2020 • Volume 4 • Issue 4

Chancellor Jones values new, blue F&S uniforms See p. 6 A MESSAGE FROM THE Executive Director

The university’s efforts to bring students back to campus IN THIS ISSUE for the return to on-site instruction has necessitated 3 COVID-19 Response significant planning, collaboration, and innovation. In this edition of the Insider, you will read about the 4 Coming Back to Campus extraordinary efforts made by our staff focused on 5 Shop Spotlight: BSWs bringing the campus community back together in person Uniforms Bring Unity during the fall semester. 6 to Campus Work The hard work and resourcefulness of individuals 8 Spurlock Energy Savings across F&S are also directly responsible for many of the proactive COVID-19 measures implemented at the U of I. The actions taken the 10 Got Solar? Illinois Does. last several months were often performed under urgent conditions and 11 Carbon Capture expedited project deadlines. Collaboration

These opportunities have given us the ability to demonstrate our vital 12 Capital Construction contributions to university operations. Here are some of the tremendous Continues achievements that are real-world examples of displaying agility and 13 MCORE Moves Forward perseverance, highlighting what we have accomplished during this period. 14 Impressive Employees Sincerely, 15 Wireless Internet Access Enhanced Dr. Mohamed Attalla, Ph.D., MBA, P.Eng. Executive Director, Facilities & Services 16 How F&S Powers the I

COVID Accomplishments F&S is also directly responsible for many proactive COVID-19 measures implemented at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Actions taken, including what is listed below, the last several months were often performed under urgent conditions and expedited project deadlines.

• Added a new working shift for BSWs to ensure multiple • Installed 1,500 hand-sanitizer stations in building daily cleaning passes of high-usage areas entryways • Deployed more than 30 electrostatic sprayers and • Added disinfecting wipe holders to all classrooms trained staff on their use • Expedited rush orders for thousands of hand sanitizers, • Established a COVID-19 email address to expedite disinfecting wipes, face coverings, and other COVID- cleaning and disinfecting responses related items and hard to obtain PPE supplies through a collaboration between Stores & Receiving and • Produced updated traffic flow models of buildings to Procurement Services optimize social distancing arrangements • Designed, printed, and installed more than 11,000 • Installed plexiglass barriers in workstations COVID-19 notice and reminder signs for all building • Reviewed all HVAC equipment (approximately 2,000 entrances, elevators, stairwells, and restrooms units) and made improvements, where necessary, to • Collaborated on the establishment of 21 university- allow for additional fresh air operated COVID-19 test sites and worked on removing and reinstalling the equipment as needed, as well as • Protected Abbott Power Plant and other essential daily disinfecting and cleaning utilities production and distribution sites and staff by restricting nonessential visitor access and suspending • Coordinated with Technology Services and the U of I all visits and academic and research activities System to use UI Ride shuttles to provide free, public Wi-Fi in community areas with limited digital access

2 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services COVID-19 RESPONSE Since March, life on campus has adjusted to new protocols and procedures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. F&S relies on its mission, vision, values, and guiding principles to address challenges from the stay-at-home orders while maintaining essential functions on campus. For more information on how F&S has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: https://fs.illinois.edu/resources/covid-response

Rich Kensell, building service worker (BSW), walks through an outdoor COVID-19 testing site to clean the floor, tables, and interior walls of the tent with an electrostatic disinfecting sprayer. Kensell, and other BSWs, clean the locations after testing hours with one of more than 30 sprayers, plus other disinfecting and sanitizing chemicals to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff.

