Industry News


Facilities

Utica University Partners with ABM for Facilities Management

Utica University in Utica, N.Y., recently announced a ten-year partnership with facilities services, infrastructure solutions, and parking management solutions provider ABM, according to a news release. The ABM Performance Solutions model offers a unified approach to the higher-education campus’ wide variety of required facilities services.

Campus Technology

Georgia K–12 District Installs EV Charging Stations

Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Ga., recently announced a partnership with EOS Linx to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations district-wide, according to a news release.

Healthy Schools

Elkay Expands Filtration Capabilities to Reduce Microplastics

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced that the Elkay brand has expanded its certified filter capabilities to include the reduction of microplastics, as well as lead and PFOA/PFOS, according to a news release. The filters can be integrated into Elkay bottle-filling stations, water coolers, water faucets, and water fountains installed in public locations like schools, universities, hospitals, and airports.

New Construction

Michigan College Dedicates New Visual Media Center

Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Sajak Visual Media Arts Center, according to a news release. The center will contain filming and media production facilities for students and staff, and it was named in honor of Hillside College Board of Trustees Chairman and media personality Pat Sajak.

New Construction

Virginia Tech to Start Construction on New College of Engineering

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected global construction and development firm Skanska to build a new 285,500-square-foot facility for the College of Engineering, according to a news release. Mitchell Hall will stand five stories and take the place of the existing Randolph Hall, which is scheduled for demolition in spring 2024.

Campus Technology

Western Governors University Selects AI Writing Assistance Partner

Online university Western Governors University recently announced a partnership with AI writing assistance provider Grammarly, according to a news release. The university will provide access to Grammarly’s real-time writing support services—and new Writing Score API—to all faculty and students.

Campus Technology

Eureka College Expands Partnership with Technology Provider Apogee

Eureka College in Eureka, Ill., recently announced that it has expanded its five-year technology with Apogee to include Apogee Managed Campus, a suite of managed network, security, cloud, professional, and IT services, according to a news release. The college previously implemented Apogee ResNet and Apogee Managed Network Services in 2019.

School Buses

Transportant, RWC Group Partnership to Produce Smart Buses for K–12 Schools

School bus technology provider Transportant and commercial truck & bus dealership RWC Group recently announced a partnership that will provide smart school buses to K–12 districts around the country, according to a news release.

Food and Dining

University of Florida Gains Temporary Kitchen, Dining Structure

The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., recently deployed a 6,600-square-foot temporary kitchen and dining structure in one of its parking lots, according to a news release. The structure known as “The Eatery” will serve students until the completion of Broward Hall renovations in fall 2024. The university partnered with Mobile Kitchen Solutions, a division of Rental Solutions and Events, to install the facility during winter break 2023.

Campus Technology

Florida K–12 District Partners with Facility Management Systems Provider

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recently announced a partnership with facilities management platform Facilitron to incorporate its solutions across the district, according to a news release. Facilitron offers its services to 10,000 K–12 and higher-ed schools across 31 states to provide efficient and cost-effective ways of sharing their buildings and grounds.



Carousel Digital Signage platform

Digital Signage

Carousel Digital Signage Now Integrates with Canva, Google Slides, Geckoboard

Carousel Digital Signage has announced native integrations with popular design, presentation, and dashboard tools Canva, Google Slides, and Geckoboard.

Minimalist depiction of school safety grant funding in a higher education setting, featuring a modern classroom with transparent walls. Inside, a glowing budget graph and a pile of books labeled

Grants

Free Resources Available to Help Secure School Violence Protection Funding

Ed tech provider Bluum is offering a suite of free grant resources and consulting services to help school districts apply for funding from the COPS School Violence Protection Program, a grant opportunity from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services with awards totaling $73 million.

Campus Security

N.C. Community College Installs New Security Screening Solution

Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., recently announced a partnership with security technology company Evolv Technology to install a new weapons detection system on campus, according to a news release. The college’s performing arts venue, Wilson Center, now makes use of the Evolv Express system at its main entrance to screen guests entering the building.

New Construction

Rice University Breaks Ground on New Business School Facility

Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new facility for its Jones Graduate School of Business, according to a news release. The design of the $54.5-million project was unveiled at the ceremony; the building will cover 112,000 square feet and include amenities like classrooms, office and administrative space, dining areas, private-event facilities, and open gathering spaces.

