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Ford's Focus
The summer seems to be flying by. I hope you're all enjoying the sunny and warm weather.
I want to draw your attention once again to the OPP Town Hall we have scheduled for Tuesday, July 28. More information and details are below. This is a great opportunity to meet with Provost Nick Jones and Senior Vice President David Gray. Questions can be submitted in advance. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
In addition, the first progress report resulting from concerns raised at the Employee Meetings was shared via email earlier this month. A link to that report, which covered safety concerns, is included in this edition of News & Views for your review. Best,
Ford
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All employees are invited to an OPP Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in 100 Thomas building. Provost Nick Jones and Senior Vice President David Gray have offered to meet specifically with OPP employees in a similar forum to the first University Town Hall Meeting that took place on June 2.
This is a unique opportunity to engage more deeply, as Nick Jones urged in the first public meeting, "to share your thoughts, concerns, issues; ask questions, make suggestions, have input; and find out things you didn't know about what is going on around the University with us directly."
All day-shift employees are encouraged to attend in person. Those who cannot attend can watch a live stream of the meeting. A few days after the event a link to the archived video will be posted on the OPP home page.
Since this session is being held on a regular business day, there will be two busses running from OPP to the Thomas Building at 9:30 a.m. The busses will make a second trip if anyone should miss the first run. Employees can also walk or take the campus shuttle. For those unable to walk or use these services, limited parking will be available in the Eisenhower and East Parking Decks.
Topics at the first meeting included child care, employee benefits and University investments ( a video is available). Jones and Gray encourage participants to submit questions or discussion points in advance via email at the following address questions@psu.edu. During the meeting there will also be an opportunity to submit questions on index cards or via Twitter with the hashtag #PSUstrong. Questions will be read during the question-and-answer period, keeping anonymous the name of anyone submitting questions. They will do their best to respond to as many of the items submitted as possible.
Submit your questions now: Submit questions ahead of and during the town hall meeting by sending them to questions@psu.edu.
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Welcomes
 Jason Halfpenny accepted a position as a maintenance work for asbestos removal and insulation. His first day was July 6.Hometown: Lewistown, Pa.
Hobbies: Family, hunting, fishing guide
 Ken Henry accepted a position as a maintenance work for asbestos removal and insulation. His first day was July 20.Hometown: Lewistown, Pa.
Hobbies: Tattooing
 Darlene Hoy accepted a position as a real estate specialist. Her first day was July 6.Hometown: Greenville, Pa.
Hobbies: Cooking, music, CIT training
 Sheri Lucas began a position as a real estate specialist on July 1.Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.
Hobbies: Shopping, baking, camping
 Rich Manning accepted a position as a design engineer. His first day was July 13.Hometown: Boalsburg, Pa.
Hobbies: Playing music with the State College municipal band, golf, outdoor activities
 Susan Marrone began working as an administrative support assistant on July 20.Hometown: State College, Pa.
Hobbies:Cooking, movies
Hometown: Fleming, Pa.
Hobbies: Watching football
 Jose Rodriguez accepted a position as a utility maintenance worker. His first day was July 20. Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.
Hobbies: Outdoors
 Amy Schleiden accepted a position as a building maintenance worker. Her first day was July 5.Hometown: Rebersburg, Pa.
Hobbies: Any outdoor activities, running a youth football program for Penns Valley
 Dalton Shade began a position as a custodial worker on July 6. Hometown: Petersburg, Pa.
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes
 Justin Simanski began working as a plumber/fitter on July 20.Hometown: Ashville, Pa.
Hobbies: Motorcycles
 Ty Zellers began work as a chilled water operator on July 6. Hometown: Belltown, Pa.
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, camping
**If your picture was not included, we would be glad to include it in a future edition. Please contact Susan Bedsworth to set up a time to have your photo taken.
Farewells
Richard Fellows, electrician, is retiring from Penn State after 15 years. His last day is July 23.
Harold Folmar, custodial worker, transferred to Auxiliary & Business Services. His last day was July 12.
Sandra Hall, custodial worker, is retiring after 18 years. Her last day is July 29.
Mark Miller, groundskeeper/landscaper, accepted a position with ICA. His last day is July 26.
Roy Morris, utility maintenance worker, accepted a position with the University Libraries. His last day was July 19.
Chris Packer, PM Worker, is retiring after 26 years. His last day is July 24.
Katherine Showers, utility maintenance worker, accepted a position within the Department of Student Affairs. Her last day was July 19.
Jacob Stem, waste collector, accepted a position in Agriculture. His last day was July 12.
Terry Weiler, construction services representative, is retiring after 23 years. His last day is August 8.
Facility Coordinator Updates
Brenda Nagle is the new facility coordinator for the department of Enrollment Management and Administration.
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I want to thank all of you who have already participated in this year's Employee Meetings. The first of many feedback reports with responses and progress made on issues raised was recently shared via email.
While some of our challenges will take some time to address, the first progress report on safety concerns highlights some of the steps we have already taken to resolve multiple issues raised in the employee meetings. Please take a few minutes to review the report if you haven't already .
In addition to specific work-group issues, we're working on several cross-OPP challenges:
- Shortage of Service Vehicle Parking
- Maximo Issues
- Material Availability
- Planning and Estimating Delays
- Technical Service Vacancies
- Shop Space
Discussion of the next steps planned to address these ongoing issues will be shared via email, through News & Views, and on the Employee Meeting Progress page. The site will feature all status reports and an anonymous form to submit questions or suggestions.
