Top Stories
PLANON RETURNS TO UBC FOR FIT-GAP ANALYSIS
Our Planon partners were back to campus last week to jointly evaluate the results of the July Accelerator Workshops. As a reminder, the Accelerator Workshops generated a list of questions and parking lot items which will be used to prioritize which Planon functionality will be deployed in Stream 1 and 2. The purpose of the meetings was to validate UBC’s understanding of Planon’s functionality and how to address any gaps in Planon’s ability to meet UBC’s needs. Concurrently, the Process and Outcomes Committee (POC) has making high level operational decisions required to confirm the Planon functionality that will go-live on April 1st in Stream 1. The outcomes of these meetings will be shared mid-September in anticipation of the Design phase.
For more info, go to https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca and click on the Planon quick link.
STORES’ REDUCED INVENTORY LEAD TIME INCREASES INVENTORY AVAILABILITY
Improved Inventory Availability – Stores
Since the beginning of 2019, Stores and Procurement have worked together to improve inventory availability while reducing lead times for inventory items using Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
Lead Time KPI, measured as purchase order date minus receipt date:
- On Jan.1st, 2019, the average lead time for an inventory item was 16 days
- On Aug. 30th, 2019, the average lead time for an inventory item is currently 8 days
Open Inventory Purchase Order (KPI); items ordered and not yet delivered:
- On July 31, 2019: Open inventory purchase orders: 242 with 706 items
- On Aug. 30th, 2019: Open inventory purchase orders: 94 with 319 items
Inventory Availability (KPI), measured as a percentage in item availability:
- On July 31st, 2018: Inventory Availability: ~86%
- On Aug. 30th, 2018: Inventory Availability: ~97%
(MRO Industry Standard: 98% Availability)
Benefits for reducing lead time:
- Reduction in required inventory investment
- Reduced inventory item obsolescence
- Increased inventory availability
- Reduced inventory stock-outs
- Reduced active purchase orders
Thanks to Wende Kinch and her Procurement, Stores Teams for their continuing efforts in achieving these key performance improvements!
EXPECT INCREASED VEHICLES, BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS ON CAMPUS…DRIVE SAFELY
With the start of the school year, we have come to expect increased vehicle, bicycle and pedestrians on campus. With everyone’s safety in mind, we need to be extra cautious when driving through campus. Here are some helpful tips to consider when driving through campus to conduct our daily work activities:
Keep 100% of your focus on driving at all times as distractions such as talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio and other activities put you and others at risk.
- Stay aware of the vehicles and cyclists around you as they can be unpredictable. Keeping sufficient space between you is critical to avoiding a serious accident should you need to stop suddenly.
- Use caution at crosswalks and intersections as pedestrians on campus may be walking with their heads down and music on and might not see or hear you approaching.
- Be mindful should you need to driving through the public realm by avoiding class change times and travelling at a reduced speed.
- Should you enter into the public realm, be sure to raise the bollards to maintain pedestrian safety and avoid unauthorized access to the area.
START THE CONVERSATION ON THE INCLUSION ACTION PLAN–PROVIDE FEEDBACK BY SEPTEMBER 18TH
We are seeking feedback on UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan from members of our community who have been marginalized or traditionally under-represented. The current draft is the result of months of engagements with a wide range of community members at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan and the plan is critical to advancing and reporting on inclusion efforts across the university. The inclusion of a diverse range of voices is key.
You can join one of the several lunch-hour workshops or review the draft and offer feedback online. Learn more here, and sign up.
If you prefer to discuss and engage with your own colleagues or communities directly, please consider convening a group through your own conversation café. A conversation toolkit is available to help organize and guide your discussion and some sponsorship is available for refreshments and/or workshop supplies.
I also understand that the Equity & Inclusion Office can help facilitate either these conversation sessions or attend any upcoming faculty, department, or unit meetings and host a conversation there. Please consider engaging on this plan and providing feedback by September 18th.
NEW UPDATES IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT & ENERGY & WATER
What’s new in Infrastructure Development
- UBC Exchange Residence has been completed and occupied
- UBC Exchange bus terminal has been completed and is in operation
- University Boulevard Lot (MacInnes Field Parkade) has been completed and is in operation
- Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Labs facility has received provisional occupancy
- Building Operations Architectural shop meeting room and lunch room have been completed
Project approvals received:
- Arts Student Centre – Executive approval for new site at Brock Commons
- Cryo-Electron Microscope Lab at Centre for Brain Health – Executive 3 approval
- Integrated Health Services Centre – Approval for new site for long-term facility at Gateway site
- Sauder Expansion – Revised Executive 2 to confirm funding from Academic Capital Fund
- Technology Enterprise Facility (TEF) 4 – Executive approval for site lease to UBCPT
- Clean and Connected Transportation Initiative – Executive 1 approval
- UBCO Plant Growth Facility – Revised Executive 123 approval for updated budget
Project approvals to be requested:
- Pacific Residence – Board 3 (Sep 2019)
- Brock Commons Phase 2 – Board 2 (Sep 2019)
- Arts Student Centre – Revised Board 1 for New Site (Sep 2019)
- Brock Commons Tallwood House – Board 4 (Sep 2019)
- Nursing & Kinesiology Building – Executive 2 (Sep 2019) and Executive 3 (Oct 2019)
- School of Biomedical Engineering – Executive 2 (Sep 2019)
- Chantal Bobyn has joined Infrastructure Development as Senior Facilities Planner with Facilities Planning
What’s new in Energy and Water
- Federal funding ($7.6m) for Bioenergy Facility Expansion was announced by Environment Minister Catherine McKenna on August 19 (https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/ubc-plots-20-4-million-expansion-of-emissions-reducing-bioenergy-heating-plant )
- Richard Hugli has taken on the Acting Director of Engineering and Utilities (vacated by Paul Holt)
- BRDF shutdown for 5-6 weeks to replace failed material handling conveyor.
