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April 4, 2005
University Housing to move to Facilities Management this summer

BY Michael Terrazas

This summer’s relocation of select University Housing functions to Facilities Management (FM) should provide cost efficiencies and improved maintenance and grounds operations, interior design and planning for Emory’s residential facilities.

Mike Mandl, executive vice president for finance and administration, and John Ford, senior vice president and dean of Campus Life, approved the change after a study of housing and FM functions revealed substantial redundancy of effort and administrative overlap between the two entities. A comprehensive review of the Residence Life program will be conducted over the coming months, with an eye toward optimizing service and efficiency.

“I am hopeful that this change will open career paths and skill-development programs for the staff moving into FM,” Mandl said. “I also hope that, over time, more resources can be put into our residential facilities as a result of efficiencies gained through the consolidation.”

Custodian services and programmatic duties will remain in Residence Life, which is itself part of Campus Life. Residence Life staff who are moved to FM will benefit from the division’s existing—and extensive—staff development and training program.

“This will allow us to focus Campus Life resources on new and enhanced Residence Life programs and services,” Ford said. “Facilities Management, the work group at Emory that specializes in managing facilities, will now be in a better position to manage the maintenance of the residential facilities as they do all other facilities on campus.

“I appreciate all the good service the maintenance and grounds crews in University Housing have provided over the years,” Ford said. “They have been terrific colleagues and great advocates for students, and FM will be enhanced with their joining that division.”

One consequence of the reorganization is the elimination of the position of assistant vice president for housing, previously held by Todd Schill. “We appreciate all the great years of service Todd has given to Emory students, and we wish him well in his new endeavors,” Ford said.

Andrea Trinklein, assistant dean of Campus Life and director of Residence Life, will serve as the interim executive director of Residence Life. Over the next several months, Trinklein will assist in the Residence Life organizational review to determine how best to serve the needs of Emory students.

Currently University Housing administers some 32 buildings on Emory’s central campus (residence halls, themed housing and fraternity houses), two sorority lodges, and nine facilities at Clairmont Campus. All told, University Housing facilities house just under 4,000 students. The number of housing personnel moving to FM is yet to be determined.

 

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