Isabel “Bella” Dastvan
Invasive species are a threat to our managed and preserved spaces. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, invasive species are “non-native species whose introduction does or is likely to cause ecological or economic harm, or is a threat to human health.”¹ Invasive species can drive native species onto the Endangered Species list, resulting […]
Adam Edenfield, CxA, and Jacob Borcherding CxA
As campus administrators heighten their focus on energy efficiency and carbon reduction, the ability to assess an institution’s performance is a critical first step in any plan to reduce power consumption and costs or the broader environmental footprint of the campus. Metering and data quality are an important piece of the equation for colleges, universities, […]
Tim Dean, P.E., L.S.I.T., DBIA, and Anthony Lucarelli, AIA
Following the conclusion of the academic year, the summer months are often considered a “quiet” time on campus for many. Yet they are among the busiest for school administrators, campus planners, and facilities professionals. Thoughtful and intentional planning is critical for all colleges, universities, and schools as student needs evolve and schools adjust to changing […]
Christopher C. McConnell, MS, PMP
At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we recently completed our campus facilities master plan. We embarked on this journey while our daily lives were being disrupted by the concerns that each of us was also addressing: a pandemic, reduced budget, and increased deferred maintenance. This led me to reflect on the important role facilities leaders […]
Jocelyn Hutt
It seems we’ve reached a tipping point regarding sustainability, the planet, and our collective roles. Brands are more seriously investing in ways to ensure that their products are produced responsibly and are built to last. From best practices in manufacturing, materials sourcing, and creating healthy work environments for all types of buildings, manufacturers and facility […]
Theodore J. Weidner, Ph.D., P.E., RA, NCARB, DBIA, CEFP
Several codes relevant to our members have been or are being revised. Among them are fire codes and ISO standards. Generally speaking, fire codes are completely updated every three years by working on about 1/3 of the code each year. Included in the code development for 2027 are the International Code Council updates developed by […]
Jack Rubinger
Campus buildings are constantly changing so maintenance teams chase a moving target about knowing where equipment and shutoffs are in the field. Teams, many relying on their memories, struggle to document these. Dirk Schoup, formerly with the University of Pennsylvania, believes that when looking at the cost of preventive maintenance vs. deferred maintenance, preventive maintenance […]
Bobby Krecker, CPP, PSP
Security management is necessary in higher education to address physical security threats, protect data, comply with regulations, mitigate cyber-attacks, prevent disruptions to academic activities, and manage reputation. Of course, these requirements must be balanced against the desire of many institutions to provide an open, welcoming, and nurturing campus environment. Institutions should develop and maintain a […]
Rachel Whitener
Generating momentum in the circular economy means we must manage our waste smarter. As the world’s population grows, so does its waste generation. In places where people spend a lot of their time, like university campuses, mitigating waste is critical to achieving sustainability goals. Higher education institutions are perfect candidates for introducing innovative solutions to […]
