Jan. 28, 2019
Sitzabee's Soundbite
Hello,

It's already been a pretty exciting 2019 and I'm looking forward to all OPP is going to accomplish over the coming weeks and months.

Earlier this month, e-Builder officially launched. While there is always a learning curve with new systems, it will be exciting to see the benefits over the coming months. As we head into Phase 2, I'd like to send a big thank you to all who have helped make the launch a success and all of those who continue to work hard on Phase 2 in addition to all of your regular responsibilities.

Over the next few editions we'll be exploring OPP's new goals, one by one. Please check out the short section below covering our first goal that focuses on creating a unified and high-performing team. This is a goal everyone can get involved in and support, and I know the Senior Leadership Team is excited about all the opportunities we can pursue to make a positive impact.

This week we kicked off the inaugural session of the new ROAR Into Supervision program, which is a joint effort by OPP and A&BS to provide supervisory and leadership training to supervisors and managers in both organizations. The program is tailored to meet the unique needs of supervisors and leaders in OPP and A&BS. I look forward to seeing how this program grows in coming sessions.

As a reminder, winter is far from over. Thank you to all of those who helped dig us out and clean up the ice following last week's storm. Your dedication to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors does not go unnoticed.

Best,
Bill
Provide Excellent Facilities Services for Penn State
OPP Mission
Integrity | Respect | Responsibility | Discovery |
Excellence | Community
OPP Values
Welcomes
Jeffrey Glass accepted a position as a facilities supervisor. His first day was Jan. 14.
Hometown: East Freedom
Hobbies: Spending time with family, hunting, fishing, attending sporting events with son and traveling with his son's baseball team
Jacob Bayus accepted a position as an operations engineer. His first day was Jan. 7.
Hometown: State College
Hobbies: Mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, trail running, reading

Nathaniel Potter accepted a position as a tree worker, ground support. His first day was Jan. 14.

Dylan Husted accepted a position as a boiler operator. His first day was Jan. 14.

Ben Rivera accepted a position as a custodial worker. His first day was Jan. 21.
Hometown: Lemont
Hobbies: Motorcycles, fire fighting, traveling

Mariah Kruzinger accepted a position as an administrative support assistant. Her first day was Jan. 28.
Farewells
John Johnson , maintenance worker utility, announces his departure. His last day was Jan. 4.
David Jacobs , maintenance worker utility, announced his departure. His last day was Jan. 21.
Sean Walker , project manager, announced his departure. His last day was Jan. 11.
Jonathan Reich , maintenance worker utility, announced his departure. His last day was Jan. 14.
Nancy Roseberry , custodial worker, announced her departure. Her last day was Jan. 23.
Robert Thomas , elevator technician, announced his departure. His last day was Jan. 18.
Cameron Royer , electrician, announced his departure. His last day is Feb. 3.
Jim Alles , direct digital control specialist, announced his retirement. His last day was Jan. 25.
Todd Dobson , roofer-carpenter, announced his retirement. His last day was Jan. 28.
Lloyd Loose , lead maintenance mechanic, Steam Plant. His last day was Jan. 19
Ben Leskovansky , facilities specialist, announced his departure. His last day is Feb. 1.
Cheers
Customer of the Month
Penn State was named e-Builder's January Customer of the Month thanks to OPP's proactive and innovative approach to implementation.

"e-Builder's January Customer of the Month is Penn State University! This innovative team has taken a proactive approach towards the implementation of e-Builder for all future design and construction projects in their robust capital program.

"The process began with the development of governance and team structure, under the guidance of their external consultant Kristie Fallon Associates, to ensure a successful implementation. Working teams, referred to as “PRIDEs”, were developed to configure and refine 22 specific design and construction processes to meet Penn State’s needs. The teams consisted of numerous Penn State employees, as well as external service providers, including Architects, Engineers, Contractors, and Construction Managers."

Check out e-Builder's newsletter to read the complete article.
An In-Depth Look at OPP Goals
For the next few editions, we're going to delve a little deeper into each of the new OPP Goals. Previously, we have covered the new mission statement and our values, both of which can be viewed above. As a reminder, all OPP Goals can be found on the website.

Goal #1: Foster a unified high-performing team with mutual respect for each person's uniqueness, talents, value, and perspective.

We do this through:
  • Employee Engagement
  • Rewards & Recognition
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Professional Development
  • Succession Planning
  • Mentoring & Engagement at All Levels of the Organization

We are excited about all the ways we can tackle this goal moving forward. Some of the things we are looking at doing include:
  • Additional employee engagement activities and solicitation of feedback from employees
  • A revamping of our rewards and recognition programs
  • Continued programming to support Diversity and Inclusion
  • Continuing to improve access to and types of professional development opportunities for employees at all levels
  • Creating plans to help employees gain valuable experience to help them progress throughout their career, wherever it may take them
  • Creating greater and more fulfilling opportunities for employees to be both mentors and mentees, within units and outside of them

These are just some of the initial ideas we plan to pursue as an organization. We're excited about the opportunities to grow, connect, and get to know one another
Diversity & Inclusion Events and Activities
MLK Week Student Poster Designs - Sidewater Commons, Pattee Library
Twenty posters accompanied by each student's artist statement are on display in the annual University Libraries exhibit. Student created designs based on the 2019 MLK Week theme, "Where Do We Go From Here: A Tradition of Resistance," during the Fall 2018 graphic design course GD 400: Time and Sequence.

