How to Improve Recognition of Facilities’ Contributions to Institutional Goals

Because so many Facilities activities are invisible to customers—work happening behind the walls, underground, on the roof—customers do not always see the connection between Facilities and institutional goals. While not always apparent to all customers and senior leaders, the work performed by Facilities staff is critical to higher education institutions.

Across the industry, Facilities units have seen their budgets suffer as a result of this disconnect. Historically, many senior facilities officers subscribed to the philosophy that “our work should be visible, but our staff should not.” Instead, Facilities units must actively demonstrate the positive impact of their work to the whole campus.