Compliance Certification Report
| 3.10.7 | The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution's educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[Compliance] |
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Narrative: |
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| The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is in compliance with Principle 3.10.7 because the University operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the University's educational programs, support services and other mission-related activities. UAH occupies 2.2 million gross square feet of facilities. Buildings are primarily dedicated to teaching, scientific research, or on campus student residence. The 376-acre UAH campus is situated in Cummings Research Park, which is located in northwest Huntsville. The University has 35 major buildings, all of which have been constructed since 1960. The buildings generally contain modern equipment and exemplify modern functional design. A description of some of the major buildings is reflected below. The number in parenthesis corresponds to its location on the UAH Campus map. Morton Hall (2) Utilization Completed in 1961, Morton Hall (MH) was the first building constructed for the University. An addition was completed in 1975. It provides both classroom and administrative space, and houses a variety of disciplines. Offices in Morton Hall include the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the College's eight academic departments, the College's Academic Advising and Information Office, the Honors Program, Multicultural Affairs, International Education and Research, and Women's Studies. The building includes a large auditorium/classroom that provides seating for 96. Each full-time faculty member and administrator has a furnished private office. All rooms were painted and recarpeted during FY05. Access for the Handicapped Morton Hall is accessible to the handicapped. The doorways are wide enough, and each floor, including the basement, is equipped with accessible restrooms. The north access ramp was modified for accessibility and an automatic door opener for the handicapped was installed. Elevators were upgraded with electronic infra-red door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. Overall Adequacy Classroom and office space and condition are adequate. Modifications to the facility have corrected hazardous issues related to radon gas, asbestos, and mold. A new air handler with both chilled water and direct expansion coils was installed in FY05 to dehumidify basement air and to reduce the presence of mold. Roberts Hall (5) Utilization Roberts Hall (RH) provides classroom, studio, and administrative space for three academic departments and one center. Built in 1971, the building is divided into two wings connected by a second floor walkway. The west wing houses the Music Department. The east wing houses the Art Department on the first three floors, the History Department on the fourth floor, and the UAH Humanities Center on the third floor. Each floor has at least one classroom or studio. All full-time faculty members and administrators have private, furnished offices. Access for the Handicapped This building was designed according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It has a ramp, elevators, restroom facilities, emergency lighting, audio fire alarm system, and doors at least 36 inches wide. Both elevators were renovated and upgraded in 2004. Hands-free telephones were installed in the elevators and on each floor to improve accessibility, convenience, and safety. Overall Adequacy The building is adequate with the present workload, although storage space is limited. Due to the nature of the building design, it is difficult to control the environment on the first floor elevator lobby. Nursing Building (9) Utilization The Nursing Building (NB) was completed in 1977. All classrooms are located on the first floor. The administrative offices, a conference room, and student support services are on the second floor. Faculty offices, faculty secretary space, and conference room occupy the third floor. The fourth floor houses the Learning Resources Center and media center, a student computer laboratory, a skills laboratory, and a conference room. All members of the administration and the full-time faculty have private offices. An open area accommodates the stenographic pool and the necessary reproduction equipment. All faculty offices have an outside view and are appropriately furnished. The main lecture hall has excellent acoustics, is well equipped, and seats 90. The booth is connected by telephone to the Learning Resources Center. This room was updated within the past ten years to serve as the distance education classroom for synchronous learning. Courses are offered here for on-campus students and are simultaneously broadcast (visual and audio) to students at other sites. Two other large classrooms may be used as lecture halls or can be divided into modular components. In addition to housing the skills laboratory and computer lab, the Learning Resources Center provides nursing students and faculty with a wide spectrum of audiovisual equipment, a video library, recording and projection equipment, and computer-assisted learning programs. Individual study carrels provide privacy and sound control. An extensive array of physical assessment equipment and human models for learning and practicing health care skills is available. Individual rooms are available in which students can videotape themselves during practice sessions. Outside the classrooms and faculty offices are numerous tables and comfortable chairs where students may gather before appointments, while awaiting classes, and for informal talks. Access for the Handicapped Accessibility conforms to ANSI standards, providing handicapped restroom facilities, emergency lighting, audio and visual fire alarm systems, and doors at least 36 inches wide. Elevators were recently upgraded with electronic infrared door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. Overall Adequacy The Nursing Building is aesthetically pleasing and promotes open interaction among faculty, students, and administrators. The open area gives opportunities for flexible use of space. However, the number of different programs offered is greater now than when the building was designed. Emphasis on service and research has grown, instructional technology is different, and the building is showing signs of wear. The building's water chillers are old, but are scheduled for replacement in FY06. Older electronic