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.
Move In 2025 media coverage
Move In Day on our campuses always gets plenty of coverage in the media. Here’s a roundup of coverage from August/September 2025:
- Castanet: More than 1,200 students welcomed to UBCO during move-In day
- CBC: Moving away for school
- CBC: UBC welcomes thousands of students as they move into residence for the first time
- CBC: Post-secondary students moving into residence this week
- CBC (TikTok): Moving into UBC Residences | A First Year Experience
- Vancouver Sun: How to decorate a dorm for form and function
Plus, don’t miss all our homegrown move-in coverage on Instagram at @ubcoresidence and @ubcresidence.
Kiwibots collaboration at UBC Bookstore
Three robotic ambassadors are helping human students get ready for the new school term this month. Part of an innovation partnership between researchers in the Faculty of Applied Science and Rogers Communications, the Kiwibot robots dubbed Grey, Kelly and Robson are putting their knowledge on display and to the test at the UBC Bookstore. Learn more.
Parking Vancouver introduces two new parking payment providers
The UBC Vancouver Parking team is excited to announce that, starting in September 2025, visitors to the Vancouver campus can now pay for parking using PayByPhone and ZipBy, in addition to existing services, such as Honk. These apps/services have a significant presence in BC and the Lower Mainland, with over 2M subscribers combined, so adding them as payment options will strengthen the customer experience at our parking facilities.
New Mobi stations at Vancouver student residences
This summer, four new Mobi bike share stations were added at student residence locations on the Vancouver campus: Place Vanier, q̓əlɬaləməcən leləm̓ (Orca House), Thunderbird and Totem Park. Many thanks to everyone on the Facilities and Building Services team who helped make this happen.
SHCS leaders contribute to new VPS course
This summer, the VPS HR team launched a new course, designed specifically for supervisors of student staff in our portfolio: Essentials of Leading Student Staff. Many thanks to Connie Lay, Renato Marin Veliz, Sahil Nandal and Sam Wellman, along with many others, who contributed their time, guidance and advice to the development of this course. And please consider taking the course if you supervise student staff!
C&A providing accommodations for Vancouver’s largest convention ever
This July, C&A is providing accommodation at Orchard Commons, Place Vanier and Totem Park for approximately 900 guests—just one portion of the 35,000 anticipated guests who will be in Vancouver to attend the 2025 International Convention. Taking place July 3–6, 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium, this conference will be the largest in Vancouver’s history.
SHCS Shoreline Cleanup 2025
On Thursday, June 5, in honour of World Oceans Day, our team spent the afternoon cleaning up trash on Wreck Beach, ultimately diverting 20.1 lbs of trash from the beach during our annual shoreline cleanup, organized by chef Hoang Nguyen in partnership with the OWC. Items included everything from cigarette butts and bottle caps to glass and plastic bags. A small step for cleaner coastlines—and a reminder to consume with care! View a photo of our shoreline cleanup crew.
Welcome back Jenny DeGelder, SHCS UBC Okanagan
We are delighted to have Jenny DeGelder return to SHCS, UBC Okanagan, as the SHCS Administrator. A multi-talented manager, Jenny began with SHCS in 2017 covering a temporary leave as a Conferences Sales and Services Manager. When that contract came to an end, Jenny briefly worked as dispatcher with Campus Security, returning to SHCS as a Conference Sales and Services Manager, and later as an Assistant Manager at the Nechako Residence Front Office. In early 2024, Jenny and her husband relocated to Vancouver Island. But to the good fortune of SHCS, Jenny and her family returned to the Okanagan earlier this year.
Feeding the Future: SHCS hosts 2025 CCUFSA National Conference
From June 23 to 26, 2025, SHCS is hosting the 2025 national conference for the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA). Hosted annually at a Canadian college or university, the CCUFSA National Conference brings together higher education food service leaders from across the country for events, educational speakers and panelists, a vendor trade show, a chef’s culinary challenge, one-on-one networking and more. This year’s theme is Feeding the Future, and we look forward to welcoming delegates from across the country to UBC.
SHCS Nutrition and Wellbeing 2024/25 report
SHCS Nutrition and Wellbeing recently released their 2024/25 report and plans for 2025/26. The informative and engaging report reviews 2024/25 programs and outlines 2025/26 plans, highlighting events, workshops, booths, articles and initiatives aimed at enhancing the health, wellbeing and nutrition literacy and skills of students living in residence. It also features the first staff-focused initiative, SHCS Nutrition Month Bingo, which was launched this past year in collaboration with the OWC.
