Orientation New Hires 301 Education
Welcome to Orientation for New Hires 301 - Getting Involved
Now that you've gone through Orientations 101 and 201, it's time to put this place in perspective. UBC has over 45,000 students and 19,000 employees, and is one of the leading research universities on the planet. When the world looks for answers, they often find those answers here.
UBC has some of the brightest minds in the world as teachers and researchers. The thirst for this knowledge is apparent by the number of students who come here every year. We are all here because the University prepares students for a better future, both theirs and ours.
Being an employee at UBC is much greater than just having a job. If we look metaphorically at the University as a “tree of knowledge”, then coming to work and doing a great job is akin to enjoying the canopy of the tree. What’s surprising is the fruit this tree bears. An immersion in the UBC environment is all about picking the fruit and exploring your mind, body and soul through education, recreation and the arts. When you combine that with the energy that 45,000 students a year bring to the University environment, it’s palpable. All one has to do is stand on Main Mall in September to feel the drive, the passion and the discovery. This is the University’s bounty and it’s yours for the taking. It’s this fertile ground that separates UBC as an employer and the curious thrive. Welcome to the University of British Columbia and enjoy the fruits of our labour.
What makes UBC special?
Watch this video to see some of the amazing work done at UBC.
- UBC regularly ranks as one of the top 50 universities in the world.
- UBC has won several awards for its Focus on People and the commitment to being an excellent employer.
- UBC researchers are doing cutting-edge work on both campuses to contribute to local, national and global communities.
Broadening My Horizons
Lectures, Talks and Learning Events
UBC has countless learning opportunities at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, many of which are are scheduled to fit into your workday.
There are lots of ways to find out what is happening on campus. You can begin at the UBC Events page or the Organizational Development and Learning website, as well as keeping an eye out for announcements in your office or inbox. You can refer to Orientations 201 to find out more about professional and personal development opportunities.
To see upcoming learning events, check out the Personal and Professional Development calendar. You can also see Okanagan-specific learning events at on the UBC Okanagan events calendar.
Upcoming Events
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Other Events and Opportunities
Celebrate Learning Week
Celebrate Learning Week is a week-long celebration of teaching and learning across the Vancouver campus. Events range from workshops to musical performances. Visit the Celebrate Learning Week website to find out more.
Celebrate Research Week
Every spring, UBC hosts Celebrate Research Week, with a wide range of events highlighting the great research happening at the University. Visit Celebrate Research Week to learn more.
Did you Know? The fun, engaging Terry Project a student-run initiative aimed at educating members of the UBC community on global issues. It includes a website, a blog an interdisciplinary course, and a speaker’s series showcasing high-profile presenters. http://www.terry.ubc.ca/
Sustainability
The Sustainability Office "is here to promote, coordinate, and implement the most effective sustainability practices possible.” The Sustainability Office website is a wealth of resources for you and your office to contribute to UBC’s commitment to high environmental standards.
You can find information specific to the Kelowna campus on the UBC-O Health and Sustainability website.
Take the Sustainability Survey or measure your Ecological Footprint at www.sustain.ubc.ca/eco-survey
Check out UBC's Climate Action Plan for important information about Plan and to get involved.
Find out what you can do about contributing to a healthier, more sustainable UBC community.
Did you know? The UBC Farm is a 24-hectare learning and research farm. It is student-driven and integrated with the wider community. As the only working farmland within the city of Vancouver, the UBC Farm is an urban agrarian gem, featuring a landscape of unique beauty.
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Recycling and Waste Reduction
UBC's Waste Management website is a valuable resource for information on recycling, composting, and disposing of electronic equipment.
Visit the Waste Free UBC website for great resources on reducing waste.
Read the UBC Okanagan Recycling brochure by Facilities Management.
Did You Know? UBC Vancouver students, staff, on-campus residents, and faculty can drop off personal e-waste for recycling! Visit the UBC Building Operations e-Waste page for more information.
TREK
The TREK Program Centre is committed to improving your transportation choices by providing a variety of sustainable transportation options for your commuting needs. Visit their website for resources and transportation options at all UBC campuses.
Engaging our Communities
Community Leadership Program
The Community Leadership Program (CLP) gives UBC Vancouver staff the opportunity and training to mentor and lead UBC students who volunteer at local elementary schools during Reading Week. This experiential, hands-on approach to student learning is called Community Service Learning.
Part of the mentor role in this program is to help UBC students develop their own understanding of leadership for social change, and explore how their academic courses relate to real community issues.
Mentors in the program complete a series of five participatory workshops designed to explore the meaning of leadership and to prepare for a short-term ‘service-learning’ project, where mentors work with UBC students and community partners in not-for-profit organizations or elementary schools.
CLP is offered for staff in Vancouver, but you can find about Community Service Learning and related UBC programs at both campuses’ Learning Exchange websites:
The UBC Learning Exchange, Vancouver: UBC's Learning Exchange is a community engagement initiative based in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Okanagan: http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/students/learningexchange/welcome.html
Check it out
Interested in hearing what CLP alumni had to say about their experiences? Check out what Mark and Erin had to say.
Find out about previous participants and their experiences at http://blogs.ubc.ca/csl2/project-leader-profiles.
Leave for Change
Leave for Change offers UBC staff the opportunity to volunteer overseas during their vacation time. The positions are diverse and take volunteers all over the world. For more details on the program and how to apply, visit the Leave for Change page.
You can read about volunteers’ experiences on the Leave for Change blog or read the newest posts below.
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Did you know? You can learn about people around both campuses and the diversity of work they do on the Focus on People Profiles page.
The United Way
UBC has been a strong supporter of the United Way for over 20 years. The UBC community raises nearly a half a million dollars every year for the United Way. As impressive as that sounds, UBC achieves this goal with a very low percentage of participation. Follow the links below to find out how you can participate.
Every year, UBC sponsors staff members to work on a four-month campaign with the United Way. These are dynamic positions that can redefine your career path and broaden your concept of community. Look for the potions to be posted each spring. You'll never forget it!
Find out how UBC participate every year at the UBC United Way website.
Read the Vision and Mission statement for the United Way of the Lower Mainland:
Our Vision & Mission
United Way has helped people in the Lower Mainland for over 77 years. Our community is growing and changing. Resources are stretched to their limits. Help is not consistently available. United Way works to meet emerging challenges and improve social conditions.
We identify critical social issues through research and community input. With our partners, we act to prevent problems and create measurably better communities.
Today United Way of the Lower Mainland plays a leadership role in mobilizing resources to change lives and strengthen the community. We support the delivery of preventive programs and services that help people find their way.
Our Vision
A healthy, caring, inclusive community.
Our Mission
To strengthen our community's capacity to address social issues.