Facilities Focus January/February 2012

FACILITIES FOCUSJanuary/February 2012

SNOW REMOVAL A TEAM EFFORT

WHAT WE DO at the phys plant

COVER PHOTO | Snow removal, a team effort! |Darryl Taylor, landscape gardener I, drives a Toolcat with a broom attachment to remove snow from the sidewalk near North Kedzie Hall.

COVER STORY | Icy winters | 2Snow removal is a 24/7 job for Landscape Services.

FEATURE | Carpentry shop |3-4Phys Planters lend their talents to facilitate classroom learning and heighten aesthetic appeal.

AT A GLANCE | MSU Police renovations | 5-6Innovative offices at the Physical Plant building inspired creative renovations at the MSU Police Department.

AROUND THE ‘PHYS’ | Holiday parties | 8Physical Plant employees celebrate the holidays.

CAREERS | 9

KUDOS | 10 Stan Reinke, laborer I, Mark Rokita, student maintenance assistant II, and Steve Rondeau, carpenter II, set-up a table in the community kitchen at Emmons Hall.

Photo by Kayla Riis

FACILITIES FOCUS

pp.msu.edu | twitter: MSUPhysPlant | find us on facebook | youtube.com/PhysicalPlantMSUP

This newsletter is printed with soy ink on 100 percent recycled paper (100 percent post-consumer). Please recycle in “Mixed” recycling bins.

Facilities Focus is published for all Physical Plant employees. It is also distributed to campus customers and key business contacts.

Our goal is to recognize the Physical Plant staff’s accomplishments and activities. If you have questions, comments or corrections, contact us at [email protected] or via phone at 517-432-3629 or 517-432-0235.To receive an electronic notice for each issue, subscribe to

our list serv: e-mail [email protected] with “SUBSCRIBE PHYSPLANT-NEWS <your name here>” in the body of the message.

EDITORWill Whelton

STUDENT EDITORHolly Balentine

DESIGNERKayla Riis

Stylish design for a modern space

FEATURE

Page 5

facilitate a faster response time.Snow removal responsibilities

are shared with Custodial Services, another Physical Plant crew. These employees clear building entrances, stairs, and barrier-free ramps as well as provide ice-melt compound to help prevent slips and falls. On top of that, the Physical Plant combines efforts with Residential and Hospitality Services, the Land Management Office and the MSU Police Department to ensure the most complete care of students, faculty and staff.

The Physical Plant’s snow removal techniques are innovative and environmentally friendly. The crew pre-treats the ground with a brine solution made from beet juice with water and salt solution. While the brine still contains salt, the water dilutes it to be more evenly distributed and to get a head-start at melting snow.

Kester credited the efforts of Landscape Services employees for the efficiency of the program. “There is a spirit of teamwork here.”

ON THE COVER

To report an area in need of snow or ice removal:

Call 353-1760

Snow removal is a 24/7 job for Landscape Services. Whether it’s late night or the wee hours,

employees are devoted to keeping MSU navigable and safe.

Early morning is normally quiet on campus, but the story changes in the face of winter weather. Drivers are usually the first to be called in to take care of the roadways and intersections on campus in the pre-dawn hours. Large loaders and plows join to take care of parking lots; Toolcat and tractor operators remove the snow from the campus sidewalks and the tops of parking ramps. All of this activity happens before the sun rises.

Landscape Services’ emergency response teams (ERTs) take charge at the threat of snow. Three ERTs take turns being on-duty one week at a time. Each team is composed of six to seven people including an on-call mechanic to repair equipment if needed.

A rotating system of snow supervisors directs the ERTs. Landscape Services Coordinators Paul Swartz, Fred Kester,

Bill Ratliff, and Roger Thelen as well as Landscape Architect II/S Adam Lawver take one-week turns making action decisions.

These employees are on-call after hours on top of working a regular shift. Heavy snowfall on the night of Jan. 12 brought in an ERT at 7 p.m. for the women’s basketball game as well as 10 p.m. for an event at the Wharton Center.

Timely snow removal is crucial for urgent tasks on campus. For example, the MSU Radiology Clinic must deliver isotopes across the state at specific times. “They’re out at the radiation lab until 3 a.m. It wasn’t until the first heavy snowfall that vehicles started slipping,” Swartz said. “For a time-sensitive mission they had to accomplish, it was really important for that area to be clear.”

Apart from scheduled coverage, campus customers can call Dispatch at any time to report trouble spots, which sends calls to the snow supervisor on duty. If an ERT is already on campus, Dispatch contacts the team directly to

Icy winters don’t stand a chance Drifts and ice yield to the power of Landscape Services Story by Holly Balentine

Darryl Taylor, landscape gardener I, drives a Toolcat with a broom attachment to remove snow from the sidewalk near the Natural Science building. These multi-purpose vehicles can also host blades and pusher-boxes to be the best fit for the job. Landscape Services owns nine Toolcats, which are ideal for clearing sidewalks.