controls have been recently upgraded with new direct digital controllers. Existing duct airflow detectors are undependable but are scheduled to be replaced. The current number of students, faculty, staff, and programs exceeds the capacity for which the building was designed and, therefore, options for additional space on campus are being explored. Madison Hall (18) Utilization Madison Hall (MDH) houses the Department of Mathematics and many of the administrative offices of the University. The Department of Mathematics has approximately 13 classrooms, 26 faculty and administrative offices, and one workroom. The administrative offices are generally suites of offices grouped to accommodate the functions of those offices. Administrative/executive offices include the Office of the President, including the Office of Governmental Relations; Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, including Institutional Research; and Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Madison Hall also houses the Office of Counsel, which is an administrative office of The University of Alabama (UA) System. The Department of Mathematics will move to the new Applied Sciences Building in 2007 and additional decisions will be made to determine occupancy of the building. Tentative plans call for the relocation of Enrollment Services from the University Center to Madison Hall. Access for the Handicapped Madison Hall is accessible to the handicapped. The building is equipped with accessible restrooms. Sufficient handicapped parking is available in the rear of the building close to a ramp that leads to the rear entrance of the building. An elevator near the rear entrance (and near the ramp and handicapped parking) provides access to the upper floors. The elevator was rebuilt and upgraded in FY05, and is outfitted with electronic infrared door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. Overall Adequacy The space is adequate to meet the educational and administrative needs of the University. M. Louis Salmon Library (10) Utilization The M. Louis Salmon Library Building Phase I (North Wing, designated N) was completed in 1969 and is connected by a glassed-in passage to Phase II (South Wing, S), which was completed in 1978. The Phase III addition (South Tower, S, which includes the main entrance lobby, was concluded in 2001 and the assignable square footage for all three wings is 105,880 gross square feet and 68,274 net assignable square feet. The building's Phase I water chiller was replaced in FY99, and the Phase II chillers are projected for replacement in FY06, along with a new Energy Management Control System. The journal collection was relocated to N1 in an alphabetical sort. The monographs collections were relocated to N2 and N3 in a Library of Congress Call Number sort. Government Documents and Special Collections/Archives were relocated to the Central Tower Lower Level. Circulation and Reference and the 50 PC Information Arcade occupy S1 with five computer labs with 200 PCs in S2. Technical Services and Administration occupy S3. The present use of space provides for an adequate number of offices and area for all library functions. A total of 400 seats are available in the building for patron use. Access for the Handicapped The Library is accessible to the handicapped. The elevators have Braille signage, and the cars in Phases I and II are outfitted with infrared door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. All restrooms are accessible, and turnaround space has been allowed within the ranges. Overall Adequacy In the LibQual+ survey, the Library as a place for individual and/or group study was evaluated positively. Replacement of windows on C1, C2, and C3 has taken care of the leakage problems in that area. Temperature control remains somewhat of a problem in the Central and North Towers. In general, the library facility has been improved dramatically and is more than adequate, given the new technological South Tower wing. Von Braun Research Hall (23) Utilization The Von Braun Research Hall (VBRH), the second oldest building on campus, houses the following:
Access for the Handicapped VBRH is accessible to the handicapped. The elevator was upgraded to meet accessibility code requirements in FY05. Overall Adequacy The VBRH is functional and provides usable space for research activities. The building's water chiller and boiler have been replaced in recent years. A new building primary electrical transformer and distribution center has been recently replaced, and a new emergency electrical power system has been installed. A new Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS) was installed to preserve computer data operations in Room M-10, which is the central location for all data communications on campus. A clean agent (gaseous) fire suppression system is currently being installed in Room M-10. Two new Liebert Computer Room cooling units are also currently being installed to improve the dependability of environmental control. Wilson Hall (11) Utilization Wilson Hall (WH) houses the Department of Biological Sciences, the Division of Continuing Education, and teaching laboratories for physics and chemistry. The building is scheduled for extensive renovation in the year following the opening of the Applied Sciences Building, which is currently in the initial construction phase and anticipated to be available for classes in Fall Semester 2007. Classroom and lab activities now performed in Wilson Hall will be relocated to the Applied Sciences Building. All instructional activities for the Department of Biological Sciences including lectures and laboratory sections are conducted in the building. Biological Sciences faculty offices and research laboratories are also located in the building. The Division of Continuing Education Center is housed primarily in Wilson Hall. This building serves as headquarters for the Director's office, the Business/Registration office, Marketing/Advertising and Graphics, Space Orientation, Science and Engineering, Environmental Studies, Conference, and Special Studies. The Division also uses classroom space in Wilson Hall when available. Wilson Hall also contains two computer laboratories. Minority students utilize one lab as part of the University's support of the Alliance for Minority Participation. Students from the Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments utilize the other computer room. Access for the Handicapped Parking for the handicapped and a special entrance are provided at the rear of Wilson Hall. Two elevators are available. Restrooms include adaptation