The Transition Team has a new name —Technical Review Team
The Technical Review team’s mandate includes providing technical feedback and input during the design phases of major projects to ensure that the systems being built and handed over are maintainable for their lifespan and technical guidelines are adhered to (or variances requested and documented). The new name will provide improved clarity on what the team is responsible for, build internal alignment, and better reposition how the team partners and works with our teams within Facilities and UBC Properties Trust.
Annual Facility Condition Assessments of UBC owned buildings
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills (formerly Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training), has engaged VFA (The Gordian Group Inc.) to perform their annual Facility Condition Assessments of UBC owned buildings. During this visit, VFA assessors will be visiting the UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus in September 2023 and January 2024 to audit 78 buildings, and visiting six off-campus facilities in February 2024.
Brock Commons North officially opens its doors
The University of British Columbia has officially opened the doors of the new Brock Commons North student residence building, providing 316 additional beds for students. The 18-storey, $59 million building is part of the Brock Commons residence area, which includes Tallwood House (completed in 2017 with 404 beds), and will finish construction in spring 2024 with the completion of Brock South (282 beds).
Custodial Services launches new Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM)
The IPM Plan employs an approach to pest control which addresses every factor in pest prevention and eradication, placing an emphasis on humane treatment involving recommendations to occupants on best practices to resolve the issue and using non-toxic and least-non toxic approaches in this respective order.
Installation of Advanced Solar Array at the Thunderbird Parkade rooftop
As part of the Faculty of Applied Sciences’ Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED) project, the preparation and installation of an advanced solar array at the Thunderbird Parkade rooftop will begin next week.
Metro Vancouver enters Stage 2 water restrictions
As of August 4, Metro Vancouver enters Stage 2 water restrictions and lawn watering is prohibited. UBC continues to follow Metro Vancouver’s watering regulations.
Colleen Mah and Kyle Fenton promoted to Project Managers in Infrastructure Development within Facilities
Congratulations to Colleen Mah and Kyle Fenton on their promotion to Project Manager I in Project Services within Infrastructure Development. Colleen will continue to spearhead diverse initiatives, including renovations to support the University’s Equity & Diversity goals, and Kyle will be leading complex renovation projects for Energy & Water Services, Faculty of Applied Science, and more.
What we do matters
The ice cream social has always been a significant opportunity for me to personally thank you for everything you do for the university. I see your work and how our team takes on challenges every day to keep the campus running and working. What we do together is immensely important.
Staying safe in the summer weather
As the temperatures rise, learn how to identify signs and symptoms, the risks related to heat-related illnesses and how to protect yourself by completing the Heat Stress Awareness course. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms early on so that more serious heat disorders can be prevented.
Streamlining backfills and recruitment for Custodial Services
Custodial Services will be streamlining the process for identifying backfills and facilitating staff moves and recruitment. This change will help facilitate quicker moves of internal staff who are interested in moving to a new shift, and create a quicker turnaround time for hiring and onboarding new staff to backfill vacant assignments.