Operations Division - Tech's Provider of Choice

Operations Division - texas tech university’s Provider of Choice
The texas tech operations division stands by “Excellent Service, excellent stewardship.”
VOL. 3, Ed. 4
March Events
For more news visit the operations division website at: www.depts.ttu.edu/operations p1
Current Division Projects
BMC
Building Maintenance and Construction is repairing the Chemistry Build-
ing exterior from lightening damage.
Engineering Services
Engineering Services is replacing the classroom seating in the Texas Tech
Law building, rooms 202 and 203.
Grounds Maintenance
Grounds Maintenance is preparing for annual Arbor Day festivities.
Planning & Administration
Planning & Administration is working on migrating the Planning and
Training database to the new SumTotal learning management system.
Services
Custodial services is testing floor products at the chemistry building,
these will no longer require yearly waxing.
Utilities
The Central Heating & Cooling Plant II is in phase three out of four of the
installation of new switchgear, phase four will begin in June.
Content
Business & Administration Services
.............................................................................Page 2
Safety Starts with Me
.............................................................................Page 2
Understand QEP
.............................................................................Page 3
Condolences for Dwight Phillips
.............................................................................Page 4
Donation Presentation
.............................................................................Page 4
2014 President’s Report
.............................................................................Page 5
The Benefits of Critical Thinking
.............................................................................Page 6
April Birthdays
.............................................................................Page 6
Employee Spotlight
.............................................................................Page 7
Why Do Hackers Target Universities?
.............................................................................Page 7
Texas Tech History - The TTU Seal
.............................................................................Page 8
Que Paso Survey
.............................................................................Page 8
Sean Childers
Assistant Vice President for Operations Division
It is hard to believe it is already the middle of
April and the spring semester will be over
in approximately four weeks. With
spring comes an annual tradition that
began in 1937, the celebration of
Arbor Day on the Texas Tech campus.
From the beginning, students, faculty
and staff joined in to help beautify the
campus. Now, Arbor Day is celebrated
by successfully planting 25,000+
plants, trees and shrubs on the main
Texas Tech campus in approximately two
hours. Arbor Day is right around the corner
on April 24th with graduation right behind on May 15th and 16th. I
appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication. Don’t forget your sun-
screen!

VOL. 3, Ed. 4 March 2015 Events
Know your Busine
ss
Gettokno
w
Operations Division BusinessServices
Operations Division Budget and
Utilities Accounting
As the name suggests the Budget and Utili-
ties Accounting section is involved in the
development, processing and review of
most things related to Budgets and Utilities
for the Operations Division. This includes
the establishment, maintenance, reconcilia-
tion and closeout of Operations Division
Operating and Construction FOPs as well as
the audit, payment and distribution of
Utility costs to the University customers.
The section is headed up by Ron Winchell
and is assisted by Laura Hayes.
During the period of September 1st through
March 31st, the Budget section has
processed over 535 budget revisions in
support of normal operations and construc-
tion projects, totaling over $ 30,876,007.
They have also processed over 145 new
fund requests.
This area works very closely with BMC and
Engineering Services to ensure the timely
establishment and closeout of construction
accounts as well as reviewing Operating
FOPs to ensure charges are properly placed
and adequately funded. Budget is also
heavily involved in the preparation and
submittal of the annual budgets for Opera-
tions Division and works closely with the
Director and Assistant Vice President to
ensure budgets are submitted in a timely
manner and that accounts are adequately
funded.
Utilities accounting is responsible for the audit, payment and distribution of costs
related to utility invoices for the Campus and its regional sites. At the end of each
month, Laura Hayes distributes the costs to the various components (E&G and Auxilia-
ry) and charges them accordingly. Laura also provides various utilities informational
reports to management and senior Administration officials. This section develops and
provides the University with projections for Utility Costs for the next fiscal year. Ms.
Hayes has audited, paid and charged out over $ 9,829,064 in Purchased and Manufac-
tured Utilities costs for the September through February billing cycles.
If you have any questions regarding budgets, please contact Ron and if you have any
questions about Utilities, you can contact Laura or Ron and they will be more than
happy to assist you.
Safety Starts with Me!
Working too fast or rushing is a common
behavior associated with injuries and
incidents. Many times, employees rush
through the office or worksite because
they are behind on their work or are late
for meetings. Rushing is often a normal
reaction to a stressful environment, but
this behavior may cause people to make
mistakes.
What happens when you hurry?
•Rushing to get our jobs done can
result in injury to ourselves and
those around us.
•Being in a rush makes it unlikely
you will perform your task as you
should.
If you tend to hurry on the job, there are ways you can change your behavior:
1. Always put safety first. Think about the injuries and other problems that could
result from being in too much of a hurry.
2. Don’t take shortcuts. Shortcuts often results in accidents. Shortcuts to avoid include
removing safety guards or shields and failing to heed warning signs and other import-
ant safety instructions.
3. Dress properly for the job. It may take a few extra minutes to put on a heavy pair of
gloves, googles or other safety equipment, but it can save you from serious injury.
Don’t be in so much of a rush that you neglect to put on the proper personal protec-
tive equipment.
4. Use the right tools for the job.
5. Identify hazardous situations in advance. Working carefully and deliberately gives
you time to think about potential hazards, and to plan your actions.
Rushing results in carelessness, and carelessness leads to injuries. Having a good
safety attitude means taking responsibility for your actions. And taking responsibility
means doing the best job you can-not the fastest job you can.

