Operating Policy for Facilities Work

Purpose

This policy establishes responsibility for the actual repair, maintenance, renovation, remodeling, and construction of campus buildings, grounds, related facilities and attached equipment with the Physical Plant Division and the Facilities Planning Division, unless specifically delegated by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services.

Application

This policy applies, but is not limited to, the following:

1. the construction, fabrication, installation, alteration, or painting of partitions, doors, walls, ceilings, floors, shelves, windows, cabinets, air conditioning units, and any other equipment attached to campus buildings;
2. the construction, fabrication, installation, or alteration of utility service systems including electrical, gas, water, sewer, steam and air lines, and all mechanical control systems for these utilities within and outside campus buildings;
3. the routine maintenance, major maintenance, repairs, or of all structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems;
4. the planting and care of trees, shrubs, flowers, lawn areas, and all campus landscape elements and features, except those used for instruction or research purposes;
5. custodial services, refuse collection and disposal, recycling, and snow removal.

Rationale

Work performed by non-facilities personnel often violates campus construction standards, can create hazardous situations, and may result in the ineffective expenditure of funds. If Physical Plant or Facilities Planning are unaware of the result of such work, records will not be maintained and disruption of services may occur at a later date, or worse, a trades person may be physically harmed due to unrecorded alterations or installations.

Work of this nature may also circumvent authorizations and/or approvals required by the campus, the University, the Board of Trustees, or the state executive and legislative branches. In addition, unauthorized work can violate University agreements with insurance carriers, regulations by various state or federal agencies (including the State Division of Capital Planning and Operation - DCPO), union agreements, state or federal statutes, local ordinances, and requirements imposed by other regulatory agencies.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Assistant Director for Business Management, Physical Plant at 545-6465.