Category: Insider

Insider

President’s House and Grounds Upkeep: “Exceptional”

The President of the University of Illinois System appreciates and values F&S work done at the President’s House, even without considering transformation of beech tree to valued milled artifacts. As one would expect with a home of such symbolic and real world value, the President’s House, completed in 1931, is as marvelous as dozens of other iconic campus buildings. Making it a functional living quarters … Continue reading President’s House and Grounds Upkeep: “Exceptional”

Travis Tate
Insider

New Furniture from President’s House Beech Tree Source of Pride, Memories, Collaboration

By Jalynn BugajCustomer Relations & Communications intern A beech tree from the University of Illinois President’s House was given a new purpose after it had to be cut down in 2022. The tree’s significance was not just botanical; it had witnessed decades of life at the house. When Andrew Burnett, F&S mill foreperson, first met with Roberta Johnson Killeen, wife of President Tim Killeen, and … Continue reading New Furniture from President’s House Beech Tree Source of Pride, Memories, Collaboration

Jalynn Bugaj
Insider

Killeen: F&S a ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of U. of I.

The story of the beech tree at the President’s House was driven mostly by the love the Killeen family had for it – from a toddler grandson to President Tim Killeen and his wife Roberta Johnson Killeen. Johnson Killeen has been an avid gardener in her time at the President’s House, and she valued the beauty and size of the tree; in the growing season, … Continue reading Killeen: F&S a ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of U. of I.

Travis Tate
Insider

Training for Excellence

By Jalynn BugajCustomer Relations & Communications intern At Facilities & Services, we keep things running by staying sharp, safe, and ready for anything! Training is important for the shops and trades because it not only enhances skills, but helps to improve safety, and keep teams up to date with the best practices. Training ensures that operations run smoothly and effectively. Ask the grounds workers, refrigeration … Continue reading Training for Excellence

Jalynn Bugaj
Insider

Shop Spotlight: Brickmasons Part of History

Over 100 years ago, the Main Library opened with a secret kept behind brick. Now 100 years later, it’s been revealed to the modern public: a time capsule! And the only way in was through ‘caveman stuff’ as brickmason foreperson Eric Quinley said. F&S brickmasons wreck, tear, beat and saw their way through walls like these every day. But the impressive part is the ability … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Brickmasons Part of History

Travis Tate
Insider

$51M IBRL Grant Thanks to F&S

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is no novice at securing federal research grants. The campus regularly receives among the most federal money between all research universities from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), and other federal agencies. And nearly every dollar is for administrating the project or team to accelerate innovation and discovery — they are almost never for ‘capital’ projects … Continue reading $51M IBRL Grant Thanks to F&S

Travis Tate
Insider

Hush Hybrid Pod Trial

By Jalynn BugajF&S customer relations & communications intern Shhhhh… Can you hear that? Exactly. Neither can anyone else—thanks to the Hush Hybrid pod! Say hello to the future of workplace privacy: Introducing the Hush Hybrid pod, a game-changing solution designed to transform how staff navigate virtual conversations and meetings in an open office. The Hush Hybrid pod is on a 60-day trial in Lincoln Hall, … Continue reading Hush Hybrid Pod Trial

Jalynn Bugaj
Insider

Cleaning Campus Buildings, as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The world is complicated, but thanks to numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 campus facility managers can know exactly what level of cleanliness to expect of building service workers (BSWs) in their public spaces. BSWs clean across all three shifts, day and night, in 223 campus buildings. Pete Varney, director of Transportation & Building Services (TBS), references the five standardized levels established and maintained … Continue reading Cleaning Campus Buildings, as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Travis Tate
Insider

Visit to ‘Appreciative’ Partner: IGB

Sometimes, you gotta check in on your friends. F&S executive team members accepted an invitation from the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) in part just to visit the facility and understand the importance of their relationship. Specifically, IGB director Gene Robinson and director of operations and facilities Jesse Southern, welcomed F&S representatives and led a tour of laboratories, offices, and basement spaces. … Continue reading Visit to ‘Appreciative’ Partner: IGB

Travis Tate
Insider

Crafting the Colonnades Club Drink Rail

By Jalynn BugajF&S customer relations & communications intern New drink rail? No problem! With five Facilities & Services shops collaborating to make a drink rail for the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium, the finished result is nothing short of spectacular. Each shop brought their unique expertise to the table, resulting in a drink rail that not only enhances the club’s aesthetics but also provides a … Continue reading Crafting the Colonnades Club Drink Rail

Jalynn Bugaj