March 11, 2022 Building Community: Campus Facilities Update for March 2022 Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, Welcome back. Baruch’s Office of Campus Facilities and Operations hopes that your spring semester has begun well. Noteworthy Projects and Facilities Updates Currently, our office is managing 25 capital projects in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Some noteworthy updates include: Elevator Modernization: Information and Technology Building (ITB): This project, which addresses and accommodates increased traffic flow, includes new code-compliant elevator controls as well as additional openings and stops. The project kicked off in mid-February with elevator #9, an American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant elevator located directly across from the Public Safety Office. During this work, elevator #9—which provides transportation from the first to second floor—will be out of service for approximately two months. Public Safety is available 24/7 to assist anyone requiring ADA accommodations to the second floor. Throughout the construction process, expected to be completed in Spring 2023, Campus Facilities and Operations will keep ITB occupants apprised of elevator work and closures. Roof Replacement: Information and Technology Building: The lower roof replacement was completed in Spring 2021; the upper roof replacement is expected to begin Spring 2022 and be completed in Fall 2022. This project will cure all current roof leaks. Chiller Replacement and Associated Piping Project: Information and Technology Building and Newman Vertical Campus (NVC) This project addresses the replacement of end-of-life mechanical equipment that provides heating and cooling to both the ITB and the NVC. As we’re under construction with the cooling portion of the system down, we’ve experienced some uncomfortable temperatures throughout the ITB. Our facilities staff have been using multiple means, such as opening windows and doors, to balance the temperature as well as manipulate the current systems available. Moving staff temporarily remains an option to those affected by the uncomfortable temperatures. We expect to provide a temporary cooling solution in the next week. A major part of the building’s new cooling system was delivered last month. The installation of this final piece of the mechanical system and associated piping will allow proper and regulated cooling within the building. We expect this project to be fully completed by the end of March. Campus-wide Door Replacement: The majority of the work to replace the exterior doors of the ITB and NVC with new ADA-compliant doors has been completed. Significant progress has also been made with the construction of the new vestibule and new doors at the ITB on the Clivner=Field Plaza side. This project will be completed later this spring. Restroom Renovation Projects: Bathroom renovations on Floors 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the Administrative Building—the first phase of the restroom renovation in that building—have run into some project related delays. The first phase is now expected to be completed by the end of April 2022. Once phase 1 has been completed, the second phase of work will commence and address restrooms on Floors 1, 3, and 9 in the Administrative Building as well as restrooms on the first floor of the ITB and the third floor of the NVC. This phase is expected to be completed later this summer. The first floor Administrative Building restroom, the first floor ITB restrooms, and the third floor NVC restrooms will be ADA compliant and gender neutral. Note: Restroom renovations on Floors 8 and 10 of the Administrative Building were completed under a separate contract last year. Terrazzo Floor Replacement: Newman Vertical Campus: Portions of the existing flooring in the NVC have delaminated and are in need of repair. The replacement work will be divided into phases, with the first phase addressing circulation areas on the first floor and lower level. We expect a full project schedule shortly. As the work progresses from one area or phase to the next, information will be shared. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2022. Newman Hall Elevator: Unfortunately, the Newman Hall elevator continues to be out of service. And though the College has recently secured a new elevator service contractor to identify repairs and start the work as soon as possible, the scope of these repairs is quite large and the lead time to acquire the required parts is long. It is therefore anticipated that the repairs will be completed by late spring. While the goal is to minimize disruptions for everyone, ADA access for the building will be for the first floor only. Please take these access limitations into consideration when scheduling events and classes within the building during this time. Sidewalk Scaffolding: South Campus: Local Law 11 work has been completed, and scaffolding has been removed along 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue, opening up a view of the new Field Building at 17 Lex façade. Sidewalk scaffolding along the Administrative Building will remain as work on the building’s east and south façades is completed. This project is expected to be finished later this spring. Resources from Campus Facilities and Operations Campus Facilities Work Request Management System: The Campus Facilities Work Request System has been upgraded and is now a web-based system. Each department and office has an appointed Primary Contact and a Backup Contact, both of whom have received training and are responsible for submitting, monitoring, and following up on work requests for their respective departments/offices. Note: Urgent requests during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am–5 pm) should continue to be called in to the Buildings and Grounds office at 646-660-6630, and urgent requests during off-hours can be called in to the Public Safety office at 646-660-6000. Questions should be addressed to Frank Antonucci, Archibus Systems Administrator, at [log in to unmask]. Campus-Wide Materials/Recycling: The campus-wide efforts to discard materials/ paper items continues. Document shredding, which requires a separate procedure, is also ongoing. (Computer and media-related equipment is not included in this effort.) Please refer to the previous memo about these services for procedures and contacts. Safe Campus Management Updates Campus Facilities and Operations continues to collaborate with offices throughout the College and University to prioritize the health and safety of the Baruch community, including the effort highlighted below. UV Filters at the Field Building at 17 Lex: To assist with ventilation in classrooms, open office spaces, and hallways in 17 Lex, the College has been employing UV filters. These devices, which come in two sizes (depending on the room size), act as disinfectant devices for particles in the air. A bright blue light coming from the front of the unit indicates it is on. It should be noted that UVC filters are not dangerous to human health and are tamper-proof to ensure they will not operate if opened. We remind our colleagues that all filters should not be moved from the location that they are deployed in and should be on when the space is occupied. If you need assistance, please call Buildings and Grounds at 646-660-6630. Momentum and Thanks Please bookmark and check Baruch Forward for all safe campus guidelines and communications. Stay tuned for more exciting Campus Facilities and Operations updates in the months to come! Thank you for your interest, continued patience, and cooperation. Sincerely, Larry Manganello, MBA, CFM Assistant Vice President, Campus Facilities and Operations |