for the handicapped. Overall Adequacy Wilson Hall provides office and laboratory space for the biological science faculty and the continuing education staff. Rooms 127 and 141 were recently upgraded with new computer and audiovisual equipment. Classroom and instructional laboratories are basically sound, although plans to relocate to the planned Applied Sciences Building will improve the efficiency of teaching and research. Certain maintenance tasks have been deferred in anticipation of construction of this new facility. For instance, fume hoods throughout the building have been repaired in favor of replacement, awaiting transfer of operations to the new building. Materials Science Building (21) (Including the Connector Building) Utilization The Materials Science Building (MSB) houses faculty offices and research laboratories for the Department of Chemistry. In addition, some research staff members working on materials science projects have offices and laboratories in the building. The local offices for the Tri-Campus Materials Science PhD Program and the Alabama Space Grant Consortium are also located here. Some seminar rooms are used for small classroom instruction. Adjoining the Materials Science Building is the Materials Science Connector Building, which connects to the Optics Building. This Connector Building was built as an integral part of the Materials Science Building and is commonly considered part of that building. The Connector Building contains one 350-seat auditorium, two 70-seat and four 40-seat lecture rooms. It also contains office complexes for the Department of Chemistry, the Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the College of Science. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory is also housed within the MSB. It consists of approximately 3,686 gross square feet dedicated to studies of structure, function, and dynamics of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and natural products. The Laboratory provides University and corporate researchers access to modern high field 500 and 800 MHz NMR instruments for solution studies of biomolecules. The Laboratory is located on the west side of the first floor of the MSB. Access for the Handicapped Handicapped parking spaces are available at the front and the rear of the building. All entrance doors can be operated by persons in wheelchairs. An elevator is available for transport between floors. The restrooms all include adaptation for handicapped users. The elevator is currently scheduled to be outfitted with electronic infrared door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. Overall Adequacy The quality of the facilities throughout the Materials Science Building and the Connector Building is high. The buildings are heavily used throughout the week, and there is considerable use of the research facilities in the evenings and during the weekends. The building is ventilated and pressurized with eight booster fans, one of which has been recently replaced. A design task is underway to replace the remaining seven fans because they have functioned for their designed life-cycle. The fans provide "one-pass" air to support fume hoods throughout the building. The roof was replaced in FY02. Optics Building (19) Utilization The Optics Building (OB) is primarily a research facility dedicated to research in optics. The Center for Applied Optics, the Department of Physics, and some faculty from the College of Engineering with optics interests are located in this building. There are no formal classrooms in the building, but instructional laboratories for the optical science program, upper level instructional laboratories for physics, and an electro-optics instructional laboratory are located here. In addition to an abundance of well-outfitted research laboratories, the building contains a number of seminar and conference rooms. Access for the Handicapped Special parking and a ramp leading to the rear entrance provide access to the Optics Building for the physically handicapped. Two regular elevators and a freight elevator make the upper floors readily accessible. One elevator has been recently outfitted with electronic infrared door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. The other elevator is scheduled for the same upgrade. Restrooms have all been designed and equipped for use by the handicapped. Overall Adequacy The Optics Building is heavily used for research and some specialized instruction throughout the day and most evenings throughout the year. Offices and laboratory space are adequate for current use by the faculty and staff located in the Optics Building. The roof was replaced in FY04. Johnson Research Center (26) Utilization The Johnson Research Center (JRC) houses offices from which tests in the Rocket Test Facility (RTF) are managed, and where students can organize their research. The RTF is a new building constructed just south of the JRC, and has laboratories and test equipment for testing rocket motors, performing "breathing air" research, and water tunnel flow-visualization. Seventeen rooms in the JRC house office facilities for students and researchers, and three rooms contain laboratory facilities. One lab is utilized as a Control Room from which propulsion tests in the RTF can be safely conducted and monitored. Another lab is utilized as a complement to propulsion tests, and employs "water tunnel flow visualization." Another room provides space and facilities for a Student Launch Initiative, where students can design, build, and plan to launch their own rockets. An Advanced Propulsion Lab allows students to test the thermal stability of hydrocarbon fuels. Access for the Handicapped The center is accessed by ramp. Handicapped parking and accessible restrooms are available. Overall Adequacy The space in this building is adequate to meet foreseeable future needs. The roof was replaced in FY99, and the mechanical and electrical equipment is in good condition. Utilization of the building is in transition as it becomes fully utilized for testing and research. The "Concrete Canoe" design and development task, formerly housed here, has been relocated to the west wing of Technology Hall. Robert (Bud) Cramer Research Hall (31) Utilization Robert (Bud) Cramer Research Hall (CH), which houses the National Space Sciences and Technology Center (NSSTC), is a four-story building that was constructed in Phases I and II. During Phase I of FY00 the original building, built in FY89, was fully renovated. An annex was constructed and connected in FY02, thereby resulting in a facility with 205,893 gross square