Philadelphia University
Just off Lincoln drive in the East Falls area bordering Fairmont Park is where we met at the charming campus of the erstwhile Philadelphia Textile School aka Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science, reborn as Philadelphia University in 1999. If you never considered the impact of creating pedestrian malls and meeting spaces, consider visiting the Kanbar Campus Center and try to envision the streets and parking that were there before. The campus center changed the whole dynamic of the campus with a modern structure forming a linch pin for campus activities.
The presentation by our host Tom Becker explored how change doesn't just happen to buildings and campuses. The support staff that keeps the buildings in shape has to adapt to the changes as well. So it was with the University FM staff. They were collapsing under the weight of unrealized expectations. Philadelphia U. had undergone several expansions; to the point where facilities personnel were beyond the breaking point. The major problem was how to turn something that was obvious to facilities (insufficient resources in time and personnel) into an opportunity to reshape the department. The option could have been to turn to an outside management corporation for consultation but Tom, with the support of senior administration, chose APPA’s Facilities Management Evaluation Program. We often forget that in spite of each institution's differences, a lot about managing a facility is the same: “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” APPA's FMEP doesn't look to reinvent the wheel as much as it's designed show you what kind of vehicle it's attached to. It enables facility managers to get some critical feedback from their peers without a hidden agenda. As a result of the self evaluation and the peer group evaluation team (from institutions as far away as Colorado) Tom was able to justify an unprecidented expansion of his staff, improve services and garner the support of key university constituencies. It's good to remember that DVAPPA is connected to APPA in more than name . They have resources that we should take advantage of.
In related news, our intrepid Member-at-Large for Education, Mike Brewer, informs me that the DVAPPA developed " Building Envelope Stewardship Program" has hit the road. Presenters Michael Brewer (Muhlenberg College), Jeffrey Erdly (Masonry Preservation Services), Eric Godfrey (CVM Facilities Renewal), Jeffrey Levine (Levine & Company), Glenn Smith (Bryn Mawr College) and David VanOcker (CVM Facilities Renewal) all journeyed to Rocky Gap, Maryland, at the invitation of the Maryland/DC Chapter. There they presented the same program that was so well received last fall at Bryn Mawr College. First and foremost these organizations are about continuous improvement through education and it should make us all proud to know that DVAPPA has become a recognized resource for a noteworthy program.
Our next Meeting will be on October 16, 2007 at the Academy of the New Church where we will explore their approach to master planning. Mark your calendars.
Just a reminder: We currently have a Member-at-Large opening for Technology & Communications. Institutional Members are encouraged to participate. Becoming a board member or member-at-large is a great way to connect to the larger organizational issues that affect us all. Volunteer or nominate: it’s that easy.
Cordially,
Ralph Thayer, President DVAPPA
p.s. - A special plea to institutional members: We need to build up our membership so that we can remove the barrier that prevents patient and deserving business partners from joining our organization. We all know at least one school, college or university that may not be aware of the benefits of DVAPPA... for that matter may not even know we exist! I am throwing out a challenge for every Institution to bring just one new member into the fold this year. Please contact Bob Morrow with the name of a contact in an interested institution or plan on bringing a prospective member to one of the upcoming events.
___________________________________________________________________________
|
