A principle responsibility of a board member is to understand the environment in which his or her institution operates. Today, that environment includes a host of legal risks that every institution of higher education must be prepared to assess and proactively address. Colleges and universities work to contain and manage those risks through such…

Proper planning of school facilities is critical for all school districts no matter how large or small, whether major construction is in the works or the district is managing enrollment declines. When school districts properly plan for their school facilities they have better schools, more public use and higher value for public spending. This…

Current realities and practices in higher education have resulted in greater collaboration among campus units. Limited resources have forced departments to share programs, activities, space, and personnel. Branding efforts have prompted consistency in communication and even in practice. Institutional strategic plans reflect increased collaboration…

Sometimes a principal just has to get out of the office. A walk around the building might provide an escape from the pace of a hectic day, a chance to clear the head and perhaps allow a new perspective on a seemingly monumental school-related challenge to emerge. Wherever the principal walks, he or she is able to identify things that need…

The rationale of this article is that schools and their leaders need to establish and formalize a system which focuses on integrating staff effectively into the organization's community and instituting esteem and competency. Competent educators in a professional community constitute two of the three dimensions that build the capacity to create…

School building maintenance must find an appropriate balance between planned and reactive work in order to conserve costs. This document provides ways in which authorities can assess their maintenance requirements and make better use of the resources available. It considers how to deal with problems which have their roots in historical design…

The committee on buildings and grounds of a college or university governing board is charged with the broad responsibility for overseeing an institution's physical assets: land, buildings, and equipment. Specific tasks include ensuring the adequacy and condition of capital assets, developing and periodically reviewing policies, advocating for new…

The emotional and behavioral problems of students in the classroom are a major concern for teachers, administrators, and the public. Without effective behavior management, a positive and productive classroom environment is impossible to achieve. Forty years of scientific research supports the efficacy of behavioral interventions in the classroom,…

After five years of research, custodial staffing guidelines were developed to determine the proper custodial staffing of office, classroom, and laboratory facilities, including ways to tailor the staffing for specific circumstances. Four figures illustrate the factors involved. (MLF)

This excerpt from "Managing the Facilities Portfolio: A Practical Approach to Institutional Renewal and Deferred Maintenance" offers higher education business officers a conceptual framework comprising four steps: (1) establish baseline; (2) estimate needs; (3) compare model alternatives; and (4) report to management. (DB)

Provides a thorough review of single-ply roofing materials (membrane systems). Includes basic descriptions of specific products, installation methods, and maintenance and repair considerations. (MD)

Outlining the major areas to be considered when deciding whether or not to computerize physical plant services in higher education institutions, the author points out the shortcomings of manual record keeping systems. He gives five factors to consider when deciding to computerize: (1) time and money, (2) extent of operation, (3) current and future…

This manual and videotape provides guidance on establishing effective school ground maintenance and management practices that link the grounds development phases with appropriate management. The video provides an overview of the key issues by showing approaches adopted by five different schools, and the manual explores these issues in greater…

A manual provides guidelines for school maintenance activities for schools located in the Caribbean, and examines the organization of a maintenance program, the inspection process, and the maintenance plan. The assessment process is detailed and forms are provided for assessing school roofs, building exteriors and interiors, plumbing, electrical…

This document provides guidance on the overall electrical services and maintenance strategy in educational facilities, the individual components of which are considered in the following sections: record documentation and systems; inspection and testing; condition appraisal; maintenance requirements; and maintenance works procedures. Other sections…