Higher education is facing enormous challenges. Diminishing financial support, heightened public accountability, prolonged economic recession, and numerous other issues confront our institutions. Competition is fierce, and the need for operational efficie
Those who will be successful are those who have stopped mourning for the old economy, stopped poking it with a sharp stick to see if it moves and started thinking about what can be done with what we now have. It is much like working through the five stage
In 1997, the "school of the future" Disney Development Corp.'s (DDC) Celebration School opened in Orlando. Thirteen years later, what lessons have been learned from the nationally recognized project, and how have they influenc
Taking bids for any type of product or service can be a harrowing experience for school facility managers. Some managers may not be well prepared for the process or may underestimate the steps involved. And, because many contractors require multi-year con
- By Michael Schaffer
- 12/01/10
Preventive maintenance is an important subject in our business. With shrinking budgets we are often put in a position of deferring maintenance and pushing the cost down the road. This is not a preferred method, but it is often the option we choose due to
- By John M. Thompson
- 12/01/10
With academic funding cuts, and an emphasis on standardized testing crowding out creativity in the classroom, educators are finding an affordable, hands-on solution with solar-powered, robot-building kits, one example is the Mini Solar Kits, that encourag
Not long ago, the mantra was that the library should be at the center of the school. Not only should the library be at the center of the school, it should be large. The size and prominence of the library became the mark of the educational standing of the
Access control is no longer just about locking doors. Today, access control is about a total integration of equipment, technology and manpower. The buzzword these days is "convergence." Basically, this is the idea of tying electronic or physical
While technology evolves at light speed, buildings don't. Bringing school facilities in step with modern learning requires complex phased renovations, meticulously planned around academic calendars. Since educational continuity and safety are the chief co
- By Patrick Weygint
- 12/01/10
In recent years, many college and university police and security organizations have changed or at least refined the way they monitor and manage access to campuses and campus buildings in an effort to improve crime prevention.
- By Michael Fickes
- 12/01/10
Effective access control systems in K-12 schools include technology and people. Depending on its risk profile, a school might employ electronic access control, visitor management technology, intrusion alarms and video cameras. But, as Timm observes, the b
- By Michael Fickes
- 12/01/10
The effects of stress on human performance are well documented and should be taken into account when developing emergency preparedness plans; conducting training sessions; and when planning, coordinating, and evaluating emergency drills and exercises.
While green movement is gaining steam in the education sector, even simple changes can make a difference.
Stetson University has developed a new learning and teaching environment in the form of an organic garden that has taken root on the grounds of the University's Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Environmental Learning Center (RELC), located adjacent to th
Through the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) network, more than 675 institutions have come together to provide leadership-by-example for other sectors by pledging to take immediate actions, create longer-term
- By Anthony D. Cortese, Georges Dyer
- 04/01/10
For those of you who are doubters green is here to stay! Not only is the movement gaining steam on campuses across the country, it's also gaining steam in American homes as well.
As interest in green building grows, hardwoods have also become desirable for their ability to contribute to sustainable design. Wood products are a natural and renewable material that can store more atmospheric carbon throughout their useful lives than i
Recently I was asked how many fires really occur in kindergarten through high school occupancies. The context of the question was in relation to how much time should be spent on fire and life safety issues in schools given all the other responsibilities o
When the University of Maryland needed a high-performance, campus-wide, code-compliant, integrated fire alarm monitoring system, they took the time to research the options and plan for the best solution.
- By James N. Robinson
- 12/01/09
In today's economy it's becoming increasingly difficult for graduates to find that elusive first job. Employers have cut back significantly on internship programs, which means that many graduates are attempting to enter the workforce without any
- By Emma McGrattan
- 12/01/09