Facilities News & Information
February 2020 – Step Carefully & Dress Appropriately in Winter Weather
As winter continues, Facilities staff would like to share their “plan of attack” for snowy and severe weather days. Crews begin snow removal at 5:00 a.m. on snowy days, with plowing, brushing and shoveling of parking areas and sidewalks across campus. After the snow is clear, and if heavy snow or icing doesn’t continue, crews then go back out with granular (salt) and liquid ice treatments. Typically, this will be between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Newer areas of concrete – such as the Jets Fitness Trail – need to cure for at least six months to a year, so you may notice the trail has ice and is slippery.
After 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. when staff leaves, crews are much smaller. So nighttime classes may find only a path. In severe cases, more personnel may be called back in.
Please remember, Facilities asks all employees and students to dress for the weather, with appropriate footwear – winter boots or hiking boots or shoes with good tread. Avoid high heels or smooth-soled shoes that offer little traction in snowy and icy weather.
December 2017 – Building Temperatures (Space Temperature) Guidelines
Heating & Cooling Services – The JC Facilities Department uses a system called BuildingLogiX to heat and cool all buildings on our campus. BuildingLogiX is a web based application that allows improvement to energy performance, building comfort, and reduces operational costs. Through this system the facilities team members can set and change temperatures to the buildings remotely. All buildings are currently set with target temperatures between 71° and 74°.
Use of Space Heaters – Space heaters should only be used when approved by the Facilities Department. Space heaters are highly inefficient and pose a serious fire hazard in the workplace when not used or placed properly. The majority of space heaters are electric and often trip breakers. They also put a strain on the building when it is trying to maintain the temperature that facilities team members have programmed. The use of space heaters in a person’s office area will trigger the cooling mode and cause cold air to fill the area as the building tries to maintain a set temperature.
Seasonal Clothing – Individuals can contribute to their own comfort by wearing seasonally appropriate clothing. The Facilities Department recommends keeping a sweater or light jacket to combat any coldness that may occur.
Contacting Us – The Facilities Department never wants anyone to be too cold or too warm! It is our goal to make sure that everyone is comfortable in their areas. Please feel free to contact the JC Facilities Service Center or submit a work order and we would be happy to review your area!
December 2017 – Liquid Snow Shovel
The Facilities Department will be implementing a new de-icing agent, Liquid Snow Shovel, on Central Campus sidewalks this winter. Liquid Snow Shovel will be sprayed on sidewalks prior to each snowfall. Liquid Snow Shovel reduces the time spent removing snow, keeps granular salt off the building floors and carpets, and is eco-friendly.
April 2017 – Building Priority Cleaning
Facilities personnel have high and low cleaning priorities. The Facilities Department has provided cleaning supplies in each building for employees to clean their offices and break areas as an option to help keep our buildings looking clean and welcoming. The building coordinators can assist any employee with accessing these supplies. View the facilities personnel priority cleaning.
April 2017 – Call Processing
The Facilities Department’s main phone number 517-796-8681 will now provide a series of options to dispatch URGENT facilities related issues. Urgent issues such as ice and snow removal, water leaks, power outages, etc. are included in the menu options. It will automatically notify a Facilities Team Member based on the menu selection. Facilities staff will not directly answer this line.
Examples of our menu options: (configured for open, limited, and closed hours)
- Option 3 – for urgent cleaning/custodial or event needs
- Option 4 – for power outages or urgent electrical issues
- Option 5 – for urgent building heating and cooling issues
The menu options are for URGENT facility issues. All non-urgent issues should be entered into the Facilities Department self-service work request system (SchoolDude). Routine work request are monitored on a daily basis.
February 2017 – What is an urgent repair?
Service requests shall be classified as an urgent repair when the work requires immediate action to eliminate hazards that pose a threat to life, health, or security to faculty, staff, students, or guests. View information about what is classified as an urgent or routine repair.