Physical Facilities
2020 was a very unusual and trying time for IU Kokomo Facilities. Upon the announcement that IU was going to shut down in the spring semester our schedules and work priorities changed dramatically.
During the balance of the spring semester after the shutdown, we moved to a smaller crew of employees on campus at one time working, we concentrated on:
Cleaning and disinfecting every surface of the campus.
Changing filtering systems in all air handlers, heating and cooling systems and water systems.
Protecting the buildings and the people using them.
Cleaning touch surfaces multiple times a day.
Facilities was called back to full operations on July, 1. At this time we cleaned every square inch of campus. Public spaces, classrooms, offices, windows, blinds. We stripped and waxed many floors on campus. We also put shelving in all classrooms for paper towels and disinfectant.
We worked with Bloomington on supply ordering, signage packages and layouts for physical distancing.
We removed furniture from all areas of the campus or marked it for seating in the new 6’ spacing requirements.
Our folks set up many new spaces and classrooms acquired from the Purdue Technology move off campus.
We set up all the large spaces typically not used as classroom space for large classroom face to face learning. IE: The new Events Center, KC 130, Havens Auditorium, Etc.
We set up Mitigation Testing Sites and Flu Vaccination sites on campus in coordination with Nursing and EHS.
All of this was completed while doing the daily maintaining of the campus building, grounds and project management.
Projects completed during this time were:
Student Activities and Events Center
Main Building Roof Phase 1 and 2.
Chancellor’s Office Suite Carpet Replacement
Stripping VWC and painting of KC 130
East Building Rest Room renovation 3 floors 6 restrooms
Gallery Air Handling Unit
Fine Arts Window replacement
We have prepared in January of 2021 for the return of students, faculty and more staff. Most of the physical distancing, signage and cleaning has been repeated or replaced to create the safest possible campus for them to return to. We will go back to the protocols introduced for fall semester of cleaning public spaces, classrooms and disinfecting used spaces.