This year marks the third year of reengineering in Physical Plant. Progress continues toward securing the department vision of a commitment to delivering excellent customer services in facilities, communications, timeliness, quality, cost, and safety. To ensure continued progress, the year's efforts included communications planning, customer service training, leadership redesign, learning and performance initiatives, information technology upgrades, and best practices research.
OPERATIONAL UNITS
Building Services has completely transitioned into a team-based operation and team members are more comfortable with the team approach. A custodial performance report for each of the 26 custodial teams was developed and implemented. The report is used by teams to track their monthly progress. Computer training for custodians is continuing.
Over the past year, Grounds Services has completed the redesign portion of its reengineering effort. The pilot, planning, and implementation segment is scheduled to begin early next year. Over the next year, the department's goal is to complete the planning, implementation, and roll out process.
Mail Services now offers more services to the community and the standards for delivery are higher than before reengineering. All Distributed Mail Centers (DMC's) are on-line, thereby completing the redesign of delivery of mail. At present, all US Mail is delivered within eight hours of receipt. The department has incrementally taken on the task of handling outbound mail for the departments, labs, and centers, processing approximately 50 to 70 percent of all outbound mail. This year $31,000 has been saved in domestic postage and $145,000 in international postage on daily mail from offices.
All Repair and Maintenance local zone and central teams have been rolled out. Fine tuning these teams is currently underway with the goals of better customer service, faster response time, timely repairs, silent work, lower costs, and better maintained spaces and systems. The Repair and Maintenance Team is beginning to move some previously subcontracted work in-house.
ENGINEERING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Chilled water capacity was expanded at the Central Utilities Plant (CUP) as a new 5,000 ton steam turbine driven chiller commenced operation this year. The chiller uses waste heat steam from the cogeneration process to drive the turbine. An additional cooling tower is also nearing completion. The chilled water distribution system was extended to provide air conditioning to Senior House. Additions and replacements were made to improve reliability of the electric system including installation of a 2400 volt switchgear tie in the CUP and 13.8 kV oil switch and 480 volt main breaker replacements at various points in our distribution system. The Institute continues to appeal the DPU order to pay exit fees for leaving the local utility system upon the opening of the cogeneration plant. A decision is pending on this from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
The US Environmental Protection Agency named Physical Plant as "Parnter of the Year" for the Plant's dedication in the promotion of energy efficient lighting through superior lighting upgrades and educational and promotional efforts.
The staff in the Design and Construction section managed a total of 171 new projects, including 79 space change projects, 8 new construction/major renovation projects, and 84 interior design projects. In addition, there were many other projects such as feasibility studies, graphics projects, landscape design projects, ADA renovations, and sprinkler projects.
This year more design awards were won than any other year in recent memory. Three Boston Society of Architects Honor Awards for design excellence were awarded as a result of projects in the School of Architecture, the Tang Center, and the Cogeneration Plant. In addition, the Associated General Contractors and the Boston Society of Architects jointly awarded an Owner Excellence Award to the MIT Senior House team.
Some highlights of new construction or major renovation projects included:
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Management Information Systems (MIS) team continues to support the Physical Plant reengineering efforts by participating in the design and roll out of the new processes. The team implemented and provided training for Maximo, a new I/T system to track work within the reengineered Repair & Maintenance process. Planning for and implementation of the transition to SAP is well underway.
In addition, several enhanced PC and Macintosh programs have been developed for use by Plant employees. The development and maintenance of CAD facility drawings of campus-wide and internal building systems also continues.
The MIS team has continued to deploy desktop computers for use by all members of the organization. There are now almost 300 desktop computers in the Plant for use by administrative, support, and hourly staff. This small group continued to work diligently and effectively to sustain the momentum of developing a computer literate department.
RECYCLING AND REGULATORY MEASURES
Recycling continues to expand throughout campus. Presently the recycling rate is approximately 11 percent. The Institute is continuing to abide by the ever changing regulatory requirements of the local, state, and federal government agencies.
More information about this department can be found on the World Wide Web at the following URL: http://web.mit.edu/plant/www/index.html
Victoria V. Sirianni
MIT Reports to the President 1996-97