Funded VS. Non-Funded Services:

Questions frequently arise on campus regarding the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of buildings and equipment. To assist the campus community in understanding the policy for a complex institution such as MTU, a brief overview of our policy follows. However, please do not hesitate to call us for further clarification of our policies.

Facilities Management is funded for general fund facilities, i.e.; a permanent facility of the main campus which houses academic or administrative functions and which is supported by the University's General Fund.

A Classification of Accounts for Facilities, developed by the Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges, and accepted and recognized by ACE (American Council on Education) and NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) serves as the national basis for determining the Physical Plant funding responsibility.

Obviously there are variation from this standard for each institution. Research facilities differ on each campus and historical agreements may take precedence. However, each institution can apply the general principles to its own unique circumstances. An excerpt from this document is listed below:

(Excerpt from) A Classification of Accounts for Physical Plant:

2. Building and Equipment Maintenance:

Building maintenance includes all items related to routine repair of buildings, structures, and appurtenances, including normally recurring repairs and preventive maintenance. The following are included:

2.1 Interior and exterior of buildings:

2.1.1 Plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation

2.1.2 Electrical repairs of all types including primary and secondary systems, certain lamp replacements, and maintenance of outdoor lighting fixtures

2.1.3 Carpentry

2.1.4 Maintenance painting and glazing

2.1.5 Hardware, locks, keys, closers, etc.

2.1.6 Roofing and sheet metal work

2.1.7 Welding and necessary machine work

2.1.8 Elevators and similar equipment

2.1.9 Miscellaneous building repairs

2.2 General purpose fixed classroom furniture and equipment within buildings but not inventoried to a department

2.3 Utility distribution systems inside buildings ---electrical, heating, process steam, water lines, gas lines, and sewer lines

2.4 Operating and replacement costs of all equipment, materials and tools used in building maintenance

Building maintenance also may provide services on a reimbursable basis to other accounts. Examples of these are auxiliary enterprises, alterations and improvements, new construction, experimental and special teaching support facilities, and departmental inventoried equipment.

General Rule of Thumb Used to Determine Who Pays for Services:

Generally, Facilities Management is funded to maintain components of general fund facilities that could be used by any academic or administrative department if the building were to change hands. If the equipment or work in question does not meet this test then it is the department's responsibility to pay for the particular service.

What is Exluded From Facilities Funded Service:

There are a variety of facilities and equipment within general fund buildings that are excluded from Facilities funding. These exclusions include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Laboratories and associated equipment and related utility piping within the room

-Inventoried equipment

-Carpeting and draperies

-Distilled water systems

-Compressed air systems and other air supply systems not intended for building environmental (heating and ventilating) control

-Vacuum systems

-Movable classroom seating

-Special air conditioning equipment

There is an easy way to identify the exclusions. Visualize a common classroom or office building devoid of furniture, office machines, laboratories, people, programs, computers, and similar features. Anything added to such a space is outside of the funded responsibility of Facilities.

Also excluded from Facilities funded services are facilities with other sources of funds, such as grants, or self-supporting enterprises, such as the residence halls.

I'm a Researcher, Doesn't My Research Overhead Dollars Cover These Costs?

No, the overhead cost does not cover repairs or alterations of your research laboratory or equipment.