- FortisBC has curtailed its delivery of Renewable Natural Gas to UBC. This has a resulted in a decision to turn off the GE engine at the BRDF. FortisBC hopes to restore RNG supplies in January of 2020. This too will have a negative impact on the EWS operating budget as we will not be eligible to collect LDA revenues from BC Hydro from August to December of 2019.
WATCH OUT FOR ROAD CLOSURES AS WE PREPARE FOR THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR
As we prepare for the beginning of another school year, we have some construction updates for everyone. Please take a moment to review the information below, as it may impact your commute to work:
- The traffic signals at University Boulevard/Wesbrook Mall will not be installed in time for start of school. Until they are installed, flaggers will be managing the intersection, as they have been doing, from 7am to 6pm on weekdays. More delays to traffic are anticipated with school starting next week. To avoid delays, those familiar with the campus are advised to bypass the intersection by using Chancellor Boulevard, Marine Drive, 16th Avenue and Blanca.
- Student Union Boulevard will be reopened to two way traffic for Tuesday, September 3. There will still be a section of roadway to be paved, but the surface will be passable by vehicles and paving will occur in the next week or two.
- A sidewalk along the north side of University Boulevard from War Memorial Gym to the Alumni Centre will be open for Tuesday, September 3. It is not going to be the final condition, but a pedestrian route will be provided to accommodate the high volume of pedestrians using this corridor.
- Reminder, the pedestrian pathway around the west end of the new UBC Bus Exchange Loop will remain closed until the end of the year. There is a pedestrian crossing through the centre of the new Bus Exchange to accommodate the north / south movement or people can go further west beside the Nest.
- The new Bus Priority Lane on Wesbrook Mall southbound from University Boulevard to 16th Avenue is open. The benefits for buses will be fully realized next week as traffic builds up on campus.
There are also two more planned closures of University Boulevard east of Wesbrook Mall to accommodate the final pieces of construction at the intersection. These are scheduled as followed, more details to be confirmed next week:
- Friday, September 6th – Sunday, September 8th from 7am to 6pm
- Friday, September 13th – Sunday, September 15th from 7am to 6pm
Thank you for your patience as we go into the home stretch of finishing the work on Wesbrook Mall.
CHECK OUT WWW.HR.UBC.CA/CAREERS FOR CURRENT BUILDING OPS JOB POSTINGS
Know anyone interested in working in Building Operations? Let them know about our current job postings
- Job #35008 Project Coordinator – Architectural
- Job # 35123 Trades 2- Plasterer
DO NOT PARK UBC FLEET VEHICLES ON UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT LAND AREAS
For all UBC Fleet vehicles use and parking on campus during working hours including the shared electric vehicles.
- UEL Village parking is pay parking regardless of your business – vehicles will be towed if you are parked in an expired meter, in a UEL permit parking only, or on the sidewalk or boulevard.
- UEL Acadia Road Parking requires permission from the UEL to do so and may require a street use permit if the project is lengthy – we must NOT park our vehicles at all unless we have given notice and applied for a street use permit which can be processed through our Municipal department.
- Parking in handicap spots, crosswalks, fire lanes, and all restricted areas must not happen at all. All campus parking restrictions MUST BE adhered to unless there is an emergency to manage that requires the use of the vehicle in response to that emergency. UBC vehicles do not have free reign on campus and we will be towed or ticketed for poor parking choices both in the UEL and on campus.
ALL employees who operate fleet vehicles are required to avoid vehicles being towed or ticketed. If the vehicle receives a ticket or is towed, this cost is at the OPERATOR’s expense and the driver will be required to pay.
WEEKLY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIP: AVOID DISASTER RESPONSE ROUTE IN LOWER MAINLAND DURING DISASTER.
Avoid Disaster Response Routes if they are activated during a disaster. They are designated for use by emergency personnel only.
For information about Disaster Response Routes, visit the City of Vancouver’s website at:
https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/know-the-disaster-response-routes.aspx
BUILDING OPERATIONS IS HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE – SEPTEMBER 11TH 8:30-9:30AM
Building Operations will be hosting an Open House for Building Operations neighbours in; Energy & Water, Infrastructure Development, UBC Studios, Mail Services and the Centre for Teaching, Learning & Technology. Tours will be coming through your shops, be sure to greet our visitors if you see them!
Heads: please be sure that you are available to greet our guests and provide them an overview of the work your shop does and some interesting facts about the work that you do. Reach out to Joey-Lee Rebelo at joey-lee.rebelo@ubc.ca if you have any questions prior to the Open House.
Date: September 11th 2019
Time: 8:30-9:30 am
Tours depart every five minutes between 8:30 and 9:00 am and are 30 minutes long.
Quick Updates
WELCOME TO UBC: JOHNSON NESPEROS (SERVICE WORKER); JOSEPH CO (SERVICE WORKER); HERCULES DE LUNAS (SERVICE WORKER), BRETT HARRIS (EWS STEAM FITTER)