feet, and 126,812 net assignable square feet. The University partners with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide laboratories and offices for research. At the same time, the facility also houses research performed by members of the University community that complements research performed by NASA. Another resident of this facility is the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS personnel staff the facility continuously on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week basis. They utilize sophisticated radar and telecommunications equipment to identify and track severe weather conditions, and make that information available to the public. Emergency electrical power systems are maintained for all residents of Cramer Hall. The systems are tested regularly in order to ensure dependability of vital operations. The University's Department of Atmospheric Science is also located in this facility. Access for the Handicapped The building is fully handicapped-accessible. Overall Adequacy The building is in excellent condition and adequate space is available for current assignments. All mechanical and electrical equipment is in excellent condition. Engineering Building (20) Utilization The Engineering Building (EB), which contains 92,925 gross square feet, is occupied almost exclusively by the College of Engineering. It contains the administrative offices of the Dean, the offices of the chairs of Chemical and Materials Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering (who also administers Optical Engineering), the Engineering Advising Center, faculty member offices, classrooms, and laboratory space. The chairs of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and respective faculty members and associated laboratories moved from the Engineering Building to the first and second floors of Technology Hall in December 1998. Also in residence in the Engineering Building are the offices of Career Services and Cooperative Education. The Engineering Building was built in 1984 and is in excellent physical condition after an extensive renovation in 1999-2000. Access for the Handicapped The Engineering Building is fully accessible to the handicapped. The elevator has been recently outfitted with electronic infra-red door edge-curtains to enhance safety and accessibility. Overall Adequacy The space available to the College of Engineering in the Engineering Building and the first two floors of Technology Hall is adequate for the current faculty member size and student enrollment. Technology Hall (30) Utilization Technology Hall (TH) opened in December 1998 after a complete renovation. It is a three-story building containing 147,793 gross square feet, with the first two floors occupied by the offices of the chairs of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and associated faculty member offices, classrooms, and laboratory space (including the center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR)). The Information Technology and Systems Center (ITSC), a major research center, is also located in the facility. The Computer Science Department is housed on the third floor of Technology Hall. The High Bay Addition (a warehouse type facility not included in the original acquisition) containing 29,250 gross square feet is currently under renovation for additional laboratory space. Access for the Handicapped Technology Hall is fully accessible to the handicapped. Overall Adequacy The space available in Technology Hall is adequate for the current faculty size, student enrollment, and research level. Shelbie King Hall (29) Utilization Shelbie King Hall (SKH) was purchased in FY04 and significant renovations have been accomplished within the past year. The three-story building has 65,000 gross square feet and 42,682 net assignable square feet available. Operations resident within the building include Accounting, Advancement, University Relations, Alumni Relations, Human Resources, Payroll, and the Institute for Science Education (ISE). The facility also houses the office of UAH Director of Internal Audit for The UA System. The parking lot and external lighting were renovated in FY04, and overall landscaping was improved. The mechanical and electrical equipment is in good condition, although there remain some additional HVAC duct modifications to be performed to improve air distribution and temperature control within the building. Access for the Handicapped The building is fully handicapped-accessible, and the elevator was recently upgraded with electronic infrared door edge-curtains to improve safety and dependability of access. Overall Adequacy The facility is adequate to meet the current needs. Administrative Science Building (12) Utilization Completed in 1990, the Administrative Science Building (ASB) is a three-story multi-purpose 70,000-square foot building that houses the College of Administrative Science. The building also houses the Management and Computer Applications Unit of Continuing Education, the Office of Testing Services, the Center for Management of Science and Technology, and the Center for Management and Economic Research. The building contains 20 classrooms, nine laboratories, and a 400-seat auditorium that is used for conferences, symposia, seminars, lectures, recitals, and similar activities. The lobby is used for receptions. The main student lounges are in public areas. The ground floor includes a student study area and student resources area. The second floor includes the dean's office. The third floor includes offices for faculty members and graduate assistants and a faculty member and staff lounge that is used for receptions for visiting faculty members and business executives and for lunch for advisory groups. Students have classes in five horseshoe-shaped, tiered case rooms, four accounting classrooms, two information systems classrooms, two computer labs, three seminar conference rooms, and two standard classrooms. Two behavioral learning laboratories share a common observation room. Four rooms are available for team cases and projects. Access for the Handicapped The Administrative Science Building is fully accessible to the handicapped. The auditorium and classrooms have space for individuals in wheelchairs. The elevator has Braille signage and an upgrade to install infrared door edge-curtains to improve safety and accessibility has been scheduled. Restrooms and water fountains are accessible. Overall Adequacy Office facilities, total overall classroom space, type of classroom space, the proximity of classrooms to faculty offices, the proximity to