March/April 2024 • volume 40, number 2

A Seat at the Table

Essential Work: How the Pandemic Brought Facilities Management to the Leadership Table

Mark Marikos, UArizona

Earning a seat at the leadership table generally involves demonstrating an ability and willingness to respond flexibly, quickly, creatively, and effectively to challenges faced by the larger community. At the University of Arizona, UArizona Facilities Management (UAFM) found that opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, fear and uncertainty over the rapidly spreading virus […]

Feature

Earning That Seat: Eight Lessons That Elevated This FM Department

Glen Haubold, GHaubold Consulting

In the 1970s, New York Congressperson Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first Black candidate to seek a major party nomination for president, said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” The phrase is tossed around a lot, but what does […]

Feature

Redefining Collaboration for More Successful Project Management

Kane P. Mach, Stillwater Junior High School; Rob Lamecker, Stillwater Public Schools; Larin Davis, Stillwater Public Schools

Whether you’re a veteran leader in facilities management or just beginning your rewarding career in the field, it’s critical to understand the importance of collaboration. But actually collaborating can be easier said than done. We, two facilities management (FM) colleagues and one building-level site administrator who work together in a large-sized public school district in […]

Feature

Project Risk and Change Management

Michael S. Ellegood

Part two of a series in which civil engineer Michael Ellegood, P.E., draws from decades of experience in capital program management to guide facilities management professionals through key elements of project management. See part one, “Getting a Good Start on a Great Project.” “……there are known knowns—these are things we know we know. We also […]

From the Editor Mar/Apr 2024–Who’s at Your Table?

Leah Thayer

APPA Digest Mar/Apr 2024

Anita Dosik

The Bookshelf Mar/Apr 2024

Theodore J. Weidner, Purdue University

New Products Mar/Apr 2024

Gerry Van Treeck, New Products Editor

Code Talkers

Scooter Stress? Codes and Standards for Powered Micromobility Devices

Alan Sactor, University of Maryland

Have you found it challenging to deal with the risks of electric scooters, bikes, and other powered micromobility devices? Many facilities management and fire safety professionals at colleges and universities know the feeling. Help may be on the way in the form of the 2024 editions of the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection […]

Facility Asset Management

The Value Exchange: Value Frontline Staff and They Will Create Value for the Institution

Lindsay Wagner, the Knowledge Collaborative

In most industries, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out, attract attention, and secure necessary resources for growth and development. Higher education facilities management is a bit different. Generally, we are not competing with any other entities. We are the only option for cleaning and maintenance on our campus. And because we feel […]

APPA U Wrap-Up

APPA U Wrap Up: “Phenomenal … a Great Learning Experience” in New Orleans

Billie Zidek, APPA

Hailing from almost every U.S. state and as far away as Saudi Arabia, close to 400 educational facilities professionals convened in New Orleans in early January for two of APPA’s signature professional development programs: The Institute for Facilities Management and the Leadership Academy, sold-out events held simultaneously under the umbrella of APPA U, January 8–11, […]

Technology + Trends

Aligning Academics and Infrastructure in Higher Education

Elliot Felix (Buro Happold Company) and Chris Buddle (McGill University)

People change faster than the facilities that support them. Closing this gap requires a continuous process of planning, designing, operating, and assessing facilities. Doing this successfully better aligns classrooms, labs, offices, study spaces, dining, event spaces, and residence halls with the needs and perceptions of the people who use them. Changing demographics and expectations According […]

Power Tools

The Future of Campus Energy Infrastructure

David Handwork, United Commercial Energy Partners, LLC

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” – Yogi Berra The future of North American campuses’ energy infrastructure has been defined whether your institution is currently preparing or not. Holistic campus electrification will be a reality by 2050, aimed at replacing fossil fuel-based heating, cooking, and energy production. Depending on your geographic location […]