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Section V: Financial and Physical Resources
SACS Comprehensive Standard

V-6.  The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution's educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Yes, East Tennessee State University is able to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance.

STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

East Tennessee State University defines adequacy of its physical facilities as the ability to serve the needs of the educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities of the institution (ETSU Mission).  Policies for maintenance, upgrade, and expansion of physical facilities are initiated and implemented to address priorities generated by students, faculty, staff, administrators, and various technical experts.  One source of external review of our facilities is that all 54 ETSU programs subject to accreditation have received reaccreditation (ETSU Accreditation).  These accreditation reviews haveconfirmed our assessment of adequacy, because the acceptability of operations and maintenance for each educational program wasa component of each evaluation.

East Tennessee State University is dedicated to continuous improvement in the operation and maintenance of facilities.  Periodic meetings with the ETSU Staff Senate, Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, and other groups are used to identify areas of concern and to keep physical facilities personnel apprised of the changing needs of our students, faculty, and staff.  In 1999-2000, the ETSU Work Group on Campus Policies and Procedures for Instructional Equipment and Classroom Environment completed an evaluation on the numbers and conditions of classroom facilities across campus.  Although problems in a few classrooms were identified, the overall evaluation was that campus classrooms were in good condition.  Discussions with housing residents and resident advisors are conducted to establish priorities for improvements to our resident facilities.  Some improvements in procedures that have been completed or are in process include the establishment of a computerized work-order system with e-mail capability; the development of a zone maintenance program to improve customer service and maintain staff efficiency;completion of an energy management system upgrade to improve space comfort; and improvement of safety/skill-based training for various maintenance personnel.

East Tennessee State University utilizes a variety of processes to ensure the physical facility operation and maintenance is adequate to serve the institution's educational programs, support services and mission-related activities.  An annual ETSU Physical Plant Maintenance Plan provides a framework for completion of preventive maintenance activities to ensure quality facilities.  Service contracts for preventive maintenance are utilized to meet a number of the requirements both on the main campus and at the satellite medical clinics and campuses (ETSU Physical Plant, Auxiliary Maintenance Contracts).  Planned maintenance schedules are designed to ensure minimal interruption of any activities taking place at the university (Spring 2000 Preliminary Survey Results).

Physical Facilities

East Tennessee State University operates and maintains facilities at multiple locations and campuses throughout Northeast Tennessee.  The main campus is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and consists of 64 academic, administrative, and residential buildings on 204 acres, with an additional 148 acres of outlying undeveloped land (Campus Master Plan Update, April 1999).  Additional satellite campus facilities are located in Bristol, Kingsport, Greeneville, and the Nave Center in Elizabethton.  The James H. Quillen College of Medicine (COM) occupies a portion of the Johnson City Mountain Home Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital facility through a long-term agreement (ETSU and Veterans Administration Enhanced Use Lease), which includes 10 buildings and 31 acres.  In addition, the COM maintains a Clinical Education Building in Johnson City and family practice centers in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Erwin, Rogersville, and Chattanooga. 

Residential Facilities

Campus housing at ETSU includes residence halls, family apartments, and a large apartment complex (Buccaneer Ridge) of two- and four-bedroom units.  All units receive 24-hour maintenance coverage, and all are inspected and renovated, as required, on an annual basis.  Periodic meetings with students in the various residence halls provide suggestions for establishing facility improvement priorities.  Handicap accessible units are available in residence halls and apartment complexes.  The ETSU Department of Housing and Residence Life and Physical Plant has placed increased emphasize on the physical maintenance of all residence facilities through a cooperative relationship.

