FM Staff News

UMD has been honored with 2022 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. The University has received this honor each consecutive year since the inaugural year of the program in 2008 – one of just 25 campuses to do so. Huge thanks to the staff of Arboretum and Landscape Services and members of the Arboretum and Botanical Garden Steering Committee.

UMD was recognized as a top performer in the Waste section of the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) 2022 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI). The university was also recognized in the Research section.

UMD Engineering students will have an innovative new space for classes, labs, collaboration and more in the Stanley R. Zupnik Hall.

September 2022 was the one-year mark for launching the Facilities Management (FM) Strategic Plan. Since that time, with input and support from staff across all areas, team FM has made significant progress with implementation. With initiatives in Wave 1 priorities (“Investing In our People” and “Improving Communication and Collaboration” solidly underway, FM is turning its focus to Priority 7: “Enhancing Customer Service Excellence.”

Operation Maintenance and Utilities Facility Managers serve in the critical customer service role of liaison between FM and colleges/schools and general administrative buildings with a key goal to build positive working relationships with external customers and resolve service issues promptly and efficiently. 

For staff whose jobs are telework-eligible, remote work has become commonplace. Besides the time and gas cost savings, many staff find that working from home means fewer distractions, with increased productivity and work quality. But there are some disadvantages to teleworking.