Facilities staff hosts first informational town meeting

More than 130 members of the University community attended the first Facilities Customer Town Hall Meeting, held May 10 in the Perkins Student Center.

Assistant Vice President for Facilities Bob Stozek explained that the goal of the meeting was to improve two-way communication, to provide information to better serve Facilities' customers across the campus, to explain Facilities' responsibilities and organizational structure and to share information about planned procedural changes and upcoming construction.

According to Dave Heckman, Facilities Administration, the response to the meeting was very positive and questions presented after the formal presentations were helpful and showed a high level of interest in Facilities' operations, procedures and organizational structure.

During the program, Facilities staff–including Ed Bennett and Dick Walter, Facilities Management; John Warren and Marty Quirk, Custodial Services and Pest Control; Leigh Ann Jones, Facilities Planning and Construction; and Heckman, Mike Parisi and Barbara Graham, Facilities Administration– discussed the duties and operations of their respective staffs and units.

Funding of work requests and deferred maintenance as if affects the operating departments were among the topics discussed. Facilities Management staff commented on utility cost increases and various initiatives under way to minimize the impact of these increases.

Additionally, representatives from Facilities Management highlighted work performed by the Grounds Maintenance Division, which maintains UD's top-rated athletic fields. Facilities Management staff mentioned two major initiatives still in the planning stage, a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), which will enhance customer relations and project tracking; and an integrated supplier, which will improve customer feedback and cost effectiveness.

Facilities Planning and Construction staff explained the multistage process and numerous units involved in a project request–from planning, design and cost estimation through funding approval and construction.

Information also was presented on the function, staffing, hours and accessibility of the Facilities Operations Center, which responds to maintenance requests and which can be reached around the clock by calling 831-1141.

Comments and questions requiring further follow up will be answered by Facilities personnel via an e-mail message containing information to all those who attended.

For additional information on Facilities staff, procedures and plans, employees should visit the web site at [www.facilities. udel.edu].

–Ed Okonowicz

Photo by KATHY FLICKINGER