response to program review report - LSU School Of Veterinary ...

The need for research space often competes with the need for hospital andteaching space. The SVM Space Committee will address difficult spacedecisions for the next two years as priorities clash.The SVM Space Committee and Administration will assess and consider thespace required and allocated for rounds rooms.The VCS Department Head has been in contact with R. Doolos on the MainCampus to look into the feasibility of using the scheduling program used there tomatch needs with available space. This would enable us to increase efficiency ofuse of available meeting areas for rounds, etc.Service ContractsExecutive Summary/General/#10/p6There is also some concern that the new arrangement for service contracts is not highly effectivedue to delays in getting equipment repaired.The SVM Equipment Maintenance Management Program is not “new” and hasbeen in existence at the SVM for over 10 years. Within the last three years, theState of Louisiana has obtained a statewide competitive contract for acomprehensive, one-stop-shop Equipment Maintenance Management Programwith Specialty Underwriters. This program guarantees a 25 or 32% reduction tothe annual price of our equipment maintenance contracts issued by originalequipment manufacturers, and allows the department to use the vendor of itschoice for the repairs. The State of Louisiana and LSU are strongly encouragingdepartments to pursue the savings that can be gained from this statewidecontract.Currently, the SVM, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Department ofBiological Sciences, and Department of Entomology have equipment covered onthe statewide contract with Specialty Underwriters. The SVM has $236,000worth of equipment maintenance contracts with Specialty Underwriters. Thiscreates a savings of 25%, or almost $79,000, for the SVM annually. While weagree that not contracting directly with the original equipment manufacturers maycause an occasional delay, we believe the savings of 25% greatly outweighs thecost of any delay we have experienced. In addition, for the maintenancecontracts paid centrally by the SVM Administration, the Administration allowsdepartments to contract with original equipment manufacturers if the departmentpays the 25%. Alternatively, service contract costs can be borne by individualequipment users, if they so wish.8