Developing a plan of action
Guided by Texas Tech's mission statement, which is “dedicated to student
success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally
competitive workforce,” members of the Texas Tech community had two specif-
ic goals in mind to improve students' communication skills in an increasingly
interrelated world.
“Texas Tech's QEP was developed to improve our undergraduate students'
communication skills and their multicultural awareness so they can better
function in our interconnected world,” said Gary Smith, Texas Tech's 2016 QEP
proposal development committee chair. “Communication includes oral, visual
and non-verbal in addition to writing, and we intend to provide our students
with the necessary tools to allow them to communicate in a culturally informed
and appropriate manner.”
The goals of QEP also align with the new Texas Core Curriculum objectives that
include communication skills in every core course. With the new QEP and
Texas Core Curriculum objectives, students will create works that demonstrate
essential communication skills and global awareness.
The new objectives will require students to fulfill a three-hour multicultural
course and six hours of the writing intensive course requirement, which is
being changed to include other forms of communications and will be renamed
the communication intensive course requirement.
New additions on campus
To manage the curricular changes,
training opportunities and assess-
ment activities of the 2016-2020
QEP, Texas Tech will establish the
Center for Global Communication.
The center also will work with
other entities on campus to
develop and implement tools
for measuring new student
learning outcomes.
Texas Tech also will establish the
Communication Tutoring Center
(CTC) to create more instructional support for these curricular revisions. The
CTC will complement Texas Tech's University Writing Center by providing
tutoring sessions for students who want assistance with oral presentations and
visual and multimedia projects.
“With the proliferation of the Internet, communication is more multi-model,”
said Kathleen Gillis, director of the University Writing Center and a member of
the QEP development committee. “As a result, our graduates will need innova-
tive and comprehensive instructional support in order to adapt to any commu-
nicative context, whether it be a business meeting in China or a legislative
session in Austin.”
Texas Tech Prepares Students to 'Bear
Our Banners Far and Wide'
Written By: K'Leigh Sims
The university will implement a five-year Quality
Enhancement Plan to improve students' communica-
tion skills and global awareness.
In a broad-based, campus-wide effort, Texas Tech
University will implement a new Quality Enhance-
ment Plan (QEP) in 2016-2020 for undergraduate
students. As part of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
(SACSCOC) reaccreditation process, the QEP is
designed to improve communications skills and
awareness on a global scale.
“Our students are graduating into a world that
reflects a more diverse and culturally rich work-
place,” Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis said.
“Not only must we prepare them in the classrooms
and labs, but also create an environment reflective
of the world in which they will be employed. It is
essential we provide them the communication
tools necessary for the most productive career
experience possible.”
Titled “Bear Our Banners Far and Wide: Communi-
cating in a Global Society,” Texas Tech faculty,
staff, students and stakeholders all joined the
effort of collecting and contributing to the deci-
sion-making process of how the QEP topic would
be selected.