Photo by Holly Balentine

January/February 2012 | 2

FEATURE

FACILITIES FOCUS

CARPENTRY SHOP combines innovation with functionality

a flexible learning environment

E ric Mulvany, management analyst for the Dean of the College of Education, had an idea. He imagined a classroom

in which workspaces were mobile, allowing students to easily collaborate in groups or separate as individuals. Inspired by the idea of a flexible classroom, Mulvany contacted Stephen Rondeau, carpenter II.

The Physical Plant carpentry shop has worked with Mulvany several times in the past. “He likes to come up with unusual ideas, and he comes to us because he thinks we can make it,” Rondeau said. “It’s been nice.”

Rondeau worked closely with Mulvany to design a solution. The proposals were assessed for size, shape and stability to provide the optimal product for room 130 in Erickson Hall. The result was nesting tables.

In these photos, Stephen Rondeau,

carpenter II, demonstrates the

mobility of the nesting tables in

Erickson Hall. The tables create a

flexible classroom well-suited for collaboration

between learners.

To see a list of all Phys Planters involved in these projects, visit:

www.pp.msu.edu/tables

The Physical Plant carpentry shop, known to work closely with customers to design products that fit their needs, created specially designed tables to facilitate classroom learning and heighten aesthetic appeal.

Story and photos by Holly Balentine

The goal was to create tables with reclaimed wood for a modern yet rustic look. One of the tables was made from English oak that was cut on campus. Rondeau commented, “[The designers] wanted something that had character, lots of knots.”

The largest table was made out of a large, walnut plank that the carpentry shop had been storing. The third was birch walnut. These two tables were cut and styled to also have a reclaimed look. The edges were a bit rougher and styled after a natural, weather-worn look.

The tables ended up adorning a community kitchen, an open common area, and a smaller study area.

Christine Lockwood, interior designer III at Design and Construction Management, has enjoyed working with the Physical Plant on several previous projects. “Any time we’re looking for something a little different or special, we think of the Physical Plant,” she said.

“They listen well and there are some really talented people who work there.”

“

The tables include some rounded center units and crescent-shaped pieces that fit around the center units. Students can place one semi-oval against a wall for an individual space or place a crescent piece around it to make a larger table. Alternatively, two crescents can be placed around an egg-shaped piece to make a conference table in the middle of the room.

As part of the design, half of the tables are gray and the other half are brown, so work groups can be formed by color if desired. All of the tables are on wheels and easily mobile.

Mulvany was so pleased with the result that he requested a duplicate job for room 113 in Erickson with different laminate colors to match the scheme of the room.

The project also inspired other customers for similar requests. John Bell, associate professor in the College of Education, requested a similar setup for the e-seminars room in Erickson (room 452).

“[John] wanted the same flexibility as the ones downstairs, but he wanted


them to be of his design, for a smaller classroom.” Rondeau said. “So, I guess one job led to the other.”

The e-seminars project resulted in four triangles and two semi-circles. The triangles fit together into a square, and the half-rounds fit on the ends to form a conference table. stylish designs modernize living space

On a different part of campus,a separate request was made to improve some living spaces in

Emmons Hall. A team of designers from the Residential and Hospitality Services Design and Construction Management requested furniture for some common areas in the residence hall.

Recommendations were submitted by several designers. Rondeau was the primary creator, but he worked closely with a student of the college, Marissa Burns, who made some of the final decisions.

Any time we’re looking for something a little different or special, we think of the Physical Plant. They listen well and there are some really talented people who work there.— Christine Lockwood, interior designer III at Design and Construction Management

”

AT A GLANCE

FACILITIES FOCUS

Innovative offices at the Physical Plant building inspired creative renovations

at the MSU Police Department.

RESOURCEFUL RENOVATIONS focus on space economy, green efforts

{ } Story by Holly Balentine

Pictured above is one of the newly renovated offices at the MSU Police Department. After learning about the use of the recyclable materials in the Engineering and Architectural Services office and the planner/inspector/analyst offices at the Physical Plant, Chief Jim Dunlap and Assistant Chief Mike Rice of the MSU Police decided to upgrade their building.


To see a list of all Physical Plant employees involved in this projects, visit: www.pp.msu.edu/police


S everal offices in the Physical Plant building are on the cutting edge of environmental building

practices and space economy. Instead of using traditional wood and plaster walls, these offices are built completely of recyclable and reusable materials.

The demountable partition system used to create the spaces is made of materials such as aluminum, vinyl-coated drywall panels and glass. These materials can be combined to design a modern, stylish workspace. Individual offices can be equipped with either sliding or swinging doors.