When: Jan. 10 - Feb. 27

Penn State Veterans Outreach Fair
What: Legal assistance and health screenings
When: March 30, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Lewis Katz Building

This event is a collaboration between the law school and the College of Nursing. Veterans are encouraged to register online at https://pennstatelaw.psu.edu/events/penn-state-veterans-outreach-fair . Phone registrations can be made by calling 814-865-4290.

Light refreshments will be available to veteran participants and family members.
e-Builder Update
Implementation of the first phase of e-Builder, the new standardized OPP Project Management Information System (PMIS), is now live as of Jan. 7, 2019 for all new construction projects. This first phase of e-Builder will provide overall better project control and increased collaboration. The future second phase will focus on cost management, as well as contract administration, and will replace the existing Tririga system.
 
A total of 30 projects were piloted in the system in December 2018. Following Go Live on Jan. 7, an additional 47 new projects have been added.
 
Just-in-Time Training is available every Tuesday and Thursday on a continual basis and should be scheduled through the LRN.
 
Stay tuned to News & Views in the coming months for short snippets detailing specific e-Builder processes to help everyone become more familiar with how the system works, its benefits, and more.
 
For more detailed information regarding training, scope, and overall status; please visit the OPP PMIS webpage https://opp.psu.edu/intranet/e-builder-pmis.
 
For questions regarding the e-Builder system, you can submit an e-Builder support request (EBSR) from within e-Builder or email Nevienne Manning at ngh107@psu.edu .
Remembering Ed Gannon With a Few Fundraisers

The family of the late Ed Gannon, (insert former title here), has established the Edward J. Gannon Memorial Award in his name at Bellefonte Area High School for a graduating lacrosse player. Ed loved the sport and coached boys' lacrosse for years in the Bellefonte Area.

There will be two fundraisers you can participate in to help preserve Ed's legacy. You can visit the award's GoFundMe page to donate and learn more about the endowment. You can also enter a Super Bowl pool for $20/square. Winners will be determined by the last last digits of the core at the end of each quarter.

For additional information on the two fundraisers, check out this pdf.
cat_in_box.jpg
OPPortunity to Give: State College Pet Pantry

The OPP Events Committee and Sherry Pinamonti of OPP's Work Reception Center will sponsor a pet food collection for State College Pet Pantry. For the month of February, there will be collection boxes places in the front lobby and near the east dock doors at OPP.

Requested donations include any brand of wet or dry cat and dog food, which the Pet Pantry will give to financially troubled families with pets. You can also donate via the Pet Pantry's Amazon registry and items can be shipped directly to the pantry.

Consider donating next month and showing families and pets in need a little paws-itivity!
Carpool
Huntingdon-Area CATA Vanpool
There are immediate opening for new members of the Huntingdon-area CATACOMMUTE Vanpool. Save money and enjoy a relaxing ride to and from work every day. Avoid excess miles on your vehicle, while saving on tires, maintenance, oil changes, and has.

Reduced fair now available! Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. For more information, please call 814-935-3444 or email dlp18@psu.edu.
Vacation Donation
The Penn State Human Resources Absence Management team is accepting vacation time donations for Kendra Wagner, administrative support assistant with EHS. If you are interested in donating vacation time to Kendra, email absence@psu.edu and your supervisor by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

  1. An email is required to be sent to absence@psu.edu and supervisor for employees interested in donating vacation time. Donations will not be accepted any other way.
  2. You may donate either 8 or 16 hours of accumulated vacation.
  3. Donations may be made only from OPP employees.
  4. All employee's donations will remain anonymous.
  5. The employee donating vacation time must deduct the donated vacation time from his/her balance.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Our thoughts are with Kendra during her leave.
OPP Communication During Campus Closures
We still have a lot of winter ahead of us! While closures do not often happen, it is important to make sure you know where and how to get the latest information and alerts regarding delays, dismissals and closures.

The primary sources of notification for campus closures are PSUAlerts and WPSU. PSUAlert is a University-wide emergency messaging system used to notify the campus community of emergency situations. All Penn State employees are encouraged to add contact information to PSUAlert.

To add personal contact information to PSUAlert, including cellphone and land line information visit https://psualert.psu.edu/psualert. You will also receive notification via email, but it is recommended that you add at least one phone number to the PSUAlert system.The information shared via PSUAlert is also shared on social media, including Twitter (@PSUAlertUP) and Facebook.

In addition, OPP employees can also call the OPP Snow Information Line at 814-865-3652. The line will be updated with the latest information on the campus closure and when non-essential employees should report to work.
Photos of the Month
On Jan. 10 and 11, we celebrated the retirement of Steve Maruszewski. We are sad to see him go, but are excited for him and his wife, Donna, as they embark on new adventures in Texas and get to spend more time with their family.
Check out more photos from Steve Maruszewski's retirement reception on OPP's Flickr page.
Erik Cagle captured this photo on Saturday, Jan. 19, in the early hours of the snow and ice storm that hit our area. A big thank you to all those who helped and continue to work to clean up campus.
David Gray, senior vice president for Finance & Business, stopped by for a tour of Garage Services on Monday, Jan. 21. Check out more photos on Flickr.