The Focus - November 2020

IPF Communications

November 5, 2020

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In this issue...

Board of Trustees upcoming agendas (tentative, subject to change)

December agenda

T.B. Simon Power Plant - install medium-pressure steam boiler (CP17198).

February agenda

Nothing scheduled at this time for Step 2 (Authorization to Proceed).

Photo of snow removal efforts during winter at MSU

BE A "WINTER-SMART" SPARTAN!

Smart Spartans know that when Michigan becomes a "winter wonderland" good snow and ice practices will keep you safe and secure.

MSU’s commitment to snow and ice removal:

Landscape Services removes snow and applies ice-melt compound to roads, parking lots and sidewalks up to university buildings. Land Management helps in this effort for university farms.
Custodial Services, Set-up Crew and Residential and Hospitality Services clear building entrances, stairs, landings and handicap ramps.
Ice-melt compound will be provided in containers at building entrances to be used as needed. The buckets will be replenished by the building custodians. (Those living in residence halls or university apartments should inform the facility manager of the need for ice-melt compound.)

Simple ways all Spartans can help:

Report areas in need of snow or ice removal: Call (517) 353-1760. For areas near university residence halls, inform the facility manager.
Employees are encouraged to park in the parking ramps during a snow event.
Work with snow-removal experts to ensure your safety. Snow-removal equipment is large, loud and difficult to stop. Avoid darting out in front of or behind such equipment and make eye contact with a snow-removal drivers before crossing the street in front of them.
On sidewalks: Avoid parking so close to the sidewalk that your car’s bumper hangs over the walk. It creates an obstacle for snow-removal equipment.
In parking lots: If possible, park in the plowed areas of parking lots to help snow-removal workers quickly clear the unplowed areas without navigating around vehicles.
In residence hall loops: Parking is prohibited in these loops between 2 and 6 a.m. to allow snow-removal workers time to clear them.
Regarding bikes: Avoid chaining bikes to signs. It is illegal on campus and creates obstacles for snow-removal equipment.
Regarding ice-melt compound: Give it some time to take effect. Also, while safety is priority one, using ice-melt compound responsibly is important to limit negative environmental impacts.

Remember...to request services or to report dangerous spots on campus, call ContactIPF at (517) 353-1760 or ContactMSU at (517) 355-1855.

Some unwelcome campus visitors

Due to lower amounts of human foot traffic in many campus buildings, you may have noticed an increase in pest activity. Insects and rodents can take advantage of this unique situation to make themselves at home.

“As colder weather approaches, mice are looking to our buildings as safe and warm places to over-winter,” said Jacob Barlow, IPF Pest Control worker.

“And, with so many folks working remotely, they are finding the quiet and hospitable conditions inviting.”

Pest control at MSU graphic

He added that reduced building occupancy can lead to lower water levels in drain traps, allowing insects to enter spaces from the waste distribution system.

However, there are some things you can do to keep the numbers of these unwanted visitors to a minimum:

Make sure all windows are completely closed. If you notice any damage to screens, please report them as soon as possible.
Remove all foodstuffs, including candy, from workspaces. Mice can access areas through openings as small as a dime, and so desk drawers and cabinets may easily be entered. They will even snack on cough drops, mints and chewing gum.
When you are working on campus, take the time to run some water in bathroom and kitchen sinks, flush unused toilets and urinals, and pour water into floor drains – this will help keep drain traps full of water, and uninviting to the six-legged creepers. Remember those often-overlooked spaces like utility closets and mechanical spaces.

“If you see signs of these visitors – live or excessive dead bugs, mouse droppings, or chewed food packaging/contents, please call ContactIPF at (517) 353-1760,” Barlow said. “And if possible when you call, let the person know what days/times the space is occupied (by humans, that is).”

Together, we can keep our Spartan spaces free from these unwanted guests.

Surplus Store and Recycling Center town hall - Vermicomposting

Join SSRC online on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., for a lively discussion about SSRC's new vermicomposting operation, which turns campus kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment through the amazing digestive power of worms!

Expert Dr. John Biernbaum, faculty with the Horticulture Department, and SSRC's Sean Barton, Diversion coordinator and worm wizard, will talk about the art and science of worm composting.

Photo of the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus Store

An open Q & A will follow the talk. Stay through the end for a special treat. Register here

A clump of soil with a worm attached, photographed at the new SSRC vermicomposting hoophouse

Worm poop helps close the food cycle loop

The great worm migration is well underway! MSU Recycling staff members are busy moving worms and their bedding to the new vermicomposting hoophouse built adjacent to the SSRC.

IPF Landscape Services staff planting at the Union while Horticulture instructor Marcus Duck films the work to use as part of remote learning lab

Planting the seeds of success for remote learners

IPF Landscape Services’ crews don’t just maintain the beautiful grounds on MSU’s campus, they also routinely give of their time and resources to help educate the next generation of landscape professionals.