FS' mission is to lead SMU with innovative solutions that will meet sustainable goals and needs. As a result, we are a community that is focused on improving our environment in order to provide added benefits to the SMU community.  

Sustainability

As part of SMU's focus on being as environmentally "friendly" as possible, the FS team is involved in facilitating and supporting recycling, energy conservation, and sustainability initiatives that impact the environment. We seek to pursue very practical applications such as capturing rain and power plant cooling tower water for use as "grey water" for irrigation, the implementation of waterless urinals to reduce the use of treated water, the installation of the most energy efficient lighting and support systems, and the use of the advanced cleaning processes that reduce the need for cleaning chemicals. The FS team works closely with the SMU Sustainability Committee to promote and train leaders of sustainability efforts. 

Green Cleaning

• Green Cleaning is a method of cleaning that protects the health of building occupants and custodial staff without harming the environment.
• Choosing less hazardous products that have positive environmental attributes can improve indoor air quality and reduce water and air pollution while also ensuring the the removal of biological and other contaminants from the building interior. 
• Purchasing less hazardous cleaners may reduce costs when it comes time to properly dispose of any leftover cleaners.
• Furthermore, purchasing cleaners in concentrates with appropriate handling safeguards, including reusable, reduce, or recyclable packaging, reduces packaging waste and transportation energy. 

Chemicals

• Custodial services only uses chemicals that meet LEED requirements which consist of Green Seal (GS-37), (GS-40), (CCD-110), (CCD-146), (CCD-148), (CCD-147) or California Code of Regulations maximum allowable Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for carpet cleaners, floor finishes and strippers. 

Equipment

• SMU utilizes vacuum cleaners that are certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute “Green Label” Testing program for vacuum cleaners and operate with sound level less than 70dBA.
• Battery-powered equipment is powered by environmentally preferable batteries.
• Powered-equipment is ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise and fatigue.
• Equipment is designed with safeguards such as rollers or rubber bumpers to reduce potential damage to building surfaces.

(return to top)

Custodial Services

• The custodial team provides regular cleaning services to all buildings on campus to provide a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment in which to learn and engage in the normal activities that occur on campus.
• Members of the team are on site 24 hours per day 7 days a week.
• The bulk of the cleaning activities occur after 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with expanded services to buildings that are operate through the weekend.
• The team supports the numerous special events on campus, assists with building security and ensures that buildings are open and ready for service each morning.
• The teams are an integral part of the campus' sustainability efforts as we recycle products, use "green" chemicals and employ environmentally sensitive cleaning processes.

Opening and Closing of Academic and Athletic buildings

• Academic and Athletic buildings, including classrooms and other designated areas, are open and closed on schedule given by building departments and Enrollment Services. 
• Scheduling of teaching building cleaning is controlled through the Provost's Office.
• Individuals who enter the buildings after they have been locked are responsible for the securing of outside doors when they enter as well as when they leave.

Office Cleaning

• Daily vacuuming, sweeping and mopping of floors duties are performed in addition to through cleaning of building entrances, offices, conference rooms, lobbies and hallways. 
• Stripping and refinishing of VCT tile floors and deep carpet cleaning are done once a year. 
• The cleaning of kitchen fixtures (including sinks, microwaves and refrigerators) are the responsibility of the users. However, kitchen fixtures can be done by the custodial staff for a fee by submitting a Facilities Work Order Request. 

Classroom Cleaning

• Classrooms and laboratories are cleaned and the trash are removed daily. 
• Floors are spot swept and mopped daily with a once a week detail sweeping and mopping of the entire area. 
• If classrooms have carpet, the traffic areas are vacuumed daily and spot cleaned as necessary.

Restroom Cleaning

• Floors should be swept and mopped daily and urinals, toilets, sinks and mirrors should also be cleaned daily.
• Restrooms are cleaned thoroughly once each day with additional monitoring performed at least once a day. 
• The custodial staff is responsible for checking and restocking paper goods, soap and sanitary napkins.
• Restrooms should be policed by building occupants to collect and dispose of trash, empty trash receptacles and replace liners as needed. 