Dwight Franklin Phillips
June 7, 1953 - March 28, 2015
Dwight Phillips dedicated over 37 years to Texas Tech University, he started as an
electrical apprentice and after many years his final title role was senior inspector at
Tech. Dwight was well known within the Operations Division and will be missed.
Family requests have been made in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Lubbock’s Meals on Wheels or to Southcrest Baptist Church.
To send your regards please visit:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/lubbockonline/dwight-frank-
lin-phillips-condolences/174532638?&nocache=true&cid=addentry&sign=0#stha
sh.YEzlyNLM.AWLjzPhc.dpbs
Ann Hodges and David Chapa at Lubbock Meals on Wheels
donating funds from Operations Engineering and BMC in
memory of Dwight Phillips.
Lubbock Meals on Wheels
Thursday, April 9, 2015, Operations Division collected a donation of 305
dollars to Lubbock Meals on Wheel on behalf of Dwight Phillips.
Ann Hodges and David Chapa from Operations Division Engineering
Services presented the donation.
“Dwight was told he had a year and a half left and he doubled that with
his attitude and fight,” Hodges said. “It was amazing. And he hardly ever
took a sick day during most of it.”
Dwight Phillips battled cancer for three years, but during his 37+ years of
service to Texas Tech, he touched many lives and made many friends.
“As I celebrated my son's birthday, I also mourned a loss of a friend and
fellow co-worker, Dwight Philips,” Chapa said. “He may have lost his fight
with cancer, but I hope that my son and many others have gained an
angel today.”
Mr. Phillips family has requested for donations to Lubbock Meals on
Wheels or the Southcrest Baptist Church instead of flowers.

2014 President's Report
Texas Tech University is an institution of great achievement.
Texas Tech University is a national research university and
an institution of great achievement. It has a long-standing
tradition of academic excellence through cutting-edge
research and innovative activities, future-oriented teaching,
and multifaceted-outreach endeavors by its faculty, students
and staff.
We have a rising national reputation as an institution of
accomplishment in contributions to higher education. I have
been humbled to serve this great university for two years
and I look forward to continuing to lead our wonderfully
talented groups of faculty, staff and students as we move
forward. We want them to be successful, and together we
will ensure they have the support to achieve their goals.
Over the past year, there are many accomplishments of
which we should be proud. Our students won numerous
academic national championships and our talented and
accomplished faculty and staff provided them the guidance
and leadership to achieve on the national level. We opened
new buildings and received approval and funding for
current and future construction projects that will enhance
the overall academic experience of our students and
research endeavors of our faculty. We have produced
groundbreaking research, scholarship and performances
that have received worldwide attention.
I am proud to serve as president of this fine comprehensive
national public research institution. This is Texas Tech
University.
M. Duane Nellis, Ph.D.
President
Record Fall Enrollment
35,134
National Public University
No. 84
Nationally Earned Doctorates
64th
31st National Championship
Texas Tech Law
Great College to Work For
Chronicle of Higher Ed.
Awarded By the Aplu
Innovation and Economic
Prosperity University
Research & Technology Park
Groundbreaking