classrooms to related educational services such as computer access, audiovisual services, library, etc. are excellent. University Center (6) Utilization The University Center (UC) opened in May 1984. The Center contains the Offices of Admissions and Records, Academic Advising, Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Development, Bursar, Wellness Center, and International Student Services. The UC contains nine meeting rooms, some of which can be divided into smaller rooms. The Center is well utilized as a meeting facility. During the 2003 academic year, approximately 2,700 meetings were held in the UC. The UC also houses the University Bookstore and University Food Service. The Bookstore is contracted to the Follett Corporation was remodeled in 2005. Food Service is contracted to Sodexho. The UC also houses the Student Government Association, the campus programming body, and the student newspaper, The Exponent. Access for the Handicapped The UC is accessible to the handicapped. It has an elevator and appropriate restroom facilities and water fountains. Overall Adequacy The UC's use is very high, and more meeting rooms are needed. Such space will be made available upon the planned move of Enrollment Services to Madison Hall. Significant refurbishment has been recently accomplished in the cafeteria, kitchen, and restaurant. The roof was replaced in FY04. Union Grove Gallery (3) Utilization The Union Grove Gallery, UAH's art gallery, was donated to the University in 1973. Erected circa 1840, it is the oldest existing example of Greek Revival style architecture in the area. It was relocated and renovated by UAH students in 1973. Until 1984, Union Grove Gallery was used on a continual basis for monthly rotating art exhibits. Since the completion of the University Center with its modern gallery, Union Grove Gallery is now used for occasional art exhibitions. The gallery has one large exhibition space and a small workroom. Access for the Handicapped The Union Grove Gallery is accessible to the handicapped through an electrically powered chairlift. Overall Adequacy The Union Grove Gallery has been a valuable alternative exhibition space for the Department of Art and Art History and is used for student and community art exhibitions. The roof was replaced in FY98. Special attention has been recently given to enhancing the surrounding landscape, including the addition of decorative outdoor benches and seating. There are no restrooms in the facility. However, it is located in close proximity to Morton Hall and the University Center. Spragins Hall (4) Utilization Spragins Hall (SH) serves UAH and the community with a variety of sports and athletic opportunities. It provides four racquetball/handball courts, training facilities, locker rooms and a weight room for UAH athletes, and a gymnasium. Volleyball, badminton, and basketball can all be played in the gymnasium. Squash can be played in one of the specially marked racquetball courts. The University's Division II team plays home games in the gymnasium, with ample seating for over 2,000 fans. Spragins Hall provides office space for the athletic director, assistant directors, and for the coaches of the varsity sports. Each coach has a private office, appropriately furnished. In addition, there is a large meeting room in which various organizations and groups meet. Access for the Handicapped Spragins Hall is accessible to the handicapped. Ramps, an elevator, wide doors, and appropriate restroom facilities are provided. However, the elevator should be upgraded to improve space for wheelchair mobility. Overall Adequacy The space in Spragins Hall has been enhanced by removing an inactive indoor pool to create additional offices and areas for aerobics and weight training. A new roof was installed in FY95 and nine new rooftop HVAC units, which environmentally condition the building, were installed in the summer of FY05. New electronic scoreboards were installed in FY05, and internal walls were painted. The facility is used primarily for Intercollegiate Athletics and is adequate to meet the needs of existing programs. University Fitness Center (13) Utilization The University Fitness Center (UFC) was constructed in FY01 for utilization as a joint University and Community facility. The primary mission of the UFC is to provide opportunities for wholesome recreational activities that complement daily living and increase the quality of life of its members. It is comprised of 74,144 gross square feet and 62,845 net assignable square feet. The facility is open seven days and over 100 hours per week. The UFC is the premier fitness center in Huntsville, offering its members a wide variety of health, wellness, and fitness all under one roof. The management team under contract to UAH is composed of degreed and/or certified fitness and health professionals. The 6,000 square foot weight room is fully equipped with over 70 pieces of free weight equipment and exercise machines. The equipment has been specifically chosen for quality and efficiency to include manufacturers such as Paramount, Hammer Strength, Stairmaster, Body Master, Nubuild, Ground Zero, Maxicam, York, and Magnum. The indoor pool is 25 yards in length, with six lanes for lap swimming. It is 3.6 feet deep at the shallow end and seven feet at the deep end. It is outfitted with a person-lift for accessibility. The UFC offers three collegiate-size basketball courts and two regulation volleyball courts located under a single roof. A four-lane indoor track is suspended above the basketball courts. The surface accommodates runners and walkers. The Cardiovascular Center allows users to select from over 40 pieces of equipment for a workout. Equipment includes Stairmaster Treadmills, Precor Elliptical machines, Stairmaster Steppers, and Stairmaster Recumbent, Upright bikes, and a Kayak. Access for the Handicapped The facility is fully handicapped accessible. Overall Adequacy The facility is adequate to meet the needs of existing programs. Physical Plant Building (24) Utilization The Physical Plant Building (PPB) was completed in 1981 and contains 12,239 net assignable square feet of offices, shops, and storage areas for the Department of Facilities and Operations. The administrative unit of the department is housed in the building along with the Facilities Maintenance, Grounds Management, Custodial Services, Fleet Services, Stockroom, and Public Safety units. Service vehicles assigned to the department and vehicles assigned to the motor pool are kept in a fenced area adjacent to the building so they can be secured and their use controlled