Operations Makes MIT Clean, Powered, and Functioning

Operations, the largest Facilities group, manages the daily business of cleaning, heating, cooling, powering, and repairing MIT as well as managing its waste and caring for its landscape. Together, the Operations staff aims to keep the campus sparkling, energy efficient, functioning effectively, and environmentally friendly. Customer service, innovative solutions, and sustainable buildings and grounds are group goals.

These Operations units meet MIT’s daily needs:

Custodial Services, led by Christopher Gile, works in local teams to keep MIT offices, classrooms, labs, and public areas clean.

Grounds Services, managed by Norman Magnuson, maintains most of MIT’s outdoor areas from shoveling snow to garden management. The group also provides moving services.

Recycling, part of Grounds Services, leads MIT’s effort to minimize the impact of waste on the environment.

Mail Services, managed by Marty O'Brien, handles over 10 million pieces of outgoing and incoming mail combined per year, ships around the globe, and offers services including bulk mailings, campus couriers, wrapping, and packaging supplies.

The Operations Center functions 24/7, 365 days a year. The staff monitors the Institute’s life safety and mechanical systems and alerts our response teams when emergencies arise.

Repair & Maintenance keeps building and mechanical systems running reliably and efficiently and offers construction services on small projects and renovations. Bernie Richard manages the Repair & Maintenance area.

A Safety Committee comprised of administrative and service staff assesses safety conditions on campus in part by using a form to report safety concerns. The Committee meets monthly during the academic year to review safety issues and to discuss other pertinent topics. Members of the committee are from Facilities, the Housing Office, Athletics, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).