IPF collaborations reinforce partners and stewardship values
Anthony Yuhasz
November 30, 2020
Two partnerships developed between IPF and fellow MSU departments have demonstrated the power that collaboration brings to improving stewardship to the university.
The first, a collaboration between IPF Landscape Services and the MSU Information Technology Analytics and Data Solutions department, resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in labor and equipment costs for campus litter bin management.
In 2015, IPF Landscape Services began a partnership with Jade Freeman, MSU IT Spatial Data Management Team lead, to use ArcGIS applications on IPF employees’ university-owned mobile devices to collect and maintain information about each bin including receptacle type, location, condition, usage volume and service history.
Data from the first six months of ArcGIS usage allowed for the creation of dashboards that supported the removal of underused bins and enabled the creation of more efficient servicing routes.
“Implementing ArcGIS Dashboards gave the employees a way to see the progress they were making toward monthly and yearly goals, built trust among teams, increased morale, fostered mutual respect between the workers and supervisors, and inspired pride and accountability,” said Adam Lawver, Campus Services director.
The full story about this partnership and its positive results can be found here.
The second, a partnership between MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD), IPF Campus Planner Steve Troost and IPF Landscape Architect Yun Cao, brought about the creation of a multi-sensory patio area at Bessey Hall.
“This new addition to the campus landscape will benefit people of all physical capabilities for relaxation, mental health and connectivity,” Troost said.
The construction of the Bessey Gathering Space not only took advantage of underused space and addressed maintenance issues’ it created a place for building occupants, students, visitors and community members to experience multi-seasonal visuals, smells and textures from the varied plantings and hardscaping elements used.
“I am thankful for the ways MSU remains a place where people work together to create possibility and opportunity for community,” said Michael Hudson, RCPD director. “Hurray to IPF – each of you are vital in establishing partnerships of all types.”