Additional Cleaning Services

The custodial staff is available on call for occasions with a short duration of 5 to 10 minutes without additional cost. Additional custodial services may be called on to render minor assistance including:

• Flooding
• To unlock doors 
• An urgent request such as major spills

Light Bulb Replacement

• The custodial staff is responsible for replacing burnt-out bulbs and lamps in most locations where the light is under 12 feet. 
• To replace bulbs, please submit a Facilities Work Order Request.

Inclement Weather

• The custodial staff cleans and applies anti-slip compounds to walkways and building entrances during inclement weather.

Special Services or Events

• Requests for custodial staff for special events or services should be submitted via the Facilities Work Order Request. Please note that this request will be a billable expense. 
• Please email Katie Twining or call (214) 768-1723 for more information about how our custodial services can meet the needs of your special event. 

Grounds Maintenance

• The Grounds department provides quality services, with an emphasis on environment stewardship and fiscal responsibility in support of landscape and hardscape maintenance, sustaining the aesthetics of all tree, shrub, tree, flower beds, walk ways, waste and recycling on SMU's beautiful campus. 
• The grounds are broken into four (4) geographic zones on the accompanying map and will work collaboratively with the custodial and zone building management teams to ensure that all service needs are coordinated and communicated to the building managers. 
• Exterior stairs, ash urns and trash containers are also maintained by the grounds team.

                                                                                                                                                                 (return to top)

Recycling

Single Stream Recycling

The following recyclable items can be placed in receptacles at your desk or throughout campus buildings with a clear bag liner: 

Plastic Paper Aluminum Cardboard Books Magazines

Glass Envelopes Film wrap Shrink wrap Newspaper

Battery and Computer Equipment Recycling

• We collect and recycle batteries in partnership with Interstate Batteries. 
• Types of batteries that can be recycled include single use or rechargeable batteries used in radios and cameras. Please email Ann Allen or call (214) 768-9203 to coordinate battery pick up.
• SMU's Office of Information Technology is responsible for collecting and recycling computers, cell phones, printers, monitors, laptops, keyboards, mice, and servers.

Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling

• We recycle toner cartridges and ink cartridges.  Please send all of your cartridges to the storeroom in Dawson Service Center PO Box 273 for recycling. 

Light Bulb Recycling

        SMU repackages fluorescent tubes into empty fluorescent bulb boxes.

• Regency Lighting will schedule a pickup with one of our trucks and takes the product back to the Regency Dallas Warehouse.
• Veolia comes to the Regency Dallas Warehouse, disposes of the products and sends official documentation certifying proper disposal on behalf of SMU.

Landscape Recycling

• Through a partnership with Allied Trinity, SMU collects landscaping material and construction wood to be used for compost. 
• Allied Trinity coordinates the recycling of these materials and delivers the compost back to SMU for use by the Grounds Department.

Scrap Metal Recycling

• Metal items that are being discarded for trash are collected by FS in order to be recycled by Gold Metal Recyclers.

Outdoor Recycling

• Recyclable items from the Boulevard are collected by FS staff before, during and after SMU Football home games.

Pest Control

• Please contact the Facility Services Response Center at (214) 768-3494 for issues with insects, bees, wasps, bugs, or rodents.

Flooding Restoration

• Please contact the Facility Services Response Center at (214) 768-3494 for emergency issues concerning flooding, water in your office or surrounding areas, or fire damage.

Steam Cleaning

• Please email Katie Twining or call (214) 768-1723 to coordinate special requests for upholstery, drapes, carpet or rug steam cleaning.

Window Cleaning

• Please email Katie Twining or call (214) 768-1723 to coordinate special requests for interior and exterior window cleaning of athletic and/or academic buildings.

Power Washing

• Please email Ann Allen or call (214) 768-9203 to coordinate special requests for power washing campus steps, sidewalks, etc...

Zone Building Management