according to University policy. Presently, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) and the campus architect are housed in a separate facility due to space constraints in the PPB. An expansion to the PPB is planned to accommodate relocation of the OEHS and the campus architect from the Johnson Research Center. Access for the Handicapped The building is fully handicapped accessible. Overall Adequacy An addition to the building has been approved. Central Receiving Building (25) Utilization The Central Receiving Building was built in 1977. The facility functions as the primary materials control processing center for all parcels, packages, and freight shipped to the University. All outgoing shipments, from letters to large crates of equipment, are also processed through the facility. The University Inventory Office, which collects and processes all inventory data for the University, is located in this building. The main structure has 8,476 square feet of storage space and its annex contains another 1,344 square feet. The main building is located at the southern end of campus between the Johnson Research Center and the Physical Plant Building. The building also houses the Central Mail Facility, which handles all internal and external mail for the University community. The materials control processing area consists of a loading dock capable of handling two delivery trucks simultaneously. The storage space is adequate for long-term storage. Access for the Handicapped The building is handicapped accessible. Overall Adequacy The building's offices are environmentally conditioned year-round, and the storage areas are heated seasonally, but are not air conditioned during the summer. Therefore, it is not suitable for summer storage of delicate equipment or items requiring specific climate controlled conditions. Business Services Building (28) Utilization The Business Services Building (BSB), formerly known as the Printing Services Building, was completed in March 1990 and contains 4,154 net assignable square feet. The building houses Purchasing Services, Telecommunications, and the Copy Center. The building is located on the southern end of campus along with other facilities that house various service units of the University. The building's roof and mechanical and electrical equipment are still in good condition. Access for the Handicapped The building is fully handicapped accessible. Overall Adequacy Currently, the BSB is meeting the needs of the University. University Housing: Southeast Campus Housing (15) The University offers a variety of housing facilities to meet the needs of its diverse student population. The Southeast Campus Housing (SECH) is a cluster of nine, three-story residences located on John Wright Drive near the University Fitness Center, constructed in the early 1980s. It includes 23 one-bedroom units and 77 three-bedroom units and can house 193 single students and 54 families. A number of one-bedroom apartments accessible to disabled students are available. All units are air-conditioned and have full kitchen facilities. Renovations are presently taking place in three phases, one phase per year to include three buildings. Three buildings were upgraded in FY04, three are currently being upgraded during FY05, and the remaining buildings will be renovated in FY06. Upgrades include kitchen appliances and cabinets, bathrooms, HVAC systems, carpet and floor tile replacement, interior and exterior painting, furniture replacement, and re-roofing. Outdoor building stairwells were replaced in FY96. University Housing: Central Campus Residence Hall (7) The Central Campus Residence Hall (CCRH) is a seven-story facility constructed in 1991. It is located adjacent to the University Center. The building consists of 104 furnished four-bedroom suites and can house 416 single students. Each student lives in a private room and shares a bath with one other suite mate. All suites are air-conditioned and have individually-controlled thermostats. Each suite has a kitchenette equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, and sink. The lobbys front desk is staffed 24 hours a day during the academic year. The residence hall is connected to the University Center for dining convenience, and access to recreation and other extracurricular activities. University Housing: North Campus Residence Hall (1) The North Campus Residence Hall (NCRH) was constructed across from Morton Hall in FY02. The building consists of 56 furnished four-bedroom suites and eight furnished three-bedroom suites, and can house 248 single students. Each student lives in a private room and shares a bath with one other suite mate. All suites are air-conditioned and have individually-controlled thermostats. Each suite has a kitchenette equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, and sink. The lobby's front desk is staffed 24 hours a day during the academic year. Phase II, an adjacent and veritable mirror-image of the present residence hall, is under construction and slated to open in Fall Semester 2005. It will house 299 students. Each residence area has a staff of resident assistants (RAs). The RAs develop activities and programs, provide assistance to residents, and help create a residential community which contributes to effective student learning, personal and social growth, and individual responsibility. University Housing policies and procedures are explained in the Single Student Room Contract, the Student Family Lease, and the Residents' Handbook. The SECH, CCRH, and NCRH each have laundry facilities with coin-operated washers and dryers, a study lounge, a recreation room, and ample parking. The University is responsible for repairs, renovations, and preventative maintenance of all housing facilities. The design is complete and construction will soon begin on several fraternity and sorority houses to be built, in accordance with the Campus Master Plan, near SECH and the University Fitness Center. University Housing: Sanderson Subdivision The University also owns 27 houses in the Sanderson Subdivision between Madison Hall and Southeast Campus Housing. These rental homes are leased to University faculty and staff and graduate student families. Overall Adequacy Campus Housing provides sufficient living space to meet the needs of the current student population, with room for growth in the student body over the next few years. Access to the Handicapped As noted in narrative for each building, rooms fully accessible and specifically designed for the handicapped are available in each facility. WLRH-FM (27) The studios of North