The University of British Columbia

Orientation for New Faculty Members

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Research Orientation Day for New Faculty

Our annual Research Orientation Day event, co-hosted by the Office of the Vice President Research and the Health Research Resource Office (HeRRO), is intended to connect new faculty members with the research support and resources available to them.

The day also provides an opportunity for new researchers to meet experienced faculty, research directors, and one another. Presentation topics include:

• Connecting with your grants facilitators;
• Risk management and liability concerns;
• Research services: finding and securing funding;
• Tri-council awards (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR);
• Research Ethics; and
  
• Compliance, internal review and accounting procedures.
  

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Research support

The Research Support Network (RSN), run by the Office of the Vice President Research, has as its goal, the support and mentoring of new and existing faculty members at UBC. To fulfill this mandate, it collaborates with the Granting Agency Coordinators, the Office of Research Services, University-Industry Liaison Office, Centre for Teaching and Academic Growth, the Faculties, and other administrative units.

Outlined below are some of the Network’s activities:

• Monthly roundtable sessions are held in groups of 10-12 new faculty members with the VP Research. Over the course of an hour or more, there is a free and spirited exchange on issues and concerns to new faculty. If you have not attended one yet, and would like to please contact contact us

• The RSN organizes workshops on how to write proposals for NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, and CFI and how to work with industry. (Please visit the Grants section for detailed grant information.) These workshops are well advertised and details can always be found on our Events Calendar.

• Research Orientation Day for New Faculty is held annually in the Fall.
  

  Representatives from several different offices on campus will introduce new faculty to the research effort at UBC, including: where and how to purchase equipment, where to look for grant writing workshop information, guidelines for applying for a grant in Canada, policies regarding proposal signatures and much more. There is the opportunity for new faculty to meet and mingle with one another as well as with experienced faculty and directors. All new faculty members, both to UBC and to academia, are strongly recommended to attend this event.

• The Office of the Vice President Research publishes semi-annually an issue of FRONTIER, Journal of Research. For your complimentary subscription, please email: info.frontier@ubc.ca.

Other research support:

The Office of Research Services: ORS provides support and oversight for all aspects of research administration.

The University-Industry Liaison Office: UILO's mission is "to maximize the global impact of UBC's research for the economic and social benefit of the university and the people of British Columbia and Canada ".

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Start-up funds

A start-up funding package will be made available to cover the initial cost of research-related equipment and expenses.
The amount varies depending on your discipline, but your Head will be able to discuss this with you in greater detail. New faculty members may be able to apply for more significant start-up funds through the New Opportunities Program of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Faculty association membership

All tenured and tenure track faculty members are required to join and maintain membership in the Faculty Association as a condition of employment. You will be required to submit dues, currently in the amount of 0.678% of your monthly salary, which will be deducted from your paycheque to the Faculty Association or a recipient agreed upon annually by the University and the Association, which is currently the Crane Library. For further information about the Faculty Association, visit their website: www.facultyassociation.ubc.ca/

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Teaching support

Teaching support is provided through: The Department or School.

The Centre for Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG): TAG's mission is to foster quality teaching and learning across the University. TAG takes a leadership role in addressing professional development needs for current and future practitioners of teaching in higher education. They design and coordinate workshops, professional development programs, support, and resources on teaching and learning to enhance the teaching skills of faculty and graduate students. These services include support for new faculty, instructional skills workshops, and seminars for the teaching community.

The TAG Newsletter, with a circulation of over 3,300, targets faculty and other members of UBC's teaching community as its readers, many of whom also serve as contributors. Regular features of the newsletter include articles, interviews, book, video and website reviews, teaching tips, conference announcements, advertisements for TAG and UBC-wide events, and updates on the latest teaching and learning developments.

Faculty Service Centre: The Faculty Service Centre allows faculty members to access class lists and submit grades online for their own classes. Other functions include course outline URL maintenance and curriculum management. Please visit their website.

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Employee Benefits

For a complete and up-to-date description of eligible health benefits and insurance coverage, please visit the Faculty Relations website.

If you have questions about the plans after you receive your benefits package, please contact your benefits service representative in Payroll.

Non-medical benefits:

1. Tuition Fee Benefit for UBC Staff and Faculty and Staff and dependent children
   

2. Professional Development Reimbursement Fund

3. UBC Employee Housing Program

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Campus mailing services

Campus Mailing Services is a part of the Purchasing Department and has sole responsibility for contracting on behalf of the University with Canada Post and other vendors for courier and bulk mail services. It also provides daily sorting and delivery of all Canada Post incoming and campus interdepartmental mail free of charge to all University Departments, Faculties, and affiliated organizations, as approved by the President's Office.

Computing services

Please contact your Department Administrator for assistance with setting up your computer and email accounts. IT Services can provide further support.

Disability Resource Centre

 The Disability Resource Centre facilitates the participation of students, faculty, staff and visitors with disabilities at UBC. As part of the DRC, Crane Resource Centre serves blind, visually and print-impaired persons.

Keys

Keys can be obtained from UBC Parking and Access Control Services using a key request form. Please contact your Department Administrator for assistance.

Telephones, e-mail, photocopying, accounts

Please contact your Department administrator for assistance.