I&S Employee Newsletter - September 2023

Dear Infrastructure and Sustainability team,

Welcome to a new academic year! The fall semester has started off with a lot of excitement, including a series of orientation events to welcome new students, staff, and faculty to our campus, and a big win for the Buffs against TCU! My sincerest thanks to all who helped prepare our campus over the summer to welcome new members of our community back for the start of another academic year. Your work is one of the reasons people love our campus so much. I also wanted to send out a special thank you to those who came out for our Volunteer Day of Service. It was fun to see so many familiar faces as I checked in with groups across campus!

This month, I am excited to share some of our annual metrics that were collected from the 2022/2023 academic year. All of our units contribute so much to the operations of our campus and I am proud to see how much of an impact our efforts are making on the university. I am confident that what we do behind the scenes is making an enormous impact on the success of our students.

Finally, I look forward to kicking off our leadership development program, Extreme Ownership, this month. At last count we had a full inaugural class of 50 participants! Many of us never received an opportunity for formal leadership training. But the reality is that all of us in I&S are leaders; whether you are leading a team or are an individual contributor, if you are making decisions throughout your workday, you are a leader. I have personally gone through this training and it helped me enormously. Although the consultants have a military background, the lessons and leadership principles they teach are adapted for and intended to be applied to a civilian work environment. The program is about building trust and relationships, empowering your people, taking accountability for your and your team’s actions and many of the “soft skills” necessary to create a successful team dynamic. I look forward to seeing how this knowledge can positively impact our team.

With gratitude,
Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability

Effective Aug. 1, Scott Redder was named assistant director of Campus Building Services (CBS). Scott previously served as the interim assistant director of CBS and prior to that, as the Main Campus grounds manager. Congratulations to Scott!

The Health and Wellness Summit is just around the corner! Come join Health and Wellness Services to learn how to enhance your health, wellbeing and relationships with others.

The Infrastructure & Sustainability Mentor Program (ISMP) is now accepting applications for our 2023/24 session. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newer team member, this program is appropriate for all levels of experience. The program will run from Sept. 2023 through May 2024. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your career growth and make meaningful connections within the CU community. To join the ISMP, simply apply here on or before Friday, Sept. 15.

For more information please join Kelsey Draper for an informational session on Sept. 11th from 12:30-1:00 in stadium room 1B12 or via Zoom.

Are you a front-line service employee at CU Boulder? If so, you may be able to ride free for the rest of 2023 if you start a new vanpool, or join an existing vanpool. Learn more about CU's vanpool program.

Effective Sept. 1, the Buff OneCard serves as the bus pass for all eligible faculty, staff and students. You will no longer have to keep track of multiple cards. Just like before, when boarding the bus, just tap your Buff OneCard on the reader, show the driver your ID, and find a seat.

E-bike rebates are available for a short time from both the City of Boulder and State of Colorado. Full details can be found on their websites:

• City of Boulder e-bike rebate website: Register from Aug. 30 - Sept. 13.
• State of Colorado e-bike rebate website: Registration opens mid-Sept.

Good news: Faculty and staff on monthly payroll can now purchase their parking permits online. You no longer need to submit applications and allocation forms. Employees can visit the PTS website, log into the online portal using their IdentiKey, and choose from the permit/lot options available. Step by step instructions can be found on the PTS website.

CU Boulder's Main Campus, as well as the Hill, are now accessible to Lime users. E-scooter access, speed, and parking is managed through GPS technology and will include specific details and zones for CU properties. 

• Access on CU properties is limited to streets, multi-use paths and some sidewalks 
• Speed is limited to 15 mph citywide, but is further reduced in certain slow zones 
• Parking must be within designated areas called "lime groves" or at a designated parking pin shown on the app (users cannot end a trip unless at an official Lime parking grove or pin on campus).

Learn more on the PTS website.

On June 2, 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bill 23-017, which expands the reasons employees can use paid sick leave under Colorado’s Healthy Families & Workplaces Act (HFWA). Learn more about the new sick leave guidelines here.