Monte Pride, estimating planner/inspector/analyst III/S, explained that this system is better at meeting the standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a suite of rating systems developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that rank the construction and operation of buildings for environmental health, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Stick-built and plastered walls do not have the same LEED rating for sustainability and recyclability.

The Engineering and Architectural Services offices and the Maintenance planner/inspector/analyst offices at the Physical Plant were deliberately renovated in this way as pilot examples for the rest of campus to follow. When Chief Jim Dunlap and Assistant Chief Mike Rice of the MSU Police Department saw the setup, they decided to upgrade their building as well.

According to Dean Geisenhaver, structural planner/inspector/analyst II, who coordinated with the customers and ordered materials, Dunlap liked the openness and the opportunity for more room. The hallway was wide enough so that with some wise planning on the part of Pride and others, the square-footage of offices for the chiefs and deputy chiefs could be increased.

Other renovations were already underway at the police department at the time such as changes to the men’s

and women’s locker rooms. One of the ongoing projects was to redo the ceilings and lighting in the hallways. It was the perfect opportunity.

Geisenhaver explained, “LEED standards say it’s preferable to have

more light and to share the light from the windows in the hallway.” So, as part of the renovations, the hallway will have three 3-foot skylights.

Many sectors of the Physical Plant, such as the Alterations and Improvements crew and Engineering and Architectural Services, and the Set-Up crew, cooperated to make the project happen. To meet the furniture schedule, the structural shop worked all day on a Saturday to finish the carpeting. Even while bouncing back and forth between the police station and another project, the crew made sure to finish the project by the deadline.

Assistant Chief Rice was pleased with the renovation process. “The Physical Plant employees interacted very well with our employees. It’s a busy place around here 24/7, but they were great at working around us. Since the renovations I’ve heard all positive reviews.”

Bruce Van Aken, Alterations and Improvements skilled trades supervisor, was happy that Physical Plant employees constructed a space that is both on the forefront of environmental standards with aesthetic appeal. “It’s something we can do ourselves and don’t have to bring in outside contractors to do. We have a lot of talented people who work here.”

}

Mark Geahan, carpenter II, installs glass at the MSU Police Department. The windows allow for light to pass through into the hallway and in turn reduce energy use.

Photo by John Allison

Learn how the Physical Plant Division works to promote energy efficiency across campus!

physical plant energy open house

Friday, April 20, 2012Physical Plant from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit: www.pp.msu.edu/openhouse

Please join us for energy-related presentations, building tours, giveaways and refreshments.


AROUND THE ‘PHYS’

Physical Plant holiday partiesSeveral Physical Plant departments celebrated the spirit of the season with holiday parties. Below are a few

snapshots of the festivities. Other departments will be included in next year’s newsletter.

Transportation ServicesEmployees pose around the table at the Transportation Services gathering. (From left) Chase Poole (maintenance assistant I), Brian Wolfe (fleet services manager), Brian Barnum (automotive mechanic II), Zach Rasmussen (maintenance assistant I), Ryan Mamut (maintenance assistant I) and David Sims (preventive maintenance worker).

For additional photos visit the Physical Plant features page at: pp.msu.edu

Division Support ServicesThe annual Division Support Services holiday DVD exchange was a huge success. (From left) Michael Rockstad, information technologist I; Shawn Pohl, systems analyst I; Phyllis Thorn, systems analyst I.

Landscape ServicesLandscape Services employees shared a meal and conversation at the annual holiday luncheon.

(From left) Matthew Fehrenbach, arborist trainee and David Franco, arborist II.

physical plant energy open house

Photo by University RelationsFor more information, visit: www.pp.msu.edu/openhouse

Please join us for energy-related presentations, building tours, giveaways and refreshments.

FACILITIES FOCUS

CAREERS

New Hires | Promotions | Retirees*As of Feb. 1, 2012

New HiresJoyce Adam, telecommunication mechanic IAnthony Castellon, HVAC mechanic IAdam Curtis, custodian ITeresa Dowker, custodian IGrant Droste, HVAC mechanic IBethany Eschtruth, custodian IKaren Newman, custodian IRodney Parling, custodian IRoss Simon, HVAC mechanic IChris Slater, custodian IAnthony Ward, custodian I

PromotionsDaniel Bishop, gardener Mark Pokryfki, landscape gardener IITrevor Rasmussen, gardenerThomas Ryan Jr., operations coordinator

RetireesRobert Brunger, mason IIDuane Colegrove, planner/inspector/analyst IMichael Hammond, gardenerKenneth King, custodian IIJohn Rhodes, HVAC mechanic II

*Facilities Focus makes every effort to contact all retirees for our regular “A look back” feature.

