Fall is for foodies! Check out upcoming events
We’ve had a blast celebrating at Harvest Feastival and Meet Your Makers already, but there are plenty of food-centric events to enjoy on campus this fall! Enjoy a tasty lunch and support a great cause at the United Way Triple O’s Burger Day on October 14. The always popular Apple Festival is back at UBC Botanical Garden on Oct 17 and 18—don’t miss the cooking demos from UBC chefs. At the Great United Way Bake Off on Nov 18, UBC bakers will face off in a friendly, community-spirited competition to raise funds for the United Way; join as a baker or attend the bake sale as a taster!
Visit the updated SHCS Staff Hub
Over the summer, SHCS Marketing and Communications upgraded the SHCS Staff Hub (CWL login required), your central resource for all things SHCS. Featuring a brand-new look and structure, there are updated HR resources for both new and continuing staff, plus a freshly launched hub site for Facilities and Building Services (FABS), where you can find out who’s on the FABS team and learn more about everything from submitting maintenance requests to after-hours emergency info.
Many thanks to Aakansha Ghosh, Ricky Biring, Johanna Webber and the everyone on the FABS team who contributed to this new site, and thanks also to Richa Kothari and Jen Dowdeswell in HR for their work to upgrade and enhance the HR site.
New and updated footwear benefits for CUPE 116 members
Did you know that CUPE 116 members have new allowances for required footwear? If you’re in CUPE 116, you can now be reimbursed up to $100 every two years for required non-safety footwear and up to $300 every two years for required safety footwear. Learn more in the Memorandum of Agreement CUPE 116 (April 15, 2026), Articles 25.03 and 25.03(b) on pages 26 and 27, and speak with your manager/supervisor about using the new and updated allowances.
Looking for new shoes for work? Get up to 25% off Shoes for Crews non-slip and CSA-rated safety footwear.
Move-in Day Vancouver update
On Sept. 1, roughly 3,700 students moved into Winter Session residence at UBC Vancouver for Jump Start, and another 2,500 moved in on Sept. 5. As always, they were busy and complex days, with hundreds of staff and volunteers from Student Residence, Parking and beyond supporting move in. But thanks to exceptional planning and preparation, and friendly, helpful staff and volunteers, the experience for students and families was a smooth, welcoming experience.
News media also came out on Saturday, Sept. 5, to report on the days events. Check out this great CBC News coverage on TikTok.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a warm welcome to our new UBC residents, with particular thanks to Gillian Wallis and Andrew Quenneville in Student Residence who run the whole show.
UBC Parking Vancouver: All hands on deck in September
In addition to getting ready for the increased parking volume in September, the UBC Parking team (Vancouver) contributed to traffic management for major events. Parking staff are an important presence on our residence move-in days (Sept. 1 and 5). They also help keep the streets safe for the thousands of students participating in the Imagine Day (Sept. 8), with the pep rally at the Doug Mitchell Arena and the main event on Main Mall.
Plus, their UBCcard colleagues brought the office outside, in front of the Bookstore, to deliver new UBCcards to students, faculty and staff five days a week between Aug. 31 and Sept. 15.
Many thanks to everyone in UBC Parking for keeping our community safe and traffic well-managed throughout the start of the academic year.
Rush week at the UBC Bookstore
As UBC welcomed back more than 15,000 undergraduate students, the UBC Bookstore and plaza were buzzing with excitement! From Evo, and a host of wireless booths, to an exciting giveaway with MINI Cooper, plus sampling from Pepsi brands including Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Celsius, there was plenty happening across both campuses.
A huge kudos to all the UBC Bookstore staff across both the Vancouver and Okanagan stores for bringing such great energy, enthusiasm and smiles to the start of the new school year. Thanks for helping make Rush Week a fun and welcoming experience for our new students and customers.
Research you can eat—at Orchard Commons
If you have visited Open Kitchen at Orchard Commons recently, you may have noticed a silver pod near Hero Coffee. The installation is part of a Campus as a Living Lab research project on building-integrated agriculture that UBC Food Services, led by Executive Chef David Speight, is participating in. The pod explores how low carbon food production can be brought in to dining locations, growing food right where it is consumed.
