UBC's Melody Burton honoured with Canada's Outstanding Academic Librarian Award Chief Librarian Melody Burton is about to receive the Canadian Library Association's highest honour -- the Miles Blackwell Outstanding Academic Librarian Award. The award recognizes Burton for tireless service to the profession, unwavering commitment to mentorship, and excellent leadership within various libraries. Through her career, Burton has made an impact at many academic libraries: Concordia College in Edmonton, University of Alberta, York University, University of Windsor, Queen's University, and UBC's Okanagan campus where she has been Chief Librarian since 2005. "This is a tremendous honour for Melody, and reflects the leadership, professionalism and dedication she has shown here at UBC and throughout her career," said Doug Owram, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal.
New flushing program to improve water quality, Over the Victoria Day long weekend Facilities Management will begin a new semi-annual unidirectional water main flushing program to improve water quality, reduce bacterial growth, improve colour and turbidity, and control corrosion. During the first unidirectional flush there is potential for increased turbidity in the water lines, so as a precautionary measure the Okanagan campus will be on a self-imposed Boil Water Notice from May 21 to 23. Health, Safety and Environment will conduct water quality tests during and after the flushing to confirm water quality has improved and the notice can be lifted. All water intended for drinking, washing produce, making beverages or brushing teeth should be boiled for at least one minute before use. Drinking water is available from the filtered water kiosks in various buildings across campus.
Heat women's volleyball team named Kelowna's Team The 2010 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association National Champion Heat women's volleyball team was recognized as "Team of the Year" at the 36th annual Kelowna Civic Awards on April 27. Officially known as the Bryan Couling Memorial Athletic Team of the Year Award, the award is presented to the amateur or professional team bringing the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna. The team was recognized with the award in 2009 when they became the first Okanagan team to win a post-secondary national championship. Congratulations to Head Coach Steve Manuel, his team, and the entire varsity athletics program. Follow Project GROW on the go in Ghana Cindy Bourne, coordinator of the Academic Resource Centre, and Jan Gattrell, Learning Services Librarian, are in Ghana this month to meet the women participating in Project GROW (Ghana Rural Opportunities for Women). They will deliver livestock and supplies purchased with almost $15,000 raised over the past year through the sale of holiday greeting cards and donations from people on campus and in the wider community. The community is invited to follow Bourne and Gattrell via an online blog, which will be updated throughout their time in Ghana: http://ubcolearn.blogspot.com Three major engineering conferences on campus Public invited to expert talks on earthquakes, information theory, materials science and more Leading experts in the fields of geotechnical engineering, information theory, and materials science are coming to the Okanagan in May and early June as the School of Engineering at UBC's Okanagan campus hosts three major conferences. Each of the conferences will feature presentations open to the public. The 5th Canadian Conference on Geotechnique and Natural Hazards offered six public presentations on Monday and Tuesday this week. Today, Thursday and Friday, the 2011 Canadian Workshop on Information Theory presents three more public talks.
Call for Submissions: UBC Annual Review and the President's Blue and Gold Review To ensure that the Annual Review reflects the very best of UBC's multifaceted community, Okanagan campus faculty and staff are being asked to help identify the best stories to tell. Suggestions are needed for content for the Annual Review website and for Blue and Gold Review potential performers or presenters. UBC Public Affairs is looking for stories that typify the following:
This year's Summer Institute in Education focuses on an important theme: 21st century learning. 21st century learning breaks away from traditional learning modes -- looking at topics of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and innovation, collaboration, teamwork, leadership, cross-cultural understanding, sustainability, communication, and communication technologies. Courses look at traditional subjects through new lenses, as well as launching into new topics entirely. The institute -- which runs for eight weeks from July 4 through August 26 -- offers 32 week-long seminars. Each provides credit toward senior-level Education courses which can be used for professional development, teacher qualifications, or even completion of an Education degree or graduate degree. Subjects range from critical thinking theory with assistant professor Philip Balcaen, to planning online teaching-learning environments with PhD student Deb Carter whose research interests focus on intergenerational/intercultural social learning environments. To find out more visit: www.ubc.ca/okanagan/education/postbacc/sie Student Energy Summit bursaries available The International Student Energy Summit (ISES) will be held at UBC's Vancouver campus from June 9 to 11. Among the summit's events is the FortisBC Community Energy Challenge, in which six student teams will compete for a $4,000 grand prize, designing a simulated community energy system. FortisBC has designated a specific number of spots for BC students to be included on the teams. The conference fee is $375 which includes meals and on-campus housing at the Vancouver campus. Many bursaries are available for students to attend the conference. The deadline for bursary applications is May 31. Travel bursary information is available here.