During 1999 and 2001, the ETSU Department of Housing & Residence Life participated in a satisfaction survey study sponsored by the Association of College and University Housing Officers–International (ACUHO-I) and Education Benchmarking, Inc. (EBI).  The earlier study (1999) surveyed the total population of on-campus residents.   In 2001, a separate study was conducted for residence halls and the Buccaneer Ridge/Village Apartments.  The latest results (2001) for residence halls showed that the majority of students were satisfied with cleanliness of the building (83%), cleanliness of bathrooms (76%) facilities, attitude of cleaning staff (85%), timeliness of repairs (69%), laundry facilities (71%), and study facilities (69%). These results showed increases in satisfaction (1 to 10%) from the responses in the 1999 study.  The apartment survey results (2001) showed that the majority of students (over 75%) were satisfied with pest control (84%), grounds maintenance (80%), apartment appliances (78%), furniture (72%), carpeting (56%), bathrooms (74%), kitchens (73%), and promptness of response to maintenance requests (75%).  The general study indicated that ETSU compares very favorably with other institutions represented (ETSU Office of Housing & Residence Life, Resident Satisfaction Studies).

Recreation Facilities

Student activity areas are a primary facility focus at ETSU.  Brooks Gym provides a pool, basketball court, weight room and exercise areas.  Memorial Center has an indoor track, basketball, tennis, and racquetball facilities.  An outdoor track, tennis courts and intramural athletic fields are available for various organized and open recreational activities.  Currently, a 100,000-square feet Center for Physical Activities is under construction.  The new facility will provide numerous additional recreational activities and a childcare area for facility users.

Food Service Facilities

Food service on the ETSU campus is varied to meet the requests of the students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  D.P. Culp University Center provides various full meal and "fast food" options, including the "Cave" that also offers recreational opportunities.  A food-service cart has recently been added near the new Sherrod Library to provide drinks and snacks to the large number of people passing through the area.  Most recently, a satellite snack bar facilityhas been built on the west side of campus to provide additional services.

Information Technology Facilities

A focus on technology is evident throughout ETSU.  A number of student computer labs have been added recently to meet the increased needs and access of students on the main campus, the COM campus, and the various extended campuses.  Six multimedia classrooms have been constructed (main campus and ETSU at Kingsport) to provide for technologically advanced and integrated learning environments.  The new Sherrod Library provides sophisticated electronic access to staff and patrons throughout the building, as well as remote access via the web. Computer labs and multimedia classrooms are included in the new COM Basic Sciences Building.  Funds for many of the technology-based upgrades are made available by student-generated technology access fees(Campus Technology Fee Advisory Committee; ETSU Technology Access Fee Plan).

Physical Plant Operation and Maintenance of Facilities 

The operation and maintenance of facilities are coordinated through the ETSU Physical Plant.  Physical facilities are evaluated by analyzing quantitative, qualitative, and functional attributes.  The number of classrooms, labs, offices, gyms, clinical sites, recreation areas, meeting rooms, campus housing and various other spaces are available in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the students, faculty, staff, and administration.  Space must also provide an environment conducive to learning, teaching, research, and other mission-related activities.  Therefore, the environment is continually evaluated with respect to temperature, cleanliness, safety, and general repair.  Additionally, classrooms, labs, research areas, and other specialized spaces provide current and appropriate technology to meet general expectations.  Resources are managedto ensure facilities are operated and maintained to provide quality space for the appropriate activity.

ETSU Campus Master Plan

The Campus Master Plan is maintained to provide direction for the future of ETSU's facilities (TBR Manual, Campus Facility Master Plans).  The master plan is revised periodically to reflect any changes in theuniversity's mission and strategic goals.  Recommendations on theallocation of funds by the TBR for renovations and new construction are related directly to the master plan of each campus (TBR Guide to Preparing Your Capital Budget).  In 2000, ETSU completed a campus study to develop parking and traffic flow planning (ETSU Traffic Study) andto complement our campus master plan.  The ETSU Physical Plant also is responsible for the continual evaluation, maintenance, and upgrades to the campus "bright light pathways" and emergency telephone system. 

Budget Control

The ETSU Physical Plant also is responsible for coordinating budget proposals for renovations, new construction, and major maintenance projects with the TBR facilities group (TBR Guide to Preparing Your Capital Budget).  These budget proposals are an annual, collaborative effort by faculty, staff, administrators, and other interested parties, are developed based on the Campus Master Plan Update, April 1999, and are prioritized to support the university's mission and strategic goals (TBR Capital Outlay Requests, 2000-2001; TBR Capital Maintenance Requests, 2000-2001; TBR Disclosed Projects, 2000-2001).  The annual ETSU Physical Plant Maintenance Plan provides a framework for completion of preventive maintenance activities and serves as the basis for budgeting financial resources for specific maintenance activities.