Painters, FIR Honored by UI Army ROTC

F&S painters and facilities information resources (FIR) assisted the needs of the University of Illinois Army ROTC by painting socially distanced circles in Lot 31, a grassy area used for cadet physical training just west of Memorial Stadium. On behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Dan Johnson, Professor of Military Science, Master Sergeant Timothy Collier and Major Jennifer Soderlind presented the Fighting Illini Battalion Commander’s Coin to F&S leaders in recognition of this effort. “We appreciate all the military does for this country and what our own ROTC folks do for us on campus,” said Jim Sims, director of Engineering & Construction Services. “We were thrilled to assist and hold our relationship with all branches of the military with high esteem.” Painters expertly marked out 140 circles and 10 running lanes to ensure health and safety for more than 100 student cadets thanks in part to Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment that was used to identify the precise locations of the circles.

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 3 Coming Back to Campus

as well as within our workforce here in the Physical Plant HSRT CAN DO: Service Building.” The Health and Safety Response Team (HSRT) was Mill workers have also made more than 600 signage stands established to help the university community minimize for U of I-branded COVID messaging. the potential for community spread of the virus. On the team are individuals from across maintenance, safety, Email: [email protected] engineering, and code compliance and fire safety. HSRT also makes sure all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention TRANSPORTATION (CDC) and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Shawn Patterson, transportation manager, finds ways for (CUPHD) guidelines are followed in response to COVID-19. his staff to move around campus safely and securely. That’s never been more important than with COVID-19 saliva testing samples. Drivers go to COVID-19 testing sites and take the saliva samples to the labs where they are processed to ensure most people get their results back within a day or two. Some drivers are accompanied by pre-apprentice students, who are local high school students participating in an introductory work program, as they make hourly pick- ups throughout all campus testing locations.

HSRT can deliver solutions to units through in-person and virtual consultations that address immediate and ongoing social distancing and space concerns. HSRT has helped with not only the design of room capacities, room configurations, traffic flow patterns, placement of plexiglass barriers, PPE, signage, and HVAC, but also their implementation through the hard work of the paint and sign shop, carpenters, and public functions. Email: [email protected] “We are here to help and keep the university moving CLEANING STATIONS forward,” said Patterson. “We do what we can to ensure The mill workers built more than 430 students, faculty, and staff come back to a safe and disinfecting wipes stations and 200 hand friendly environment.” sanitizer pump stations for deployment Email: [email protected] to university buildings. These wooden cases stand near doors and in ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES heavily-trafficked hallways and hold industrial size hand sanitizer Plenty of physical changes have been implemented as containers and rolls of disinfecting a response to the COVID pandemic, but record keeping, wipes. reports, and other documentation has been quickly updated to properly address the needs of students, faculty, “It’s a privilege to be counted on to and staff on campus. The Financial Operations department design and build products that are helping created a mechanism to track expenses and other reports students, faculty, and staff stay safe and healthy on to reimburse F&S for COVID-related costs. Additionally, campus,” said Andy Burnett, mill workers foreperson. Financial Operations assists campus administration “We are very proud of our standards here in the mill, in the submission of Illinois Emergency Management and we accepted the challenge to think outside the box. Agency/Federal Emergency Management Agency expense It is also good to have excellent, conscientious coworkers reimbursement. in the other trades to work alongside us. This is truly a team effort to prevent the spread of COVID on campus, For more information, visit: https://fs.illinois.edu/ services/more-services/financial-services. 4 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services SHOP SPOTLIGHT Building Service Workers By Jennifer Thompson

