Guiding Principles
Our guiding principles are operational ideals that move us closer to achieving our vision. We look to employ these principles in every process, interaction, and task as a means of maintaining quality and attaining excellence.
Communication
F&B is an organization of tremendous size, complexity, and diversity. We provide service to virtually all stakeholders of the University. This places a huge premium on our ability to communicate with each other and with our customers. We adhere to the notion that "there is never enough communication," and we continuously look for more effective ways to spread the word.
Continuous Process Improvement
Processes are never perfect, so there are always opportunities to identify improvements for more efficiency, quicker turnaround, lower cost, and greater effectiveness. We are mindful of our need to maintain control and compliance, but seek to do so without unnecessary steps.
Sound Financial Management
F&B should be the University's leader in reducing costs, operating efficiently, and in identifying creative or new revenue opportunities.
Academic Collaboration
While we are not providers of the core services of Penn State (teaching, research, public service), we support many aspects of each. As we do our work, we look for opportunities to connect with these core activities in meaningful and productive ways. We hire students, our employees teach classes, and we assist faculty in their labs—all examples of how we link into the University's mission.
Service to all Campuses
F&B is truly a University-wide organization with service responsibilities to all units and campuses of Penn State. We seek to create processes and service models that recognize the unique needs and geographic consideration of all of our campuses, and support them as effectively as possible.
Emergency Preparedness
We live in a world of rapid change and need to be ready to respond to the unexpected. F&B provides leadership to the University in developing plans and processes that will deal with emergencies of many forms. We also lay the groundwork for contingency planning, so that in the event of an emergency, the University can continue to function as effectively as possible.