Campus Technology

University of Tennessee Expands WiFi Access to 102,000-Seat Stadium

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., recently deployed a new network offering blanket WiFi 6E access to all 101,195 seats in its historic Neyland Stadium, according to a news release. The project’s goal is to provide unlimited content streaming and other modern mobile services to fans during the entire game-day experience.

Student Housing

Student Housing Operator Receives Awards for Work at Five Higher Ed Institutions

Corvias Property Management recently announced that it was awarded the SatisFacts “Community Award for 2023” for its work at five colleges and universities, according to a news release. The awards are measured through annual or point-of-service surveys designed to recognize outstanding property management providers and student communities.

Healthy Schools

Creating a Classroom Environment that Promotes Student Autonomy

A positive effect of the school closures during the pandemic was that many students took ownership of how and where they learned. Empowered by their teachers, students chose the methods they would use to research a given topic, whether that meant reading a text or watching a documentary. Because they weren’t physically in classrooms, they were also free to do their work where they felt most comfortable. Whether they were sitting on a beanbag chair or on the floor, choosing their own workspace was a way for students to assert their autonomy.

New Construction

St. Petersburg College Opens New Workforce Innovation Hub

After five years of planning, St. Petersburg College (SPC) in Florida is now welcoming visitors to its new Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub on the Tarpon Springs campus. The 10,000-square-foot facility was dedicated in February 2024, and is devoted to manufacturing, creativity, and collaboration among students, educators, and business leaders.

Campus Renovations

Kraus-Anderson Starts $29.5M Renovation for Minnesota K–12 District

Construction management firm Kraus-Anderson recently announced the launch of a $29.5-million renovation project for Jordan Public Schools in Jordan, Minn., according to a news release. The district also partnered with ISG for the project’s design, which will cover a combined 96,435 square feet across two locations.

Sustainability

D.C. Elementary School Achieves Double Platinum Certification

John Lewis Elementary School in Washington, D.C., recently became the first school in the award to be awarded both WELL and LEED certifications at the platinum level, according to a news release. As part of a three-step sustainability approach, the school is also aiming to become the first school in D.C. to achieve Net Zero Energy (NZE).

New Construction

Massachusetts Day School Prepares for $11M Campus Addition Project

The Wheeler School, an independent college preparatory school in Seekonk, Mass., recently announced a series of capital projects in development that are set to begin construction this spring. MassDevelopment & Berkshire Bank issued an $11-million bond that will go toward an eight-lane pool; an outdoor splash pad; a restroom, dressing room, and storage building; and a new two-story early learning center, according to a news release.

water conservation

Green Buildings

CSU Dominguez Hills Honored for Water Conservation Project

California State University, Dominguez Hills is one of four organizations to receive a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for major improvements to water management operations in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Campus Technology

Arizona State University, Biamp Partner for Hybrid Learning Technology Upgrades

The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in downtown Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced a partnership with audiovisual solutions provider Biamp to update technology in 140 classrooms, lecture halls, and collaboration spaces across its campus, according to a news release.

Campus Amenities

Encore Adds Wood Frame Option to Seating Collection

Seating and table solutions provider Encore recently announced the expansion of its Mayland seating collection to include wood frame options, according to a news release. The collection’s guest and lounge models were intended for use in higher-education, healthcare, corporate, and hospitality environments.

Healthy Schools

Proper IAQ Solutions Improve Air for Students with Allergies and Asthma

Clean air in schools is not only essential for addressing respiratory concerns but also has broader benefits for overall health and learning. The American Lung Association emphasizes that healthier indoor air can benefit both students and staff. A clean and well-ventilated environment supports cognitive function, concentration and the general well-being of everyone in the school community.

New Construction

Alabama K–12 District Breaks Ground on New High School

Gulf Shores City Schools in Gulf Shores, Ala., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gulf Shores High School, according to a news release. The facility will cover 287,000 square feet and has a scheduled opening date of fall 2026.