The innovative pod was designed by Perkins&Will and uses growing technology by local company QuantoTech Solutions. The pod will be in Orchard Commons for Winter Term 1, providing salad greens and herbs that the Open Kitchen culinary team will use in preparing food for our student residents. Researchers from Land and Food systems will be exploring the relative nutritive value of the produce grown in the pod, as well as social research with student diners.
Welcome new RLMs: Katherine Chan and Bjorn Yearwood
Please join us in welcoming Katherine Chan and Bjorn Yearwood to their new roles as Residence Life Managers (RLMs) at UBC Vancouver.
Katherine, who joins the RLM team at Totem Park residence, is no stranger to Residence Life at UBC. Prior to her most recent role as a Community Life Coordinator at Vancouver Island University, she was a Residence Advisor and Senior Residence Advisor here at UBC Vancouver.
Equally so, Bjorn, who joins the RLM team at Place Vanier, will be a familiar face to many, as he has been a valuable part of the Front Desk team for several years, most recently serving as the Residence Front Desk Services Coordinator for Ponderosa Commons and Place Vanier.
Welcome, Katherine and Bjorn!
Appreciation for donation of pillows
This summer, SHCS had a large number of pillows that were in good shape but were no longer needed. Thanks to the thoughtful work of Sahil Nandal, Residence Life Manager, Winnie Keji, Facilities Coordinator, and Shawn Dhanda, Building Services Manager, these pillows found a new home with the Lu’ma Native Housing Society.
“Pillows and bedding are among our most consistently needed items, and your generosity helps us create welcoming, comfortable homes for residents who are rebuilding their lives.” – Lu’ma Native Housing Society
Many thanks to Sahil, Winnie and Shawn for seeking out this opportunity that helped reduce university waste and made a meaningful contribution in the community.
Mindful Market 2026 raises record funding
Back for its fifth year, the UBC Mindful Market opened in the Ponderosa Commons Ballroom for two days in early September. As always, the event was a hit among new and returning residents, with mini fridges, fans, jackets and kitchenware most popular.
Each year, the Mindful Market diverts an increasing number of items back into UBC’s circular economy. It also raises increasing amounts of money, which is directed toward food security initiatives at UBC.
This year, the market sold an astonishing 800 items and raised nearly $9,500. That’s a solid increase over last year’s $6,000 raised and a massive increase over 2023’s $2,600.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s record-breaking market: everyone from Facilities and Building Services, notably project lead Aakansha Ghosh, plus staff from the residence front desks, Conferences and Accommodation, Student Residence, Marketing and Communications and more.
Steve Brodrick, new Director, SHCS Okanagan
Please join us in congratulating Steve Brodrick who was selected, following an extensive internal and external search, as the new Director, Student Housing and Community Services, Okanagan. Steve joined UBC in 2020 as the Associate Director, Residence Life and has played a key role in strengthening the student residence experience through leadership in residence community development, health, safety, wellbeing and crisis response. He began his new role in July 2026. Learn more about Steve at SHCS Senior Leadership Team.
Food Services supports this year’s Learning Exchange picnic
Let’s all send a big shoutout to the Sage Catering team who provided lunch at the UBC Learning Exchange annual summer picnic, held at MacLean Park in late August. This annual community event brings together people from the UBC Learning Exchange community, and Sage steps up each year to support the event. Check out photos from this year’s picnic on Instagram or Facebook.
Fall events at UBC Bookstore
This fall, the UBC Bookstore has plenty of events in store (and in-store!).
Opus Art Supplies workshops: One of the newest vendors at the UBC Bookstore, Opus is hosting free, weekly 30-minute workshops at the Bookstore in Vancouver. Learn more.
Kids’ Story Time: The Bookstore is excited to host Kids’ Story Time on the last Saturday of each month, from 1 pm to 2 pm, with the next ones coming up on October 31 and November 30. Children of all ages are welcome, and attendees receive a special gift from Herschel Supply Co. and free hot chocolate from The Corner Store. Learn more.
