Finance & Business: Physical Assets

Physical Assets


Penn State's physical assets include some 26.5 million gross square feet of buildings, about 22,000 acres of land, and miles of roadways, sidewalks and utility systems. All of these support teaching, research, and service at the University's 24 campuses.

Since these physical assets represent such a significant investment, it is imperative that we optimize their utilization. For this reason, Finance & Business identified the utilization of the University's physical assets as a key initiative in this strategic plan.

Vision
The Physical Assets initiative strives to optimize the use of the University's physical assets with three principal aims: reducing operating and maintenance costs, reducing capital investments in facilities, and providing optimal physical facilities in support of the University's missions.

To learn more about the Physical Assets initiative, contact Ford Stryker, Key Initiative Manager, at 814-865-4402, or download the Physical Assets Key Initiative file for more information.

HEADLINES & UPDATES
F&B Strategic Plan is Complete and Available Online
In June, the 2008-2013 F&B Strategic Plan was published and the full document is viewable online. Heading into the next five years, the plan covers many important areas such as F&B’s framework, guiding principles, and key initiatives.

The plan can also be downloaded in PDF format.
Budget Office Announced its Biggest Loser
Steve Neeper shed almost 22 lbs. over eight weeks to become the University Budget Office’s “Biggest Loser.”
Amaechi, QS/QP Awards Headline Annual Spring Retreat
This year’s F&B Spring Retreat featured a talk from keynote speaker John Amaechi, four new Quality Service, Quality People Awards , and thorough discussions regarding F&B’s key initiatives.
Penn State Continues Commitment to Green Construction
Penn State is building one of the greenest law schools in the country. Penn State Dickinson School of Law’s two locations will feature modern green building methods that will aim to conserve resources and promote environmental awareness.
F&B Improvements Noted in Latest Diversity Climate Survey Results
As part of its Diversity Key Initiative, Finance and Business is continually developing new ways to improve the diversity climate in its units and maintain each office’s progress. A major step in that improvement is the 2007 Diversity Climate Survey.
New Videoconferencing Program Saves Time and Money
Thanks to a videoconferencing program, meetings at Penn State don’t have to be a long drive or walk away anymore. You can sign on to Adobe Connect and experience your meetings without leaving the office.
Ask and Learn…There are No Dumb Questions
One way to get answers is to ask questions. The short film “No Dumb Questions” sits in on three sisters and listens to their probing questions about their Uncle Bill’s transformation into a woman.
Employee Ethics and Compliance Hotline
Address your concerns about workplace issues anonymously with the Ethics and Compliance Hotline. This service will assist you with problems including financial matters such as fraud, theft, conflict of interest, and other violations of University policy, including research compliance matters, discrimination, athletics-compliance issues, and more. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-560-1637.
Finance & Business Senior Leadership Signs Commitment Statement on Diversity. (pdf)
F&B Newsletter
View current and past issues online.
Help F&B Save Money
Have you ever looked around at work and thought, "If I were the boss, I'd do things differently. We could save a lot of time and money if only we'd...." Well, the F&B Expenditures Team wants to hear your ideas for changes that will result in saved time, resources, or money. Send your suggestions to expenditures@psu.edu.
F&B Approves Statement on Acts of Intolerance
As part of its Key Initiative to Foster Diversity, Finance & Business has adopted a Statement on Acts of Intolerance, outlining behavior and actions that are deemed inappropriate and harmful in the workplace. To view the Statement, visit the following page: FBIntolerancePolic(final).htm.
PENN STATE NEWS