Mike Somerville, laborer III, poses next to the collected toys in the Physical Plant Lunchroom. He has been a big player in boxing up the toys and delivering them to the collection station for several years.


T his past holiday season, the Physical Plant continued its annual participation in the Toys for Tots campaign. Sponsored by the Marines (Lansing-based Charlie

Company), the campaign aimed to ensure that all children in the local area had something under the tree for Christmas.

Phys Planters were asked to drop off new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages at one of the donation boxes placed at the Physical Plant and its outlying buildings. After they were collected, the toys were grouped by age and gender. Qualifying parents could choose a toy fitting for their son or daughter.

Mary Clark, training and logistics supervisor, had coordinated the program at the Physical Plant for the past five years. When asked why she chose to head up the program, Clark cited her passion for children and a desire that every child should be able to “experience Christmas.”

“I would like to thank every person who donated,” Clark said. “I feel like their Christmas is enriched because they chose to give to a child.”

Toys for totsPhys Planters help local children have a merry Christmas.

Story by Holly Balentine

MemorialsRemembering Physical Plant employees

James R. Andrews passed away at age 76 on Jan. 4, in Winter Haven, Fla. Formerly of Holt, Andrews started working at the Physical Plant in 1964. He retired as an electrical planner/inspector/analyst II in 1991.

Phys Plant RetireesMarvin Litwiller

Former position:Skilled trades inspectorfor Engineering and Architectural Services

Length of time at Phys Plant:32 years

1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 1

Greatest memory with the Phys Plant: “My favorite part was after-work activities with the people I met. We would go water-skiing and play softball. ”

Looking forward to most about retirement: “I’m looking forward to spending more time at home on the farm. I want to do more travelling. I do a lot of hunting and camping, so I’m looking forward to that.”

A look back:


KUDOS

WELL DON

E

PHYS PLANT!

KUDOS

Building Services

Division Support Services

Power and Water

Custodial Services Manager Ted Minnick received the following e-mail from Deb Wallace, special events manager for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation:

I hope this e-mail finds you doing well! I would like to schedule a time to deliver the walk T-shirts and to personally say thank you to you and your department for ALL of your assistance with our event (Aug. 6, 2011).

Social Media

SALUTES

We are using social media to keep students, faculty and staff abreast of all things Physical Plant. Visit our Phys Plant pages on:

facebook.com/MSUPhysicalPlanttwitter.com/MSUPhysPlant

youtube.com/PhysicalPlantMSU

The following “tweets” are taken from the Physical Plant Twitter account (@MSUPhysPlant). The bolded text are the names of the Twitter users who sent the tweets.

@John_Caldwell: @MSUPhysPlant is a Tweeting machine today! Love @MSUPhysPlant as it represents continuous campus progress.

@HaileySchaldach: My lamp post banner I did for @MSUPhysPlant is on the @michiganstateu Facebook page. It’s famous!

@BroadMuseumMSU: @MSUPhysPlant thank you.

@Michelle_Elyse: Check out this article I wrote for the @MSUPhysPlant newsletter!

@msuhr:@msuphysplant: Way to go to our #snow removal team! They are working hard to keep the roads on campus clear!

@norenkat: #proudspartan RT @MSUPhysPlant Check out this video explaining how the South Campus Anaerobic Digester works

@SpartanConnect: @msuphysplant: MSU unveiled its Energy Transition Plan guiding us to a more energy-efficient future

@CASadvising: @MSUPhysPlant: It’s #RecycleMania time. What are you doing to help #MSU be the top recycler? #GoGreen

John Allison, communications aide, received the following e-mail from Jennifer Battle, assistant director of Campus Sustainability:

Just wanted to say THANK YOU…I found the animated diagrams you did to explain NOx, SOx, and particulate matter and I will likely be using 99 percent of that in the Energy Transition Report.

Made my life a lot easier, thank you!

Director of Utilities Bob Ellerhorst received the following e-mail from Michael J. Hudson, director of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities:

I’m not sure we’ve not ever met, nor how often our trails would logically cross given the vast difference in our work at MSU.

Two days ago during the height of the snow storm, as my home power flickered a couple times, I thought of the MSU power plant and the team that makes your operation such a fixture of stability. Thanks for all you and your team do behind the scenes to keep things moving here at MSU.

We often take it for granted, and as a testament to your reliability, those of us who have worked here 20 years or so can only recall one power outage in all that time. I’m sure the buried infrastructure at MSU helps reliability but I know that your team does a lot to ensure stability and you all do that well—thanks again!

Physical Plant DivisionPhysical Plant Building, Suite 119East Lansing, MI 48824-1215

SPARTANS RECYCLE TO WIN!February 5 – March 31, 2012

For more information, please visit: recycle.msu.edu

Documents

Facilities Focus January/February 2012