A new Aboriginal Folklore workshop is offered on August 13 as part of Continuing Studies' summer 2011 programming. This workshop is a unique and interactive opportunity to explore Aboriginal culture with elder, teacher and storyteller Delphine Derickson. Continuing Studies is also offering a new series of creative writing camps throughout July and August -- with camps that focus on travel and food stories, cookbook memoirs and writing for children. Those who are register and pay for courses by June 30 will also receive a 20 per cent discount on all classes. Employees can also visit the UBC HR Benefits website for more detailed information on particular tuition benefits for particular groups. To find out more about the available courses being offered this fall visit the Continuing Studies website.
A new season of Conferences and Accommodation The conference season officially opened last Friday, and ever since a variety of new faces have been seen across campus. Conferences and Accommodation wants to remind the campus community that everyone is invited to stay on campus -- not just summer conference attendees. Graduates also can make reservations for out-of-town guests looking to attend the Convocation ceremonies in June, and anyone looking for convenient accommodation during the summer months can make use of UBC's on-campus facilities. To make an online reservation visit www.okanagan.ubcconferences.com. To make a reservation by phone, call 250-807-8050. To find out more about hosting an academic, association, or large-group conference at UBC's Okanagan campus, contact Conference Sales and Services Managers Debbie Harding and Peggy Walker at 250-807-9358.
Netting and Lisle recognized for 30 years of service Nancy Netting, associate professor of sociology, and Maureen Lisle, visual arts technician, were honoured May 9 for their 30 years of service to post-secondary institutions in the Okanagan -- first at Okanagan College, then Okanagan University College, and most recently UBC's Okanagan campus. Netting and Lisle received the Long Service Award from Doug Owram, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal, and were joined by their spouses and department heads at a special luncheon at the Coast Capri Hotel.
New Security Communications Coordinators help provide improved on-campus security response A warm campus community welcome to the newest Campus Security employees: Troy Campbell, Marty Schneider, Bill Petrie, Brad Haberstock and Matt Leibel. The new employees have been hired as Security Communications Coordinators. The official 'faces behind the phones' for the Okanagan campus, they will be working at the dispatch security office in the Administration building beginning next Tuesday (May 24). The new coordinators ensure that a UBC employee is now able to acknowledge and coordinate communications for all security-related situations on campus, enabling Campus Security to better serve the campus community with a dedicated presence at all times. In case of an emergency please contact Campus Security immediately at 250-807-8111 (local 78111). For non-emergency situations call 250-807-9236 or email security.ubco@ubc.ca.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference attracts 42 Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) doctoral students Jannik Eikenaar, Kelly Doyle, Graduate Students' Union representative Natasha Rebry, and FCCS master's students Lindsay Balfour and Amy Grant hosted Borders and Border Crossings, the 3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Graduate Student (IGS) Conference, on the Okanagan campus May 3 and 4. Regarded as the most successful to date, the IGS Conference attracted 42 emerging scholars and was well attended by both students and faculty creating a productive space for cross-disciplinary debate. The conference closed with an interdisciplinary forum on the Responsibilities of the Academic, which raised fundamental questions about the roles of the academic, research, teaching and advocacy in the academy.
