The formerly separate departments of Facilities and Construction have a new name and a new, unified focus, as newly appointed director Bob Burns looks to adopt a more customer−oriented approach.
Burns, who took the job two months ago, announced the name change to the Department of Facilities Services in part to emphasize a renewed commitment to providing improved service to the Tufts community on all three campuses.
"Our department has a new name. The staffs of the Facilities and Construction Departments have been merged into one department, Facilities Services," Burns said in a memo to department staff at the beginning of the semester.
Vice President for Operations Dick Reynolds explained that the merger of the departments under a single head will improve overall coordination and communication.
"Facilities Services combines the old construction group and the maintenance group, so we'll have one place to go for anything to do with facilities," Reynolds said.
Burns said that under his leadership, the department will focus on putting student and faculty needs first.
"No matter what building you may be in, we will try to stay as contemporary as we can and make sure all of the buildings are comfortable and acceptable," he said. "We're responsible for heating the dorms up and ensuring that everything works properly."
Reynolds is confident that Burns can successfully cater to students' needs.
"You will receive better service with Bob. Parents were e−mailing me complaining about things, and we [have been] able to respond quickly," Reynolds said. "We want to make sure the dorms and labs are befitting the Tufts reputation," Reynolds said.
Reynolds emphasized the importance of interacting with students in order to get feedback.
"I will be meeting with the [Tufts Community Union] Senate on a regular basis," Reynolds said. "The goal is to maintain an open line of communication and be transparent. I can't always do what you want us to do but at least can explain the issues."
In his short time at Tufts, Burns has already overseen the completion of several projects on the Medford/Somerville campus, including the Mayer Campus Center and several dorm renovations.
Burns and Reynolds also have several goals to improve the department this year, including modernizing its technology.
"We are working to improve Maximo, the work order system," Reynolds said. "That way we can get the right people out to it and keep track of problems."
"I'm learning and understanding what's going on. There are a lot of diverse interests and challenges; the veterinary school is different from medical school, which is different from main campus," Burns said.
Burns's background includes 30 years of experience working in the newspaper industry, with an extensive background in repair and maintenance. He was previously the senior vice president of production operations at the Boston Globe.
"I've worked around the country, outside of higher education, in 67 locations," he said.
Reynolds explained that Burns will undoubtedly face a number of challenges implicit in his new role.
"You have three very different campuses: rural Grafton for [the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine,] the high −rises of downtown Boston for [Tufts University School of Medicine,] and a myriad of buildings on the main campus, including houses, dorms and laboratory buildings," Reynolds said.
Reynolds said the variety of issues the three campuses present are a challenging but interesting part of the job.
"Every day is something different, whether we're worrying about how to keep the chemistry labs from having power outages, to running the medical facilities. Literally every day is something different," Reynolds said.
