Facilities and Planning Newsletter 

Spring 2001

Message from Herb - Where’s Our Award?

A funny thing happened on our trip to the awards banquet, they changed the destination!

"What are you talking about?"

"You remember, the APPA Awards for Excellence in Facilities Management, we applied for them two years ago."

"OK, I remember now, so what happened?"

"It's a long story but I'll make it brief. As you recall, we had set up a committee to apply for the awards. The committee worked for over a year developing policies, procedures, and totally reviewing how we conduct business. We did such things as create an orientation process for new employees, created the F&P Web page and started the annual F&P Summer Recognition Picnic. The committee documented all aspects of how we do our business in accordance with the awards criteria and submitted the information to APPA, The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers.

They finally acknowledged receipt of our package after repeated phone calls and months of waiting. They said it had been assigned to the awards committee for review. They even announced our application at their national conference.

Months later, in an attempt to find out what was happening, I called APPA. I was told to contact the committee chairman. No response other than, "I'll get back to you". Still later I'm informed that APPA has revised their awards criteria and that they no longer consider our application appropriate. When asked about the new awards criteria, they sent me a draft. APPA has now finalized the awards criteria and we have them. However, the new Awards for Excellence in Facilities Management will require an entirely new application and a check for about $10,000 for an on-site visitation.

As you can imagine we are not quite ready to reapply. We are one of the best facilities organizations in the country and deserve to be recognized. Therefore, it is our intention to go after the awards in the next couple of years. In the mean time, be assured that if APPA had their act together we would already have been recognized for our excellence in facilities management."

Aren't bureaucracies wonderful?

The following is a brief update of active projects that the design and construction staff of the Facilities and Planning Department is currently working on. As you can see this summer construction season will be typical, very busy as usual.

The new 40,000 square foot Physical Therapy Building is progressing smoothly. A Dean's suite has been added for the new Dean and administrative staff. The existing parking lot serving the new building and Vincent will also be replaced at the completion of the project. The occupants should be able to move in sometime in early August.

The finishing touches are being completed in the new Health Services portion of Rhoads Hall. The project is scheduled to be complete by the end of May. Health Services will be moving over the summer as time permits with plans for full operation for the fall semester.

Construction has begun on  the 2500 square foot addition to Rocky's grill. The project, including an exterior deck, will  be completed this fall. There should be a good view of the new fountain from the deck.

Phase II of the Bard Hall HVAC upgrade is scheduled to begin at the end of the semester. The south wing was completed last summer with the north wing to be completed before the start of the fall semester. The upgrades will include air conditioning for the residence.

Final design review is nearly complete for the renovation of newly named Carruth Rizza Hall (West Hall. The Department of General Services bidding process will be ongoing throughout early summer. Construction will begin late summer or early fall.

Morrow Field House is undergoing a fenestration (window) replacement project. The existing fenestrations were original to the building and badly deteriorated. The new system is more energy efficient and will allow more natural light into the Field House. Work should be completed sometime this spring. 

A professional A/E firm has been selected and preliminary design has started for the renovation of North Hall. The project will provide for centralized student services. Program development and square footage assessments are underway to determine department locations.

Phase I of the campus network cabling project is complete. Phase one consisted of the wiring of (12) major campus buildings. Phase II is the remainder of buildings and is ongoing. The electronics portion of the project is currently bidding. The entire campus wide system should be operational this fall.

The HVAC system in Weisenfluh Dining Hall will be replaced this summer. Construction is scheduled to start mid summer and will include new lighting and ceilings. The new system will improve the air quality and ventilation of the building. Construction is scheduled to be complete by mid fall.

All of the restrooms in Rhoads Hall will be renovated this summer. Badly deteriorated pipes and fixtures will be replaced along with updated finishes and lighting fixtures. In addition, under a separate contract, initiated by The State System of Higher Education, a sprinkler system will be installed. All work is anticipated to be completed early fall.

A professional has been selected to design the renovations to the President's Residence. The project will include interior remodeling, mechanical and electrical upgrades and building additions. The work is slated to be complete by the end of 2002.

Thanks in large part to an alumni donor; a new baseball stadium will be built near the East Lake parking lot. The university is currently accepting proposals for the field, bleachers and lighting. The clubhouse will be designed in the near future and bid for construction.

As always, a number of asphalt and concrete projects are being considered as part of the multi year unit price contracts. East Central Loop will be widened for two-way traffic. West Central Loop will be resurfaced and the Vincent parking lot will be replaced. In addition, various sidewalks will be replaced and new walkways added.

As you can see this summer should be one of the busiest yet. Most of the work should have a minimal impact on the campus community and the Facilities staff. If you have any questions or comments about any of the above projects, feel free to contact anyone in the design and construction staff.

The Facilities and Planning crews have been busy working on the following projects over the past several  months:

A new coffee service, Java City, has been established at the University Union.  It was a coordinated effort of the       carpenters, plumbers and painters.
The Cyber Café is a new addition to the University Union, involving the services of the carpenters, electricians and painters.
The commuter lounge located in the University Union was remodeled and changed to the Cultural Center.  The      Cultural Center was then moved to the basement of the University Union.  This work involved the carpenters,         electricians, and painters.
Strain BSB now has a high tech Prometheus classroom, remodeling was completed by the carpenters, electricians and painters.
Bailey Library’s heating and air conditioning have been updated by the HVAC crew. 
The graphics area located in the basement of Bailey Library has been remodeled and changed to Telecommunications and Networking.  Work was performed by carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, hvac and labor crews.
Room 319-319A of Bailey Library have had the hvac renovated by the hvac crew.
New chillers are being installed at Swope Music Building and University Union.  The hvac, electrical, preventive maintenance and labor crews have been involved in this work.
New garbage truck and litter vacuum have been received and are being used around campus by the Labor/Grounds crew.
Stores and Receiving personnel were busy again with another successful Spring Auction.
Maintenance Stores is trialing a consignment program for electric supplies.
Labor and Grounds crew has been busy reconstructing flower beds on campus.
 
 

Safety Zone
By Deb Vogan

RIGHT TO KNOW

Once a year we all gripe and groan because we have to attend mandatory right to know training. Attending usually means a free lunch so most of us grin and bear it. I thought that I would take this opportunity to relay some background information as to why we must attend.

Pennsylvania Right To Know Legislation: What It's All About

Pennsylvania citizens have a right to know about chemical hazards present where they live and work. The Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right To Know Act was created as a system for communicating information about these chemicals. Persons living or working in Pennsylvania have access to this important information. The law helps to protect the health and safety of everyone by increasing public awareness about exposure to chemicals; the hazards associated with such exposure; and safe and proper handling procedures.

What Responsibilities Do Non-OSHA Covered Employers Have Under Pennsylvania Right To Know?

Non -OSHA covered employers are required to:

Post a workplace notice, which lists employee rights under the law.

Collect and maintain a file of Material Safety Data Sheets. These MSDSs give detailed information on each hazardous substance in the workplace. The MSDSs must be made available to employees without intervention of a supervisor.

Label all containers and ports of pipelines containing hazardous mixtures in the workplace. 

Provide an annual training program for employees exposed to hazardous substances.

As a reminder for all crews, Don't Mix Chemicals and/or Different Cleaning Supplies, you may expose yourself to toxic fumes that can overcome you in a matter of seconds.
 

GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS
 

Did You Know That........

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