Facilities Condition and Classroom Upgrades
Question and Answer
Recent Classroom Renovations
How many classrooms were renovated in the recent upgrades?
Over the last two years, 67 classrooms were renovated. This accounts for 40% of classrooms. The total investment for the classroom upgrade project was $31.7 million.
Who should faculty contact for questions related to classroom audio/visual equipment, such as projectors, microphones, etc.?
Any questions related to audio/visual equipment in classrooms should be directed to Academic Technologies.
Who should I contact for questions related to wireless connectivity in my classroom?
Any questions related to classroom Wi-Fi should be directed to Academic Technologies. If Academic Technologies determines that there is an issue related to the network, they will work with University Technology Solutions (UTS) to troubleshoot as needed and provide you with updates.
Where can I get instructions on how to use touch pads or other classroom equipment?
Faculty can contact Academic Technologies for information on how to use classroom equipment.
Can faculty request specific classrooms that will work with their teaching/learning style?
Strategic Enrollment, Academic Innovation, Academic Affairs and Real Estate, Construction and Planning are working together to explore options for a process to pair teaching and learning needs with classroom teaching personas. More information will be provided once it is available.
How can faculty teaching a course downtown broadcast their classes in real time to the Main Campus?
The best way to do this is to use Zoom to connect the two locations. The course will need a dedicated teaching assistant or student assistant at the remote location during each class section. Technology to facilitate this process is available in connected, active-connected or Zoom classrooms.
Current Building Condition and Maintenance
How is building condition being assessed for older buildings at UTSA?
The Real Estate, Construction and Planning (RECaP) team is in the process of conducting a Facilities Condition Index (FCI), which will allow the university to understand the current condition of all buildings and associated spaces. This process will lead to the development of a comprehensive prioritized plan for renewal, repair and replacement.
The FCI analyses spaces on all five campuses, with buildings divided into several groups, including the oldest buildings being assessed first. Analyzed components include exterior, roof, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and interior.
We anticipate that the first building assessment report will be ready by summer 2023, with the full project list finalized by fall 2023.
How frequently are classrooms checked for fire code?
Risk and Emergency Management checks all rooms with a capacity of greater than 49 people annually. Rooms with fire extinguishers are checked monthly.
How does Facilities ensure we have clean air in buildings?
Facilities provides the best filtration possible in each building, with a minimum of four air changes per hour. This is in alignment with CDC recommendations. The Facilities Preventative Maintenance team conducts regular filter changes.
Does Facilities have a preventative maintenance plan?
The Facilities Preventative Maintenance team completes hundreds of tasks each month. The team is a multi-trade group that includes electricians, mechanics, plumbers and more. A computerized maintenance management system is used to automatically issue tasks. Facilities follows industry best practices to determine which equipment to PM and how often.
What types of services does Facilities provide?
Facilities provides the following services to the university community:
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- Building maintenance & operations
- Custodial Services
- Energy & utility management
- Event & moving services
- Grounds maintenance
- Vehicle maintenance
How can I request service for maintenance requests, such as replacing lightbulbs?
Submitting a work request via the iService Desk is the preferred method for all routine work requests. To check the status of a work request, use the “Query a Work Order” or “Search by Number” functions in the iService Desk menu. To request a change to an existing work request or ask for information, email FacilitiesServiceCenter@utsa.edu.
For urgent or emergency situations, faculty and staff can call the Facilities Service Center at (210) 458-4262.
Who should I contact in the event of extreme classroom temperature (extreme heat or cold)?
For urgent system failures (extreme heat or cold), please call the Facilities Service Center at (210) 458-4262.
Ongoing and Future Improvements
What is the process for deferred maintenance at UTSA?
Deferred maintenance data is collected and vetted by Facilities and Real Estate, Construction and Planning (RECaP) trades personnel and engineers. Data is tagged for category, campus, building, subsystem type, and Education & General. Each item has a priority, description and cost estimate. Deferred maintenance items are prioritized based on the risk of failure and potential impact to the university.
How will the funds requested for deferred maintenance be used?
UTSA has requested funding for $155 million from Tuition Revenue Bonds (TRB) to address deferred maintenance projects, which will result in significant improvements to infrastructure and an enhanced campus experience. Most of these funds will be used to improve or replace infrastructure and major systems in five core buildings on the Main Campus:
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- McKinney Humanities Building
- Flawn Sciences Building
- Arts Building
- John Peace Library
- Multidisciplinary Studies Building
How is furniture being assessed on campus?
The RECaP team is conducting an inventory of common area furniture. This assessment will provide data for prioritization for replacement. RECaP is working towards proactive surplus events mid-semester to remedy influx of furniture displaced in hallways.
How is lighting being addressed in older buildings?
Facilities is in the process of replacing older lights with new LED lighting.
What is the status of wall clocks in each room?
Old wall clocks are being removed from the university. This topic went before Faculty Senate on April 12, 2021.
How can I provide feedback on future classroom renovations, furniture or accessibility?
The Real Estate, Construction and Planning team is working to develop a streamlined process to gather feedback on these types of projects. More information will be provided once this process is ready.
What is the status of the Monterey and Monterey Annex?
The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) is currently using the Monterey Annex for studio, teaching and computing spaces. The Monterey remains under evaluation for future use.