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Physical Plant
St. Mary's University
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, Texas 78228

Claudia Alonzo, Secretary
phone: (210) 436-3335
fax: (210) 436-3336
calonzo@stmarytx.edu

November 13, 2008
In accordance with the policy adopted by Executive Council restricting smoking within 50 feet of a building entrance, a pilot program has been initiated at the Law School to provide some smoking areas. This program goes into effect November 17, 2008, and runs through the end of the semester. 
 
A graphic representation is available at the Physical Plant website in the section, or at the following link:  http://www.stmarytx.edu/physplant/pdf/lssmoking.pdf.  This representation provides a view of the areas where smoking is allowed.  Signage has been posted reminding the university community members of the 50 feet distance.  For easy viewing, smoking areas are designated by signs attached to table tops or to hardscapes.  Cigarette butt earns are being relocated to areas designated for smoking.
 
During this pilot program faculty, staff, and students are welcome to provide comments/suggestions to the Physical Plant Department.
  
June 17, 2008
 
The Physical Plant Department will be conducting seal coating and re-striping of Parking Lot L beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28th, through Sunday, June 29th, weather permitting.  It will reopen on Monday morning, June 30th.  Faculty and handicap spaces are available in parking lots C, D, and E.    
 
Parking Lot L is located by Treadaway Hall and the Physical Plant Compound.  Access to and from the Marianist Residence and Pecan Grove will not be affected.  
 
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.  
 
For further information, please contact Roman Passement, CAD Technician, at x3383. 
June 9, 2008
 
On Wednesday, June 4, 2008, the university experienced a two-minute campus wide power outage, from 10:37 a.m. - 10:39 a.m.  The outage was not due to university equipment fault. 
 
CPS Energy has confirmed that the cause does not appear to be mechanically related; however, they could not offer a more detailed explanation.  CPS Energy is working towards more sophisticated metering that will allow the isolation of any future faults and assist in offering detailed explanations.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Luis Rodriguez, Manager of Maintenance Services, at x5078.
May 30, 2008
 
Communications & Announcements for June 2008 
 
Congratulations
Joe Slezak has applied for and has accepted the position of Gardener. The Gardener is a new position approved in the 2008-2009 budget to help care for and improve our landscape investments as well as care for recently acquired properties. We appreciate the efforts of Rebeckah Day, Vice President for Administration and Finance, in supporting the work of the Physical Plant Department. Joe Slezak has worked at St. Mary’s as a Groundskeeper for the past 2 years and we are pleased in his appointment to the new position.
 
Jose Garcia has applied for the position of Maintenance Evening Shift Team Leader. Jose’s strength in the carpentry area will provide needed leadership in performing repair work to building exteriors, roofs and hardscapes that is currently provided by contractors. Due to the local heavy demand of construction, the decision to perform work in-house was made to increase response time and to decrease the cost to the university. The position allowed the establishment of an evening shift in Skilled Crafts Maintenance to compliment existing evening teams in Skilled Crafts Central Plant and Housekeeping.
 
Search for Grounds Manager
The search for the Grounds Manager has been extended until May 30, 2008. In the interim, William M. Tam, Facilities Administrator, will be working with Jesse Trevino, Pat Helton, and Ruben Huerta to manage the Grounds area. The Grounds extension 2225 is being forwarded to Sylvia Gill, Departmental Secretary. Correspondence with Grounds can be made to Jesse Trevino at jtrevino@stmarytx.edu. Correspondence and notification from Athletics concerning reservations and use of athletic fields should be made to Jesse Trevino at the above email address. Work orders for Grounds may be made by calling the Physical Plant Service Desk at x3335.
 
Requesting Work
We again remind departments to make their requests for major maintenance items in late fall prior to November 1st in order for Physical Plant to have the time necessary to plan the work and align human and material resources to perform the work. We understand that late minute requests occur from time to time, but cost efficiency can best be maintained by planning discretionary requests.
 
