Spring deals, discounts and happenings at UBC Bookstore
From April 1 to 30, $1 coffee and tea at the Corner Store is back! Bring your own mug and enjoy this little boost in your day—with Ethical Bean coffee and Numi tea. Then, during UBC graduation, May 21–29, the Bookstore’s Grad Sale is on! Take 12% off clothing, giftware, lululemon and more. Plus, throughout graduation, visit the Grad Garden outside the Bookstore—a fun, engaging space with music, games and more. Congratulations to all the 2025 graduates!
Andy Chan featured in The Ubyssey
Andy Chan, Executive Sous Chef of Retail, Restaurants and Catering in Food Services, was recently featured in The Ubyssey, UBC’s student news publication. The article shares Andy’s journey from a high school home economics class to his two decades with UBC Food Services, and touches on Andy’s passions, values, family life, his role in opening DaBao and Hero Harvest Brock Commons South this past year, what he appreciates about working at UBC and more. Read the article.
Smile Cookies are back!
Smile Cookies are back at Tim Hortons and 100% of the proceeds from each cookie sold on campus will go to the UBC Learning Exchange. From April 28 to May 4, stop by one of our campus Tims locations to enjoy a delicious cookie and support an impactful UBC organization.
Welcome Fiona Cameron, Food Services Marketing Specialist
Please join us in welcoming Fiona Cameron, Food Services Marketing Specialist, to the SHCS Marketing and Communications team. Fiona joins us from SFU, where she oversaw digital marketing and community engagement for their Food department. Notably, while at SFU, she collaborated with Indigenous Chef, Steph Baryluk, to develop the award-winning Rooted Indigenous Food program. She has also worked for food companies such as Nature’s Path and Spud. Plus, she operates the plant-based blog Plantily. Welcome, Fiona!
UBC Bookstore launches new passport photo service
Starting April 14, the Bookstore (Vancouver store) is offering a new passport photo service for the UBC community. Located on the lower level of the Bookstore, beside the Campus Mail Desk, customers can get their passport photos taken and have them in-hand within just a few minutes. Regular price for passport photos is $21.95. From April 14 to May 3, the Bookstore is offering a 50% discount. Learn more.
Welcome Shawn Dhanda, Building Services Manager
Please join us in welcoming Shawn Dhanda, Building Services Manager, to the Facilities and Building Services team. Following Mahara Silva’s retirement, Shawn is taking on the role at Place Vanier, where he has already been working for a few months in preparation. The team is thrilled to have him on board, and his expertise will be invaluable in ensuring our spaces are maintained to the highest standards. Welcome Shawn!
C&A honours Long Service Award recipients
On March 31, Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) Vancouver held a mini-celebration for the SHCS Long Service Award recipients from C&A who were not able to attend the SHCS Awards Reception in February. The following hotel service workers were presented with awards for their years of service: Harjinder Kullar (15 years), Julie Estrada (10 years) and Cherry Badana (10 years), along with Amerita Sia (3 years). View a photo.
SHCS Marcom launches three new websites
SHCS Marketing and Communications has been busy this season, rolling out redesigned websites for three SHCS departments: Sage Catering, UBC Okanagan Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) and UBC Okanagan Child Care.
Led by Sylvia Tuason, Manager, Digital Communications, with designs by Tom Bromwich and Hannah Ma, and with significant contributions from departmental leaders, these projects showcase the incredible work and reflect the strong reputations of these three business departments—and provide customers and clients with the high-quality online experiences they expect.
A big thank you from Marcom to Levi Semadeni, Bogdan Anton, Tash Reynolds, Maaike Ammerlaan, Alicia Larson, Lisa Anderson and Sean Lee for their collaboration on these projects.
Visit the new websites today:
Congratulations to Kashmira Daver
Congratulations to Kashmira Daver, Head Hotel Service Worker, Conferences and Accommodation, on becoming a grandma! Kashmira’s son and daughter-in-law welcomed baby boy Darius on March 17.