Alabama's National Public Radio affiliate, WLRH-FM (89.3), are housed in a 3,000-square-foot, University-owned building on the UAH campus. The studio complex was built in 1988, when the radio station was in need of a new broadcast facility. The radio station is a University tenant. Interaction between the radio station and the University community is limited (UAH does not offer significant coursework in either broadcasting or journalism) but productive. The radio station identifies its location as "on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville," and calls on University faculty for commentary on news and public affairs issues. Sanderson House (Preschool Learning Center) (14) The University-owned Sanderson House is the location of an on-campus preschool operated by the University Preschool Parents Association. The preschool accommodates children of UAH faculty, staff, and students as well as the public. The center is staffed by professional teachers and well-qualified teacher aides. Tom Bevill Center (8) Utilization The Tom Bevill Center is a 90,000 square foot hotel and convention center on the northwest side of the UAH campus, on Ben Graves Drive, just off Sparkman Drive. The UAH-owned facility is operated by Sodexho Corporation. The US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) leases about 15,000 square feet of offices and meeting rooms on the first floor and has right of refusal on the remaining 15,000 square feet on the second floor. The COE uses the building as a continuing education center. The building has 100 hotel rooms, which have an annual occupancy rate of approximately 55 to 65%. However, the hotel is frequently booked to capacity on three or four nights per week. The meeting rooms maintain 65 to 70% occupancy. The Bevill Center also houses a restaurant inside the hotel, which is known as the Gardenview. Access to the Handicapped Handicapped access to the Bevill Center is adequate. Overall Adequacy The Bevill Center is the site of several major conferences, meetings and seminars each year. It is well maintained, clean, and convenient, and the Sodexho staff works well with the UAH administration on a wide variety of projects. Description of Other Facilities The University's outdoor athletic complex is presently comprised of a soccer field used by the UAH team and an intramural field. The soccer field has standard bleachers and an outstanding natural turf. The intramural field is a more typical grass-dirt field and is also used as a practice soccer field. The intramural field is also used by the Huntsville Parks and Recreation Department. Three new athletic fields are under construction near Southeast Campus Housing. They are dedicated respectively to baseball, softball, and soccer. The baseball and softball fields will meet collegiate regulation requirements, and will enable UAH's home games to be played on campus. The new soccer field will be utilized for practice only. The fields have been graded, and irrigation and drainage piping are being installed. During Phase I of the construction, turf and fences will be installed. It is planned to add dugouts, press-box, concession stands, and seating in Phase II. UAH has six tennis courts located adjacent to Spragins Hall. These courts are used for teaching and recreation. They are equipped with lighting for night use. The courts were rebuilt in FY03. The University offers men's and women's crew as a club sport and maintains a boathouse for storing racing shells and related equipment. The boathouse is on Hobbs Island Road. The boathouse has an eight-foot security fence and two security lights. There is no indoor plumbing or drinking water. The Campus Lake, located on the south end of campus, is stocked with bream, bass, and grass carp. Numerous turtles inhabit the lake, and it is surrounded by ducks and geese. In 1989, the lake was drained and approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sediment were removed to increase the lake's depth. A concrete spillway was constructed on the north end, and modifications were made to the overflow drain on the south end. Anti-erosive fabric was added to the banks and covered with rip-rap. A vertical wall was constructed around the banks, and a sidewalk was added on the east side. Several trees were planted around the lake. Two floating aerators were installed in 1994. The primary pumping rate of each unit is 2,000 gallons per minute (GPM), and the secondary or induced circulation rate is 20,000 GPM. They are lighted by high density low voltage lights and are aesthetically pleasing. The lake will be expanded by several acres as part of the Applied Sciences Building project. Handicapped Accessibility: Recent Improvements A number of recent actions have been taken to significantly improve campus access for persons with disabilities. Some examples are presented below. Projects have been completed to upgrade elevators in Roberts Hall, Madison Hall, the Library, Morton Hall, Von Braun Research Hall, and Wilson Hall. Each of the systems was modified to improve dependability, and to include handicapped-accessible features. Many elevators throughout campus were also modified to eliminate mechanical safety edges by replacing them with optical non-contact safety edges. Hands-free telephone communication systems have also been installed in multiple elevators. Multiple sidewalks throughout campus have also been modified to include handicapped-accessible ramps. Automatic door-openers were installed at Morton Hall, Wilson Hall, and the University Center to enable easy ingress and egress to and from the buildings. Wheelchair lifts were installed in Room 200 of Morton Hall and at the Union Grove Gallery. A computerized Maintenance Management System (Datastream MP2) has been procured and integrated to track the status of facilities maintenance and construction issues. The system ensures prompt and dependable performance in identifying and correcting maintenance issues and in tracking progress and costs of construction projects. Outdoor lighting has been improved in parking lots, and along sidewalks and building exteriors. Facilities Inventory Report UAH prepares a Facilities Inventory Listing for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) every two years. All public postsecondary institutions are required to submit this report in the format prescribed by ACHE, which details all building gross and net assignable square footage and land acreage. The most recent report was dated July 2003 (included in Sources). The purpose of the inventory at the institution level:
