VCEA faculty and staff are invited to stop by the Elson Floyd Cultural Center between 11 am and 2 pm to learn about the new strategic initiatives Voiland College faculty and staff are implementing this year to improve student retention, employee wellness, and research collaboration. You’ll also get an exclusive sneak peek at the new design of Schweitzer Engineering Hall. Check it out here.
This month an Avista power vault has been placed on the west side of Spokane Street along with other campus infrastructure improvements. On site excavation of footings and placing gang form wall panels for concrete retaining wall around the foundation. Read the WSU SEH Bulletin – August 2024.
This month construction teams will begin placing concrete for the exterior footings and foundation walls. This is a critical step in setting the foundation for the entire structure. Read the WSU SEH Bulletin – July 2024.
Construction continues with a primary focus on excavation for Schweitzer Engineering Hall. Read the WSU SEH Bulletin – June 2024.
Stay up to date and watch the construction of Schweitzer Engineering Hall with the live camera feed and time lapse here.
Some very cold temperatures and inclement weather are forecast for later this week and through the weekend.
If you have facility questions or concerns please reach out anytime.
Thank you and wishing you a safe winter season.
As we move through Fall into Winter we’ll experience seasonal weather changes such as freezing temperatures, wind warnings, and for some areas the possibility of snow flurries. WSU also implements a period of reduced operations in late December / early January, when normal campus and building services are reduced or closed. The following information is provided as a quick guide on the preparations you might want to make in anticipation of these events.
Building Temperatures
Facilities Services in Pullman plans to continue the slight building
temperature setbacks initially implemented during the pandemic. The targeted setpoints will keep most spaces between 65F–68F. Those spaces identified in previous years that require setpoints higher than this range (e.g., certain labs, health care spaces) will not be affected and will remain at their adjusted setpoints. The goal of these temperature adjustments is to help offset higher energy costs and lessen the impact on the central utility budget. These slight adjustments to the setpoints jave provided nearly $1 million in annual savings in utility costs. You may not need supplemental heat for your area, but if you do please follow the buying and use
guidelines for space heaters.
Slick Area
If an area is slick with ice or snow, please contact WSU Facilities Operations at 509-335-9000. The largest cause of injury at WSU is from slips, trips and falls. With winter weather comes ice and snow. Please be extra cautious when navigating metal areas such as grates, street crossings and curbs, and high traffic areas with compact snow or ice. If you find an area that is a hazard please call it in or notify Dar Neunherz at drussell@wsu.edu.
Weather Impacts
High winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow events tend to cause power outages and can close highways. We are also still seeing supply chain disruptions that can be exacerbated by winter weather and storms. Please prepare your vehicles, homes, and work areas to keep you safe while traveling, sheltering in place, or during periods of limited supply.
Laboratories Please Be Prepared In Event of Power Loss, Service Interruption, or Supply Chain Shortage
Power Failure: A power failure is one of the most likely emergency situations at WSU and depending on what you are operating can create a high-risk situation quickly. Please exercise caution in your emergency preparation planning around a power failure. Note: VCEA has no buildings with backup power. When the power goes out power outlets do not work, hoods do not work, the air systems shut down, and elevators halt. (For PACCAR occupants’ toilets will also not flush – the building’s water reclamation system provides the toilets with water, but does not operate in a power outage.) The only systems that consistently work in a power failure are emergency lights, fire alarms, and emergency fire sprinklers. WSU does have generators but they are only used for an extended power loss, and only certain areas of campus may be brought online with the generators.
Water Outage: While it is not typical, there are occasions that a building’s water will go down. This might affect equipment or areas that are water cooled or systems that are on the DI water.
Procurement Delay: Many supply and distribution chains are experiencing delays, interruption, or back-orders. If you have supplies that are critical to operating your lab please plan appropriately.
Period of Reduced Operations & Building Access
WSU campus buildings and services will close or be available in a limited manner starting December 25th 2023 through January 1st 2024. Normal business operations resume on January 2, 2024. During this period most campus buildings will be closed and building temperatures will be reduced (exception being laboratory spaces – temperatures will be held at normal levels). If you will need access into VCEA buildings during this period they will be locked. Please verify with your School or Department administrator that you have building access via Cougar Card or key.
Emergency Contacts
In event of a life threatening emergency call 911.
In event of a security, personal, or property safety concern, or if you’ve been locked out of a building accidentally, please contact the WSU Public Safety Office (WSU Campus Police) at 509-335-1380.
In event of a facility issue (such as a water leak or utility outage) please call Facilities Services at 509-335-9000.
In event of a laboratory safety issue please contact Environmental Health & Safety at 509-335-3041, or as appropriate the Office of Radiation Safety at 509-335-8916.
For any concern please feel free to contact the VCEA Director of Facilities Operations and Safety Services directly at 509-335-3783 or 509-432-1649.
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