Updates from VPFO
- VPFO teams come together to support the UBC community under heat warning: Last week a heat warning was issued for Metro Vancouver and the cooling systems in several buildings on the UBC Vancouver campus simply could not handle these extreme conditions. Huge kudos to our VPFO teams’ teamwork and dedication in ensuring the university community’s safety as high temperatures soared across BC. Read the full message
- Notice of Acting Comptroller August 12-28: Karamjeet Heer, Interim Vice-President, Finance, will be away from Aug 12-28 inclusive. During her absence, she has designated Matt Boydston, Assistant Comptroller (matt.boydston@ubc.ca), as the “Acting Comptroller”. Karamjeet will resume responsibility as Comptroller effective Monday, Aug 29.
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services
- Temporary relocation of the three flagpoles: Due to the construction of the Recreation Centre and the upgrades to Student Union Boulevard, the three flagpoles will be temporarily installed at the East Mall Entrance and Plaza at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre by August 15, 2022. Learn more
- Flythrough of the New Recreation Centre: Watch this fly-through video of the New Recreation Centre on UBC Recreation’s YouTube channel. Learn more about this project, on the Infrastructure Development website.
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Launching UBC’s Continuous Improvement Community of Practice (CoP): A reminder that Operational Excellence’s first Community of Practice (CoP) meeting for Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt practitioners takes place online tomorrow. Learn more
- Expense Partners now able to send back individual expense lines: A new Workday function will be available to allow Expense Partners in Accounts Payable to send back individual expense line(s) from an expense report to the initiator while approving the rest of the report. This change was one of ISC’s planned Workday enhancements. See more upcoming enhancements on the ISC website.
- Claiming unidentified wire transfers and direct deposit: Please check through the list of unidentified wire transfers and direct deposits (updated as of August 4) to see if any payments belong to your department.
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
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Channels in the VPFO: Our channels are established ways you can connect to other teams in the portfolio, across UBC, or the wider public. Learn about our channels as well as when and how to use them.
People in motion
In memory of Dirceu Campos
It is with a profound sense of sadness that we learned of the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague Dirceu Campos.
Dirceu was a valued team member of the UBC Payroll Operations Team. He started with UBC in 2018 as a Leave of Absence/Tuition Waiver Representative and was promoted to a Payroll Specialist role in 2021. Dirceu had a positive impact on many of us as a collaborative, reliable, and supportive professional. He will be remembered by all of us as a happy, kind, caring and wholesome person. We will miss him deeply.
If you need any assistance processing this news, please reach out to our Employee Assistance provider, Morneau Shepell, at their Care Access Centre which is available 24 hours, seven days a week, at 1-800-387-4765.
There will be a memory book for staff to share their condolences, available in Wesbrook (5958 Webber Lane) until noon tomorrow, and at TEF 3 (6190 Agronomy Road) tomorrow afternoon.
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:
- Procurement Officer – Construction (JR8841) – 8/10/2022
- Payroll Operations Support Specialist (JR8939) – 8/11/2022
- Truck Driver Medium/Labourer (JR8935) – 8/11/2022
- Clerk 4 (JR8989) – 8/11/2022
- Head Service Worker (JR8895) – 8/12/2022
- Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) Technician (JR9073) – 8/19/2022
- Manager, Service Center (JR9094) – 8/19/2022
- Senior Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk (JR9032) – 8/22/2022
- Senior Manager (JR9078) – 8/26/2022
- Senior Project Manager (JR9076) – 8/26/2022
- Finance Analyst, Capital Financial Reporting (JR9077) – 8/29/2022
Don’t forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review the Apply for an Internal Job Posting guide in the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on how to apply. Reminder to attach a copy of your resume when you apply for a career opportunity in Workday.
Other notable updates
Adding and Sharing Pronouns on Zoom
Zoom has released a new feature allowing users to add preferred pronouns to their Zoom profile. UBC enabled this feature for UBC Zoom accounts last Friday, August 5.
Sharing personal pronouns is a simple way to communicate our preference while using the Zoom platform and to build inclusive virtual spaces at UBC.
EDI: So, why does sharing gender pronouns in the workplace matter?
At the VPFO, we each play a role in creating an inclusive work environment and helping UBC’s community members of all gender identities feel safe and supported. One of the ways we can help is by modeling the correct use of pronouns.
Personal gender pronouns are the pronouns that a person identifies with and would like to be called when their proper name is not being used.
In this VPFO EDI article, you’ll find:
- Resources about gender pronouns
- Best practices around inclusive communications, including what to do if you get someone’s pronouns wrong
- Practical tips on communicating your pronouns in a comfortable and safe way to your team at work
Read the full VPFO EDI article
Apply for the Managing at UBC program by August 12
Managing at UBC is a leadership development program designed to equip newer managers with the foundational skills, knowledge and tools to succeed and grow in leadership roles at UBC.
Applications for the 2022/23 program are now open. The deadline is Friday, August 12 at 4:30 p.m.
The program is open to Management & Professional (M&P) employees at both campuses who manage direct report(s) and have three years or less of team leading experience (in or outside of UBC).
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.
- Looking for something fun to do with your family this summer? Chilliwack Corn Maze, a popular destination for families and adventurers, has unveiled the design of its 2022 maze ahead of the grand opening of its 24th season next week. Learn more
- Many of us dread the self-introduction, be it in an online meeting or at the boardroom table. Here is a practical framework you can leverage to introduce yourself with confidence in any context, online or in-person. Read more
Managing your mental health
HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation. Refer to this service map to connect with the HR Advisor supporting your area.
Faculty and staff now have a dedicated phone line to access the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) confidential services, through LifeWorks, by calling 1-866-424-0770.