2025 VPS Pancake Breakfast
On Wednesday, May 28, staff from across the Vice-President Students (VPS) portfolio—including SHCS—gathered with colleagues and friends from across the university and enjoyed delicious pancakes and smoothies, plus awesome draw prizes, at the VPS Pancake Breakfast. Hosted by Dr. Ainsley Carry, VP, Students, and Dr. Samantha Reid, AVP, Students, the morning event was held at Orchard Commons and Open Kitchen Dining Hall. Many thanks to the Food Services staff who catered the event.
WorkSafe Magazine features SHCS staff
As we reported in February and April, WorkSafeBC visited Facilities and Building Services in January to cover our team’s innovative work supporting staff and helping to reduce musculoskeletal injuries at work. Initially featured in WorkSafeBC’s March 2025 Ergonomics E-news, this story is also the safety spotlight in the summer 2025 edition of WorkSafe Magazine (page 13).
Many thanks to everyone in Facilities and Building Services, Occupational Health and Safety, and UBC Ergonomics, for their role in supporting this unique story and helping to promote safer workplaces across BC.
C&A receives 2025 Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
Congratulations to the team at Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) on receive Traveller’s Choice Awards for all three of their UBC Vancouver hotel and hostel properties: Gage Suites, West Coast Suites and Pacific Spirit Hostel. This award recognizes properties that are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. Learn more.
2025 Food Services Apprentice Dinner
On May 28, 2025, UBC’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program celebrated another successful Apprentice Dinner, highlighting the talent and creativity of our emerging culinary professionals. Take a peek at the event and learn how this hands-on program is shaping future Red Seal chefs and strengthening UBC’s culinary team. Learn more and check out photos.
Reusable container program launches at UBC Vancouver
Through a new partnership with Friendlier, a unique Canadian reusable container company, meals and beverages served at Hero | Harvest Market (Brock) and Harvest Market (Ponderosa) will now come in reusable containers or cups. This simple swap is part of UBC Food Services’ ongoing effort to reduce single-use waste on campus. Learn more about how it works, see it in action on @ubcfoodie and watch for additional locations this fall!
Congratulations to Jillian Klassen, C&A/A&R
Congratulations to Jillian Klassen, Sports and Venue Partnerships Manager, Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) / Athletics and Recreation (A&R) and her partner Chris. At 10:22 pm on May 28, 2025, they welcomed baby boy Seth, who weighed 7lbs, 10 oz. Jillian shares that big sister “Molly is obsessed with her new little brother!” View a photo.
Growing Chefs 2025
In May 2025, Food Services’ chefs David Speight, Darren Clay, Johnny Bridge and Amanda Rehel once again volunteered with Growing Chefs, a local non-profit organization. This year was the fifth year that our chefs have volunteered with the program since 2018, and their second year at Bayview Community Elementary School in Kitsilano. This year, the team led a grade one class through activities such as planting a windowsill garden, pickling vegetables, discussing food preferences and culturally appropriate foods, and making a salad. View a photo.
New IT website in SHCS Staff Hub
SHCS Marcom and IT are pleased to announce the launch of a new IT website for SHCS staff, as part of the SHCS Staff Hub. This new site features important resources for SHCS staff on both campuses, making tech support easier and more streamlined. From setting up Outlook and mapping your department drive to restarting your VDI, you’ll find step-by-step guides for resolving many common issues. Plus, there are clear instructions on after-hours emergency support, team member profiles and more. Thank you to Leon Leung and Sam Pat in SHCS IT for their collaboration on this project. Visit the site (CWL login required).
Food Services’ Summer Sizzler with Chef Amanda Réhel
UBC summer foodie events are back! If you missed the recent Summer Sizzler, be sure to try out Chef Amanda Réhel’s recipe for Blueberry, Arugula and Fonio Salad with Spiced Cashews and Ginger Vinaigrette. Don’t miss the next event—follow @UBCfoodie or subscribe to the GoodEats Newsletter for the latest food news and events on campus.
Changes ahead at the University Centre
The Leon and Thea Koerner University Centre, home to Sage Catering, is currently undergoing a few changes. After the departure of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, which occupied a portion of the building for many years, our Sage team now occupies most of the building—adding three more bookable spaces for meetings and events.
Starting later this fall, we will be renovating the University Centre’s upper level, a project made possible by the Peter Wall Legacy Fund. This renovation will include the patio and the old seminar room, now re-named the Wall Collaboration Centre, which will serve as a venue for members of the UBC community, Wall Fellows and Wall Research Awardees to congregate, exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions.
Congratulations to Amy Shin
Please join us in congratulating Amy Shin, from the SHCS HR team, on the birth of Rowan Junhee Shin. Rowan was born on April 6, 2025 at 2:45 am, weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz. Amy reports that big sister Charlotte is thrilled about her new role and everyone is doing very well.