In order to stay current with Microsoft products and align with campus licensing, we are preparing to start deploying computers with Windows 11, Office 365, and OneDrive. Initially this will only affect new computers being deployed, and more information will be sent out before upgrading existing computers. As with any new software, there are changes in the look and feel which will take some getting used to, so please allow a little extra time when receiving a new computer so we can make sure you are comfortable with the new system before heading on your way. If you ever have any questions about your computer or the software on it, please reach out to a member of the I&S IT team.

How long have you been working at CU? 4 years and 4 months

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Anything that brings me peace, camping, hiking, skiing, biking, eating good food.

What do you love about CU Boulder? The variety of work that comes along, the different people you get to interact with, vacation and holiday time. :)

What are you currently reading? How to change your mind by Michael Pollan

Tell us something that might surprise us about you. My mustache is a stick on.

Dan is a truly deserving recipient of this award, as his remarkable qualities of kindness, professionalism, and patience have made a significant impact. Working alongside Dan in Facilities Management has been an absolute pleasure, and his ever-present smile has been a constant source of inspiration. Dan generously imparted his knowledge, teaching me invaluable skills such as assembling office desks, reinstalling broken windows, and installing whiteboards. Moreover, he fostered a genuine love for working with wood, which has enriched my experience in countless ways. By sharing his wealth of expertise and guiding me with positivity, Dan has empowered us to make meaningful contributions and achieve remarkable accomplishments for CU. It is with deep gratitude that I recognize Dan's unwavering dedication and the positive influence he has had on my apprenticeship journey.

Mike is an exceptional recipient of this award due to his unwavering professionalism and extensive expertise in the field of facilities management. Whenever I approached his desk seeking guidance on my assigned tasks, Mike graciously dedicated his valuable time and shared his insights, consistently offering effective solutions. Throughout my years of apprenticeship, Mike's willingness to assist me has been invaluable, enabling me to excel in my work responsibilities. His invaluable advice and patient instruction have been instrumental in my successful completion of the apprenticeship. In my two years I looked forward to continuing our collaborative learning journey every day. I wholeheartedly appreciate Mike's selflessness in imparting his wealth of experience from his tenure at CU. Undoubtedly, he is truly the best.

Katherine has been super responsive to questions and issues related to the roll-out of AssetWorks. There have been numerous requests to add phases, deal with issues, training, etc., and she's really jumped on those immediately. I know that change stresses people out, and her quick response to questions goes a long way to easing the transitions. Thank you Katherine!

Darren came in on a Sunday to find and stop a leak at BIOT, mitigating further damage to the building. This demonstrates his dedication and responsibility in responding to maintenance and emergency situations.

This team is always here with 24-hour coverage, and we may take that for granted sometimes. And with the implication of AssetWorks, they haven't missed a beat.

These two co-workers show the epitome of inter-departmental cooperation. They have shown up to emergency P1 call-outs and with their in-depth knowledge of the buildings on campus and the structural trades, they’ve helped elevate major damage from occurring during floods and water incursion issues on both Main and East Campuses.

Oftentimes you may hear “first aid” in a conversation but never think about when someone may require first aid. Recently, one of our team members administered first aid to a student. Perry Green, HVAC technician, was stopped at the intersection of 30th and Colorado and observed a student riding his bicycle across the intersection. The student attempted to jump up on the sidewalk but missed the step and proceeded to fall off his bike. Perry immediately pulled his work vehicle to the side of the road and administered first aid to the student. Once the student was able to walk, Perry drove the student to Wardenburg with the student’s bike in the back of Perry’s vehicle. Perry stated that in his 27 years working at CU, this was the first time he’s used his first aid kit. Perry is well-deserving of this month’s Safety Spotlight for taking such great care of the student! When was the last time you checked your first aid kit? Do you need to replace any items in your kit? Reach out to Don Fitzpatrick and he’ll assist.

