SUMMER 2012 Leeding the Way Contents
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Commencement 2012 The main University Commencement, where approximately 13,423 degrees were conferred and over 50,000 people converged on the main campus. Facilities employees across the organization supported 200 events during Commencement Week, including the Barnard ceremony where President Obama delivered the keynote address. News for the Employees of Columbia University Facilities VOLUME 14 | SUMMER 2012 Leeding the Way Contents 2 From the Executive Vice President 3 Customer Compliments 4 Around Campus 5 CUF & the Community 6 Making Columbia Green 8 Awards & Accomplishments 10 Employee News Columbia University’s environmentally sustainable design and overall project plan for The Back Page its 17-acre Manhattanville campus in West Harlem has earned LEED® Platinum under 12 the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council—its highest designation and the first LEED-ND Platinum certification in New York City, as well as the first Platinum certification for a university campus plan nationally. Read more on page 6. From the Executive Vice President s we enter the summer months and the reduced campus population enables our summer construction activities to kick into high gear, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you and congratulate the entire organization on another outstanding academic year. AtA our great university, the culmination of the academic year is Commencement Week, a set of events which showcases the incredible depth and breadth of Facilities. Our employees worked around the clock to support over 200 events during the week, which included the convergence of over 50,000 people on campus during the main University Commencement, and the Barnard College Commencement, where President Obama delivered the keynote address. Commencements are a time, of course, to celebrate, and we as an organization have much to commemorate, such as our continuing efforts to make our campus more sustainable. In February, the Northwest Corner Building was awarded LEED Gold certification (page 7), which is particularly noteworthy due to the large number of laboratories in the building, since labs typically consume a great deal of energy. In April, our “Clean + Go Green” recycling and reuse program received a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Quality Award (page 9) – the highest recognition presented to the public by the EPA. And in May, our Manhattanville campus plan earned LEED Platinum for Neighborhood Development (page 6), the first Platinum certification for a university campus plan nationally, and the first LEED-ND Platinum certification in New York City. Sustainability also encompasses our commitment to reach out to our neighbors so both campus and community can benefit from our growth. From information sessions connecting our project managers with local vendors to our annual “Spring Get Together” to raise money for and awareness of Columbia Community Service (page 5), it is clear that Facilities is helping to make a difference. And our efforts are being recognized: Facilities was recently honored for “Outstanding Advocacy of the Minority and Women-Owned Business Community (page 9). Extra special recognition goes out to all of our employees celebrating Silver Service Anniversaries (page 10). Your 25 years of dedication to the University is truly remarkable and incredibly appreciated. I had the opportunity to join the annual 25 year dinner on June 5th and it was, as always, a wonderful celebration. On a sad note, we recently lost two long-time members of our Facilities family. Mike Schultz worked in our Capital Project Management department for 11 years, and Enzo Rodriguez worked in Operations for nearly 35 years and also served as President of TWU Local 241. Mike and Enzo will be greatly missed and our thoughts continue to be with their families and loved ones. In both good times and bad, we come together as a Facilities family to support each other and keep the campus moving forward, and I know we will continue to do so this summer, throughout the academic year, and beyond. Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer, full of health and happiness. Joe Ienuso 2 Customer Compliments Dear Facilities, Everyone was very professional and extremely nice. [Director I recently moved out of UAH residence. I am writing this email of Investigations and Technology Projects] Ken Finnegan and to express my extreme satisfaction with the staff at 435 W. 119th [Associate Director] Denis O’Sullivan were amazing, and today Street. I have nothing but praise for all of the doormen, custodians, Denis O’Sullivan went with the NYPD and recovered her stolen and the super. The doormen(and doorwomen) Eddy, Timothy, lap top from a grocery store on 112th street and Frederick Douglas Livin, Victoria, and Rich kept the operations on the first floor Blvd. It was quite amazing!!!! smooth and organized, maintained a high level of security, and As a parent and also as a member of the faculty here at the Medical always greeted me [and any occasional guests that I had over] with Center, I cannot begin to thank you and your staff for being so extreme kindness. David, the chief handyman for the building is terrific and handling everything in such a professional manner. the best I’ve ever seen. The quality of work and attention to detail [My daughter] was beyond thrilled to get it back. is what you would expect at a five-star hotel. A leak, a damaged wall, a cracked tile - David would take care of the problem in no I know you spend a lot of time taking care of many other people’s time. Finally, Hector is a very professional super - very attentive to children… and I for one am very grateful. his tenants and the head of a great team. Parent, Columbia College In short, I am a very lucky to have spent the last three and half years living in 435 W. 119th due to the AMAZING staff. To the Directors of Columbia UAH, Tenant, University Apartment Housing I am writing to share my very positive experience with the UAH at Columbia. From the start, my housing needs were met beyond Dear Mr. [Nelson] Falcon, expectation. And any questions were addressed very promptly and thoroughly by the staff. For example, Leilani replied very quickly In August 2011, as a new Columbia University student, I during evening hours, and I was very impressed that my question moved into 530 Riverside Drive where Myra Martino serves as was so quickly addressed. Superintendent. I understand you are her immediate supervisor and am writing to let you know what an honor it has been to know Your dedication as a team allows students to truly focus on their Ms. Martino. In addition to being new to the University, I was studies with a worry-free experience and it is much appreciated! new to New York City then. Not only did she walk me through the building and make sure I was familiar with the property, but Student, School of International and Public Affairs she took the time to give me tips on the best places (and websites) to shop for furniture, housewares and groceries as well as tips Dear Joe [Mannino], on transportation. Just wanted to say thank you very much for your and Keith Unfortunately, I had to move out of 530 Riverside this week due [George]’s persistence with the replacement window panes at the to a change in my relationship status. However, in the five months café skylight. that I lived there, it reminded me of the days when I lived in a full-service building back in Los Angeles where I owned two Attached are a few photos of the drama: 12x4 foot panes, weighing condominiums. Whenever any maintenance issues arose (and over 700 pounds, requiring 10 men and a hefty boy to haul up the there were few thanks to her diligence), Ms. Martino and her staircases, hoist through the third floor window, and position into team were on top of it in no time. She did not hesitate to get her place on top of the café roof. As has been always the case with hands dirty and once even came in, rolled up her sleeves and used our glass house out there, it was a very dramatic bit of work— the plunger herself. She was also proactive when it came to bed successfully installed, intact. We are whole, again! bugs, rodents and cockroaches, none of which I ever saw there. Staff, Columbia Journalism School It was a pleasure to see how much Ms. Martino’s team of workers and vendors respected her. This was not only apparent in their Dear [Anthony Nasser], day-to-day interactions but in the impeccable condition of the I just wanted to email you to share some feedback about Ajay. I common areas. When I had guests over, including family from stay in apartment 4D, at 542 W. 112th and have been here for 2 out of town, they all commented on how nicely the building was years now. I am leaving next week and before I do so, I wanted maintained. It goes without saying that I will miss 530 Riverside you to know that Ajay has been a tremendous help over the past and having Ms. Martino as my Super. 2 years. He has always been professional and really responsive Tenant, University Apartment Housing in times of need. My wife and I only have great things to say about him. Dear Mr. [Jim] McShane, Thank you very much for your time. Last Sunday night at 2AM, my daughter’s room was broken Student, Columbia Business School into and her laptop computer was stolen from her room on West 112th Street.