What Are the Benefits of Critical Thinking in the Workplace?
by George N. Root III, Demand Media
Critical thinking forces employees and managers to look at a situation and
weigh all possible solutions before coming up with a final answer. It can be a
long process that requires input from different people within the organiza-
tion. The benefits to critical thinking make it a worthwhile practice for any
small business.
Brings New Ideas
When an issue comes up in the workplace, a common reaction is to assume
that it falls into a predetermined category. Critical thinking does not make
any assumptions, and using the process of critical thinking in the workplace
removes the temptation to immediately classify every issue under something
that has happened in the past. It forces employees and managers to look
beyond conventional solutions and look for new ideas that can help to
efficiently address problems.
Fosters Teamwork
The entire workplace can get involved in the critical thinking process. The
more people that are involved, the more solutions your company will come
up with. A diverse workplace can benefit immensely from critical thinking.
Not only does it give a reason for people of diverse backgrounds to work
together on product solutions, it also encourages teamwork and gives each
employee a chance to impact the future of the organization. Critical thinking
exercises promote workplace tolerance and can be used as part of diversity
training.
Promotes Options
One of the benefits of critical thinking is that your
company can develop multiple viable solutions to the
same issue. This allows your company to offer a range
of solutions to clients, and it also assists in workplace
innovation. Several solutions to the same problem can
allow your company to develop solutions that use the
resources that are available as opposed to purchasing
new materials. Customers benefit from having options
to choose from in solving their problem.
Uncovering Spinoffs
Looking comprehensively at solving an issue brings up
information that can be applied to many other situa-
tions. For example, a critical thinking exercise on how
to handle a new manufacturing process may lead to
ideas for other manufacturing methods. Once you get
started asking questions in a critical thinking exercise
for one topic, you begin to address other unresolved
topics.
April Birthdays
April 03 - Patrick Garcia, Nickolas Marmolejo
April 04 - Gerald Snyder
April 07 - Tiarre Pierce, Adrian Torres
April 10 - Robert Daughtry
April 11 - Jerry Cowen, Justine Torres,
Juan Vasquez Gonsalez
April 12 - Steven Allsup
April 13 - George Chavez
April 18 - Maria Gonzalez
April 19 - Dian Ibarra, Manuel Sanchez
April 21 - Nick Cuellar
April 23 - Terry Fincher, Brandon Hennington
April 24 - Brooke Halbert, Gene Montalvo
April 27 - Jose Franco, Maria Guzman
April 28 - Frances Lucas
April 29 - Christian Torrez
April 30 - Kassi Cauthorn, Christopher Nipp, Vi Vance

Employee Spotlight
Jeff Sutherland
Mr. Sutherland has been with Texas Tech Engineering Services since 1996 and is currently the Archi-
tectural Manager. His favorite thing to do is design different types of buildings while expanding his
knowledge of architecture and construction.
Mr. Sutherland was raised in New Jersey and ended up in Lubbock to gain his degree in Architecture.
He has three children, whom he enjoys cooking for and in his free time plays competitive hockey and
golf.
Joanie Clendenning
Mrs. Clendenning began working for Texas Tech as a Senior Administrative Assistant for the Opera-
tions Division in 2010 where she remains as Sean Childers assistant.
Mrs. Clendenning grew up in Anaheim, California with three sisters. When she married her husband,
Larry Clendenning, they traveled together through his career in the Army.
Mrs. Clendenning loves doing anything with her husband and is passionate about helping others.
Why Do Hackers Target Universities?
As demonstrated through recent data breaches at the University of Maryland and Indiana University, institutions of higher education
are prime targets, because:
Our populations (student, staff and faculty) are well defined;
Most have centralized computing and electronic resources that are publicly visible;
Our population represents those with established credit (faculty and staff), and those earning good credit (students); and
We have many business transactions and services (payment cards, tuition payments, campus network access accounts, etc.)
Criminals continue to use phishing schemes because they are very profitable for limited effort. Microsoft reports the following costs
of phishing attacks in 2014:
As long as people fall prey to these attacks, criminals will continue to use this technique to steal personal information. The TTU
Office of the CIO reminds you to “Think Before You Click,” and help protect institutional data and information resources.

TTU History - The Texas Tech
University Seal
Designed by the campus' master
planner, William Ward Watkin, in
1924, the Tech Seal's symbols are the
lamp, which represents "school," the
key for "home," the book for "church,"
and the star for "state." Cotton bolls
represent the area's strong cotton
industry and the eagle is suggestive of
our country. The seal first appeared
on Tech diplomas in 1948, but it
wasn't officially approved as "The"
Seal of Texas Tech University until
1953. On April 27, 1972, the seal was
placed at the Broadway and Universi-
ty entrance to the campus in what
became known as the Amon G. Carter
Plaza. It is made of red granite and
stands 12 feet high. It has been
referred to by students through the
years as "the Oreo."
Information provided by Texas Tech
History & Traditions, learn more at:
http://www.ttu.edu/traditions/seal.phpFronting Texas Tech’s Memorial Circle is the university seal where
many students take iconic graduation pictures.
The official university seal of Texas
Tech University (above).
Your Opinion Counts - Help Us Help You!
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and we want to give you what you want.
Please answer the following questions, tear out and place in the suggestion box. Our goal is provide you with a quality product
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