FM Safety Committee

The FM safety committee meets the third Tuesday of every month to discuss general safety concerns, review safety reports, on-the-job injuries and recommend training needs and resources. If you are interested in attending a meeting or bringing an issue or idea that is safety related, please reach out to your area representative on the FM safety committee or contact our Safety Specialist Don Fitzpatrick.

Are you interested in using the CU Land Acknowledgment in a presentation or an abbreviated version in your email, but not sure what to use or how to use it? CU Boulder has a variety of resources to help guide you.

CU's Land Acknowledgement honors the contributions, histories and place-based knowledge of Indigenous peoples with historic and contemporary ties to lands across what is today known as the United States. It also recognizes the devastating and lasting impacts of the forced assimilation and forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their traditional territories and ancestral homelands, including the lands that are now part of Colorado and the University of Colorado Boulder. You can learn more about CU Boulder's full Land acknowledgement on this webpage and how to list the abbreviated version in your email signature. If you want more information on ISIEC, or want to get involved, visit the Infrastructure & Sustainability Inclusive Excellence Committee (ISIEC) webpage and/or email us at ISIEC@colorado.edu.

New Hires

• Jan Becker, PD&C, Temporary Senior Planner
• Tashi Sherpa, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Palden Sherpa, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Seth Turner, Distribution Services, Materials Handler
• Pirouz “Perry” Ahanin, Transportation Services, Campus Bus Driver - CDL
• Carlos Anaya, Transportation Services, Campus Bus Driver - CDL
• Jerry Helbak, Maintenance and Operations, Preventative Maint Shop Mechanic
• Kellen Schuebel, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Laurence “Red” Wagner, Transportation Services, Campus Bus Driver - CDL
• Alexander “Alex” Warring, Utility and Energy Services, Assistant Director, Utility Plant Operations & Engineering
• Khamsao (Sao) Keodouangkham, Campus Building Services, Custodian

Promotions/Transfers

• Scott Redder, Campus Building Services, Assistant Director of Campus Business Services
• Tyler VanKanan, EH&S, MS4 Coordinator
• Chad Solano, Maintenance and Operations, Preventative Maint Shop Mechanic
• Ngawang Dhargye, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Victor Gomez, Maintenance and Operations, Preventative Maint Shop Mechanic

Moving On

• Dara Schenck, Distribution Services, Administrative Assistant
• Austin Carpenter, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Skylar McWee, Maintenance and Operations, HVAC Technician
• Brian Blamey, Outdoor Services, Irrigation Tech III/Lead Worker
• Lee Stokes, Campus Building Services, LTC Trainee (Recycling CDL Apprenticeship)
• Daniel Page, PD&C, Cost Estimator
• Greg Braun, Campus Building Services, IPM Technician
• Benjamin “Ben” Askam, Utility and Energy Services, Utility Plant Operator
• Benjamin “Ben” Patzer, Maintenance and Operations, Preventative Maint Shop Mechanic

Mission
To deliver and maintain a safe, sustainable and resilient infrastructure that enhances the
university’s operations and enables our campus community to meet its mission of education
and research.

Vision
We enhance the university experience through innovative service delivery, customer service,
stewardship of resources and community engagement.

Values
Together we accomplish our goals and objectives guided by our collective core values:

• Teamwork: We value working together to create and maintain a culture of mutual respect, trust and optimism for the future, with a goal of shared success and accomplishment.
• Engagement and Passion: We want our employees to enjoy their work and will create an environment that channels their energy, strengths and optimism into making a difference every day.
• Integrity: We operate in an accountable, professional, ethical and honest manner toward our work, peers and the university community.
• Empowerment: We value our employees and provide the resources and tools necessary to successfully support our university constituents. An empowered workforce is diverse, inclusive, engaged and creative.
• Customer Focused: We listen to our customers and focus on building relationships through trust, confidence, professionalism and performance.

• I&S Employee Website
• I&S Homepage
• I&S SharePoint Site
• Employee Recognition Program