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Illinois, masks and nitrile gloves, building service workers (BSWs) have implemented following recommendations recommendations and best practices for the cleaning and from the CDC and campus, disinfecting of public spaces and schools provided by the and have access to safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and glasses. Champaign Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD). Upon starting the campus Beginning in mid-March, BSWs increased cleaning and return to work protocol, more disinfecting of frequently touched areas prior to the stay than 300 BSWs have cleaned at home order. and disinfected campus buildings. One COVID-related “Throughout the pandemic, BSWs have remained on measure gets more BSWs campus to provide essential services,” said Pete Varney, to more locations, more associate director of Operations, Maintenance & often: since August 10, a Alterations, Transportation & Automotive Services. new 3-11 p.m. working shift has increased the number of cleaning measures taken when buildings are at their Varney said that BSWs had to “lock the classrooms down” busiest. In addition to services already reestablished, the once the students and faculty left campus; now, they’re daily cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms and common back, and BSWs are back to their highly visible posts in areas have resumed along with the resumption of a limited classroom buildings. amount of floor and carpet cleaning. F&S BSWs coordinated with the Office of the Provost, Facility Management and Scheduling during the outbreak, Thank you to our BSWs for taking the steps to implement the updated open/close schedule for necessary to keep our campus clean and safe! facilities. This included: shuttering unused general assignment classrooms; and identifying in-use laboratories, common areas, offices, and other locations so that custodial resources could be directed appropriately. BSWs clean and disinfect the following frequently touched surfaces twice daily: The Building Services department has also taken • Doorknobs proactive approaches to • Light switches modify their work processes • Water fountains due to their increased risk of exposure to the virus as • Elevator buttons and handrails well as cleaning chemicals. • Conference room tables BSWs are now mandated • Break room countertops to wear face coverings and disposable gloves while • Restrooms – secondary disinfecting of cleaning; they were supplied frequently touched areas with two washable cloth

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 5 New and Blue: Uniforms Bring Unity to Campus Work

“Our Facilities & Services frontline staff are absolutely critical to the success of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Now, perhaps more than ever, they are maximizing the safety of our entire community. As they move to wearing a uniform shirt, I hope our community will take notice of the diversity, scale, and impact of their work on our campus.” Robert J. Jones, chancellor

F&S frontline staff started wearing Illinois-branded uniform shirts on August 31 to help reflect the professionalism of this vital workforce, strengthen the unit’s commitment to being the service provider of choice, and address a common topic from customers across the Urbana campus: knowing what personnel are in a building to work on their maintenance or service work needs.

The Illini Blue shirts display the Illinois “block I” logo and first name of the employee. The apparel helps students, faculty, and staff identify each person – that way, a building or facility manager can more easily recognize if a visitor is there on behalf of F&S. They come in two styles, one a short-sleeve button-up, and a polo-style shirt. Baseball hats are also available, featuring a blue background and orange “block I.”

The shirts help provide a consistent visual appearance on campus that anyone can easily recognize, therein contributing to enhancing U of I branding, as well as security efforts, especially critical during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to on-site instruction.

“If someone sees us in a hallway or a common area or even outside, they automatically know we work for F&S. If they have a question, they can stop us and ask,” said Dan Hudson, steam distribution operator. “It should help with our customer relations, so they can identify that we’re there in their building doing the work.”

Brandon Finefield, BSW “It’s nice to have a uniform given to us. I think it makes us look much more professional and think it's a big help for us. It makes us more presentable and easy for others on campus to figure out who we are.”

6 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services Les Siefert, pipefitter “The uniforms are important for the customers. We’re in and out all the time. We’re in basements, sometimes in the keybox, and going into offices or classrooms when nobody is there. And if I’m up in the ceiling in street clothes, they don’t know who I am. This way, it makes the customer much more comfortable.”

Tedra Tuttle, assistant director of facilities, NCSA “I think having F&S staffers in consistent uniforms will be beneficial to campus with regards to identifying workers within buildings, and will show that it is a team effort to keep campus running.”

Dawn Rambole, sheet metal worker Jerome Wells, carpenters sub-foreperson

Bryan Jones, Jr., facility operations coordinator, College of Applied Health Sciences “I think they help identify our hard-working F&S staff. There is also a sense of pride that comes with representing your job in a professional sense that these uniforms give off. I think they can be a big boost for everyone to see the orange and blue as much as possible. They are a great touch!”

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 7 Spurlock Energy Savings

The William R. and Clarice V. Spurlock Museum of World Cultures uses artifacts, tours, programs, and events to interpret the diversity of peoples from around the world.

