Facilities Focus - April 2020 - Volume 12
April 7, 2020
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In this issue...
- Construction Junction
- Valuable information for our campus partners
- Stories from Team IPF
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Board of Trustees upcoming agendas (tentative, subject to change)
April agenda
- April BOT meeting has been canceled due to COVID-19 response.
June agenda
- Veterinary Medical Center - replace HVAC-1 and HVAC-21 (CP16192) *under $5M project
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Temporary pause of campus construction - In response to COVID-19 outbreak
We at MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) take the safety of our campus partners seriously. This concern extends to the various contractors that we employ to perform construction and preventative maintenance work for the university.
To comply with Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order, work has paused on campus construction projects for at least through April 13 (updates will be posted if the order is extended).
Affected construction work includes:
- Major construction projects:
- STEM Teaching, Learning and Interdisciplinary Research Facilities (CP17133)
- Munn Ice Arena - expansion (CP18134)
- Duffy Daugherty - S.A.A.C. - alterations to Skandalaris Football offices and Hall of History (CP18074)
- University Research Containment - Biological Safety Level 3 Research Lab (CP18191)
- T.B. Simon Power Plant - R.I.C.E. - construct original building
- Water Distribution - campus water system improvements (CP16086)
- Punch-list (final finishing) work on recently completed construction projects:
- Minor construction projects including renovations and remodels
- Preventative maintenance work including routine testing (generators, fire alarm systems, etc.) as well as abatement work.
Due to the continually evolving nature of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the length of this work pause may be extended if deemed necessary.
The unique nature of this pause in work will most likely result in the extension of project deadlines. Project managers will update campus partners and stakeholders with anticipated schedule changes as the situation develops.
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IPF service updates - in response to novel coronavirus outbreak
As part of our efforts to comply with Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order, IPF has limited the number of skilled trades and custodial staff on site to those necessary to maintain essential operation of campus facilities.
As a result, requests for services will be prioritized based on the resources we have available. This may result in slower than normal response times.
In addition, some IPF departments have had to temporarily limit the level of service they are able to provide to our campus customers:
Key Shop
- The IPF Key Shop has had to temporarily suspend delivery of keys.
- Campus customers may pick up keys at the Key Shop service window (IPF Building, room 147) any time from
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Transportation Services
- The motor pool office will operate on slightly reduced hours, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Recycling Services
- Will be limited to collection of cardboard recycling in those buildings still in operation.
- Community recycling drop-off site will be closed until further notice.
Custodial Services
- The only campus buildings that will receive normal custodial service are the Clinical Center, FRIB, MSU Police, Olin Health Center, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Veterinary Medical Center.
- Occupants in all other non-RHS buildings are asked to maintain their own spaces the best they can, removing trash as necessary. If you have an urgent need for custodial service, please call ContactIPF at (517) 353-1760.
- RHS facility occupants should contact RHS staff as they normally would.
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IPF Custodial Services - dedicated to keeping campus safe
IPF Custodial Services focuses first on the health of building occupants when they clean a space. Each worker has received extensive training and is equipped with special tools and chemicals to perform their job, including the use of a germicidal cleaner and a backpack vacuum with HEPA-level filtration. We are also regularly using disinfecting misting systems to sanitize heavily used, large spaces such as classrooms and athletic facilities. MSU Residential and Hospitality Services, which cleans residence halls and dining areas, has similar practices.
During this global outbreak, IPF has purchased additional disinfecting equipment, including misting systems to clean areas more quickly. We also will be making cleaning solution and spray bottles available if requested so occupants who remain can clean their own workspaces. Hand-sanitizer stations are also being added throughout campus. We will provide more information about these items when they are deployed in a building.
Out of an abundance of caution, spaces may occasionally receive a more stringent cleaning response. In these cases, you may see workers wearing additional personal protective equipment, including Tyvek suits and masks, while sanitizing a campus space. Please do not be alarmed if you see these workers. This activity does not indicate the presence of a known case of illness but is a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of our campus community.
To request cleaning solution for your workspace, please email IPF.Communications@msu.edu.
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Contact IPF
A reminder for our campus partners - for any IPF-related service, questions or concerns call Contact IPF at (517) 353-1760.
Thank you!
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Arbor Day 5K - Canceled
The Arbor Day 5K is being canceled due to the governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order.
However, you can still support IPF's goal of planting more trees on campus by donating to the Campus Arboretum Fund for Tree Design, Installation and Maintenance on MSU Properties on the University Development Online Giving page.
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Let the taps run to clear water
If you've noticed water quality issues from taps that have had limited use as a result of the campus' response to the COVID-19 outbreak, let them run for a few minutes before use until the water clears.
Water that has sat still in pipes for a length of time can become discolored but still is safe to drink.
For more information about MSU water quality see the 2019 Water Quality Report. For more information about the soon-to-be-commissioned Water Filtration Plant and Water Tower visit the project's webpage.
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Stay active during "Stay Home, Stay Safe"
Just because you're staying home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato.
Watch IPF sustainable transportation manager Tim Potter's bicycling education videos on MSU Bike's Facebook page, to get ready for spring's warm weather biking opportunities.
Bicycling is a great way to keep fit while practicing "social distancing"!
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IPF helps MSU prepare for drive-through COVID-19 testing
Several IPF staff members helped MSU Health Care prepare for drive-through COVID-19 testing near the Clinical Center.
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Feedback
We welcome any comments, questions or suggestions on how we can improve communications with you, our campus partners.
Please forward your comments to the IPF Communications department at IPF.Communications@msu.edu
Thank you!