News
NOTE: For news specific to our demand-side energy and water conservation efforts and the UTakeCharge initiative, visit the UTakeCharge site and blog.
2011
UT Supports City's Recycling Efforts
Daily Texan article mentions UT's contribution to recycling in Austin.
Trash to Treasure Raises Thousands through Recycling
Daily Texan article spotlights Campus Environmental Center's 7th annual event.
Longhorn Recycling Roundup Cleans Up Tailgaters' Trash
Daily Texan article explores second year of Roundup.
KNOW Interviews Brett Gustafson on Xeriscaping
KVR Student TV Spotlights PRC Solar Project
Story and video interview with Juan Nunez.
Solar Power System Installed at J. J. Pickle Research Campus
Austin American-Statesman, Daily Texan, and KVUE-TV cover system and celebration.
Locks & Keys Serves Entire Campus
Daily Texan article and video spotlight this Facilities Maintenance unit.
Honoring UT's Urban Forest
Journalism class Multimedia Newsroom pays homage to campus trees and their care.
The University's Urban Forest
KNOW tells about Tree Campus USA and Big Tree Registry recognition.
Working the Late Shift
Inside Our Campus gives a glimpse of night work in Custodial Services.
Work begins on PRC solar panels
Daily Texan describes project launch.
Community gardens launched
Daily Texan explores campus garden initiative.
2010
Keep the Forty Acres Beautiful
Our Campus tells how Landscape Services cultivates the campus' sustainable future. Blog article
America Recycles Day
Daily Texan describes events.
UT Improves Sustainability Grade
Daily Texan reports that Sustainable Endowments Institute gives university a B+. TexasExes Alcalde blog comments on the grade.
Custodial Services Training Program earns top (OS1) honors
Daily Texan mentions awards.
Trash to Treasure supports sustainability
Daily Texan spotlights this year's event.
"In Good Hands with Santos Rodriguez"
KNOW profiles senior landscape technician.
"Cutting Keys with the Lock Shop"
KNOW offers glimpse into Locks & Keys Shop.
Sustainable Mowing spotlighted
“Mowing: Sustainable Strategies” quotes Landscape Services Manager John Burns in the April edition of Maintenance Solutions magazine. Available online.
Surplus Property focus of feature story.
Arbor Day Foundation names the university a Tree Campus USA for second year.
UT recycling program expands with awareness
Transplanting saves trees
Fox 7 interviews UT Arborist Larry Maginnis
University aims for sustainability in building and renovating
2009
Arborist Sees Campus Differently
Our Campus highlights urban forester's perspective on trees
Newsletter spotlights iForty member
November issue inaugurates iForty’s monthly member spotlight with article on Charles DiTullio.
Turf magazine covers Landscape Services in depth
October 2009 south edition features challenges, achievements.
University shuts off fountains to preserve water
Daily Texan reports on fountain shut-off and other conservation efforts.
Austin American-Statesman slide show displays photos of the stilled East Mall fountain.
University Supports City Drought Plan
KVUE-TV reports on the effort.
University Not Bound by City Water Restrictions, But Cooperating
Austin American-Statesman tells what state agencies are doing to conserve.
26th annual Texas Tree Climbing Championship Held in Austin
Austin American-Statesman quotes Landscape Services Arborist Larry Maginnis, who served as a judge.
Professional Grounds Management Society Interviews Landscape Services Manager
PGMS Forum profiles member John Burns
Journal of Society of Municipal Arborists spotlights UT Tree Campus USA event
City Trees article includes event photo and quote from Landscape Services Arborist Larry Maginnis.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory gains media attention
Read Daily Texan article and meeting coverage and Austin American-Statesman news item.
UT's trees receive top-notch care.
Daily Texan article spotlights Landscape Services Arborist Larry Maginnis.
2008
In one of the largest tree pruning events ever to occur on campus. . .
. . . more than 100 trees were pruned as part of Landscape Services' annual proactive block pruning campaign.
Arbor Day Foundation Names University a Tree Campus USA 2008
On Campus video spotlights urban forestry at UT
Custodial Services Replacing Soap Dispensers with Sustainable System
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) spotlights the university's landscape services
Manager of Custodial Services Training & Compliance Robert Moddrell named president of Cleaning Industry Trainers Guild
Maintenance Solutions "Mowing on the Cutting Edge," quotes Landscape Services Manager John Burns on new propane mower.