Improvements to Classrooms and Studios
The Physical Plant Department will perform maintenance sweeps of all 74 classrooms this summer. The purpose of the maintenance sweep is to improve the appearance and function of classrooms. The sweep will consist of painting (total or partial), removal of any old equipment or cabling, checking eye washes and plumbing, relamping and replacing ballasts in light fixtures, repair or replacement of blinds, and furniture repair. We thank the Registrar and staff for their cooperation in providing scheduling assistance. 
 
Cooking Fires
We would like to remind those who use university facilities and prepare food using barbeque pits to follow good safe habits regarding the disposal of charcoal and fire materials. On Monday, May 5, 2008, we experienced a fire in a waste disposal dumpster that was caused by charcoal that was placed in that dumpster and allowed to smolder over the weekend.
May 7, 2008
 
Communications & Announcements for May 2008
 
Copy Machines for Departments
The Mail and Duplicating Center has some suggestions to consider when negotiating a copy machine contract with local vendors. We recommend that copiers be leased rather than purchased. The practice of leasing copiers provides a monthly charge that includes routine maintenance, and the lease term ensures that the copier technology remains current.  Also, the determination of the “click count” is critical in determining the monthly contract price. If the “click count” is either overestimated or underestimate, your department will pay a higher monthly rate. If the “click count” is overstated, your department will pay the same higher rate regardless of the usage. If the ‘click count” is understated, then your department will pay the additional charges related to overage. Departments are encouraged to read the meters on their copy machines on a monthly basis (whether leased or owned) and maintain accurate records.
 
Security of the Physical Plant Compound
For safety and security reasons, the Physical Plant Compound is a restricted area and we ask all to respect the “Authorized Personnel Only” signs. This applies especially to vendors, students, and visitors. Members of the university community who have business to conduct in the compound are asked to exercise caution.
 
Requesting Work
Work requests for discretionary services will be considered based upon work load and the impact on the departmental program. When making your work request to Diana Gomez, Work Control Clerk, we appreciate hearing of the circumstances under which these discretionary services are requested. Some might include visits by accreditation teams, special visits by potential donors, special programs such as Business Week, Orientation, Sleeping Bag Weekend, etc.
 
Improvements to Classrooms and Studios
A task force has been organized to consider the repair and upkeep to classroom and laboratory facilities. The purpose of the group is to improve the appearance and functionality of all 74 university classrooms and labs that are managed by the Registrar’s Office.
 
There are six areas of interest:
1. Classrooms to be refurbished: Math 208, 209, 215, Alkek 233.
2. Develop the Classroom Portfolio and place on Physical Plant web site.
3. Introduce the summer classroom maintenance sweep.
4. Plan for the future improvements to classrooms.
5. Development of the Concept of the Flexible Classroom
 
Satellite Dishes on University Buildings
The Facilities Master Plan Committee will be making inquiries about the various satellite dishes that are located on top of university buildings. This is considered an aesthetic issue. If your department uses a satellite dish, please provide the following information to the Facilities Administrator: 
  • Name of contact person
  • Name of building
  • Satellite dish is owned or leased
  • Date satellite dish was installed       
  • Date satellite dish will no longer be required
  • Name of vendor or service provider who is called for servicing the dish        
  • Purpose of the satellite dish
Residence Hall Construction
The latest information about Residence Hall construction is provided in the “Construction and Project Updates” section of this web site.
 
Campus Directional Signs
The existing campus directional signage consists of three “cube” signs along Rattler Drive with the major venues identified as follows: parking lots, delivery areas, Law School, Convocation Center and University Center. The cube signs are clearly visible during the day and lighted at night for the convenience of visitors.
 
The major parking lots, C, D, T, U, and W have large signs mounted on the light poles and visible from a distance. Each parking lot sign is clearly visible.
 
In addition, there are four sign-maps located in the major areas in the front of the campus. 
 
The many improvements made to the campus permanent directional signage in the past few years have made the need of temporary signage less necessary.
 
When providing directions to guests, it is important that you use standard terminology, which is the building name. All existing permanently installed campus directional signage uses the office building name. The use of nicknames or departments will only confuse visitors and guests.
 
