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Seven architecture students standing side-by-side on a brick and tile arch they constructed

7. Serving the greater good FM in the classroom

Facilities Management and the Office of the University Building Official teams regularly collaborate with UVA professors and students in the classroom, benefitting students’ learning and assisting with the department’s operations.

Mindful driving

Facilities Management teams partnered with the School of Engineering to develop a new training course for Facilities Management employees that combines eco driving and safe driving behaviors. These behaviors improve air quality through emmision reduction by increasing fuel economy and reducing fuel usage. Four UVA systems engineering students from the Department of Engineering Systems and Environment analyzed actual GPS data from a selection of Facilities Management fleet vehicles as well as anonymous accident data from UVA Risk Management to help develop the training program. The students worked directly with Transportation Operations and Fleet Manager Mike Duffy and Quality Assurance and Development Manager Sandra Smith to translate the data-driven training tips into the training program, “FM Fleet & UVA Engineering: Partners in Promoting Mindful Driving at FM.”

Top-down photograph of the Fleet team with engineering students, spaced out next to a Fleet pickup truck
Members of the Facilities Management-School of Engineering partnership included, Professor Brian Park, Mike Duffy, Ph.D. student Moeen Mostafavi, Sandra Smith and students Nick Scoggins and Thomas Gresham. (Photo by Jane Centofante / Faciilties Management)

Reconstructing a historic arch

University Building Official Ben Hays also serves as a lecturer in the School of Architecture, teaching The History of American Building Technology. Construction & Renovation Services masons demonstrated good brick-laying techniques to a selection of Hays' architecture students. The students entered a national competition to construct a brick and tile arch based on the one in Old Cabell Hall. As part of the competition, the arch was load tested and held just under 500 pounds.

Seven architecture students standing side-by-side on a brick and tile arch they constructed
A brick arch broken in half

Architecture students in University Building Official Ben Hays’ class entered a national competition to construct a brick and tile arch. (Photo contributed by Ben Hays / Office of the University Building Official)

Sustainability leadership

In a new, experiential, workshop-based course taught by Office for Sustainability Director Andrea Trimble, 14 students focused on translating ideas into action while working with University stakeholders. Guest lecturers throughout the course shared best practices for ideation, leadership, planning and budgeting, communications, forging partnerships and more. This year, student projects included a facemask recycling pilot with UVA Athletics teams; a pollinator tour of Grounds and other bee-related outreach materials; an “adopt a solar panel” proposal; and an effort to increase procurement of graduation gowns made from recycled content.