Purchasing team updates: Maria Domingo and Zachary Wong
The SHCS Purchasing team is pleased to announce two staffing updates. Maria Domingo was recently promoted to Senior Procurement Officer, after acting in the role since November 2024. With her knowledge, dedication and leadership skills, developed over 19 years in Purchasing for SHCS, she is already excelling in her new role. Please join us in congratulating Maria on this well-deserved recognition and promotion. Additionally, Zachary Wong recently joined the team as Procurement Officer. Joining us from the Bookstore, where he worked since 2011 in sales and since 2015 as a giftware buyer, Purchasing is excited to have him on the team. “Please stop by MD6 to welcome Zack—and give him a high five!” says Hoi Ying Yu, Associate Director, Ancillary Procurement.
Andrew Parr receives AMS Just Desserts award
On Monday, April 7 at Cecil Green Park House, Andrew Parr, Associate Vice-President, SHCS, was honoured with a Just Desserts award by the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) at their 2025 awards reception. The AMS awards this distinction, with recommendations from UBC student societies and AMS executive, to members of the UBC community who have shown outstanding passion and work in the spirit of service for students throughout the year. Nominated by a member of the AMS, Andrew was recognized for his many years of leadership in expanding on-campus student housing and for the overall depth of his commitment to UBC students. Congratulations, Andrew!
Lower Mall Precinct project update: April 2025
Phase One of the Lower Mall Precinct (LMP) project, the redevelopment of the current St. John’s College site, is now well into the design phase. The heights of each building and the number of residence spaces without kitchens—400 units, where occupants will enjoy a meal plan at the dining hall—are established, along with the locations of residence units, dining hall and child care facilities.
We are also currently finalizing the mechanical, electrical and building envelope strategies, along with the access points for fire and emergency response. From there, we will move on to designing kitchen layouts (both in-suite and the dining hall), choosing materials for interior finishes and selecting landscape features.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with any current St. John’s residents moving into units elsewhere in residence. Construction will begin with decommissioning and demolition of the current buildings, followed by excavation and construction of the new buildings starting in fall 2026.
View a drawing of the draft site layout.
Child Care educator leads unique sustainability campus tour
On March 18, Jessica Yu, a Senior Educator with UBC Child Care led Exploring Sustainability Through a Child’s Eyes, a unique campus tour at UBC Vancouver, organized in partnership with UBC Sustainability for SDG Month Canada. With over 30 attendees—including UBC students, faculty, staff, Child Care parents and a group of high school students—Jessica took the group to numerous locations on campus often visited by the children in her care, such as the stream and well behind the Neville Scarfe building and the echo chamber at Main Mall and Memorial Road. At each stop on the tour, she shared stories and details about how the children interact with, experience and perceive these spaces to reveal a child’s perspective of campus.
National Poetry Month at UBC Bookstore
April is National Poetry Month: Let the power of words inspire you. Now through the end of April, stop by the store to check out the feature poetry display, and take 20% off the Bookstore’s collection of poetry books—because every great story starts with a single verse.
Osprey child care closing in June 2025
After June 2025, Osprey, an after-school care program operated by UBC Child Care in the AMS Nest will no longer provide child care for the UBC community. Unfortunately, the AMS requires the space in the upcoming year and did not renew UBC Child Care’s lease. Families currently enrolled at Osprey, who will be returning for the 2025/26 school year, will not miss out on care and will be moved to one of our other school age programs. The team at UBC Child Care thanks all the wonderful educators and families who have made Osprey such a special program over the years.
Announcing the winners: Nutrition Month Bingo
Thanks to everyone who participated in Nutrition Month Bingo in March! Organized by Gloria Sun, Manager, Nutrition and Wellbeing, Food Services, in collaboration with the OWC, the initiative engaged staff from across SHCS in taking small but mighty steps to improving nutrition and wellbeing—from eating an orange-coloured veggie or stretching to doing a random act of kindness.
We are excited to announce that the winners are: Hannah Nielsen, Assignment Coordinator, Student Residence (Grand Prize); Rosemarie Amistad, Dishwasher, Food Services (Second Prize); Joycelyn Peregrino, Front Desk Service Representative (Third Prize). Congratulations Hannah, Rosemarie and Joycelyn!