Thanks to some energy conservation efforts coordinated ultimately pay off in significant reductions in energy use by F&S, Spurlock has avoided more than $750,000 in and carbon emissions.” energy costs by focusing on three major initiatives: retrocommissioning and recommissioning by upgrading Christa Deacy-Quinn, collections manager at Spurlock, the building’s heating, ventilation and cooling systems welcomes F&S as a partner in helping the building (HVAC) and switching the existing traditional light bulbs improve its condition to best preserve artifacts: “Spurlock to more energy-efficient LEDs. All efforts were facilitated committed funding to this effort, but I would strongly through F&S programs, meaning any entity on campus can encourage other buildings, colleges, departments, and units accomplish similar goals through this collaboration. to look into the Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP) and Revolving Loan Fund, which are both organized On top of the savings, Spurlock won a 2020 Sustainability and done through F&S. The paperwork wasn’t difficult, and Excellence Award, presented by the American Alliance of it’s been essential to helping us accomplish our goals. Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community. According to the “F&S can’t be thanked enough. They did a great job and AAM, the Urbana museum won the existing facility category helped us and we want to work with them more. Maybe “…for its ambitious yet realistic approach, directing their other units can’t save as much or receive such generous resources toward meeting the goal of creating a carbon- gifts as what we do from donors, but campus gives you neutral campus by 2050. By implementing a methodical ways to help.” retrocommissioning program to evaluate systems Spurlock’s combination of efforts with F&S has allowed for performance, followed by LED lighting upgrades, the an initial payback of approximately 15 months, well ahead institution effectively demonstrates that rigorous analyses, of the successful measure of three years, making the energy coupled with innovative funding and resource allocation, savings project an overwhelming success.

8 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services “The Urbana campus has avoided approximately $72M Recommissioning in utility costs during this period with an average energy Recommissioning professionals re-inspect building-wide reduction of approximately 25 percent per building,” systems. Over the course of four months, a crew evaluated said Karl Helmink, associate director of Utilities & Energy museum utility systems. Based on building occupant Services, energy conservation & retrocommissioning. needs, they then made updates and improvements to help lessen the amount of energy and utility used. Some LED Lighting examples include occupancy sensors in office areas to Lights in a museum are vital. They not only help a viewer detect when a room is empty or not; a manual switch used see an artifact or its description, but they need to project in the auditorium to power the room specifically for events; the right kind of light to best help preserve an artifact. and new ventilation to reduce the amount of outside air brought into the building air supply. “Our building should represent our core values, one of those being innovation,” said Deacy-Quinn. “Over time, LEDs got easier to install and became more inexpensive, so Retrocommissioning we have innovated and added them. It’s a type of lamp that doesn’t hurt the artifacts, so there’s value. We determined F&S’ Utilities & Energy Services (UES) division worked that if there was availability to change, we should. LEDs with Spurlock beginning in 2011 to optimize the buliding’s used to be tremendously expensive 20 years ago, but it’s the HVAC and controls to maximize savings while maintaining type of lamp that doesn’t hurt artifacts. We didn’t have to occupant comfort. re-wire anything. We used ECIP to make further changes, to The team not only helped on this project, but has reviewed just continue the savings and we thought about using that most major buildings’ energy usage on campus since 2007. money to save even more. This is now 10 years of savings gaining momentum. How else can we save?”

“F&S can’t be thanked enough. They did a great job and helped us and we want to work with them more. Maybe other units can’t save as much or receive such generous gifts as what we do from donors, but campus gives you ways to help.”

Christa Deacy-Quinn, collections manager, William R. and Clarice V. Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Photo courtesy of The Spurlock Museum, The Spurlock Museum, of courtesy Photo Urbana-Champaign. Illinois at of University

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 9 Got Solar? ILLINOIS DOES.

Operations will begin soon at the Solar Farm 2.0 on the U of I campus.

