A Special Report from the Office of MIT President Charles M. Vest • June 1998

Physical Plant innovations

Grounds Services

The redesign has resulted in the formation of an Athletic/Grounds zone and identification of four additional Grounds zones to be rolled out soon.

The Athletic/Grounds zone has combined Athletic Utility and Grounds staff working under new job classifications and job descriptions to service both interior and exterior spaces within the Athletics complex.

Staffing levels have been reduced through retirement by one administrative staff and five hourly employees. This will result in savings totaling $289,000 per year.

Athletic/Grounds Zone Pilot

The Athletic zone has just completed a pilot phase (January 19-March 31, 1998) with the following results:

• The use of electronic mail improved communications and response time with customers
• Measurements were established and tracked in the categories of quality, cost, communications, timeliness, and safety
• There were no industrial accidents or other safety concerns
• Stronger and more effective relationships were built among the Athletic, Custodial, and Repair & Maintenance zone teams, resulting in higher levels of overall service to the Athletic facilities

Benefits to employees include enhanced computer skills, the ability to work in self-directed teams, clearly defined goals, and more responsibility and control over the work.

Employees are using new, state-of-the-art landscape and surface maintenance equipment, resulting in higher-quality service.