Facilities & Grounds Seasonal Update
Coming out of the cold and snowy winter to a mild, and sometimes hot, spring has created several responsibilities for the grounds and facility specialist position. The last week of January saw over a foot of snow fall. During that time all the members of the facility management division were tasked with clearing sidewalks, parking lots, drives, stoops, and steps. Working multiple 12 hour days the staff pulled together and was able to reopen campus after 2 days of closure. Even following the campus opening staff continued to clear additional sections of parking lots, and additional walks ways. While it was a huge undertaking the team was safely able to make campus accessible and passable for students, staff and faculty.
With spring here groundskeepers have started mowing and preparing soccer fields and other grass areas. With 80 acres of campus and related properties the groundskeeping staff is in full swing. In addition to the grass soccer facilities the grounds department has been busy working with both baseball and softball to help clean their stadiums following their home games. So far this season there have been more the 25 dates for stadium cleanings.
Groundskeepers have assisted with several campus beautification projects already this fall with the installation of the bench honoring Zerah Priestly Carter '38, UE’s First African American Graduate. Spring saw the planting of six trees on campus locations. These Hickory and oaks are classified as “centennial trees” due to their ability to live for over 100 years. The groundskeeping division is also preparing to take part in the upcoming UE Gives Back Day.
Like all organizations there have been some changes in staff with the ground keeping department. There have been two of the five groundskeepers that have left for other opportunities. One continues to work at UE in another capacity and the second chose to explore opportunities outside of the university. We were lucky enough to hire Chris Newman to fill one of the positions. Chris brings a passion for trees and experience working with the Evansville Tree Board to the job to help bolster our existing staff’s knowledge.
The Facility Specialist have continued to assist all over campus with completing a number of work orders and supporting special events, rentals, and meetings on campus. Over the last six months there have been over 360 work orders completed by the facility specialists. All while assisting other facility management staff with other duties.
Some of the larger events that have been supported with set ups include Purple Palooza, Winter on Walnut, Bike Race, Graduation, Fall Commencement, Welcome Back events for students, events at the President’s house, and more.
Like every year facility specialists have started to prepare to suppose graduation in May. They will then immediately switch to turnovers where they address almost 900 dorm rooms, apartments, townhouses, and empty rental houses to prepare it for the upcoming fall semester students and staff.
This year the facility specialists saw a large turnover of staff. With two of the four staff members leaving to take other positions at UE. We have been lucky enough to fill those two positions. Montrel Sears and Nolan Montgomery have come onboard and made an impact with their skills and work ethic.
Coming up as a big change for the facility specialists and other members of campus is the changing reservation system. This new system should have several functions that the current one is missing that will make it easier for everyone. This new system should interact with the existing work order system generating work orders tied to reservations if needed.. It should also allow more UE students and staff to view reservations.
We Grow Aces Grow Pod
Freeland Clubhouse
The old Chillers have been removed and craned onto trucks.
Landscaping near Igleheart.
The Zerah Priestly Carter Bench.
The front entrance to Olmsted Administration Hall.