The new 54-acre, 12.1 megawatt (MWdc) solar array will add to the university’s already-extensive renewable energy portfolio, as the U of I has now projected to be the third-largest user of renewable power generated on-site out of all higher education facilities in the U.S. A total of 31,122 bifacial tracking panels will be installed.

The solar farm will produce 20,000 MWh annually, almost tripling the university’s existing on-site renewable energy generation. Combined with other green power sources, the U of I will utilize more than 52,000 MWh per year from clean power, which is over 10 percent of the campus electrical demand.

The land will also serve as a demonstration site for pollinator-friendly solar arrays, growing a seed mix of 17 plants that are native to the area, which will make the grounds more resilient. Furthermore, the installer is collaborating with F&S to be a Zero Waste construction site.

“This project highlights the systems-approach that the university is using in our campus sustainability strategy. It generates clean energy, does not pollute water, is zero waste, and supports biodiversity, and it supports several aspects of the Illinois Climate Action Plan.” Morgan White, associate director for Sustainability

LIGHT FROM ALL ANGLES

Bifacial solar panels take in energy from both sides of the panel, utilizing light reflected from the ground for greater efficiency.

10 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services Abbott Host of Carbon Capture Study

By Tiffany Jolley, Prairie Research Institute, and Travis Tate, F&S

Abbott Power Plant is home to state of the art energy production and distribution, heating and cooling the entire campus year-round. The facility’s impressive combined heat and power supply system also opens up research opportunities.

The Prairie Research Institute’s (PRI) Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is coordinating with three Illinois power plants, including the University of Illinois’ Abbott Power Plant to implement sophisticated technologies that remove carbon from air emissions (carbon capture) at large scales. (The other two plants are: Prairie State Generating Company, near St. Louis, and City Water, Light and Power, in Springfield.) “This is important to the university as a whole because of the partnership between F&S and campus researchers,” said Mike Larson, associate director of utilities production. “It is also important because it is research that could result in carbon capture technologies that would help improve upon what currently exists. Results from this collaboration could help Abbott continue as a productive and pioneering energy facility.” The effort has the potential to be the foundation for more easily accessible and attainable carbon capture systems at other facilities around the world. Abbott Power Plant currently hosts two Department of Energy (DOE)–funded carbon-capture research projects. ISTC is working with Linde Gas North America to test three technologies for reducing aerosol particle concentrations in flue gas. This work is intended to help make solvent-based carbon capture technology more economical at commercial scales. The second project, led by chemical engineer Yongqi Lu of Illinois State Geological Survey’s Applied Research Lab and Kevin O’Brien, ISTC director, is advancing the development of a CO2 absorption solvent. This project builds on decades of research by Lu and uses a novel biphasic CO2 absorption process that involves multiple stages of liquid–liquid solvent phase separation for post-combustion CO2 capture, an approach that could dramatically improve energy efficiency, lower the equipment cost and footprint, and maintain operational simplicity. ISTC will oversee safety and environmental compliance of the project.

“Results from this collaboration could help Abbott continue as a productive and pioneering energy facility.”

Mike Larson, associate director of utilities production Capital Construction Continues Construction projects critical to the university’s operation continued during the COVID-19 pandemic

Take a look around: some construction is continuing on campus even though health and safety efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 added new restrictions and hurdles. F&S’ Capital Programs division coordinated with university administrators and unit or department leadership to determine which projects would continue through the response to COVID, and which projects would need more time to re-group before continuing progress. The Illinois Street Residence dining facility, the country’s second-largest on a university campus, is complete, while the living quarters at Blaisdell and Wardall halls are seeing regular improvements, as well. Work at the Seibel Center for Design, Talbot Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Building, and Demirjian Park Stadium, among others, have also kept up with new health and safety protocols. Capital Programs helps lead construction and project management for projects that have a total budget of $250,000 or more. Because of their scope and visibility, these capital projects help tell the story of the university, whether that’s in rehabbing culturally relevant buildings like those on the Main Quad or through new A “smart bridge” connecting construction for athletic facilities for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. the Hydrosystems Laboratory to “We are proud to have continued as many projects as possible during these the Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory will be instrumented with challenging times,” said Ehab Kamarah, director of Capital Programs. “F&S plays an a variety of sensors to demonstrate essential role in the day-to-day operations of the university, but also in large scale for students and visitors the effects of planning and management. Our professionals have been able to stay productive to various forces on built structures, both meet the needs of the university, while also finding ways to adjust to a new normal above and below ground. of health and safety procedures on-site.”