Sage Campus Delivery tasting event
On February 27, Sage Catering held a wonderful tasting event at the University Centre to showcase the incredible food and beverage options available in its new campus delivery service. Hundreds of staff from across UBC attended, and it was clear from the vibrant energy in the room that staff were enjoying the menu and excited about the return of delivery catering on campus. Since then, the Sage team has been busy with orders and the positive reviews have been rolling in:
- “Our faculty REALLY loved this food!” — Faculty of Education
- “Thank you to your team…for their excellent customer service.” — Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute
- “The breakfast pastries and fresh fruit were SO good – everyone enjoyed them.” — UBC Media Relations
- “[No] disposable plates? That is so environmentally friendly and a cost savings for us.” — Vancouver School of Economics
UBC rated “Best in Class” by insurer
Led by Safety and Risk Services (SRS), UBC recently went through a rigorous evaluation process with a new insurer. With support from VPS/SHCS representatives Paul Trites, Andrew Powter and David Kiloh (SHCS Facilities and Building Services), UBC not only met its engagement requirements, but the insurer rated UBC “Best in Class”. Many thanks to everyone involved. Learn more.
Not Myself Today workshop recap: Coping strategies to boost mental health
On Tuesday April 8, SHCS staff joined colleagues from across the Vice-President, Students portfolio for the final Not Myself Today (NMT) event of 2024/25, Coping Strategies to Boost Mental Health. Presented by Erica Altomare from UBC’s Workplace Wellbeing team, participants learned about and practiced practical and valuable stress management strategies. Watch for more NMT content and events beginning next fall—and be sure to check out UBC’s range of Workplace Wellbeing programs, including consultations, training initiatives, toolkits and more.
SHED wins 2025 Canadian Green Building Award
The Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED) on Thunderbird Boulevard, which our team at UBC Parking has been involved with from the very beginnings, was recently recognized by Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine with a 2025 Canadian Green Building Award in the Commercial Industrial category. Learn more.
The full story: UBCO Residence Life CLL project
We reported in February 2025 that UBC Okanagan Residence Life was selected to receive over $40,000 in funding through UBC’s Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) program to study student loneliness and possible interventions. Since then, the story was picked up more widely. Read more about the project in UBC Today and on UBC Okanagan Research and Innovation.
SHCS IT introduces tap transactions with UBCcard
As part of an ongoing digital transformation project on the Vancouver campus, over the December holiday break SHCS IT completed an upgrade to enable our Point of Sale (POS) system to use the UBCcard’s contactless technology—Near Field Communications (NFC)—for transactions, allowing customers to tap, rather than swipe, their cards for greater efficiency, convenience and security.
The initial rollout to residence dining halls has been well received and, together with Food Services, the Bookstore, the UBCcard team, and Marketing and Communications, IT plans to roll out this enhancement to Food Services’ retail outlets and the Bookstore over the next couple of months.
Acadia Park pilots spring break camp for families
This spring break, student families at Acadia Park will have the opportunity to enroll their children in the first-ever day camp at Acadia Park. Thanks to the hard work of Emma Chartrand, Residence Life Manager, UBC Recreation Camps will offer a dedicated, discounted, five-day camp for 7–9 year-old children of Acadia Park residents, which will operate out of the Acadia Park Commonsblock Activity Room. Based on the success of this year’s pilot, the camp may be expanded in future years.
Congratulations to Ken D’Souza
Please join us in congratulating Ken D’Souza, Residence Dining Manager, UBCO Food Services, and his wife Gadia Fernandes Braga. On Thursday, February 13 they, along with big brother Ben, welcomed baby Dan into their family. We wish you all well with your growing family!
Exclusive SHCS staff sale at UBC Bookstore
From March 1 to 8, the UBC Bookstore is offering SHCS staff an exclusive 15% store-wide* discount on clothing (including lululemon), giftware and trade books. The sale is in-store only at both campuses, and staff will just need to show their staff UBCcard at checkout and mention they’re from SHCS to receive the discount.
*Select items, such as textbooks and graduation frames not included.
