Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

F&S to be reviewed

The UI Facilities and Services Division has been added to the Stewarding Excellence @ Illinois review list and its director says he’s ready for the scrutiny.

“Since we have spent the past three years looking at ways to improve our processes and cut our costs, we have a lot to share with campus,” said Jack Dempsey, F&S executive director, in a February message to employees.

“The timing is right because we have undergone reorganization to improve our efficiency and effectiveness and are currently working with customer groups to improve processes and working relationships,” he said.

The charge letter to the new committee, led by James Coleman, the head of the electrical and computer engineering department, asks members to answer questions about the department’s funding levels, effectiveness and efficiency, new strategies, and whether the current $41 million budget is sufficient.

“As we enter a period of declining General Revenue Fund appropriations, how can this organization’s budget be reduced in ways that protect its ability to serve the campus community?” asks the final question submitted by interim vice president and chancellor Bob Easter and Richard Wheeler, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost.

However, the administrators said that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be cuts to F&S.

“It is critical to emphasize that this review is a complete and open process that does not begin with a predetermined aim of withdrawing or reducing resources or concluding activities,” the administrators said.

In fact, they mentioned prior F&S studies prepared by an outside consultant that showed “the Urbana campus is below average, compared to our peer institutions, in the amount of money we invest in maintenance,” and that deferred maintenance at the UI is backlogged by more than $500 million.

Dempsey said he understands the importance of the Stewarding process and his department will assist the committee in its work.

“It is now our turn,” he said. “As the review process completes its step-by-step assignment, F&S will continue to focus on customer service and satisfaction. We will do what is expected of us and do it well.”

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010