Facilities & Services July 2023 Announcements

Campus Cleanup Continues

We are actively working on the cleanup operations following the severe weather that occurred on Thursday, June 29th. The impact of this weather event was felt across our entire campus, affecting various aspects of our community. Power outages were experienced in numerous campus residences and the Cox Children's Center. In addition, a number of trees suffered damage, and unfortunately, a few were lost entirely.

We are pleased to inform you that power has been restored to all affected areas. Our dedicated Grounds crew continues to diligently clear away the damaged and fallen branches, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Amid these recovery efforts, we are delighted to share some positive news: we have baby Koi in the pond! These little ones come in a variety of sizes and colors, creating a vibrant display that all can enjoy. We invite you to take a moment to visit the Koi and immerse yourself in the beauty of the more lively pond.

Summer Projects

This summer, Facilities & Services is working in collaboration with our campus partners to provide facility enhancements for select unit offices. The scheduled facility renovations and transitions will occur in phases, with a target of completing all project transformations by the conclusion of the fall semester.

These efforts are being implemented to efficiently use available space on campus and better centralize offices for student convenience and staff operations. Similarly, the outcomes from such transitions will provide the university with expanded opportunities to:

• Improve classroom utilization
• Offer experiential learning resources to students
• Equip students and employees with innovative and integrated technology
• Enhance security measures
• Meet spaces requirements
• Reduce utility costs
• Generate additional revenue

These facility enhancements will collectively improve our on-campus experience and present the campus community with advanced accessibility, safety, and resources.

Read our latest update on Orbit to learn about the plans and progress made in UHB and HRB and stay tuned for additional updates!

New Work Order System

We are excited to announce the rollout of a new work order system! After evaluating several software applications, F&S has chosen Maxpanda as our new system for managing work requests. Please note that the old system, Schooldude, will be shut down at the end of July. If you have Schooldude bookmarked, take a moment to delete it or update it.

Check out the new system here: Maxpanda 

For more details about the work request form, visit our Building Maintenance webpage. Feel free to contact F&S at (217) 206-6530 or at facilities@uis.edu if you have any questions.

Motor Pool & Summer Travel

A friendly reminder for anyone who may need to travel on UIS business over the summer: the Motor Pool has vehicles available! Call or email us well in advance of your travel date to reserve a vehicle. This way, you can make sure that the right vehicle is ready and waiting for you. Oh, and don't forget to complete a "Car Release Order" form for each reservation and send it over to the Motor Pool office. A copy of your driver's license is also needed before you hit the road.

Do you have questions or are you ready to reserve a vehicle? Contact Cindy Ervin at (217) 206-6531 or cervi1@uis.edu. Happy travels!

UHB Classrooms & Computer Labs Receive New Technology

Lisa Bowen and ITS

The ITS department has undertaken an exciting initiative to enhance the classroom experience. Through the implementation of a classroom technology refresh project, a total of 34 classrooms were converted into hyflex environments. These upgraded spaces will feature annotating monitors, allowing instructors and students to interact and engage with digital content. Additionally, the classrooms will support bring-your-own-device capabilities for seamless integration with the technology.

To provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to explore these refreshed classrooms, ITS is offering guided tours. You can schedule a tour by visiting the following link: Hyflex Classroom Tours. 

In anticipation of the fall semester, we encourage you to submit the Instructional Technology Request form. By doing so, we can ensure proper space scheduling that aligns with your course needs.

Questions regarding the technology and tours can be directed to ITS at itstraining@uis.edu.
Questions regarding classroom scheduling can be directed to ClassroomScheduling@uis.edu or (217) 206-6378.

Visitor Parking

Discover a Convenient Way to Park with Park Smarter!

Parking Operations strives to make your visit as seamless as possible, which is why we are excited to announce the recent updates to our Visitor Parking webpage. We have added helpful links and instructions to assist you in utilizing the user-friendly Park Smarter mobile app, which partners with our parking pay stations.

The Park Smarter app enhances the parking experience for our valued guests, ensuring a hassle-free process. To get started, the app is available for download from Google Play or the iOS App Store. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code displayed on the pay station for quick access.

Setting up the app is a breeze once you have it downloaded. Just follow the prompts provided. You will be guided through a simple registration process, where you can add your preferred payment method, select the appropriate parking lot, and enter the expected duration of your parking session. Rest assured, the app will keep you informed every step of the way. You'll receive convenient notifications to confirm your session and gentle reminders as your parking session approaches its end. Additionally, the app offers the flexibility to extend your parking session if needed, ensuring the utmost convenience during your visit. 

We understand that preferences vary, which is why we provide multiple payment options. Visitors can still choose to pay at the pay station using coins or credit/debit cards. However, please note that bills are not accepted at the stations. You can find the pay stations conveniently located in the following parking lots: B-West, C-North, D, G, I-South, J, and the teardrop entrance of PAC. 

Did you know that departments have the option to reserve a parking lot or designated spaces for their events? Ensure a convenient parking experience for your visitors by taking advantage of this service. Simply reach out to us via email at parking@uis.edu or give us a call at (217) 206-8502, and we'll be happy to assist you.

New F&S Employees

F&S is delighted to welcome two new employees to the team!

• Matt Hanner joins our Grounds crew as an Athletic Turf Specialist.
• Jeremy Jennings joins our Building Maintenance crew as a Painter Foreman.

Please share a warm UIS welcome when you see Matt and Jeremy around campus.

July Employee of the Month!

It is with great joy that we announce Ardis Livingston as our esteemed Employee of the Month for July! Since joining the F&S team as an Electrician in January 2021, Ardis has consistently displayed an exceptional level of commitment, professionalism, expertise, and unwavering positivity. His contributions have not only made a significant impact within our department but have also resonated throughout the entire campus community.

Well done and well deserved, Ardis!