Upon its completion, Demirjian Park will feature two new soccer fields, one for competition and one for practice, and a renovation of the existing track and field complex.

The ISR dining facility features nine micro- restaurants and can seat nearly 1,400 people.

12 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services Major MCORE Crossroads: Green and Wright

Every day since August 22, 1962, Alma Mater has extended her arms in the direction of perhaps the busiest, most essential intersection of Champaign County: where Green Street meets Wright Street on campus, the dividing line between Champaign and Urbana. The area surrounding Alma Mater, Learning, and Labor has seen plenty of changes since then, but as the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement (MCORE) Project continues its work, the view will be more different than ever. Utility repairs, upgrades, and replacements, and plenty of pavement improvements have been made to make the intersection—like all MCORE projects—safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and single-occupancy drivers. New pavement improves an area where there were bumpy roadways. Improved lighting, traffic signals, and stormwater mitigation will allow the thousands of daily travelers a smoother route to campus facilities, local businesses, university housing, and classrooms. The first phases of Project 4 were substantially complete in summer of 2019; the remaining phases of work done between 2019 and the present represent a large part of the overall MCORE project. The City of Champaign, along with the lead contractor, made the decision in early April to continue work on this infrastructure project. The university’s response to the COVID pandemic allowed Facilities & Services staff to work strategically with Champaign staff to continue work while students’ presence on campus was greatly diminished. “Normally, this would have been a much larger disruption to the campus community, including students, faculty, and staff,” said Stacey Delorenzo, transportation demand management coordinator. “Since there were almost no classes on campus this summer, the impact to daily traffic was greatly minimized.” Five MCORE projects, three of which are now complete, and the last two will be substantially complete before the end of the calendar year, will improve the transportation infrastructure corridor for all modes of transportation in the core of campus, linking Champaign, Urbana, and Campustown. Project 4 is targeted for substantial completion by the end of October 2020; Project 5 will follow closely behind. For more information, visit https://www.mcoreproject.com/

MCORE is a collaboration between the cities of Champaign and Urbana, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), and the University of Illinois.

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 13 Impressive Employees

Two F&S employees recently won valued honors from university administration. Steve Bainbridge, electricians foreperson, and building service worker Anthony Kite were selected as a Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award (CDSA) winners.

To win a CDSA, university employees must exemplify at Tony Kite, Building least three of five major attributes: demonstrate excellence in overall work performance; promote positive morale by Service Worker displaying a congenial, supportive attitude and providing “I’m proud to have won this award on behalf of the service to others; put forth an effort to improve self as well university and F&S,” said Kite. “I may be the one receiving as to develop and recognize others; exhibit initiative and an award, but credit goes to my colleagues and supervisors, creativity resulting in improved operating efficiency of the as well, as all our efforts are with teamwork.” department and/or the university; and, enhance the image of the department and/or the university. Tony has been with the U of I 23 years including the last six assigned duties at the Coordinated Science Laboratory. Steve Bainbridge, Electricians Foreperson “I am honored to have been nominated and humbled to have received this award, because there are a great number of people on campus and within F&S who have so much talent and are deserving of this type of recognition,” said Bainbridge. “F&S employees are arguably some of the most valuable employees on campus because of the skill sets they bring to the table.” Steve has worked on campus for 15 years, the last 10 as the electricians’ foreperson.

