From the Archives: 'PFO renamed Facilities Management effective Jan. 1'

[ Editor's note: At the end of the decade, Western Today is publishing articles from the past 10 years of FAST, the campus faculty/staff newsletter. This is one of those articles. Publication of FAST officially ended in the summer of 2009. It was replaced by Western Today. ]

This article first appeared in FAST on Jan. 11, 2001

Several on-campus “brown bag” open forums have been held over the past few months to discuss concerns and suggest improvements relating to operations within Planning, Facilities and Operations.

These meetings helped generate ideas for improved efficiency and organizational effectiveness. In appreciation, George A. Pierce, vice president for business and financial affairs, expresses his thanks to the campus community for its participation in this effort. In support of the discussions held and suggestions provided, Pierce announced the following revisions, effective Jan. 1:

Planning, Facilities and Operations has been renamed Facilities Management. This name was selected from those suggested and considered because it most appropriately identifies the department’s core activities and services. The University currently is seeking a new director of Facilities Management. While Facilities Management is the name of the organization, Physical Plant will continue as the name for the building and shop facilities at 915 26th Street.

The individual operating units of planning, architecture and engineering services, public works construction administration, project estimating, and project scheduling will be combined into one unit called Planning, Design and Construction Administration. Intended benefits of this consolidation include efficiencies in the assignment of personnel corresponding with project needs and demands; clarified communication channels for the flow of project information; increased detail and accuracy in project scoping and estimating; and enhanced reliability of construction schedules. The combined unit will be headed by Assistant Director Rick Benner with Ed Simpson managing the planning area, David Willett managing architecture and engineering services, Robert Schmidt managing public works construction administration, Daniel Sweaney in project estimating, and Joseph Myers in project scheduling.

The construction trade shops (carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing and sheet metal), previously known as Campus Building Project Services, have been renamed Renovation Services, managed by Scott Slagle. William Managan will continue as assistant director for Operations, and David Kincaid will continue as assistant director for Fiscal, Business and Property Services.

Pierce said application will be made this month to APPA, the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers, for a formal evaluation of Western’s facilities management organization. Following a period of self-evaluation and an on-campus visit this April/May, the APPA study will assess facilities operation in the context of University need and recognized management practices.

Pierce also released a summary of action plans being considered in response to information received through the “brown bag” forums. Pierce and each of the Facilities Management assistant directors request continued feedback from the campus community as plans are further detailed and implemented. Facilities Management action plans may be viewed, and comments made at www.fm.wwu.edu or www.physicalplant.wwu.edu.