Skeena Residence (UBC Okanagan) receives Passive House certification
In early-May 2022, UBCO’s Skeena Residence officially received Passive House certification – a stringent set of efficient design and construction standards – making it the first student residence in Canada to receive that status. The six-storey building, which originally opened in August 2020, houses 220 students, adding much-needed student accommodation at our Okanagan campus.
tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ now fully open
In April, we were pleased to open the final two houses at tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ residence, təməs leləm̓ (Sea Otter House) and sqimək̓ʷ leləm̓ (Octopus House). The residence area now provides accommodation for a total of 743 students. Plus, all three walkway canopies featuring artwork by Musqueam artist Kelly Cannell are now installed, along with plant signage identifying plants with cultural significance to Musqueam. Stop by to check out the walkway canopies and plant signage.
Welcoming guests to Vancouver this spring or summer?
As COVID-19 restrictions ease more of us are making plans to travel, welcome guests, and host meetings again. UBC Conferences and Accommodation offers a wide range of rooms conveniently located on campus, including our beautiful new Gage Signature Studios – contemporary hotel-quality rooms available year-round. Visit suitesatubc.com to learn more or contact your C&A colleagues at 604-822-1060.
Andrew Parr speaks at St. John’s College
St. John’s College, a residential college for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars at UBC, hosts a monthly Hot Lunch speaker series for UBC staff. Andrew Parr, the AVP, SHCS, is the series’ next speaker, and he will be giving a talk titled Springing forward: COVID-19 Recovery, Indigenous Awareness & Education. Learn more and register to attend virtually or in-person. Learn more about the speaker series and join the Hot Lunch mailing list at St. John’s College.
SHCS media coverage: solving the student housing crisis
Our nano suites at Exchange residence remain a popular subject, and they recently received coverage in Solving the Student Housing Crisis, a University Affairs magazine article. Check it out to learn more about how our nano suites are helping address this country-wide crisis and how other Canadian universities are looking to emulate these suites in future projects, along with a range of other innovative solutions.
Black Excellence Evening in residence
In March 2022, Residence Life staff at UBC Okanagan organized the first Black Excellence Evening in residence. Students gathered to celebrate culture and excellence in the black community. With support from UBC Food Services, students cooked and served dishes from Nigeria, South Africa, and the Caribbean. The evening also featured performances from BIPOC members of the UBC community, and it received community support and donations from six black-owned businesses from the Okanagan.
Congratulations Katrina Stefopulos
Please join us in congratulating Katrina Stefopulos, a Residence Life Manager (RLM) at UBC Okanagan, who was recently honoured with the New Professional Award by the Northwest Association of College & University Housing Officers (NWACUHO). The New Professional Award is awarded to outstanding professionals in the field of Housing and Residence Life within their first three years of professional service. Past UBC recipients include RLMs Katie MacGregor (2019) and Samantha Larsen (2017).
New fiscal year, new professional development funding
Did you know that you can access staff professional development (PD) funding to support your career growth at UBC? For example, the annual amount for CUPE 116 members is $1,000! The new funding year started April 1, 2022, so it’s a great time to start thinking about how to access your funds, how much you have available, and what you could use your funding toward. Pro tip: it’s for more than just courses! Learn more about staff professional development funding today.
Summer Hiring: Hotel Service Workers and Housekeepers
We are currently seeking applicants for Hotel Service Workers (25 positions) and Housekeepers (50 positions). To learn more and apply, click the links below to view the job postings. If you know any friends, family, or community members you think would be interested, please consider letting them know about the opportunity. Learn more and apply for a Hotel Service Worker position or Housekeeper position.
Exciting changes at The Point
With some personnel changes to key positions in the Catering & Restaurants division in Food Services, don’t miss some exciting changes at The Point. The team are busy launching an exciting new menu, daily Happy Hour, and extended hours of operation.
C&A wins Web Excellence Award
Conferences and Accommodation recently launched a new Pacific Spirit Hostel website, which we are pleased to announce won an Excellence Award for web design, in the Hotel & Lodging category, at the international Web Excellence Awards.
sɬewət̕ leləm̓ now open
In January, we were pleased to open sɬewət̕ leləm̓ (Herring House), our third building to open at tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ residence, and provide accommodation for additional students. Plus, two of three canopy walkways featuring artwork by Musqueam artist Kelly Cannell are now installed. Stop by to check them out!
Congratulations Shari Jia
Congratulations to Shari Jia, from the SHCS Finance team, who recently passed her Common Final Exam, a rigorous, three-day exam, and the last one before becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant.
UpMeals and Food Hub Market
Watch for two exciting initiatives from Food Services. UpMeals, innovative fresh food vending, is coming to two locations on campus; the Food Hub Market, a low cost student grocery store is coming to the former Loop location at CIRS.