Campus Power Outage
The Physical Plant Department would like to notify the university that CPS Energy requires a complete power outage of the campus in order to perform repairs to their transformers.  Power to all areas of campus will be shut-off on Friday, May 23, 2008, at 1:45 p.m. and is expected to be restored by 8:45 p.m. the same day.  The university technology departments will begin to shut down the campus network at 1:00 p.m.
 
The university will also take advantage of the CPS Energy power outage to perform needed preventive maintenance work around campus; mainly connecting of the emergency generator at Charles Francis, electrical connections for the New Residence Hall, and repairs to a number of university transformers.  The university phone system will remain functioning during this time; however, air conditioning will not be available for any campus building.  Water for drinking and sanitation purposes will be available.
 
We appreciate everyone’s efforts, which allow us to perform these necessary upgrades in order to prevent future catastrophic failures.
 
For more information on this and other events, visit the Physical Plant website under "Announcements" and Construction and Project Updates".
 
If you have any questions regarding the power outage, please contact Bill Tam, Facilities Administrator, at (210) 436-3335.
 
New Postage Rates
On May 12, 2008, the United States Postal Service will increase postage by one cent, making the price $0.42 to mail a one ounce mail piece.
 
May 2008 Schedule
Due to the heavy work schedule for the Housekeeping and Maintenance Divisions, we are not able to perform certain departmental services (services for which university departments provide funds). Amongst the services are faculty office moves, assembly of furniture, and others. Please refer to the Furniture Disposal and Acquisition Procedure in the “Services for the University Community” section of this web site.   
 
Recycling Environmental and Weight Report for Month Ending:  4/30/2008
As a result of the university's paper recycling effort, the university saved:
·         71.15 Trees
·         29,295.00 Gallons of Water
·         251.10 lbs. of Air Pollution
·         17,158.50 KWH of Energy 
·         13.81 Cubic yards of Landfill Space    
  April 22, 2008
 
U.S. Postal Service Notice  
 April 17, 2008
 
Planned Power Outage on Friday, 5/23/08
The Physical Plant Department would like to notify the university that CPS Energy requires a complete power outage of the campus in order to perform repairs to their transformers. Power to all areas of campus will be shut-off on Friday, May 23, 2008, at 1:45 p.m. and is expected to be restored by 8:45 p.m. the same day.  The university technology departments will begin to shut down the campus network at 1:00 p.m.
 
The university will also take advantage of the CPS Energy power outage to perform needed preventive maintenance work around campus; mainly connecting of the emergency generator at Charles Francis, electrical connections for the New Residence Hall, and repairs to a number of university transformers. The university phone system will remain functioning during this time; however, air conditioning will not be available for any campus building.  Water for drinking and sanitation purposes will be available.
 
We appreciate everyone’s efforts, which allow us to perform these necessary upgrades in order to prevent future catastrophic failures.
 
If you have any questions regarding the power outage, please contact Bill Tam, Facilities Administrator, at (210) 436-3335.
March 6, 2008
 
Communications & Announcements for March 2008
 
Building Room Numbers
If you would like to know your room number, go to the website under Building Room Numbers and you will find a floor plan of each campus building.  Although the scale is not given, the drawings are properly proportioned. If you would like the room size, the square footage of many rooms on campus is contained in the Space Classification and Inventory document.  This document is located under Services for the University Community.
 
Reporting Work Orders
We have consolidated work order control to Diana Gomez in the Physical Plant Office.  She can be reached by calling 436-3335.  When you call, mention that the call is in regards to a work order.  The receptionist will transfer the call directly to her desk.  We ask that members of the university community no longer leave messages on the phones in the shops.  Since our service technicians are out working around campus, the most effective manner to request and schedule work is through Diana.
 
