Bookstore discounts starting this month!
The UBC Bookstore is offering three fantastic discounts starting this month—including one just for SHCS staff (in addition to the existing 15% off red-ticketed items for SHCS staff).
- Passport photo discount: from Nov 10 to 30 get print passport photos for just $9.99. Learn more about the Bookstore’s passport photo service. Vancouver only.
- Family and friend grad discount: from Nov 26 to 29 get 12% off clothing (including lululemon!), giftware and trade books.* Vancouver and Okanagan. In-store and online. Discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotional products.
- SHCS employee discount: from Nov 17, 2025, to March 31, 2026, SHCS employees get 10% off clothing (including lululemon!), giftware and trade books.* Vancouver and Okanagan. In-store only. Discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotional products. Use promo code “10SHCS” at the till.
*These offers do not include consignment items, graduation frames, computer products, stationery, residence supplies and textbooks.
Welcome Rayan Kanaan, RLM, Orchard Commons
Please join us in welcoming Rayan Kanaan, Residence Life Manager at Orchard Commons, who started in mid-November and will be overseeing Bartlett House, alongside current RLM, Calvin Cheung (Braeburn House). Most recently, Rayan was a Residence Life Coordinator at Thompson Rivers University, where she supported a dynamic community of over 600 students. Prior to that, Rayan worked for a non-profit organization as a Refugee Resettlement Counsellor, where she supported families arriving to Canada from around the world. Outside of work, Rayan enjoys travelling, playing sports and experimenting with culinary arts in the kitchen. Welcome, Rayan!
Professional development activities: Child Care Vancouver
In early October, senior leaders at UBC Child Care Vancouver participated in a half-day workshop, Building an Accountable Workplace, facilitated by Ablaze Services. The workshop, which our Child Care colleagues highly recommend, covered topics such as bystander training, calling people “in” and “out”, and consensual feedback.
Additionally, the Child Care management team continues to collaborate closely with the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network and deepen their engagement with their pedagogical commitment to a feminist ethics of care, which emphasizes caring for and about others, including human, non-human and non-living beings. To support this commitment, every Wednesday, senior leaders will gather to read and journal in relation to this topic. They held their first session in October and are energized by the journey ahead.
Welcome Shannon Chen, HR Manager
Please join us in welcoming Shannon Chen to SHCS HR team, who started in late October and is covering Sam Morrison’s maternity leave (congratulations Sam!). Shannon comes to UBC with over fifteen years of progressive HR experience across retail, distribution and corporate environments, including four years as a Senior Advisor, People and Culture at Belron Canada, and most recently at lululemon, where she has worked since 2019 as a People and Culture Business Partner and a Senior People and Culture Advisor. Welcome, Shannon!
Gillian Wallis receives OACUHO President’s Recognition Award
Please join us in congratulating Gillian Wallis, Manager, Residence Transition and Community Engagement, who received the President’s Recognition Award from the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers (OACUHO) at their fall 2025 conference at Toronto Metropolitan University.
This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding qualities within their role and go above and beyond expectations. Gillian was recognized for her incredible work enhancing residence life events and programming, implementing unique sustainability initiatives, and streamlining our move-in and move-out operations. Learn more.
Welcome Sajia Ebrahimi, Manager, Residence Education
Please join us in welcoming Sajia Ebrahimi, Manager, Residence Education, who started her new role in early November. In this role, Sajia will oversee Residence Advisor (RA) recruitment, the RA training program, the Program Resource Centre (PRC) and its staff, along with advising student leaders on the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
With well over a decade of experience in academic leadership and instructional roles at higher education institutions, Sajia joins UBC from LaSalle College Vancouver, where she served as Program Director for the Associate of Arts program since 2023. Welcome, Sajia!
Local Safety Team receives Safety Achievement Award
L–R: Ainsley Carry, Abigail Overduin, Sam Medeiros, Kate Allan, Gordon Mitchell, Celia McGrath, Rebecca Eng and Rob Harley
Congratulations to everyone on the Operational Services Local Safety Team (LST) on receiving a Safety Achievement Award at UBC Safety Day on October 8, 2025. The Operational Services LST was recognized for innovation and collaboration in recognition of their initiative to trial a powered stair climber (instead of a traditional, manual dolly) to move heavy appliances around the Vancouver campus and help keep injury rates low.
This initiative was also featured by WorkSafeBC in their Summer 2025 Newsletter and Musculoskeletal Prevention Handbook. Learn more about Safety Day 2025 and view a photo of the LST representatives accepting their award.
Join an LST! We’re looking for SHCS staff to join one of the safety committee and help make our workplace even safer. Learn more about LSTs and how to join.
Shout-out to Shane Gopaulsingh for exceptional customer service
A big shout-out to Shane Gopaulsingh, Manager, UBC Bookstore, for delivering exceptional customer service. A customer—who was so moved they shared the story with an SHCS staff member they know—recently ordered a UBC hoodie from the Bookstore but received it in the mail with the security tag still attached (an honest packing oversight!).