Student Housing Experience Survey results
As communicated in the fall, Student Housing (Vancouver) launched its first ever in-house Student Housing Experience Survey in all residence areas in November, with approximately 3,500 respondents. Applicable department-level results have now been provided to Directors, and the Student Housing team is currently analyzing results, but notes that there are already rich insights, particularly related to equity. The survey schedule is now twice per year, with the next survey scheduled for March 2025.
UBCO Residence Life receives CLL funding
UBC Okanagan Residence Life was recently selected to receive over $40,000 in funding through UBC’s Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) program for the project Connected on Campus: Enhancing Social Connection to Improve Student Well-being, a partnership with Campus Wellbeing and Dr. Lauren Human. In March 2025 the team will commence the year-long project to study the effectiveness of interventions into loneliness among UBC Okanagan students. Watch for more details at CLL Okanagan campus projects.
Culinary Apprenticeship Program update
UBC Food Services’ renowned Culinary Apprenticeship Program continues to cultivate top-tier talent. Recently, Ligaya Laron celebrated her graduation, marking a significant achievement in her culinary journey and the eleventh successful graduate of the program.
This year, six new apprentices have joined the program, eager to refine their skills under expert mentorship: Yran Carre, Dennis Dela Cruz, Sanaz Ghashghaei, Tyler Hiker, Francis Inocente and Joshua Juan. We look forward to showcasing their talents at this year’s Apprentice Dinner, which will take place on May 29 at the University Centre.
Welcome to Hoi Ying Yu, Associate Director, Ancillary Procurement
Please join us in welcoming Hoi Ying Yu, our new Associate Director, Ancillary Procurement. Starting in her new role in December 2024, Hoi was previously the Contracts Manager with UBC Facilities, and she brings nearly three decades of experience and expertise in supplier relationship management, contract management and strategic planning. Learn more.
Residence sustainability and climate action initiatives
Since the SHCS CAP 2030 Steering Committee convened in 2024, a number of important initiatives have kicked off. Notably, this fall and winter, we launched the Live Green campaign, with five fun animated videos along with the Residence Sustainability Enhancement Fund, which closed on January 31, 2025 and received a noteworthy 40 project applications for the combined total of $10,000 in funding.
Additionally, we’re currently running a waste sorting pilot project in Marine Drive to help research and improve different waste sorting interventions and, in late February, we’re launching a three-week electricity reduction competition between Place Vanier and Totem Park, where residents will compete for the biggest reduction in energy usage—to help educate residents on living more sustainably and help us reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Child Care leads virtual workshop series with UBC’s Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre
On Saturday, February 1, staff and educators from UBC Child Care led Sustainable Pedagogies: When We Walk Together, the first in the three-part workshop series Doing Sustainable Pedagogies in Early Childhood, hosted by UBC’s Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre in the Faculty of Education. The workshop, for members of the early childhood education community, was led by Melanie Walters, Program Manager, Ena Point, Indigenous Relations and Engagement Pedagogist, and Rachel Lanphear, Senior Educator. They will be presenting part two in late March. Learn more on the workshop web page and watch a recording of the first workshop.
You’re invited! Story Time for Kids at UBC Bookstore
Come on out to Story Time for Kids—a free family event at the UBC Bookstore (Vancouver)—on Saturday, March 15 from 1 pm to 2 pm in the kids book area. A perfect event for students, staff or faculty with young children, Bookstore staff will read from a unique selection of beautiful picture books. Come early or stay afterward to enjoy the activity and colouring table! All books featured during the event are perfect for readers under 10. Plus, from March 15 to 29 all kids and YA books are 20% off! No registration required.
Congratulations to Jessica Lagassé
Please join us in congratulating Jessica Lagassé (née Sterman), Compliance and Claims System Associate, SHCS Safety, and her husband Nick on the birth of their son, Maksimiljan “Max” Albert Lagassé. Max was born on December 14, 2024, and weighed 5 lbs, 15 oz. Congratulations Jess and Nick! View a photo.