Temporary Signs
Temporary exterior directional signs are used to supplement our permanent way finding systems on campus.  Since the completion of the Gateway Project, we have improved our campus directional signage with the installation of large "cube" signs at the intersections of Rattler Drive and Marianist Drive, and Rattler Drive and University Drive.  In addition, we have four (4) large sign maps located near the primary parking areas of parking lots A, V, S, and D. However, temporary directional signs may be used as a supplement.  The Standard for Temporary Exterior Directional Signs describes temporary signs and sign holders.  Alternate sign holders are discouraged since they lack the stability and favorable appearance.  We encourage departments who have not yet converted their temporary signs to the standard to consider doing so by the beginning of the 2008-2009 budget year.
 
Cable T.V.
All contacts for repair and installation for cable television are requested through the Physical Plant Department.  Cable T.V. services from Time Warner Cable (TWC) are available as a departmental expense.  The current rate is $50 per month for non-residence services (includes installation and cabling) with a six-year agreement.  All agreements with TWC must be approved as a university contract signed by the Vice President for Administration and Finance.  Cable T.V. contractors and sub-contractors are subject to the Physical Plant and University Police Security and Access Procedure, in a manner similar to all university contractors and service providers.
 
Recycling Environmental and Weight Report for Month Ending:  3/31/2008
As a result of the university's paper recycling effort, the university saved:
·         67.23 Trees
·         27,685.00 Gallons of Water
·         237.30 lbs. of Air Pollution
·         16,215.50 KWH of Energy 
·         13.05 Cubic yards of Landfill Space    
 January 31, 2008
 
Communications & Announcements for February 2008
 
Improvements to Physical Plant Services Guide
In order to improve communication with the university community and to improve our customer service, the Physical Plant Department introduces ANNOUNCEMENTS on the Physical Plant web site. The web site can be reached from the university home page, select Administration Offices, Physical Plant. Improvements have been made to the Physical Plant Services Guide. These improvements include addition of a cost menu, expanded section on planning facility modification projects, as well as furniture disposal and acquisition. The Physical Plant Services Guide now has links to other related procedural documents.
 
Notice to Physical Plant, University Police, Admissions, Counseling and Testing, Athletics, Alumni Relations, Law Library, University Advancement, Residence Life and Marianists
In order to protect sidewalks from stains caused by battery acid, we ask that golf carts not be parked near the entrance to campus buildings. We ask all golf cart users, Physical Plant as well as other departments and areas who operate golf carts to refrain from parking near the entrance to campus buildings in order to protect the walkways from these unsightly rust stains. Golf carts tend to drip battery acid especially after having been washed or operated during rainy weather. Rust stains on concrete walkways near the entrance to university buildings are unsightly and negatively affect the campus appearance that we have worked so hard to attain. Such stains can be seen at the entrance to Charles Francis Hall and in the front of Chaminade Hall. These stains are permanently etched and are not able to be removed.
 
Telephone Directories
Phone books (AT&T yellow pages and white pages) are available on the north porch of the Blume Library. Please take whatever books are needed for your office.
 
Removal of Bollards
Bollards (metal poles) are installed around campus to prevent vehicles (other than emergency vehicles) from being driven in pedestrian areas. Physical Plant staff and contractors working under Physical Plant supervision may remove bollards in order to attain access for maintenance purposes; however, the bollards must be replaced immediately so the area is not left unsecured. This is a matter of community safety.  
 
Recycling Environmental and Weight Report for Month Ending:  2/29/2008
As a result of the university's paper recycling effort, the university saved:
·         71.99 Trees
·         29,645.00 Gallons of Water
·         254.10 lbs. of Air Pollution
·         17,363.50 KWH of Energy 
·         13.98 Cubic yards of Landfill Space    
 
Recycling Environmental and Weight Report for Month Ending:  1/31/2008
As a result of the university's paper recycling effort, the university saved:
·         73.78 Trees
·         30,380.00 Gallons of Water
·         260.40 lbs. of Air Pollution
·         17,794.00 KWH of Energy 
·         14.32 Cubic yards of Landfill Space    
June 28, 2007
 
St. Mary's University has received a "Certificate of Recognition for Recycling Excellence" from Vista Fibers for outstanding achievement in recycling for 2006.  The university recycled 51.36 tons of paper, thus conserving the following resources:
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