Last week’s updates from UBC
- November 26: President’s Blog: Weekly Update
- November 26: Broadcast Email: COVID-19: Update on self-assessment requirements
Updates on UBC’s response to COVID-19 are at covid19.ubc.ca.
Managing your mental health
HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage our ups and downs. Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation.
November is Thrive month! HR has a long list of mental health activities and workshops. Get involved and thrive with UBC.
- December 2: Self-Care 101
- December 4: QPR Suicide Intervention Training
- December 9: 10 Minutes of Mindfulness Challenge
Operations updates
Facilities
Building Operations, Energy & Water Services and Infrastructure Development
- D.H. Copp building: The demolition of D.H. Copp Building has received executive approval. This will remove an aging, seismically deficient facility to make way for the development of the planned new School of Biomedical Engineering Building on the site. UBC Properties Trust will begin demolition work next month in December 2020.
- BC Hydro transmissions upgrades: BC Hydro has completed upgrades to the electrical transmission grid that serves the UBC Point Grey campus, increasing electrical demand capacity for the campus from 55 MW to 65 MW. The added capacity enables UBC to accommodate planned campus growth of academic and student housing facilities, as well as new electrification of infrastructure infrastructure as part of UBC’s Climate Action Plan.
- Student residences: Student Housing & Community Services (SHCS) is expecting 800+ students to arrive starting next month for Winter Term 2: January 2021.
- Sustainment team: Two new members join the EMMS Sustainment team. Robin Shortt joins the team as Business Analyst, and Ingrid Lidner as Systems Analyst. For more information, visit the EMMS website.
- MOA Great Hall renewal: MOA is lowering the last Pole in the Great Hall today (Nov. 30), closing the Great Hall to the public starting in December 2020. Demolition work is expected in mid-January 2021, but the rest of the museum remains open. For photos of the Great Hall Pole lowering, visit MOA’s website and gallery.
Finance
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- Reminder – Hyperion 2.0 Goes Live Tomorrow: The Budget Office and the finance community are preparing for Hyperion 2.0 go-live on December 1. Resources from the final Q&A session are available on the Finance website.
- Working from home expenses due Friday: claims for the one-time tax-free reimbursement of up to $400 need to be submitted by December 4. Criteria is available on the Finance website.
IRP/AEP/ISC
Integrated Renewal Program, Application Ecosystem Program and the Integrated Service Centre
- Workday This Week reminder: If you’re having issues when using Workday, please continue to visit Workday This Week.
- Upcoming events: Community call-in sessions are scheduled to help with various topics:
Operations & Advising
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Campus rules updated: Following the recent Public Health restrictions in BC, UBC Campus Rules have been updated with some adjustments to UBC’s non-medical mask policy.
- Active self-assessment: As part of WorkSafeBC requirement, faculty, staff, and contractors who are on campus are now required to directly confirm to a supervisor (or designate) that they have completed a daily self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival at their workplace. For more information, visit the SRS COVID-19 website.
- UBC Safe Vancouver app: UBC has signed with AppArmor to develop and support a Safe Vancouver app for the UBC Point Grey campus. The project anticipates a pilot next month with a select group of campus volunteers. More details will be available in the new year.
- VPFO HR on-site support schedule this week:
- November 30: Matt Furgal, Gregor Macdonald
- December 1: Arvind Kang, Kasia Burza
- December 2: Gregor Macdonald
- December 3: Matt Furgal, Rachel Lau
- December 4: Kasia Burza, Arvind Kang
Other notable updates
Working From Home Tax-Free Equipment Reimbursement Ends Friday
The university will provide a one-time tax-free reimbursement of up to $400 for the purchase of certain equipment employees may have purchased, or need to purchase, in order to have a productive and ergonomic remote working space. VPFO Human Resources has shared this information to find UBC-only discounts on office equipment and ergonomic information.
Helpful news
Some interesting news articles people have found informative or helpful at work. These are provided for information and entertainment only. Unless noted, UBC doesn’t specifically endorse or supply this content.
- For those who need a tree for the holidays, the NY Times has aswered the question of real vs. artificial Christmas trees: which is the greener choice?
- Want to feel a bit more inspired? Meet this year’s honourary degree recipients.
Have an article for your peers? Email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca.