Project Update - Thompson Hall Sustainability - It's a ... - Facilities
Project Update - Thompson Hall Sustainability - It's a ... - Facilities
Project Update - Thompson Hall Sustainability - It's a ... - Facilities
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<strong>Facilities</strong>...<br />
Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
Inside<br />
this<br />
Issue:<br />
Page 2<br />
Page 3<br />
Page 4<br />
Page 5<br />
Calhoun’s Corner<br />
I know it’s already been a month, but welcome<br />
back from the holiday break. While we don’t take<br />
as long a break as the students, it really is good to<br />
be able to take time away from the campus and<br />
focus on the things that are really important to<br />
you like your family. To those of you who worked<br />
over break, thank you.<br />
The year ahead will bring many changes to us. As<br />
I write this, the legislature is working the details of<br />
the Commonwealth’s budget and this will certainly<br />
have an impact on us as an institution and as individuals.<br />
While the economy shows signs of improving,<br />
we continue to face tough times ahead in<br />
the next few years. There will be continued emphasis<br />
on improving our efficiency and reducing<br />
our costs while still providing the quality service<br />
you provide today. It is our responsibility as public<br />
servants to do everything we can to ensure tax<br />
payers are getting the most from investment in<br />
public education. For us, this will mean continuing<br />
to look for new ways to do our business.<br />
Of course this year will also mean the retirement<br />
of Dr. Merten who has led us superbly for over 16<br />
years. Dr. and Mrs. Merten have always expressed<br />
sincere appreciation for your tireless contributions<br />
to educating our students. They know, like you<br />
do, that how well our facilities work directly affects<br />
teaching and learning and they have always<br />
<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Update</strong>; <strong>Sustainability</strong><br />
Shop Spotlight; 2011 Award Winner<br />
Earth Week; Employee of the Month; Vehicle Safety Tip<br />
2011 <strong>Facilities</strong> Holiday Party<br />
Page 6 2011 W-2s; DMV 2 Go<br />
Page 7<br />
Page 8<br />
Safety Zone; Safety Training<br />
Tool Box Tip; Next Edition; Let Us Know<br />
publicly praised and thanked you for your<br />
contributions. We’ll have a chance to say<br />
farewell to the Mertens later this year, but if<br />
you see them during the spring semester,<br />
don’t hesitate to thank them for all their contributions<br />
to the university and for their support<br />
of the facilities organization.<br />
Be safe in all you do!<br />
Tom<br />
in focus<br />
Welcome New Hires<br />
* Naveia Kennedy<br />
Customer Service Cntr<br />
* Fred Henderson<br />
Carpentry Shop<br />
* Darrell Huston<br />
Paint Shop<br />
* Robert Pleasants<br />
PM Shop<br />
* Chris Baumgartner<br />
<strong>Sustainability</strong><br />
* Alfonso Nazario<br />
Fire Alarm Shop<br />
* Robert Donahue<br />
PM & Construction<br />
* Daniel Preston<br />
Plumbing Shop<br />
* Antwoine Towe<br />
CHCP<br />
* Jason Gwinn<br />
HR/IT<br />
* Elizabeth Long<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!<br />
Space Planning
FACILITIES in focus<br />
<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Update</strong> - <strong>Thompson</strong> <strong>Hall</strong><br />
<strong>Thompson</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> gets a major makeover! To say <strong>Thompson</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> has served us well would be a huge understatement. The building<br />
was originally built in 1971 and was given its current name two years later after the retirement of Lorin <strong>Thompson</strong> as Mason’s first<br />
president and when first opened, it was Mason’s Arts and Sciences building.<br />
The 72,571-square-foot academic building was approved for renovation, which began in August 2010 and completed in December<br />
2011, and will now house the College of Education and Human Development. The <strong>Thompson</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> renovation was a full wall to<br />
floor renovation. Everything except the building envelope was renovated and anything that was unsafe was addressed so that we<br />
ended up with a very new, energy efficient, healthy building. Classrooms have been modernized by incorporating the new University<br />
standard for technology in the classrooms.<br />
Included in this renovation are five University Registrar classrooms, six high-tech computer classrooms, one early childhood and<br />
middle childhood teaching classroom that will help train the teachers of the future, one Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and<br />
Achievement (VISTA) teaching laboratory, a number of high-tech conference rooms throughout the building incorporating the<br />
latest presentation technology and conferencing technologies, a number of large dividable multi-purpose rooms, and a great suite<br />
of offices that house the Dean and Administration for CEHD. <strong>Thompson</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> is now LEED certified and definitely ready to<br />
serve another 40 years! Stop by and see for yourself.<br />
Available Funds for Great Ideas<br />
Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
<strong>Sustainability</strong> - It’s a GREEN thing!<br />
Do you have an idea to improve Mason and reduce its environmental impact? Then check out the Patriot Green Fund (PGF)!<br />
This is a $100,000 per year sustainability grant that is devoted to making Mason’s campuses more sustainable through facility upgrades<br />
or installations and student research projects. In 2011, we awarded 7 projects totaling $50,489. Not sure what kinds of<br />
ideas we are talking about? Here are some examples: encouraging people to take advantage of Mason’s existing biking or carpooling<br />
programs, reducing the amount and use of electronics and appliances in offices or residential halls, and installing renewable<br />
energy sources on campus. Submit your idea by April 1, 2012. Check out http://pgf.gmu.edu for more information and the<br />
application.<br />
<strong>Facilities</strong> <strong>Sustainability</strong> Innovation Award<br />
Help Keep <strong>Facilities</strong> Clean and Sustainable<br />
Based on feedback from the lunch and learn we hosted at the end of 2011, our office is launching the <strong>Sustainability</strong> Innovation<br />
Award. If you have an idea on how to make things more sustainable in the <strong>Facilities</strong> Department’s operations (e.g. saving energy<br />
or water, reducing waste, raising awareness for sustainability, etc) submit it to gogreen@gmu.edu for a chance to win a Sustainable<br />
Living Kit (worth approximately $50).<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!<br />
Page 2
FACILITIES in focus<br />
Mike Ruais - Manager, Arlington<br />
Campus<br />
Caitlin O’Keefe - Admin/Recycling<br />
Sandy Houston - Supervisor,<br />
Arlington<br />
* Michael Johnson - Utility Worker<br />
Charlie Morrow - Trades Worker<br />
Marquet Anderson - Plumber<br />
George Malenich - Plumber<br />
Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
Shop Spotlight - Arlington <strong>Facilities</strong><br />
* John Wickline - Supervisor,<br />
Arlington<br />
Chris McDonald - HVAC Tech<br />
* Andre Perry - Electrician<br />
Roy Rupert - Electrician Asst.<br />
* Khanh Pham - Maintenance<br />
Wage<br />
* Not pictured.<br />
Ever wonder how a massive multi-storied, new building keeps looking and functioning great? One only needs to look at<br />
the GMU Founders <strong>Hall</strong> building in Arlington and you’ll see the Arlington <strong>Facilities</strong> Team at work! This highly functioning<br />
team is managed and lead by Mike Ruais, (Manager), Sandy Houston, (Supervisor), and John Wickline, (Supervisor)<br />
who have a combined 44 years service with GMU. The Arlington team certainly knows how to keep their building looking<br />
and functioning great! According to Larry Spaine, ―We rarely hear from any customers in Arlington which is a testament<br />
to Mike and his team. We know we can stay out of their way and they will make sure they get the job done in a professional<br />
and timely manner.‖ Founders <strong>Hall</strong> is a great flagship building for us in Arlington and the Arlington <strong>Facilities</strong> Team<br />
takes great pride in making sure it stands out as one of Mason’s finest! Great job team, you all make us PROUD!<br />
Richard Goolsby Receives<br />
2011 Exceptional Support Award<br />
Congratulations to <strong>Facilities</strong> very own Richard Goolsby for being nominated and recognized<br />
as a 2011 Exceptional Support Award recipient! Richard was selected and recognized<br />
for his continued exceptional support at the GMU Annual Awards ceremony this<br />
past October. Richard was nominated by a group of his peers and customers who<br />
praised Richard’s work by saying: ―Richard has been a tremendous support and resource<br />
as a construction project manager. He is always available and very reliable and<br />
we can always count on him to visit all his projects and to keep up with the contractors<br />
and the schedule.‖ ― Richard consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of<br />
him.‖ ― He is a consistent performer and routinely handles multiple projects while<br />
providing exceptional customer support‖. Way to go Richard, we are extremely proud<br />
of you and your accomplishments!<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!<br />
P a ge 3
FACILITIES in focus<br />
August 2011<br />
Tina Riley, PWC<br />
October 2011<br />
Earth Week is coming this April<br />
Recent Facility Employee of the Month Award Winners<br />
Robert Gallahan, HVAC<br />
Winter Vehicle Safety Tip<br />
Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
Earth Week 2012 is a time to promote awareness and appreciation for the earth’s environment, sustainable living and earth awareness.<br />
Earth Week is also known as National Green Week 2012. Environmentalists all over the world will work to raise awareness on<br />
how to recycle and conserve energy this earth week!<br />
Earth week(s) will fall on both the week of April 16-22nd and 23rd-29th. The weeks will officially be Earth Week-Think Global<br />
(in tandem with International Week) and Earth Week-Act Local (in tandem with Mason Week). <strong>Sustainability</strong> is coordinating a<br />
number of events, speakers, and programs across all campuses here at Mason. We would love to see some <strong>Facilities</strong>-related<br />
and/or sponsored programming (e.g. a green architect, an electric car manufacturer, etc). Please contact the <strong>Sustainability</strong> office<br />
to assist with setting up these events if you’re interested.<br />
This winter before you hit the road, make sure you have your safety kit packed and<br />
ready.<br />
Items to include in your kit:<br />
*Jumper cables to restart your engine *Cat litter or sand for tire traction<br />
*Shovel to scrape snow away from tires *Ice scraper to clear windshield<br />
*Warm clothes (gloves, hat, boots, jacket) * Blankets to keep warm inside the vehicle<br />
*Flashlights with extra batteries *First Aid kit (include needed medication)<br />
*Food items and portable can opener *Water bottles for each rider and pets<br />
*AM/FM radio with batteries *Fully charged cell phone and charger<br />
*Flares or reflective triangle *Make sure your gas tank is full<br />
If you find yourself stranded, be safe, don’t run your car continuously, stay in your<br />
car, put on your flashers and set out your flares or reflective triangle, call for help and<br />
wait for it to arrive.<br />
September 2011<br />
Lance Florance, Warehouse<br />
November 2011<br />
Stephanie Fifield-Anson, Grounds<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!<br />
P a ge 4
FACILITIES in focus Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
<strong>Facilities</strong> Celebrates the Holiday’s<br />
Once again, the <strong>Facilities</strong> department celebrated<br />
another joyous holiday season with a gathering of<br />
good friends, good food, good music, and good<br />
door prizes! This year’s celebration included some<br />
of the best food to date: turkey, ham, dressing, salads,<br />
vegetables, chips, bread, all kinds of desserts,<br />
and cold drinks!<br />
Plenty of door prizes were won by a number of attendees<br />
and four lucky winners helped divide up the<br />
50/50 drawing, holiday music played, Dr. Merten<br />
attended and spoke to the group at what was his last<br />
official <strong>Facilities</strong> Holiday Party as our beloved President<br />
(however I believe we will be seeing him at<br />
future celebrations as well).<br />
As we all know, none of this could happen without a<br />
lot of help behind the scenes. This includes volunteers<br />
that planned the event, purchased food, cooked<br />
food, set up the tables, chairs, lights, music, and also<br />
helped clean up! So as not to leave off anyone’s<br />
name lets just say a big ―THANK YOU‖ to everyone<br />
that had a hand in making this year’s celebration<br />
a huge success!<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!<br />
Page 5
FACILITIES in focus Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
Page 6<br />
2011 W-2s Now Available Online<br />
Your 2011 W-2s are available online. Retrieving your electronic copy is easy and immediate. Simply log in to http://<br />
patriotweb.gmu.edu, select "Employee Services," then "Tax Forms," and "W2 Year End Earnings Statement." By electing<br />
to access your W-2 form electronically, a Mason generated paper W-2 will not be mailed to you. Going electronic puts<br />
time on your side; download yours today.<br />
Please contact the W-2 Hotline at 703-993-2311 or w2info@gmu.edu should you have questions.<br />
For those who do not download an electronic copy, paper W-2 forms will be mailed no later than January 31st, 2012.<br />
Please remember: You must ensure that your Permanent Mailing Address is accurate in Patriot Web Self Service.<br />
The Department of Motor Vehicles is coming to Mason<br />
Can’t get to the DMV? Don’t worry, the DMV is coming to you! That’s right, ―DMV 2 Go‖ is coming to each of the 3<br />
Mason campuses.<br />
Thanks to the latest technology, the ―DMV 2 Go‖ wireless office offers all the services normally offered at your local DMV.<br />
Apply for or renew your drivers license—take road and knowledge tests, get your picture taken.<br />
Get a copy of your driving record.<br />
Obtain vehicle titles, license plates, decals, and transcripts.<br />
Order disabled parking placards or plates.<br />
Apply for or renew your ID card - available for adults and children.<br />
Recently moved? Stop in to update your address on your DMV record, and update your voter registration card.<br />
Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to set up a myDMV account so you can receive DMV notices via email<br />
or phone; or conduct secure transactions on the DMV website, www.dmvNOW.com.<br />
Search for other state services through a Virginia Internet portal.<br />
AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!<br />
Look for the ―DMV 2 Go‖ Van at the following locations and times.<br />
Arlington Campus: Monday March 5, 2012 from 9:00am—4:00pm<br />
Fairfax Campus: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 6 and 7 2012 (Lot A near the Patriot Center) 9:00am—4:00pm<br />
Prince William Campus: Thursday, March 8, 2012 9:00am—4:00pm<br />
All of your excuses have now hit the road! Take advantage of DMV 2 Go!!!!!!!
FACILITIES in focus Fall/Winter 2011 Issue Page 7<br />
Welcome to the Safety Zone<br />
Working outside in the winter exposes employees to a number of hazards, including the risk of weather-related conditions such<br />
as frostbite. Cold weather can affect the body's senses, altering the ability to see, smell and feel, according to the Department of<br />
Labor and Industries. Dressing to protect against the elements can help reduce the impact cold weather has on workers' health<br />
and productivity.<br />
If you are working outside either at work or home try the following recommendations:<br />
Always dress with loose outer layers and tighter inner layers to help trap heat. Do not over-bundle.<br />
Use outer layers of clothing as a windbreaker. This will make the layers underneath more effective.<br />
To minimize sweat, remove layers if you begin to feel hot. Try to avoid getting clothing wet, as this reduces protection<br />
from the cold.<br />
Wear a hat or other head protection to help retain body heat.<br />
Be sure to protect your feet, as they likely will feel the effects of the cold first. Wool socks are effective, and four-buckle<br />
overshoes provide additional protection for your feet.<br />
Wear proper gloves. A thin pair of wool gloves worn under leather gloves will provide adequate protection.<br />
Be careful not to overdress, as this can restrict movement, increasing the likelihood of an accident.<br />
Don’t overexert yourself! If you feel you need a break, try to find a convenient break area out of the cold and take time to<br />
rehydrate yourself.<br />
All new shop employees must receive safety training as soon as possible after their start date. Your immediate supervisor<br />
can assist you in determining which training you require and when you should sign up. EHS is offering the<br />
safety training sessions listed below in February, March, and April. Advance registration is required. You may view<br />
all available sessions and register for training from the EHS website, ehs.gmu.edu, by clicking on the green, ―Need<br />
Training?‖ button in the lower right-hand corner.<br />
February 1, March 7, and April 4 at Prince William, Occoquan Building, Room 110A<br />
February 2, March 1, and April 5 at Fairfax, Police & Safety Headquarters, Room 230<br />
Lock Out/Tag Out, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.<br />
Safety Refresher, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.<br />
Hazard Communication, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.<br />
Respiratory Protection, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.<br />
Bloodborne Pathogens, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.<br />
March 28 and April 25 at Fairfax, Police & Safety Headquarters, Room 230<br />
April 12 at Arlington, Founders <strong>Hall</strong>, Room 207<br />
April 13 at Prince William, Occoquan Building, Room 110A<br />
Fire Extinguisher Use, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!
FACILITIES in focus Fall/Winter 2011 Issue<br />
Let Us Know What You Think<br />
Thank you for taking the time to read <strong>Facilities</strong> in focus.<br />
We hope that you enjoyed this issue and we look forward to<br />
making each issue better and more informative. To do that<br />
we need your feedback. Please take a minute to answer a<br />
few questions and provide us with your thoughts as to what<br />
you liked, what you didn’t like, and what you would like to see<br />
in the next issue. Thank you.<br />
Yes<br />
No<br />
Did you find this issue<br />
informative?<br />
Yes<br />
No<br />
Safety Toolbox Talk<br />
You may submit ideas that impact your personal safety or the safety of the<br />
greater community. Your participation will help raise safety awareness and engage<br />
our community in an effort to increase safe practices at Mason.<br />
Please submit your safety ideas via email to safety@gmu.edu. Contributors will<br />
receive a gift of appreciation and their names, department, and ideas will be<br />
posted monthly on the EHS website, http://ehs.gmu.edu.<br />
Job Safety Analysis<br />
Did you enjoy reading<br />
this Issue of<br />
<strong>Facilities</strong> in focus<br />
EHS encourages faculty, staff, and students to<br />
participate in the new EHS Safety Challenge reward<br />
program. All members of the Mason community<br />
are invited to submit a safety improvement<br />
that has been identified and implemented<br />
or an idea for a safety improvement.<br />
EHS is continuing to conduct job safety analyses (JSA) with all departments<br />
in <strong>Facilities</strong> Management. This is a process that identifies<br />
potential hazards associated with tasks being conducted and controls<br />
necessary to prevent these hazards. EHS will be contacting Shop<br />
Supervisors to schedule JSAs. If there are high hazard tasks that<br />
need to be evaluated immediately, please contact Craig Colvin at<br />
(703) 993-5588.<br />
TEAR OFF AND SUBMIT<br />
Check those articles that you<br />
would like to see on a regular<br />
basis in this newsletter.<br />
Calhoun’s Corner<br />
<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Update</strong>s<br />
Shop Spotlight<br />
Employee of the Month<br />
Winners<br />
New Hires for the<br />
Quarter<br />
Informational Articles<br />
Page 8<br />
Provide us with any other comments you would like<br />
below. Let us know what other type of articles/<br />
information you would like to see (i.e. Classified<br />
Section, <strong>Sustainability</strong>, Environmental Health and<br />
Safety, Training).<br />
Comments:<br />
Next Quarter’s Edition<br />
Articles to look forward to in next quarter’s<br />
edition of FACILITIES in focus include:<br />
Calhoun’s Corner: University News<br />
<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Update</strong>: See what project is next<br />
Shop Spotlight: Tune in to find out who’s next<br />
Employee of the Month Winners<br />
Safety Training <strong>Update</strong><br />
HR News<br />
<strong>Sustainability</strong> Review<br />
Please return to Sandy Beckett at the <strong>Facilities</strong> Admin Bldg Front Desk or mail to MS 1E4<br />
FACILITIES in focus created strictly with the Mason <strong>Facilities</strong> Employees in Mind!