Routine and Non-routine Maintenance Procedures

The ETSU Physical Plant utilizes both university employees and contract services to maintain university facilities.  A computerized system is used to develop work orders, track maintenance functions, and facilitate e-mail communications with building coordinators (ETSU Physical Plant Work Order System Procedures).  Maintenance personnel complete priority reviews of work orders on both a daily and monthly basis.  Contractual services are used on the main campus,clinical sites, and satellite campuses for some maintenance requirements.  Building access and energy management activities are coordinated with schedules for classes and other university functions.  Current information on maintenance activities around campus and opportunity for customer comments are easily available (ETSU Physical Plant).

Emergency and non-routine maintenance and operation requirements are communicated either by calls to the physical plant or e-mails to the computerized work-order system.  Physical plant personnel are onsite 24 hours per day, seven days per week, including holidays, to address campus emergency calls.

Renovations and Capital Improvements

All renovation projects for improving the educational or research environment are planned and designed with the direct involvement of the users of the space.  Minor renovation projects, generally less than $100,000, are designed and constructed by the ETSU Physical Plant staff (ETSU Physical Plant Maintenance Plan).  Renovation projects in excess of $100,000 typically are designed by independent architectural/engineering firms and awarded on bid to outside contractors.

Regardless of size, renovation projects are prioritized to address the university's mission-related activities.  Priority for renovation projects is given to recommendations received during individual college accreditation visits.  Major renovation projects completed recently include the construction of six ETSU Multimedia Classrooms; the wiring of all buildings on the main campus and the COM VA campus for high speed internet access (ETSU Network Infrastructure Renovation); the development of numerous Computer Labs; and the upgrade of VA Building #2 (ETSU Proposal for Master of Science in Physical Therapy). 

The needs for major renovations and new construction at ETSU are evaluated by the TBR, which maintains an analysis of available space versus established standards to determine space deficiencies (ETSU Physical Facilities Inventory).  These standards are considered in the evaluation of proposals for renovations and new construction from all TBR colleges and universities on an annual basis.  When the State Building Commission approves capital improvements, an independent designfirm works with a committee of faculty, staff, students, and administrators to assist in the design process and ensure that the needs of the users are foremost in design considerations.  Recent construction projects at ETSU that utilized this process are the new Sherrod Library, the Center for Physical Activity, and the Childcare Facilityrenovation.

Disability Services

The ETSU Office of Disability Services works with the ETSU Physical Plant, Office of Housing and Residential Life, and Division of Student Affairs to establish priorities for upgrading facilities to improve accessibility [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities].  An engineering study of physical accessibility at ETSU, completed in 1994, is used as the basis for planning priorities (ADA at ETSU), but completion of these upgrades is dependent upon state funding.  Recent projects completed include installation of a lift at the Memorial Center, curb cuts throughout the campus, signage, power-assisted doors, accessible restrooms, and upgrades to fire alarms (ADA Facilities Compliance Plan Memo, 1999).  The number of handicap accessible residential units was significantly increased with the design and construction of the Buccaneer Ridge apartment complex in 1999, and more units were renovated in another residence hall (Davis Hall) in 2000.  Issues concerning accessibility are addressed during the design process of all renovation and new construction projects.

Childcare Facility

An ad-hoc committee on issues among women was formed to address their particular concerns across campus (Summary of the Ad-Hoc Women's Issues Committee and Task Assignments).  One facility issue raised by this committee involved the need for a childcare facility.  A building was purchased and is being renovated for the new ETSU Child Care Facility, which will be fully accredited, serve the childcare needs of students, faculty, and staff, and also will provide educational opportunities for ETSU programs (ETSU Child Study Center Business Plan).

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