The purpose of the inventory at the State and national level:
The inventory report is broken down into three sections. The first section contains totals for each building for that building's gross and net assignable square footage. The second section breaks down the same information by type of room. The building inventory space categories are as follows:
The total of all accumulated net assignable area of the space category must match the assignable square footage on the facilities inventory. An important piece of information presented in the first section is the Condition Code. It indicates the condition of each building and, therefore, whether there is urgent need of renovation. In the report soon to be released, all buildings will have a Condition Code of "1" which indicates that there are no significant issues. Physical Plant Department The Physical Plant Department is responsible for all construction, maintenance, and grounds management. The department is organized under the Executive Director of Facilities who reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Operations. Reporting to the Executive Director are the directors of the respective departments Plant Systems, Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance, Construction and Building Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance, and Custodial Services. The Director of Plant Systems is responsible for the Stockroom, the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and Fleet Services. Spare parts and materials are stored and issued through the Stockroom, and all procurement functions are documented. The CMMS is developed and supported by Datastream. All work is planned, implemented, and integrated through the system. It is employed continuously to track daily work related to Trouble Calls, Preventive Maintenance, and Service Orders. Also correlated within the system are material and labor costs, performance schedules, inventories, equipment history, warranties, and manufacturers' technical specifications. Fleet Services provides certain aspects of vehicle support including management of University-owned rental vehicles. The Director of Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance provides the University community with timely maintenance and repair of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in support of academic, research, and administrative functions. All task priorities are identified and assigned in accordance with MP2 data and coordinated with subordinate lead supervisors. Daily operation and maintenance of the computerized Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) is conducted in order to ensure comfortable and efficient indoor campus environments. Outdoor or external lighting systems for buildings and parking lots are also controlled through the centralized EMCS. Continuous remote monitoring is provided for critical laboratory operations. Regular adjustment of system parameters is necessary to achieve optimum energy efficiencies. The Director of Construction and Building Maintenance is responsible for providing the University with responsive, timely, and thorough renovation, building repair, and maintenance services to ensure an atmosphere that is aesthetically pleasing, conducive to learning and in support of the academic, research, and administrative functions of the University. All carpentry, painting, concrete, tile work, wallpapering, sheathing, structural work, and roofing are coordinated through this position. Grounds Management is responsible for ensuring that all University grounds, lawns, trees, shrubs, parking lots, and streets are properly maintained to enhance the overall ambiance of the campus. The Grounds area is also responsible for campus solid waste disposal, the recycling of paper waste, oil, metals, and yard waste materials. During winter months, if there is ice or snow, the Grounds crew clears roads and parking lots. Custodial Services is responsible for ensuring that all University buildings are properly cleaned and maintained at the highest possible standards by the most efficient utilization of personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. All Facilities work is performed as a function of the Facilities and Operations Policies and Procedures Manual, and in accordance with the UAH Staff Handbook. Regular internal and external inspection processes are conducted. Examples of internal processes are represented by a Director audit of a percentage of daily work orders to validate aspects of quality, timeliness and safety. Directors also perform scheduled inspections of respective campus facilities. Examples of external inspection processes are represented by the formal Elevator Inspection and the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection, which are conducted by licensed independent contractors, who report directly to Alabama State Inspectors. Other processes are established that relate to Materials Inventory Control, Training, Personnel Safety, Energy Management, Severe Weather Preparedness, Vehicle Maintenance, Waste Management, Recycling, ADA Compliance, Employee Development and Performance Evaluation, Security, Procurement, Facilities Modification and Construction, Campus Master Plan, Housing Maintenance, Facility Condition Assessment, and Deferred Maintenance. These processes are described in the Facilities and Operations Policies and Procedures Manual and are implemented in accordance with the UAH Staff Handbook. Campus Master Plan On November 5, 2004, the Board of Trustees of The UA System approved the 2004 Campus Master Plan for the UAH. The 2004 Campus Master Plan has both short-term and long-term components to guide campus development, create a definite and strong impression to the community, and make improvements that will facilitate campus life. A collaborative approach involving students, faculty, and administrators at UAH, representatives of the UAH Foundation, and a multi-disciplinary team of planners, architects, landscape architects, and engineers was utilized. The report explaining the plan contains sections on existing conditions, concept development, the master plan framework, design guidelines, and next steps. The report should be helpful in guiding decisions about the campus environment through the next several years. Insurance Insurance for UAH Buildings and Physical Plant equipment is adequate, and coverage is regularly updated to include additional buildings and equipment. Insurance was recently upgraded to cover laboratory equipment, all building contents, and all UAH property. |
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