New Construction

Roanoke College Breaks Ground on New Science Center

Roanoke College in Salem, Va., recently broke ground on the first phase of a new Science Center, according to a college news release. The three-phase project will transform three buildings on campus into a new STEM hub for academics and research. The first phase of construction entails the demolition of a 1970s-era auditorium building to make room for a $30-million academic building.

New Construction

Florida A&M University Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

Florida A&M University recently broke ground on a new, 700-bed residence hall for its campus in Tallahassee, Fla., according to local news. The dorm for upperclassmen is scheduled to open by fall 2025 and will bring the total capacity of beds on campus to over 4,000. The goal of the project is to provide more housing opportunities to FAMU students while offering an alternative to rising off-campus housing costs.

Campus Renovations

Florida Elementary School Undergoes $5M Renovation Project

Fruitland Park Elementary School in Fruitland Park, Fla., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $5-million facilities upgrade project, according to a news release. The district partnered with D&A Construction Group, designer Schenkel & Shultz, civil engineer Klima Weeks, and Matern Professional Engineering to upgrade the school with modern technology and improved efficiencies.

Staffing

K–12 Architecture and Design Firm Appoints New CEO

Texas-based architectural planning and design firm PBK recently announced that it has found a new CEO in Eric Dinges, according to a news release. PBK Founder and Executive Chairman Dan Boggio will remain with the firm in an advisory role and continue to serve on its board of directors.

New Construction

Prairie View A&M University Debuts New Academic Building

Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, recently opened a new, three-story Engineering Classroom and Research Building (EnCARB), according to a news release. The 106,000-square-foot facility provides academic, research, and technical space for the university’s Roy G. Perry College of Engineering.

Cleaning & Maintenance

APM Steam Provides Heat Exchanger Assessment, Testing Services for Higher Education Facilities

APM Steam recently released a press release emphasizing its Heat Exchanger Assessment and Testing Services for the maintenance of steam systems at colleges and universities. The comprehensive exam is intended to enhance energy efficiency, operational integrity, and safety in facility steam systems.

Awards

School Specialty Launches $50,000 K–12 School Makeover Sweepstakes

Comprehensive K–12 learning environment solutions provider School Specialty recently launched its first-ever $50,000 School Makeover Sweepstakes, according to a news release. One grand-prize winner will receive a school makeover, while ten first-prize winners will get professional development packages worth up to $6,500.

Awards

Spaces4Learning Announces Results of 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards

You voted, we tallied! Spaces4Learning is proud to announce the results of the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award program. The program allows our audience to honor the best product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are noteworthy in K–12 and higher-education environments.

Maintenance & Operations

TAMIU Partners with Greystar for Residence Hall Management

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC, for Greystar to manage its Office of Housing and Residence Life, according to a news release. Greystar will take over the operations for the university’s two student housing communities, University Village and the Residential Learning Community.

Campus Renovations

Colburn School in Los Angeles Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

The Colburn School in Los Angeles, Calif., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 100,000-square-foot expansion designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, according to a news release. The Colburn School is a music and dance education and performance institute that offers services to people of all ages, from 7-month-olds to adults.

Construction Brief

Spaces4Learning Launches 2024 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey

Spaces4Learning recently launched its 2024 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey, an annual report on the previous year’s construction projects at K–12 and higher education institutions nationwide. The data gathered is essential to creating an accurate industry report that offers a snapshot of current trends in school facilities with minimal time commitment.

Campus Amenities

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Launches Bottle Filling Station with Smart Capabilities

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the launch of Smart Filling Bottle Stations, the latest addition to its ezH20 Bottle Filling Station line of products. In addition to providing fresh and filtered water, the units allow facility managers to track a variety of use statistics across each one.

Campus Renovations

Skanska USA Completes Two K–12 Projects for Florida School District

Construction and development firm Skanska USA recently announced that it has completed two projects for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Fla., according to a news release. The projects include a $47-million campus conversion at Collins PK–8 School and a $12-million upgrade to the athletic complex at Chamberlain High School.

New Construction

Texas K–12 District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

The Elgin Independent School District in Elgin, Texas, recently celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for a new district elementary school, according to a news release. Trinity Ranch Elementary will serve about 800 students in grades PreK–5 and has an estimated completion date of August 2025.

Sponsored Content

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