Seminar Brings Together Managers from Across Campus

Seminar attendees visited the Mall of America aquarium in Bloomington, Minn.

For the second year in a row, ACUI and APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities coproduced the Essentials of Facilities Management Training Seminar. More than 40 delegates from 22 states and Canada met in June at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

Attendees included a mix of entry-, mid-, and senior-level professionals with expertise ranging from student union management to university-wide facilities management. Evaluation respondents indicated the curriculum was appropriate for facility managers and student union center staff, and most referenced their appreciation of the opportunity to network across positions. Of respondents, 96% would recommend the program to others and 83% said they would attend the program again.

When asked which part of the seminar was their most favorite, one delegate said: “There was a value of information given by other facility managers. (Also) the close friendship that you built with other colleges.”

The program included a mix of keynote addresses and breakout sessions. Attendees most appreciated workshops such as a training course in Incident Command Systems and emergency action planning. Key takeaways respondents indicated were how to read blueprints, coordinate delivery and setup of new furniture, and assess water damage. Other topics included fiscal management, capital planning, sustainability, project management, custodial operations, and maintenance. Back-of-the-house tours also enabled participants to see the University of Minnesota’s union, TCF Bank Football Stadium, the university library, and the Mall of America aquarium at the largest mall in the United States.

This seminar was introduced in 2015 to support those new to facilities management and extend topical knowledge beyond renovation and construction. ACUI and APPA have been in discussions about the 2017 Essentials of Facilities Management Training Seminar and how to best ensure education on this important core competency remains an active and integral part of the programs offered.

To join the conversation about next year’s program, please contact us at acui@acui.org.

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