Over the past short period, we have faced changes and challenges that none of us would have believed possible. The extraordinary steps and measures that we are taking across UBC to limit the transmission of COVID-19 are essential for the protection of our communities both on campus and throughout the region and province.
I want to thank all Facilities staff for your unfailing efforts to ensure a smooth transition to modified operations and services that address evolving campus needs while ensuring the health of our staff and community. This has required your commitment, ingenuity, understanding, and swift action.
The majority of our staff are now either working from home on priority initiatives or working rotating schedules of on-campus service to ensure that our buildings, utility systems and public realm are properly monitored and maintained and oversight is provided to active construction projects. While on-campus teaching and research activity has been curtailed we still have students living in residence and essential research activities on-going. Our work remains crucial for the campus community.
At this time when we need to keep a physical distance by necessity, please ensure that you stay connected with your colleagues through regular phone calls, texts, skype, or emails. It is important to know that we are here for each other. Please also ensure that you take care of yourself and your loved ones. It is so important that we follow the practice of physical distancing to help “flatten the curve” and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
On-going communication and information sharing are vital as we move forward. I encourage you to monitor the UBC COVID-19 website (https://covid19.ubc.ca/) which provides a valuable single source of information, updates and FAQs. The Facilities leadership team is directly involved in the university’s response planning and decision-making through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). We will also provide regular updates to the team. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your manager or supervisor if you have questions or concerns.
I am very proud to see the Facilities team respond so quickly and effectively to address this unprecedented situation. The duration of current public health measures is unknown at this point. We will continue to rely on your flexibility as the situation develops. We will undoubtedly face more challenges over the coming period, however, as a team and as a community we will work together and get through this together.
John Metras,
Associate Vice-President, Facilities