"As clean as a whistle: UT staff sweeps up awards"
Daily Texan article details Custodial Services honors.
International Society of Arboriculture Texas branch publishes article by Landscape Services' Larry Maginnis on Arbor Day Foundation campus tree planting program.
Landscape Services' propane mowers highlighted
View pdf for details.
The University of Texas at Austin Announces Energy Star Partnership
Fact sheet provides additional detail.
UT Cleans Up After Worst Storm in 30 Years - KEYE 05/16/08
[no longer available online]
Littlefield Fountain Will Operate During Commencement Week
Construction will pause for photo opportunities. View release for details.
Facilities Services Joined Earth Day Exhibitors on April 22.
The Daily Texan printed a special Earth Day insert that includes ads for DSEMC and recycling.
On Campus created this video of the day's events.
UTakeCharge, Other Facilities Services Programs Exhibit at Earth Day 2008.
Facilities Services Support Services has restructured to meet challenges, opportunities.
View presentation
Thanks for a Successful TAPPA 2008!
"Keeping the Campus Green: Landscape Services employees in charge of UT maintenance"
Read Daily Texan article [no longer available online]
"UT Time: Coral Richard Gives a Tour of the UT Clock System"- OnCampus 03/20/2008
Recyclemania Competition Underway
See press release (pdf)
"UT Joins Recycling Contest" - The Daily Texan 03/03/2008
Michael A. Miller Named New Director of Facilities Services
View the Announcement (pdf)
2007
"Utility Vehicles: Driving Toward Sustainability"- Maintenance Solutions 12/07
"Renovations Lead Campaign to Save Energy on Campus"- The Daily Texan 10/16/2007
UTakeCharge Launched
View the Announcement
SLICE Award Winners Include Melvin Daniels, Facilities Services Supervisor
PGMS Salutes the University of Texas at Austin for Grounds Management Excellence
and Landscape Superintendent Covers the Story in its November/December Issue
"UT Tower's broken bell clapper sent"
The Daily Texan 10/23/2007 [no longer available online]
Tree Relocation Project Wins 2007 Gold Leaf Award

Custodial Services Praised in Media
Custodial Services has received much praise in the media recently. Read more below:
- Campus Facility Maintenance magazine (pdf)
- College Planning & Management magazine (pdf)
- “A different view of campus life” — The Daily Texan [no longer available online]
University of Texas Recognized by Recyclemania for Waste Minimization
Thanks to the combined efforts of Melvin Daniels of Facilities Services who spearheaded the effort and Jacob Bintliff of the Student Recycling Committee, The University of Texas at Austin placed number one out of 66 participants in overall waste reduction. Schools competed to see who can generate the lowest waste per capita, which includes both trash and recycling.
2nd Annual Employee Recognition SITES Award
Facilities Services and PMCS Employee Recognition Award is a peer-to-peer program that allows the employees who work behind the scenes to recognize each other for outstanding service. Nominations will be accepted June 1 - July 1, 2007.
Zone 2 Recognized for Excellence
Facilities Services Director officially recognizes Zone 2 Supervisor Herb Woerndell and his Team for excellence in customer service. These are only a few examples of the many expressions of appreciation for the services provided by Zone 2 (pdf).
Custodial Services recognized for cleaning system improvements and reduction in injuries
The department is highlighted in the January issue of College Planning and Management (pdf).
2006
SITES Award Winners announced
Winners of the the 2006 SITES Awards have been announced.
Physical Plant Restructure
Changes include a new name (Facilities Services), and the creation of a new project management organization (Project Management and Construction Services).
- Restructure Home Page
- Physical Plant Former Organization Chart (pdf)
- Facilities Services Organization Chart (pdf)
- Project Management and Construction Services Organization Chart (pdf)
- Request for Input on Restructuring
- Project Management and Construction Services (PMCS) Web site
RPDEP Strategic Initiative
Renovation Project Delivery Enhancement Program (RPDEP)
2005
RPDEP Major Milestone
Renovation Project Delivery Enhancement Program (RPDEP) Reaches Major Milestone. (February 23, 2005)