14 • University of Illinois Facilities & Services Wireless Internet Access Enhanced

“Students, faculty, and staff deserve the best tools to help spur innovation and creativity. This project has been a great success, and we look forward to working with F&S whenever we can. Their agility, accountability, and perseverance helped the project go as smoothly as it did.”

Aaron Brown, senior program researcher, Technology Services

What does it take to expand wireless internet coverage across a campus as large as UIUC?

Wires, satellites, computer screens, and blinking lights all come to mind. But F&S supplied something else for the U of I campus: power and a willing workforce. Numerous F&S employees teamed with Technology Services to focus on the electricity demand needed to expand the use of the IllinoisNet Wi-Fi network as a tool for the university community. Nearly all tangible work took place in communications equipment rooms (CERs), which are sometimes small, cramped rooms with plenty of wires and noise. F&S electricians were up to the task. Instead of Technology Services experts needing access to each CER, F&S staffers were encouraged to make independent decisions on-site. Electricians envisioned each space in a new way, like how a network engineer or information technology expert would see it. Thanks to this collaborative effort, the project finished under budget to help reduce the overall cost by 27 percent. “I enjoy the idea that we are contributing to F&S Employees who helped technological capabilities improvements at Phase 2: the university, which are essential to help us Nate Adamson, Steve Bainbridge, maintain our world-class status,” said Steve Gareth Boyd, Mike Burge, Dave Bainbridge, electricians foreperson. Dowler, Brad Eveland, Matt Griffis, Tony Hubbard, Arnie Jeffers, Brad All totaled, more than 400 outlets were improved Kelm, Ben Kinder, Larry Lustfeldt, in more than 300 CERs in 135 buildings on Travis Murray, Mike Siems, Craig Wise, campus. Todd Wood, Chuck Zimmerman

Insider, 2020, Volume 4, Issue 4 • 15 1501 South Oak Street Champaign, IL 61820

How F&S Powers the

“F&S, touching every building, facility, classroom, road and space on campus, helps by executing consistent branding in signs and banners on campus which gives UIUC a unified look.” Eric Minor, chief marketing officer, Strategic Marketing & Branding

New University of Illinois branding standards have introduced a new image of the U of I to the state of Illinois, the U.S., and to countries all over the world. On campus, executing that deployment of environmental graphics and physical signage featuring these new colors, logos, and wordmarks is often left to F&S. “F&S, touching every building, facility, classroom, road and space on campus, helps by executing consistent branding in signs and banners on campus which gives UIUC a unified look,” said Eric Minor, chief marketing officer in the Office of Strategic Marketing & Branding. “As more and future F&S vehicles adopt the current brand logo, it will provide a constant reminder to anyone who visits about the pride on this campus.” F&S helps university marketing and creative professionals to ensure all new signage gets up, whether that’s banners, windows, outdoor signage, and interior messaging, too. Many crafts and trades shops assist, usually including the paint & sign shop, carpenters, and laborers. Todd Hearn, graphic designer with Customer Relations & Communications, enjoys working with university administration to help show off the new U of I brand. “It’s truly been awesome working with this team of professionals,” said Hearn. New COVID-19 signage has been needed since the response to the pandemic, and all of those new stickers, signs, and other graphical elements have necessitated not just new messaging, but the updated colors, logos, and wordmarks. Hearn has helped get COVID-related signage in campus buildings, with the new brand identity, by teaming with other administrative units Creative Services, Public Affairs, and the Office of Strategic Marketing & Branding. “The new branding leverages the power in unity,” said Minor. “When we join forces as one our efforts are amplified and our brand is elevated in the eyes of our key audiences.”

Insider is published by Facilities & Services’ Customer Relations & Communications department. Editor: Travis Tate Questions, ideas, or comments? Email [email protected]. Graphic Designer: Cindy Carlson