C&A hotel improvement projects
Conferences and Accommodation Vancouver recently completed a project to significantly improve the hallways at the West Coast Suites. With new lighting, carpet, thresholds and ceilings, the updated hallways will offer a more contemporary look for our hotel guests. Design planning is also underway for updates to the Signature Studios in q̓əlɬaləməcən leləm̓ (Orca House), including furniture improvements in the hotel lobby, wall enhancements in the elevator foyers and in-room artwork.
WorkSafeBC covers Facilities and Building Services for trade publications
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, a team from WorkSafeBC visited Facilities and Building Services to cover our innovative work supporting staff and helping to reduce musculoskeletal injuries at work for WorkSafeBC’s Health and Safety Enews and WorkSafe Magazine.
In particular, they were keen to witness our staff using a specialized, powered moving dolly known as a stair climber and learn more about how staff from several departments, including warehouse and trades staff, ergonomics, safety and purchasing collaborated to invest in this crucial equipment and establish procedures.
Many thanks to Sarah Brown, Celia McGrath, Elias Osorio, Gord Mitchell, Elias Nickel, Ronin D’Souza, Dev Wright, Kate Allan and Gontran Paget from SHCS, along with Abigail Overduin, UBC’s Manager, Ergonomics and Accessibility for participating in the photoshoot. Watch for updates about these stories when they’re published in the coming months!
Child Care staff contribute to early childhood education publication
Congratulations to the UBC Child Care staff and educators who contributed a chapter to Intimately Situated Stories of Place: Activating Place-Centered Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education, a book published in November 2024. Rachel Lanphear, Senior Educator; Ena Point, Indigenous Relations and Engagement Pedagogist; Deborah Thompson, Associate Director, Program Development; Karen Vaughan, Director, Child Care; and Melanie Walters, Program Manager co-wrote and contributed the chapter Provoking Decolonizing Pedagogies of Place.
Recap: Navigating challenging conversations workshop
On December 12, 2024, SHCS HR was pleased to offer the first of two sessions on Navigating Challenging Conversations, delivered by Clare Connoly from the Justice Institute of BC. Seventeen staff attended from Food Services, Student Housing, and Facilities and Building Services. Thanks to the staff who attended and participated in this valuable workshop! And thank you to the supervisors and managers who supported their staff in attending. We look forward to Session two, which takes place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Introducing Presto!
In early January 2025, our newest UBC Food Services retail location opened in the David Lam Research Centre on Main Mall, in the old Bento Sushi location. Introducing Presto, a quick-service pasta bar where you build your own pasta bowl. Meals start at just $10 and include pasta, focaccia bread and a sprinkle of parmesan and parsley. Since opening, Presto has become a popular campus destination—especially during lunch! Learn more.
Update: Residence Advisor hiring campaign
The 2025/26 Residence Advisor (RA) hiring campaign in Vancouver kicked off in late 2024 and concluded on January 19, 2025. The Strategic Initiatives, Student Residence team is pleased to report that they received over 850 applications for RA roles.
This year, to help streamline the process of reviewing that quantity of applications, they employed a novel approach: a student staff member used generative AI to develop a custom code in the Python programming language, which included a detailed rubric and sentiment analysis, allowing the team to grade the 850 applications in seconds, saving extensive time and resources, while also maintaining accuracy. Selected candidates will be interviewed in March, with job offers going out in May.
UBC Bookstore’s February featured collections
For February 2025, which is Black History Month and Black Futures Month, the UBC Bookstore team put together a fantastic in-store display and online listing of brilliant books by black authors, from classics to contemporary, nonfiction to sci-fi. Plus, in honour of Freedom to Read Week (February 23–March 1), they also put together an in-store display and online listing of challenged and banned books. Visit the store until the end of February to check out these great displays. Throughout March, visit the store to check out the display in celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8).
Parking upgrades EV chargers at North Parkade
In late January, Parking Services in Vancouver upgraded 10 EV chargers located on the second level of the North Parkade, and they are now fully operational and open to the public. These new Linkpower CS300 chargers have smart network capabilities that provide more thorough information on duration of use and the amount of electricity delivered. This upgrade was part of an ongoing plan to replace older chargers that are no longer supported or repairable. View a photo.
