In music, transition can be "a progression from one key to another in a piece of music." Michael Watkins, author of "The First 90 Days" states, "Transitions are periods of opportunity, a chance to start afresh and to make needed changes in an organization." For those who are in the facilities world, transition can often refer to a change of…

The impact of the rampage shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 continues to be felt across the U.S. and the world. Clearly this incident, along with other active shooter incidents that have occurred since the Virginia Tech tragedy, has impacted one's awareness of campus safety and security. A number of states, other governmental entities,…

Discusses the University of Montana's handling of their own fire events occurring during the year 2000's major fire season disasters in the American West. (GR)

Describes how Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, successfully reversed a 15-year contract management arrangement for custodial services and built its own in-house management team. The article describes and presents results of the university's task-development workshop. (GR)

Explores use of space management on college campuses for creating an equitable system of projecting future space needs and allocation. Examines traditional numerical methods of space projections, questions some of the fundamental assumptions about space projections, and presents an alternative approach based on a new, benchmarking methodology.…

Discusses Villanova University's (Pennsylvania) development of a stormwater wetland area to help collect water from small storms, remove sediment and pollutants, and return the water into a local stream. (GR)

Provides an overview of the factors that must be examined and the issues to be addressed when assessing an institution's utility systems. Describes the management, planning, financing, and political dynamics surrounding the ownership of an institution's energy facilities. (GR)

Presents a case study on the successful revamping of the University of California Santa Barbara's Physical Facilities Maintenance and Operations Department. Each revamping step is discussed including issues involving morale and productivity, customer relations, outsourcing custodial services, teamwork, and the development of campus zone offices to…

Provides an overview of recent campus emergencies faced by Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers members and how they coped. Emergencies evaluated include campus crime, a snow storm, and violent campus demonstrations. (GR)

Examines traditional numerical methods of future space-needs projections and allocations and presents an approach based on space-per-faculty-member projections. Presents results of a unique national space-benchmarking study covering data on space-per-faculty-member projections in nine Research I universities. (GR)

Examines the development of a campus energy-monitoring system and three energy strategies to help control energy costs in a deregulated environment. Strategies discussed involve purchasing off-campus electric energy, modifying power-plant technology, and considering third-party ownership of the power plant. (GR)

Provides an overview of the variety of problems that may be incurred, and the series of procedures that can be used, to manage science laboratory renovation activities. The planning, decontamination and moving, construction and renovation, and moving in stages are examined. (GR)

Examines a workshop that helps college space planners provide a facilities-and-space management planning process as part of the college's effort to modernize its management systems and evaluate its physical resources. Lists tips for successful space management. (GR)

Discusses a step-by-step process for building a cleaning services mission statement that can help guarantee that the service performance meets an organization's expectations and needs. The importance of communicating what quality level is expected, developing standards and corresponding labor models and work assignments, and validating the process…

Identifies the steps that can be taken to lessen the impact of indoor air pollution created from indoor renovation projects, including project management tips to help contractors avoid creating unnecessary air pollution. Final comments address air pollution control when installing new furniture, smoking restrictions, occupant relations, and the…