FM’s role in excellence
Murray State University continues to receive national publicity for excellence in higher education. It has been ranked among the nation’s best universities in academic quality for 16 consecutive years. It has also been selected as a “Best Value” in collegiate affordability and quality in U.S. News and World Report and in Money Guide among other publications. MORE

Campus Green
The Campus Green initiative has been receiving national attention as a means of maintaining environmental sustainability.  Murray State University is not new to environmental consciousness.  It was nominated for the Governor’s Environmental Award for its environmental education accomplishments in 1998.  The following year it was nominated by the Department for Natural Resources and Energy for its accomplishments in energy reduction.  All of the Facilities Management divisions contribute to the university’s reduction in energy consumption.  Four specific areas will be highlighted in this article. MORE

Recycling: Campus-wide movement
Murray State University has established itself as a leader in the recycling arena.  Divisions of Facilities Management and other university departments have been recycling for decades.  For instance, Transportation Services has been recycling oil filters, car and truck tires, used motor oil, antifreeze, mineral spirits, lead-acid batteries, freon and scrap metal since the 1970s.  The North Farm has been composting raw materials for decades as well. MORE

Valuable scheduled electrical outages
An emergency unscheduled electrical outage can create damage to valuable equipment and chaos for Murray State students, faculty and staff.  It can be caused by many factors such as aged equipment, weather storms, or community accidents.  Emergency outages can result in no power or restricted power load for weeks in academic buildings and residential colleges until everything is repaired.  This is why Facilities Management strongly supports preventative maintenance measures.  The cost of reworking a transformer or electrical motor is less than one-third of the repair costs after damage has occurred. MORE

Winter Storm Preparations
Excellence is acquired through deliberately planned and executed preparative measures.  Facilities Management deliberately plans for the safety of the campus community.  When forecasters predict heavy snow fall, freezing temperatures and subzero wind chills, FM staffs begin working on preparative measures.  The landscape and lawns, heavy equipment construction and building services crews all dedicate time to spread ice melt on all the building entrances and sidewalks, to make these areas safe for students, faculty, and staff. MORE

New Hire Safety Training Initiative
A primary goal of the Office of Environmental Safety and Health is to increase the safety awareness of the campus community by providing educational programs.  ESH serves the University as a safety and health resource for all departments and other campus organizations.  The New Hire Safety Training Program is provided by the Office of EHS in an effort to communicate mandated safety training to all new employees.  There are several reasons why this safety training program is beneficial to both the university and the employees. MORE

BST Team Concept
Murray State University’s excellence is due in part to the initiation of the “Best Practices for 2005.”  Facilities Management employs the team cleaning approach as recommended at the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) annual meeting. MORE

Facilities Retrospective – Sparks Hall
Thirty-nine years after its completion in 1967, Sparks Hall remains one of the most structurally sound buildings on Murray State University’s campus.  It houses the offices of student financial aid, admissions and registration, accounting and financial services, vice president for administrative services, center for continuing education and academic outreach, human resources, marketing and public relations, and school relations. MORE

Projects Underway

• Curris Center Elevator was designed by Lyle Associates at the construction cost of $310,000.  The elevator is being built by BH Construction.  It is on schedule for completion in May of 2007.
• New Science Complex – Phase II (Biology Dept., Chemistry Dept. and Clock Tower) was designed by Hastings and Chivetta.  It is being built by A&K Construction at the cost of $22,818,000.  The total project (Phase I, II, and III) is scheduled for completion in March of 2008.
• Clark College was designed by Luckett and Farley.  It is being built by Pinnacle Construction at the cost of $11,655,000.  The project is on scheduled for completion in July of 2007.  The university’s goal is for Clark College to be ready for student occupancy in the fall of 2007.
• Breathitt Veterinary Center An electrical switch is being replaced and an incinerator is being installed.

Completed Projects

• Upgrade to RSEC Elevator
• Waterfield Library compact shelving (Phase II)
• Brick and stone monument on corners of 15th and 16th and Main streets
• Campus-wide electrical upgrade to Voice Over IP

Renovations Underway

• Curris Center T-Room
• Hart College Computer Lab
• Business Building 4th Floor

Upcoming Projects

• Completing a study on the high-rise dorms for full-renovations
• Planning for the demolition of the Boy Scout Museum and Trio Buildings
• Upgrading the showers in White College
• Designing a parking lot between Waldrop and 16th Street
• Replacement of the football field playing surface at Roy Stewart Stadium
• Construction of a new Public Safety facility
• Replacement of Richmond Residential College
• Completion of the Campus Master Plan update
• Feasibility study for the replacement of the Breathitt Veterinary Center and Waterfield Library