Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations, portfolio

Karamjeet Heer will be leaving UBC to take up a new role at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Karamjeet joined the university in 2019 as Comptroller and was more recently appointed as interim Vice-President, Finance. Her last day at UBC will be October 31, 2022.

As of November 1, 2022, Yale Loh will take on the role of interim Vice-President, Finance. Yale is currently UBC Treasurer, and is responsible for supporting strategic treasury initiatives for all UBC campuses and locations. He will provide strong leadership, alongside John Metras, who is interim Vice-President, Operations.

With regard to the search for a new Vice-President, Finance and Operations, the process is ongoing and we hope to have an update in October.

Read the full UBC Bulletin

Read Karamjeet's message to the VPFO

Work continues on the UBC Hydrogen Fueling Station

Our team recently assembled the Hydrogen Fueling Station's canopy, which will provide weather protection for the hydrogen dispenser users during fueling and visitors at the plaza. 

While the canopy only took the crew three days to assemble on site, the shop drawings and fabrication had begun last December. The next step is to assemble a mass timber structure inside the steel beams to support a glass ceiling.

The new $23 million renewable energy hub will become a city-scale, “living laboratory” that explores critical links between energy, transportation and urban design.

Read more about the project and see recent photos on the Facilities website.


New job strategy session (NJSS): August 16, 23, and 31 

Construction Office  

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences Building – Removal of wall and relocation of shelving, sensors & monitors in PHARM 2340 
  • Neville Scarfe Building, Lecture Block – Painting and replace carpet in Scarfe 1009 

Project Services 

  • Coal & Mineral Processing Lab – Provide power for potential microwave generator 
  • Hebb Building – Roof-mounted telescope 

Updated zone list 

The Zone list (see attached) has been updated as of September 6, 2022. Please note that the following update was made:

  • Red Utility Worker – Roberto Matalabos 

Generator load bank testing schedule 

The regulatory Annual Load Bank Emergency Generator tests will take place in buildings across campus starting on September 12, 2022, until November 1, 2022. Please refer to the timetable for more details. 

There may be power interruptions on emergency backup power circuits during the test run. Please note that: 

  • There won’t be any backup generator available for the duration of the test (approx 3 hours). In the event of a power outage, it will take up to 30 minutes to reconnect the generator and bring it back to its full operation. 
  • Noise and exhaust fumes will occur during the two-hour generator test run. 
  • There will be contractor and tradespeople and vehicles from Facilities working inside and outside of the building. 
  • The contractor’s portable load bank will be parked on site. Temporary cables and other installations on-site may cause potential trip hazards and access issues.

For questions and concerns, please reach out to Travis Simpson, Project Coordinator.


Are you prepared for an emergency? 

Safety & Risk Services' Emergency Management team will be setting up a booth from September 6 to 8, 2022 to help increase the campus community’s resilience, emergency awareness and preparedness! 

Find our Emergency Preparedness booth and ride the Quake Cottage, an earthquake simulator at University Commons outside the Nest today and tomorrow from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 

Emergencies happen, and as UBC students, faculty, and staff, we all have a role to play in emergency preparedness. That’s why it’s important for each and every one of you to have the tools and know-how to respond appropriately. 

Learn more: ready.ubc.ca/readyweek2022 


Shout outs

  • Moving crew in Municipals Services: Special thanks for all the work the crew has done to ensure that our learning spaces are ready for the start of term each year — from supporting our renovation and maintenance projects, exam gym setup, to dozens of furniture moves on a daily basis to keep classrooms operational. Your support is much appreciated! 
     
  • Scott Runquist, Project Coordinator in Building Operations: Shout out to Scott for all your work ensuring that classroom maintenance (Classtrek) is completed in anticipation of the start of term. Every year students can enjoy improved learning spaces as a result of all your hard work. Thank you!
     
  • Bert Tempel Jr., Project Coordinator in Infrastructure Development: Kudos to Bert for your excellent work on coordinating a very tricky theatre furniture installation in Chemistry C124 and C126. Having you come in over the weekend to ensure that all the work went smoothly made all the difference. The Learning Spaces Team is very excited to be able to have these two renovated theatres ready for start of term!
     
  • Noel McNally, Project Manager & Victor Wong, Project Coordinator in Infrastructure Development: Shout out to Noel and Victor for your hard work on the MacLeod Building Renewal project! This project had so many challenges related to equipment delays for the AV systems in our classrooms. Thanks for the extra attention that was needed to pull it all together.  We are now all ready for classes! 

People in motion 

  • Sandy Zarka, Manager, VPFO Administration & Executive Assistant will be taking a personal leave from October 1, 2022, to April 1, 2023. While she's away, Holly Rail, Executive Assistant to the Comptroller will step up into the role of VPFO Manager Administration. She will also be the Board Coordinator for the VPFO, as well as the Executive Assistant to the Interim VP, Finance.  
     
  • Pamela Troyer joins Project Services within Infrastructure Development in Facilities as Project Manager yesterday. In her new role, Pamela will manage projects for the renewal of university facilities, and engage with stakeholders to guide them through the development process and project implementation.
     
  • Best wishes to Hilde Schepens, Project Manager for Project Services within Infrastructure Development, Facilities, for a happy and restful maternity leave! 
     
  • Evan Le Gal joins the Construction Office within Infrastructure Development, Facilities today as Trades 2 - Carpenter. 

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:

  • Truck Driver Medium/Labourer (JR9393) – 9/14/2022
  • Fleet & Asset Manager (JR9380) – 9/14/2022

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.


In case you've missed it  

Here is a quick recap of key events and information that you may have missed. For more details, please click on the links below or refer to our weekly portfolio newsletter, VPFO Update.


EDI – Labour Day: Honoring work & workL-life balance

The first Monday in September has been an official holiday in Canada since 1894. It is a day of rest and celebration of the accomplishments of the labour movement.

The origins of Labour Day come from the movement to establish a 9-hour work day (the standard was a 12-hour work day and a 6-day work week) and a strike by printers in Toronto in the spring of 1872 to get it. 

In this week's EDI article, read about the history of Labour Day and the latest career trend of "Quiet Quitting". 

Read more 


Emergency tip: What to stock in your 72-hour emergency kit

A 72 Hour Emergency Kit is a crucial part of our personal emergency preparedness. Your kit should include the following items: 

  • 4 liters of water per person/per day. 
  • 3-day supply of non-perishable food. 
  • Extra clothing/blankets. 
  • Prescription and non-prescription medicine. 
  • First-aid kit. 
  • Battery or crank powered radio. 
  • Plastic sheet and duct tape (for shelter) 

For a complete emergency kit list, visit the UBC Emergency Preparedness website and the Government of Canada’s Get Prepared website.


Managing your mental health 

Human Resources 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 HR representatives are always available for a confidential conversation:

  • Monica Haab (monica.haab@ubc.ca): Building Operations, Energy & Water Services, Customer Services & Informatics, and Municipal Services
  • Gregor MacDonald (gregor.macdonald@ubc.ca): Custodial Services and Infrastructure Development

Thanks for reading!

Find this newsletter and past issues on the Facilities website
facilities.ubc.ca/facilities-weekly

For questions and content submission
 Email: facilities@vpfo.ubc.ca.

 
 

UBC Facilities is part of the VP Finance & Operations (VPFO) Portfolio, and includes six departments—Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Services.
 

UBC Facilities
The University of British Columbia
Campus & Community Planning (C&CP) Building
2210 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
facilities.ubc.ca

VP Finance & Operations (VPFO)
The University of British Columbia
Koerner Library, 6th Floor 
1958 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
vpfo.ubc.ca

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