Learning and Development: Reminder to complete required training and update certifications
When employees start at UBC and SHCS, there are a number of required training courses. Some departments within SHCS also have a set of required training courses for their staff. And from time to time, new courses are added, which all employees are required to take, such as the new Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct.
Additionally, some jobs require specific certifications—and staff are responsible to keep those certifications up to date as well.
Today, we’re asking managers and staff to make sure all required training is complete and update any required certifications.
- Managers: Run a report in Workday to check training completion and expiry for your employees. Watch for info about additional resources in the VPS Managers’ Hub this month.
- Employees: Visit your UBC Workplace Learning Student Dashboard (CWL login required) and complete any in-progress or incomplete courses. Check the SHCS new hires web page for the full list of courses you need to take. If applicable, view or add training certifications.
If you need any support, including time during your workday or access to a device to check your account and complete any required training, or to double check what you might still need to do, please speak with your manager or supervisor.
Fundraising update: Holiday clothing and virtual food drive
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the fundraising initiatives for our community and beyond this past November and December. Together we raised $240 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and donated a full bin of clothes to students and families in need at the Acadia Food Hub, which is operated by Origin Church and provides support for roughly 310 households (1,100 individuals) each week.
Introducing our new SHCS Staff Hub
We’re excited to launch our SHCS Staff Hub—a dedicated, secure space that provides easy access to resources, how-tos and tools that support our business operations. This new hub (which complements the existing SHCS staff website) will grow over time, but we’re starting with key resources from these support departments:
- SHCS Vancouver and Okanagan resources: Purchasing and Communications and Marketing
- SHCS Vancouver resources: Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety
Please take a moment to check out the content and familiarize yourself with what’s available. You’ll need your CWL to log in.
Project update: Student Housing Management System
We’re thrilled to announce significant progress in our Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a new Student Housing Management System (SHMS), which will allow us to enhance our digital infrastructure and offer a more streamlined housing experience. The project is advancing as planned, with vendor proposals under review. We will enter the demonstration stage by the end of November 2024, allowing us to thoroughly evaluate potential solutions. We remain on target for a phased rollout, with a full implementation by fall 2026.
Big Bookstore Sale: November 20
On November 20, the UBC Bookstore is hosting the annual Big Bookstore Sale. Clothing, books and giftware are all 20% off. Available in-store and online. Watch the UBC Bookstore website for more info.
Baby announcements: Conferences and Accommodation
Please join us in congratulating Jazel Argente, Sales and Service Manager, and Winnie Wan, Housekeeping Manager, in Conferences and Accommodation (Vancouver). On September 15, Jazel and family welcomed baby Greyson. On October 25, Winnie and family welcomed baby Jalen. We wish you both well with your growing families!
All Access Dining video wins big at CASE
In 2023, UBC Studios produced a video for Food Services as part of the launch of All Access Dining in our residence dining facilities. We are pleased to announce that the video won the CASE Best of District VIII Awards (Northwest). Congratulations to the team at UBC Studios and everyone in SHCS involved in the development and production of this video. Learn more.
Enhanced onboarding experience for new staff
This summer, our HR Organizational Development and Learning team worked with leadership in Child Care and Food Services to make important updates to the onboarding process and set new staff up for success. Together with Child Care, they launched a new onboarding program that introduces consistent checklists at each child care setting and two new self-paced orientation courses on Canvas. With Food Services, they helped develop a more tailored experience to meet the unique needs of different operations, including a new orientation course for retail staff.
Welcome Alissa Horn, Bookstore Marketing and Communications Specialist
Please join us in welcoming Alissa Horn to the SHCS Marcom team as the new Marketing and Communications Specialist for the UBC Bookstore. Alissa brings extensive marketing and communications experience, with a focus on social media strategy and brand growth. She has worked as a freelance digital marketing consultant for the past five years, including consulting with UBC Food Services, where she managed the @UBCFoodie social media accounts. Prior to her freelance career, she gained valuable experience in the retail and hospitality industries at Four Seasons Hotels and Mission Hill Winery. She begins her new role at UBC on November 25, 2024.