Welcome Dee Dimla to UBCO Food Services
Please join us in welcoming Dee Dimla, who joined the UBC Okanagan Food Services team over the summer as the new Manager, Culinary Operations. Dee brings more than 15 years of culinary leadership experience in the industry, most recently serving as the Multi-Unit Executive Chef with SSP Canada at Vancouver International Airport. Dee began her role in July 2026. Welcome, Dee!
C&A conference leads to valuable outcomes for SHCS Safety
This summer, Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) worked with Dr. Chris McLeod, an Associate Professor in the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH)—and one of our UBC Ambassadors—to deliver the Seventh International Work Disability Prevention and Integration Conference (WDPI) at UBC. The conference brought 350 international delegates and was held in several signature venues at UBC.
While the C&A team hosts many conferences of this stature, this conference led to unique connections and opportunities for our SHCS Safety team. Eileen Chung and Gontran Paget, who attended the conference, were able to connect with researchers behind an evidence-based framework for developing and evaluating public health interventions, Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development (6SQuID).
As a result, SHCS Safety is now working directly with the researchers from the University of Edinburgh and using the 6SQuID framework to enhance our Stay at Work and injury management pathways for employees.
Additionally, through deepened connections with Dr. McLeod and SPPH, Safety created our first SHCS/SPPH Work Learn position and are pleased to welcome Cyris Goodwin, a Masters student in Occupational Hygiene to the role. Cyris will be helping to strengthen workplace risk assessments, starting with a review of lighting at service desks and counters across SHCS.
Many thanks to Ruth Situma, Meeting Planner, who supported the conference from planning through to delivery, including registration, abstract management, accommodations, website development, social events and onsite coordination.
Brock Commons receives major accessibility certification
Following a rigorous certification process, Brock Commons North and South recently received Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC), with Brock Commons South receiving the more stringent Gold certification—two of only three buildings at UBC Vancouver to have achieved this certification.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this exciting accessibility achievement for the UBC community, notably Sepehr Rad, Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, and Andrew Powter, Associate Director (Facilities), SHCS Facilities and Building Services.
Both buildings were also recently certified LEED Gold, joining their sibling building, Tallwood House, and the five other residence areas at UBC Vancouver that are LEED certified.
FABS: Building more meaningful staff/supervisor connections
As part of our ongoing work in SHCS to build connection and community, Facilities and Building Services leadership recently partnered with SHCS HR to help employees and managers/supervisors create more opportunities for meaningful connection and relationship-building.
Key outcomes included: a standardized check-in cadence for staff and direct supervisors; Meaningful Conversations sessions with leaders to help them have more intentional and supportive conversations with their teams; a Lunch and Learn series for leaders focused on practical skills for building trust, asking powerful questions, listening deeply, navigating difficult conversations and turning conversations into action.
In a recent session, leaders explored their listening styles and practiced active listening techniques. Curious about your own listening style? Try the Listening self-assessment.
UBC News covers our dietary supports for students
On September 3, as thousands of students were moving into residence, UBC News ran a story featuring the work of Gloria Sun, Manager of Nutrition and Wellbeing for UBC Food Services, which shared how Gloria and the Food Services team in Vancouver offer extensive support for students with allergies, dietary restrictions and cultural food preferences, helping them navigate residence dining safely and confidently. Read the story.
SHCS sweeps the UBC podium: Go By Bike Week
During the spring 2026 Go By Bike Week (May 30–June 5, 2026), the SHCS Road Warriors swept the UBC podium, winning in all three categories: Longest Distance Cycled, Highest Average Distance Cycled and Most New Riders. The team also held onto its seventh-place spot in Metro Vancouver. Congratulations to everyone on the team who collectively rode 2,773 km! Check out the announcement post on @campusubc.
St. John’s College decomissioning and demolition
With St. John’s residents now moved out—either to another residence or off-campus—the decommissioning of St. John’s College officially began on May 19.
