Facilities Optimized Service Team

Project Overview

The facilities OST was established to find efficiencies and identify methods to enhance operations and maintenance of the physical infrastructure at all University campuses. As a result of the OST’s work, Penn State’s Office of the Physical Plant will be able to provide better support for all University infrastructure, improve construction processes and be more responsible stewards of the University’s physical assets.

Key Partners

The facilities OST is incorporating our community’s perspectives, insights and experiences to develop our future state. The following units and organizations have actively contributed to and helped shape the OST workstream:

Facilities OST leads:

• Tom Rodgers, Interim Associate Vice President of Facilities Management and Planning and the University’s Chief Facilities Officer
• Kimberly Lawless, dean of the College of Education

Phases 1 and 2: Information Gathering on Current State and Developing Future State Recommendations

In early 2024, the facilities workstream began an information-gathering phase to enhance operations, find efficiencies and identify ways to support facilities at all campuses.

During the summer of 2024, the workstream identified eight different job profiles for facilities staff across University Park. Throughout the fall, the workstream will continue to evaluate its current staffing and services and engage with colleges and units to help define each groups’ goals for the future.

Future Phases

The workstream is expected to share future state recommendations for all campuses in the fall.