In APPA's recently published book, "Strategic Capital Development: The New Model for Campus Investment," the authors make a case for substantial change in capital planning for higher education institutions. The new model posed is intended to urge institutions and systems to (1) identify more systematically all capital needs of all types; (2)…

Lack of accountability is a leading topic in today's workforce. It costs corporate America billions of dollars each year and has financial impact on educational institutions as well. From employee theft to poor production of product and inefficiency, it is a serious problem. Facilities leaders need to take ownership and strive to implement…

APPA's Effective & Innovative Practices Award continues to highlight the best of the most creative and practical programs and processes that enhance and transform service delivery, lower costs, increase productivity, improve customer service, generate revenue, or otherwise benefit an educational institution. This article features five 2011…

Making the right decisions at the right time is critical. Following through on those decisions is challenging and can take courage. One example of a group of institutions and facility management professionals stepping up to the task and having the courage to challenge the status quo is the State of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning…

Procedures, financial controls and reports, and leadership are the three major components that "set the tone" for an effective, accountable, and ethical organization. Procedures must be formally documented instead of passed down verbally on the premise that "we've always done it this way." Meaningful management reports should be developed and…

The ASTM E1557/UNIFORMAT II standard is a three-level, function-oriented classification which links the schematic phase Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), based on Construction Standard Institute (CSI) Practice FF/180, to elemental cost estimates based on R.S. Means Cost Data. With the UNIFORMAT II Standard Classification for Building…

Discusses how a higher education facility can prepare for an Environmental Protection Agency inspection with some quick topics designed to smooth the process. Tips include determining if waste is hazardous, labeling waste properly, preventing pollution, improving housekeeping, and having good hazardous materials management practices. (GR)

Describes how Office of Residential Life at one university met maintenance challenges facing its residential and food-service facilities. Discusses study conducted in 1992 to evaluate widespread management practices and addresses its findings, including six recommended practices. Examines development and implementation of facilities audit,…