The customer is a busy working parent, so he was not in a position to return the item to the store in person. When Shane learned about the situation, he reached out to the customer and let him know that he would make a personal visit to resolve this problem.
After work, Shane grabbed the tag removal device, drove to the customer’s home and personally removed the security tag. He even brought along a UBC mug as a goodwill gesture for the inconvenience. The customer, who is also a UBC alumnus, was beyond appreciative. Way to go, Shane!
Welcome Sharmila Pal, Food Services Finance
Please join us in welcoming Sharmila Pal, who joined the Food Services finance team as an Accounts Payable Processor in September. Sharmila brings a unique background, with many years in Accounts Payable roles, but also a degree in psychology and a decade working in the mental health field. Having spent most of her life in Richmond, she also lived for two years in Quebec. A foodie who enjoys trying different foods and restaurants, she also loves being in nature, hiking and travelling, along with dancing and racquet sports. Welcome, Sharmila!
Karen Vaughan in-conversation with Early Childhood Pedagogy Network
Later this month, on November 25, Karen Vaughan, Director, UBC Child Care (Vancouver) is participating in an event with the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network (ECPN), a province-wide organization that creates spaces for vibrant public conversations about pedagogical processes and projects in early childhood spaces.
Karen will be joining early childhood program directors Kim Ainsworth and Sara Sutherland in conversation with ECPN Co-Director Kathleen Kummenas to share their experiences as administrators working to create conditions for children, educators and families to live and learn well together. Learn more and register to attend.
C&A supports international health conference at Marriott Pinnacle
In addition to organizing on-campus conferences in the summer months, did you know that C&A also helps plan off-site conferences in Vancouver for UBC professors between September and April?
For the past two years, the team has worked with professors from the Faculty of Medicine and UBC Health to organize the Patient’s Voice 2025 conference, which takes place November 12–15 at the Marriott Pinnacle hotel. This conference welcomes hundreds of researchers, patients and community health organizations from around the world and across many health disciplines. Thank you to Lisa Kanavaros, Ruth Situma and Ben Ranieri for their outstanding work on this conference.
Book your team holiday lunch with Sage Catering: full service or drop delivery
Sage Catering is offering a special holiday menu for team celebrations this season—with both full service and drop delivery options available. Serving locations across campus, Sage Catering delivers fresh, festive options perfect for bringing your team together during the holidays. View the Sage Holiday Feast menu and book your team holiday lunch today.
UBC’s 2024-25 sustainability report features SHCS initiatives
Earlier this fall, UBC Sustainability released its 2024–25 annual report. This year, the report features summaries of several exciting initiatives within SHCS, including Sage Catering’s elimination of single-use cutlery and packaging (p. 24), a waste reduction pilot project at Marine Drive (p. 24), the new Residence Sustainability Enhancement fund (p. 27) and the development of the Lower Mall Precinct Project student residence (pp. 27, 33).
Harvest Feastival recap
UBC’s 2025 Harvest Feastival served up a vibrant evening on September 18, with 700 guests sharing a family-style meal of locally sourced dishes prepared by Sage Catering, while live music and performances unfolded right beside their tables. After dessert, the celebration spilled into the Arts & Culture District, where even more performances and installations could be enjoyed. Check out an Instagram reel and photos from the event.
Move In Day social media roundup
Between our two campuses, we welcomed well over 7,000 students to campus on our Jump Start and standard Move In Days! Relive the Move In Day memories in these posts on SHCS social media.
Vancouver
New residence mentorship program at UBC Okanagan
In September, the Residence Life team launched the Residence Academic Connections Program, an exciting new mentorship program that connects first year residents with upper year residents in the same program of study, who can then offer social support, program exploration, and academic motivation throughout the term. Over 200 students have signed up so far!
C&A hosts unique Rio Tinto conference
From September 16 to 19, C&A Vancouver hosted the 2025 Rio Tinto Agreements and Cultural Heritage Symposium, a forum for extractive industries to learn and share best practices and protocols for making agreements with Indigenous Nations and jointly preserving the environment and cultural heritage.
With 100 delegates in attendance, from North America, South America and Australia—along with Indigenous leaders from each continent—the conference took place in the Ponderosa Commons Ballroom, with a special dinner at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA). Catering throughout the conference was provided by Sage, and attendees stayed in our Signature Studios at q̓əlɬaləməcən leləm̓ (Orca House).
Experience and Involvement Hub info sessions at UBC Okanagan
Throughout September, Residence Life Okanagan is holding a series of Experience and Involvement Hub info sessions in each community’s lounge space. Each of the 17 interactive sessions will guide students through UBC Okanagan’s new Experience and Involvement Hub, a new platform created by Experiential Education to help students discover and track experiential learning and involvement opportunities at UBCO.
Dining Room Hacks tours a big success
From September 9 to 11, the Food Services Nutrition and Wellbeing team, led by Gloria Sun, organized a series of Dining Room Hacks tours for new residents at our three residence dining halls in Vancouver. Guided by student Nutrition Education Volunteers, the team hosted 205 personalized tours in total.
