Friday Focus: Changing season, changing campus

October 9, 2020

— by Julie Queen, vice chancellor for administrative services

This time of year I find myself bustling around the yard, raking leaves or putting away garden tools, in an effort to button up for winter. I was recently asked how I felt about this slide into our coldest season by someone I could tell was less a fan of it than I was. I think I surprised him when my response was “this is one of my favorite times of year.”

I’m not sure he believed me or was at least impressed that I chose to admit it, but I have always gravitated to the cooler weather, especially in Fairbanks. Fall has brought us a colorful landscape, some very warm and beautiful afternoons, and, most importantly, no more bugs, so we can enjoy a few shorter days outside before retreating until we more fully acclimate.

The same is true across the Troth Yeddha’ Campus, where Administrative Services units are buttoning up construction or other projects and are preparing to start new ones. I have also been doing some campus facility walk-throughs in the last few weeks, not only to say hello, but to learn more about what people are working on — what is new, what is changing, how they are doing.

I always learn new things in these walk-throughs, and wanted share a few updates:

I would like to thank the pandemic Operations Support Team, which has heavy representation from Administrative Services. Though their work is ongoing, the team completed a significant amount of work in preparation for the fall semester, and their dedication is unwavering.

Safety and accessibility were increased on Troth Yeddha’ Campus this summer as a result of extensive road construction in an area casually referred to as “dysfunction junction” at the corner of South Chandalar Drive, Tanana Loop and Denali Lane. This $4.5 million Alaska Department of Transportation project was externally paid from federal highways funding targeted for improving pedestrian safety and ADA accessibility. The project rebuilt roads, curbs and sidewalks and installed storm drainage. South Chandalar is now lined with ADA-compliant pathways that installed three pedestrian barriers with colorful LED lights that bring new illumination to this corridor, designed as an interpretation of the aurora borealis. The work is already having a positive effect by calming traffic and increasing opportunities for pedestrians to safely traverse the busy intersection. Thanks to DOT and Facilities Services for making this difference at UAF!

Renovations to the entry lobby and third floor of Constitution Hall are moving toward completion as the exterior of the building is buttoned up with new windows and doors. After more than 70 years, Constitution Hall will have an elevator, although that specific work is running a few weeks behind schedule. We are excited for the project to wrap up in late November.

Preparation for winter and snow removal is underway. The grounds crew is working hard to pack up planters and has added more fruit trees around campus. Each spring they assess what grows well and experiment with new trees or plants. I have discovered the myriad of different apple trees, berry bushes and other edibles around campus and have enjoyed grabbing a snack while out-and-about (especially when my kids are in tow). The apples are gone for this fall, but there is always next year.

Facilities Services has filled in some large holes that existed in front of the Rasmuson Library for most of the summer. This work was part of a needed effort to repair leaky utility pipes that provide heating and cooling water to several facilities on the east side of campus. More work will be needed next summer, and we’re glad to have our walkways back.

The UAF Fire Department has received an upgraded class rating this fall, demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement. This Public Protection Class rating of 2 (on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the highest) puts UAF in the top 4.4% of all fire departments in the nation. This upgrade is a result of training, staffing, equipment and use of technology to improve response times for the UAF community and residents in our service area. As you clean up leaves this fall and may burn brush or debris, please remember to practice good burning habits so you don’t need this service, even though it is top-notch.

The Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management team has moved from their off-campus location on Aurora to the former Mining Industry Research Laboratory building near the physical plant on campus. We also have a new UAF safety officer, Michael Sanders (replacing Kim Davis, who relocated). Where you have questions about workplace safety including inspections, recommendations for injury prevention, or other general safety matters, please feel free to contact Michael in EHSRM.

The Alaskans Leading Program and Course Approvals team consisted of faculty and staff directly involved in the course approval process and had a close-out meeting to button up their project, which began in spring 2019. Focused on UAF course and program approval, this team partnered with the Faculty Senate, stakeholders who are part of the current process, and facilitators from Process Improvement and Training, or PIT Crew, to pinpoint the challenges, create a solution for improvement, and implement it. The effort revised the course and program approval process flow, added a spring course catalog publication, increased the tools and training available to faculty and staff to navigate the process, and enhanced reporting on process performance. Faculty and staff are now better able to understand the needs of the key groups involved, meet current trends and demands to increase student enrollment, and reduce the time required to submit, evaluate and approve new course content or major modifications as part of academic review and reinvigoration efforts. Congrats to the ALPACA team for this achievement.

There is so much more happening across the campuses and within Administrative Services than I could list in a single column. I do hope you enjoy all of the wonderful things fall brings as you seek out your warmest wear and prepare for our slide into winter.

Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week. On occasion, a guest writer is asked to contribute a column.