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They work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that the countless services we depend upon at USF run like clockwork. That is why I was so pleased to get a firsthand look last week at our Facilities Services Department and the Maintenance and Utilities Services Department on the Tampa campus – and to thank them for their commitment and hard work that are so vital to our success.
It’s easy to take their daily efforts for granted because we don’t often see them in action or understand the vast scope of their work. But the tour I took gave me a full appreciation of all that these department leaders and staff members do to keep the university operating smoothly.
Rich Sobieray, senior vice president of financial strategy and administration, and Carole Post, vice president of facilities and public safety, joined me as we made an array of stops during our four-hour visit. Along the way, we met with the Post Office, Grounds and Vehicle Shop staff, learning, for instance, about cost-saving initiatives, efficiency gains and an emergency fuel program. Incredibly, our Grounds staff maintains more than 500 acres of space on campus!
We also got an up-close view of our water storage tower and drinking water system that produces almost 300 million gallons of drinking water annually. And we toured the three plants that produce most of the chilled and hot water needed for the campus. These plants support the equivalent of 10,000 homes. We spent time with the Energy and Utilities teams as well as the Building Services team and learned that our Tampa campus is similar to a medium-sized city – with all of the maintenance and service needs that go along with it. I came away with deepened gratitude for all that these dedicated members of the Bulls family do – beyond our view – to fuel our fast-rising trajectory.
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