Residents who attended were able to meet dining hall managers and chefs, sample some plant-based menu items and get a range of tips and tricks from the Eating Well with All Access Dining series, such as how to use Nutrislice, customize residence dining meals, along with general nutrition info about how to form a nutritious and balanced meal.
Transformative summer for Parking Okanagan
The UBC Okanagan Parking team experienced one of their most transformative summer terms in the department’s history, with numerous significant projects underway. Highlights include parking lot layout changes, road safety improvements, the installation of licence plate reading cameras in all lots and all roadways on campus, new and improved pay stations, and a new parking validation platform for guest and event parking. Amidst all these changes, they have also not needed to increase permit and rate prices for the second year in a row. Learn more.
Join the SHCS Road Warriors for Go By Bike Week: Sept 27–Oct 3
Go By Bike Week kicks off Saturday, September 27. Don’t miss out on your chance to take part, win prizes and help contribute to a vibrant cycling culture at UBC.
- Vancouver staff: join the SHCS Road Warriors—a top UBC and Metro Vancouver team.
- Okanagan staff: join the UBC Okanagan team!
$10 a Day child care at UBC Okanagan
UBC Okanagan Child Care is excited to share that as of August 1, 2025, all group child care programs—from 8 months to school age—at spəqmix and sʔitwənx are now part of the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program. Families will now pay no more than $200 per month, per child, for full-time care, significantly increasing child care affordability for families in the UBC Okanagan community.
Waste pilot project continues at Marine Drive
Following a successful phase 1 of the waste pilot project at Marine Drive residence in Winter 2025, SHCS Facilities and Building Services, in coordination with the SEEDs Sustainability Program, is rolling out phase 2 based on the research results from phase 1.
From September to December, housekeeping staff will collect food scraps bins from each unit, and replace compostable bags, on a standardized schedule. Phase 1 research showed that collecting food scraps bins, rather than requiring students to bring their own food scraps to the basement waste sorting rooms, more than doubled the overall recycling rates in the buildings where that intervention was tested. Phase 2 is an opportunity to roll the program out residence wide. Based on results, we hope to roll this program out long-term at Marine Drive and expand it to additional year round residence areas—as part of our efforts to help UBC meet our collective zero waste goals.
Bike Locker collaboration with UBC Okanagan Child Care
Thanks to a collaboration with Hailey Rilkoff, Sustainable Transportation Program Lead, artwork by children in the 3–5 year-old program at spəqmix child care centre is now featured on a bike locker next to the centre. This unique project adds a vibrant touch to this space and helps highlights the importance and value of the child care community to campus life.
Pacific Spirit Hostel ranked #1 in Vancouver!
Congratulations to the Conferences and Accommodation team! This summer, Pacific Spirit Hostel—which operates out of Place Vanier student residence from May to August each year—welcomed a record number of guests and rose to the #1 spot on Tripadvisor for hostels in Vancouver, a rating based on guest reviews.
This exciting ranking comes on the heels of receiving a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award earlier this year, and it reflects the hard work of the incredible Pacific Spirit Hostel team. The front desk crew, frequently praised in guest reviews, are always welcoming and ready to assist, and the housekeeping team regularly goes above and beyond, with details such as triple-sheeted beds for comfort (and a touch of luxury!). Way to go team!
New VPS/SHCS wellbeing initiative
This year, the VPS/SHCS HR team is launching a new wellbeing initiative to replace Not Myself Today (NMT). While the NMT program, which focused specifically on mental health, served us well for a number of years, this new initiative is tailor made for our units/departments and will take a broader approach, embracing overall wellbeing.
The new initiative launched this week, with an orientation for our new VPS wellbeing ambassadors, and it will run until spring 2026. Watch for info from your wellbeing ambassador soon!
Interested in becoming a VPS/SHCS Wellbeing Ambassador? They’re looking for a few more volunteers. Please reach out to Richa Kothari at richa.kothari@ubc.ca.
Skipper Otto pilot at Gather
Food Services is excited to partner with Skipper Otto on a new large-scale, CSA*-style pilot program at Gather, supporting small-scale, independent fishers. Skipper Otto’s boat-to-fork model ensures transparency by directly connecting staff and customers with the fishers who catch our seafood. This innovative approach promotes sustainability, traceability, and equitable partnerships. Keep and eye out for Skipper Otto pop-ups at Gather and learn more about Skipper Otto’s mission.
*Community Supported Agriculture
New at UBC Bookstore: BC Lions merchandise
One of several merchandise partnerships, including MAKE Originals and lululemon, the UBC Bookstore is proud to now carry official BC Lions merch—including the new 90s-inspired collection by Vancouver artist Seth Book. Don’t miss out! Visit the store to gear up and cheer on your Vancouver BC Lions.
UBC Okanagan Residence Orientation
On Sunday, August 31—following the August 30 Move In Day—UBC Okanagan Residence Life held an engaging and informative Residence Orientation for approximately 1,100 new student residents. Covering topics ranging from making friends and tips for living in a residence community to dining and meal plans, this orientation helped set residents up for a successful time in residence this year.