Hyperion funding transfer and forecasting refresher Finance will be holding two training sessions in May that will cover approaches for forecasting within the Hyperion forecasting and budgeting system, as well as how to initiate General Purpose Operating transfers to other units. This training session will focus on Hyperion best practices and approaches to properly manage budgets. The target groups for this workshop are administrators, financial officers, unit heads and managers that initiate and accept Hyperion funding transfers and forecasting. Date: Wednesday, May 25 and Tuesday, May 31 To register or find out more about this workshop, email financetraining.ubco@ubc.ca. Please include name, phone number, email address, department or unit and session date. Accounting 101 and Finance Overview This course is intended for new employees and current employees who are assuming new finance responsibilities. It describes the structure of UBC Finance, offers key contact information and introduces employees to the basics of UBC accounting. Topics covered will include the roles of Payroll, Accounts Payable, Research and Trust Accounting, basic accounting practices, UBC account structure, and fund accounting. Date: Thursday, May 26 Hyperion open lab sessions being offered throughout June Finance will be holding a series of open lab sessions in the month of June in preparation for the first quarterly forecast reporting deadline on June 17. The sessions will be similar to the open sessions held previously, including a brief discussion of current Hyperion forecasting topics followed by an open lab for participants to ask follow-up questions regarding their financial forecast. Participants are expected to have reviewed their financial forecast prior to the session. All sessions take place in the Administration building (room ADM013), and the session schedule is as follows:
To find out more about these sessions email finance.ubco@ubc.ca. Navigating FMS nQuery This course is intended for anyone on campus that has access to FMS nQuery. It provides participants with an overview of the FMS nQuery menu items and program features. An on-screen demonstration will highlight key options available and how to use them. The topics covered will include how to navigate this read-only system for various purposes: voucher inquiries, payments, vendor searches, purchase orders, ledger summaries and various payroll functions. Participants are recommended to attend the Accounting 101 and Finance Overview workshop in advance of attending this session. Date: Thursday, June 2 To register: contact Frank Mueller, financial analyst, at 250-807-8726. Understanding the UBC Staff Pension Plan This workshop will help answer any questions that current members may have regarding pension benefits and how they work. For those in the retirement planning phase of your life, this workshop will help participants understand what options are available. This session will also provide all the information needed for those interested in registering in the pension plan. Presenters include Pension Administrator Margaret Leathley and Senior Operations Manager Derrick Johnston. Date: Thursday, June 16 The deadline for registration is Wednesday, June 1. To register for this workshop, visit the Faculty and Staff website. A series of private sessions has also been organized with the workshop organizers to answer questions regarding upcoming retirement or any aspect of the pension plan. To set up an appointment, contact Deb Deorksen at 250-807-8861. |
OKANAGAN CAMPUS News • UBC's Melody Burton honoured People • Netting and Lisle recognized for 30 years of service Research Spotlight • Graduate student conference attracts emerging scholars
Celebrate Bike to Bike to Work Week (BTWW) -- an annual campaign organized by the City of Kelowna to encourage people to take up commuter cycling -- starts on May 30. Members of the campus community are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. This year's campus-based BTWW events include:
To register or find out more, visit the UBC BTWW website. To find out more about BTWW events organized by the City of Kelowna visit www.i-go.ca. Annual 'Hack & Whack' golf tournament set for June 14 Just $55 will get you access to dinner, nine holes of golf, complimentary tees, and lots of prizes on June 14. This year's faculty and staff 'Hack & Whack' golf tournament is taking place at the Pinnacle Course of Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club in Kelowna. The tournament features a 3 p.m. shotgun start, nine holes of golf, complimentary tees, dinner and lots of prizes. A $32 dinner-only option is also available. Date: Tuesday, June 14 The tournament is open to all UBC staff and faculty. To register or find out more visit the 'Hack & Whack' website or contact Christy Mahlberg, Student Events Coordinator. Stirring Minds Speaker Series: Susan Crichton and David Kaufman As part of the International Conference on e-Learning being held on campus June 27 and 28, the Faculty of Education's Stirring Minds Speaker Series is making the conference's keynote presentations open to the public. The conference opens on June 27 with a talk from Susan Crichton, associate professor of education at the University of Calgary, who will be giving the talk Small Technologies with Big Potential: Lessons Learned from Colleagues in Challenging Contexts. This talk takes place from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. in room 366 of the Arts building. The second keynote of the conference features David Kaufman, professor of education at Simon Fraser University, who will be giving the talk New Methods of Enhancing Student Engagement in e-Learning. This talk takes place on Tuesday, June 28, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Arts building room ART 366. These talks are free and open to everyone. To find out more contact Lindsay Peruniak, Assistant to the Associate Dean of Education. What's Happening on campus The Okanagan campus events calendar is the central point for online information about university-related events, on and off campus. Events at a Glance:
For a full listing visit the Okanagan campus events calendar. Exchange your information The Exchange is your newsletter. Let everyone know what's going on in your corner of campus. Send submissions to University Relations c/o Chris Guenard.
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