadcast: Announcing the Provost and Vice-President, Academic pro tem, UBC Vancouver, and update on search for permanent role
- March 16: UBC Bulletin: 2022 Celebrate Learning Week
For the latest updates for faculty and staff, visit UBC Today.
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
- Main Mall entrance of Earth Sciences Building closed: The entry/exit on the east side of the building (Main Mall) will be temporarily closed from March 11-31, 2022. During this time, please use alternative entry/exits in the building. For more information, visit the Facilities website.
- Heat recovery chiller expansion in the Life Sciences Centre: In 2021, a third chiller module was added to an existing two-module heat recovery chiller to maximize recoverable heat in the building. This additional chiller module will recover 5800 GJ of heat per year, equivalent to reducing thermal consumption by 21%, and is expected to reduce the building’s GHG emissions by 166 tCO2e per year. Learn more
- Energy conservation measures implemented in I.K. Barber Learning Centre: An energy conservation project was implemented to repair the heat pipe system in the main air handling units (AHUs). Upon completion, the building’s thermal energy demand has been reduced by ~22%, saving UBC ~$11,000 per year in thermal energy cost and reducing emissions by ~40 tCO2e per year. Read more
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Enhancing UBC’s Financial Budgeting, Forecasting and Analysis Support: The Comptroller’s Budget Office team has seen increasing demand for complex future-facing financial analysis, expanded budget and forecasting support, and the integration of new technologies. To better respond to these needs, the team is reforming under a new name, the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team. Read more
- Upcoming Year End Deadlines: For helpful tips and reminders on submitting materials for year end processing, visit the UBC Finance website.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Updates on Rapid Antigen test kit distribution centres: The distribution centres at University Commons and Ponderosa Ballroom are now closed. Learn more
- Communications toolkit for new Business Expense Rules available: This toolkit can help you share information about UBC’s updated business expense rules and where to find further information. Learn more on the VPFO Communications website.
- Designing communication that will not be mistaken as a phishing message: The PrivacyMatters@UBC team has developed a checklist that can be used as a guide to increase the success rate of recipients accepting communications and survey invites as legitimate. 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.
- Amber Velay-Mah and James Rodriguez joined Safety & Risk Services as Patrol Officer on March 15.
- Des Butler joins Financial Operations as Supply Chain Analyst today.
- Albert Besa joins Facilities as Auxilliary Service Worker today.
- Liz Cockfield joins Safety & Risk Services as Project Coordinator today.
- Cristine Estrada joins Financial Operations as Procurement Sourcing Manager today.
- Farewell to Jose Teres, Manager, Construction Office in Facilities. Jose’s last day will be March 25. Thank you for your contribution!
- Farewell to Lynda Cuddy, Emergency and Continuity Planning Associate in Safety & Risk Services. Her last day at UBC is March 31. Happy retirement, Lynda!
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:
- Tax Analyst (JR6379) – closing Mar 22
- Senior Project Manager (JR6785) – closing Mar 22
- Emergency and Continuity Planning Associate (JR6725) – closing Mar 23
- Supplier Setup Clerk (JR6869) – closing Mar 23
- Payroll Operations Support Specialist (JR6272) – closing Mar 24
- Safety Associate – Faculty of Medicine (JR6752) – closing Mar 24
- Service Centre (ISC) Representative (JR6682) – closing Mar 24
- Associate Project Manager (JR6702) – closing Mar 30
- Business Analyst (JR6715) – closing Mar 30
- Project Manager I (JR6700) – closing Mar 30
- Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance (JR6557) – closing Mar 31
- Business Analyst, Data and Reporting (JR5776) – closing Mar 31
- Business System Analyst (JR6656) – closing Apr 4
- Trades 2 – Steamfitter (JR6783) – closing Apr 4
- GIS Technologist – Emergency Management Student Assistant (JR6914) – closing Apr 8
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
New Business Expense Rules will be available for faculty and staff on April 1, 2022
At some time, most employees at UBC will need to use university funds to conduct university business. UBC’s Business Expense Rules form the framework for incurring and reimbursing these expenses and help ensure we all use public funds reasonably, appropriately and efficiently.
The updated Business Expense Rules have been approved and will come into effect on Friday, April 1, 2022, and will be available on the UBC Finance website. In the meantime, you are welcome to review the Business Expense Rules [PDF] in advance to prepare and familiarize yourself with the updated rules.
March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The 2022 International Day focuses on the theme Voices For Action Against Racism and aims to highlight the importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination.
It is important to remember that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day.
Learn more about why this day was created, what racial discrimination has been like in Canada over the course of the pandemic, and what you can do to fight against racism on the VPFO EDI website.
Apply to join the UBC Coaching Internship by April 15
Are you a UBC employee seeking certification as a professional coach and want to apply your new coaching skills and knowledge working with UBC staff and faculty?
Through the Coaching Internship program, you will gain valuable experience coaching faculty and staff in addition to professional development, mentorship and $1,500 towards the tuition cost of the accredited coach training program of your choice.
Applications are due Friday, April 15.
Coaching Internship – Information session
- Wednesday, March 23
- 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
- Register via Zoom
Learn more on the UBC HR website.
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.
- As governments across Canada ease public health restrictions, it’s important to recognize that a pandemic doesn’t end at the same time for everyone. UBC psychiatry professor, Dr. Steven Taylor offers advice on how people can manage the complex feelings that come with this next phase of the pandemic. Read more
- 7 Zoom mistakes you might still be making — and how to raise your video skills — from the Director of Speaker Coaching at TED. Read more
- iOS 15.4 lets you unlock your iPhone’s Face ID even when wearing a mask — here’s how to set it up. Learn 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 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.