Knowing that the University will be facing difficult budgets, we are working on “Pillar Projects” to improve FM’s efficiency. They include:

* Energy Management
* Parts & Procurement
* Custodial
* Operations & Maintenance

This week we will examine our Operations & Maintenance Pillar. Our District and Central Services staff provide a wide range of services inside and outside all of our buildings on both campuses. How can we stretch our O&M dollars further?

Reduce PM Frequency – We are conducting a PM inventory comparing the number of PMs to the value of the equipment we are maintaining. We may choose not to PM certain pieces. For example, it’s more cost effective to replace a $25 dollar fan after it quits working then to service it a couple times during the year.

Reduce Discretionary Repairs – In reviewing our backlog we will focus efforts on those pieces of equipment that are “mission critical” and defer repairs on those pieces which won’t have an immediate impact. We have a stewardship responsibility to keep the U running and will continue to fulfill it.

Actively Manage Overtime – The nature of our work at the University means there will always be overtime. Emergencies (e.g. floods) and customer demands (e.g. fixing a classroom outside of school hours) often mean that work is performed off shift. In the future we will be more planful around those projects that take place on weekends or off hours. If we don’t have a good business reason to complete it using overtime then we won’t.

I have gone over a lot of information with you during these past several weekly messages. Knowing that many of our staff do not have access to computers, I plan on having smaller meetings out in the districts during October. This will give us a chance to discuss the Pillar Projects further.

Mike