This stage marks the transition from site preparation to the full construction phase of the project, with construction on the new LMP buildings expected to begin in fall 2026.
Learn more about the project, construction details and timeline.
Acadia Highrise sprinkler replacement: progress update
In early May, the Acadia Park Highrise sprinkler system replacement project began. Work on Floors 1–3 will conclude at the end of May, after which work will continue upward in stages, with the project expected to be completed in August.
Involving either permanent or temporary relocation of residents, this project has involved significant collaboration between Facilities and Building Services, Residence Assignments and Administration, and Marketing and Communications to make the transition for residents as smooth as possible.
Welcome Daria Dhillon, HR Manager
Daria previously worked as an HR Manager at Targeted Talent and Cerberus Consulting, supporting a wide range of clients across diverse industries, including Burnaby Health Alliance, Skip the Dishes and Parkin Architects. Daria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from Far-Eastern State University in Russia and is currently completing the HR Management Program at SFU. Welcome, Daria!
Child Care team update: Welcome TK Hannah
Welcome TK Hannah, who will be working alongside UBC Child Care educators at four child care settings and attending pedagogical narration meetings. TK will work with educators to think about how questions of sexual orientation and gender identity can be engaged in ways that are accessible, thoughtful and responsive to children’s lived experiences.
TK Hannah (they/he) is a UBC PhD student and early childhood educator with over ten years of experience working with young children in BC and Ontario. TK is also currently the ECE Program Coordinator at the Robert Quartermain Centre for SOGI-Inclusive Excellence in Education in UBC’s Faculty of Education.
UBCO Child Care program participates in Sports Day
Children from the UBC Okanagan Child Care spəqmix 3–5 program participated in their own Sports Day event on May 1, in partnership with the Athletics Department. Children and educators enjoyed a variety of activity stations and a UBC student juggler! The event provided an opportunity for UBC Okanagan Child Care to feel connected to the larger UBC community.
UBC Bookstore Cherry Blossom Campaign
UBC Bookstore’s Cherry Blossom Collection has turned into an annual spring highlight! Congratulations to the team on selling over 2,000 units of Cherry Blossom apparel, including the soft pink and classic UBC navy crews and hoodies, as well as 1,495 Cherry Blossom mugs!
Congratulations to Karen Vaughan
Congratulations to Karen Vaughan, Director, UBC Child Care, on becoming a grandparent—or, as she’s now known in her family, “grammy”! Karen’s son and daughter-in-law welcomed baby boy Oliver Vaughan on April 13.
Welcome Alaa El Bouzrati, RLM, Marine Drive
Please join us in welcoming Alaa El Bouzrati, Residence Life Manager, Marine Drive, who started in late-February. Before arriving at UBC Vancouver, Alaa was a Residence Life Coordinator at the University of Manitoba. Prior to that, she was a student at UBC Okanagan, where she was a Residence Advisor, a Senior Writing Consultant for the Student Learning Hub and a volunteer crisis line responder. Before her studies at UBCO, she lived in numerous different countries around the world and brings significant cross-cultural understanding from those experiences. Welcome, Alaa!
Finance team staff update
Congratulations to Alexandre Matsuda Taveira who was recently promoted from AP Processor to Financial Specialist, Accounting. Alex has been a great contributor to our Food Services Finance team since October 2024 and is currently working toward his CPA designation.
Red Dress Journey update: UBC Child Care
Sensitive content warning
Last June, we shared about the Red Dress Journey at UBC Child Care in Vancouver, through which staff and educators highlight and centre the endemic issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People and explore age-appropriate ways to engage children and families.
Since that time, the Child Care team has continued the journey, notably through the ongoing creation of a life-sized dress form at the Child Care Administration Hub, which is draped in red fabric and holds a sculpted-fabric heart at its centre. The dress form stands beneath the photos and names of each MMIWG2S+ person, which will soon be imprinted onto the fabric.
This process-based piece allows for ongoing engagement with this challenging and significant topic for staff, educators and visitors, including, in February, delegates from the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society’s (BCACCS) annual conference who toured our child care settings.