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Since the attic has run low on items, we've decided to transition this column to something new. The new column will be called "Tools of the Trade" and will share unique tools that employees in OPP use on the job. We'll still be accepting guesses, since those outside of a specific work area may or may not know what a specific tool is called or what it is used for.
The item in the July 6 issue of News & Views was a lock pick.
Item from the July 6 edition:
The next "Tools of the Trade" item is below. What do you think this is and/or what is it used to do? Email your guess to newsviews@psu.edu.
Happy Guessing!
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"I remember when I met you ...even then you were trying to figure out what you and Penn State could do to help MBE/WBE contractors who...have been denied contracting opportunities or who had not been paid for their work by prime contractors in state contracting. The contrast between that day and last evening was huge...with everyone happy and with hope they had all but lost before."
Those are the words of Donna Arthur, one of the graduates of the Accelerated Contractor Training (ACT), which was sponsored by Penn State, Skanska and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA. ACT is an offshoot of Penn State's Office of Physical Plant's Minority, Women and veteran's in Business Enterprise Program (MBE/WBE).
Arthur's words were directed to Vernon Davis, a contractor liaison in the Office of Physical Plant who also heads up the MBE/WBE program. The program is part of Penn State's commitment to fostering and promoting diversity in all it does. This program serves to increase the opportunities for and participation of minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in relation to construction at Penn State by providing outreach, training and educational programs.
Visit Penn State News to read the complete story.
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Each edition of News & Views will include an interesting Penn State factoid. Some will be about OPP, while others will be about different parts of the University. Know an
interesting tidbit? Send it to newsviews@psu.edu. As long as we can verify its authenticity, we will share it.
The Obelisk
According to an article by the Daily Collegian, it is a myth that the obelisk near the Willard Building is the geographical center of Pennsylvania. It was actually constructed in 1896 by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. It is made up of 280 blocks of stone from nearly 140 different localities, most of which are in Pennsylvania. |
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In an effort to help us all stay healthy, we'll be sharing tips, stretches and workouts you can do at your desk or on your break. We would also love to hear from you! How do you get more movement into your day? Share by emailing newsviews@psu.edu, and with permission, we'll share your submissions in an upcoming edition of News & Views.
While the text for the stretches below is small, the photos do a good job of showing you some great stretches you can do at your desk, on a break or during lunch. Theses are great additions to stretches previously shared in News & Views.
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Disclaimer: Always talk with your doctor before starting a new fitness regimen.
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 In each edition, we are including information and links to retirement information found both on the web and from Penn State's Office of Human Resources. Remember, regardless of your age it's always important to plan ahead for retirement.
Preparing for Retirement at 50
Retirement savings tips geared toward those of you in your 40s were shared in a previous issue of News & Views. This time we're shifting our focus to those of you in your 50s. The following information and excerpts were taken from a CBS News article, "Planning for retirement in your 50s."
This is the decade in your life where retirement savings should be your top priority.
- At least 10 percent of your annual income should go into retirement savings. It's even better if you can increase that to 15 percent.
- Start paying off any debt, including your car, mortgage, credit cards, etc. Having these things taken care of will lessen the burden on any savings you have when retirement time comes.
- Are you supporting your parents or adult children? This is not uncommon, but can cause a financial strain. Help your adult children put together a plan to be able to financially support themselves so you can focus on your own financial future.
- Are you planning to work part time in retirement? Many people plan to pursue more fulfilling positions that will also fit their planned retirement lifestyle. Start thinking about what path you will take and how it may benefit you financially.
- Review your insurance needs. Look at your life insurance, home owners insurance, car insurance, health insurance, and anything others you may carry or need to carry. What do they cover? Do you need to add more to protect your future and your family?*
* Take some time to check out the insurance options Penn State offers for you and your family.
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Dedicated to Diversity
What is your language? How does it sound? How is it different from the others around? How many friends can you make when you know a dozen different ways to say "Hello!" Come find out - and bring along a friend - to the Bilingual reading corner. Let the adventures begin!
- Where: Barnes & Noble, State College, Pa.
- When: Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Dates:
- Aug. 15: Spanish story time with Lauren Perrotti
- Sept. 19: Russian Story time with Olesya V. Kisselev & Irina Mikaelian
- Oct. 17: Spanish & Italian story time with Carla Fernandex & Federica Bulgarelli
- Nov. 21: Welsh story time with Elizabeth Pyatt
- Dec. 19: French story time with Melinda Fricke
Everyone is welcome no matter what language you speak! This even is open and free to the public.
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Workplace Learning
 Project Management Training
Learning Tree International, providing training for 40 years, has partnered with the Office of Human Resources' Workplace Learning & Performance to bring you this hands-on Project Management learning experience. Attendees will learn valuable skills and techniques that you can apply immediately. The class is based on best practices and proven methodologies.
The instructor, Daral Woerle, Esq., PMP, is back by popular demand and will bring real life experiences into the classroom.
The three-day program is set for Aug. 4-6, 2015 and will be held in 431 James M. Elliott Building. The cost is $1,500 and enrollment is capped at 24 people.
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 The Nittany Stage Race is a two-day, three race event bring professional and top amateur cyclists to the State College area on Aug. 1-2.
Event organizers are currently in search of volunteers to serve as course marshals for race events. If interested, email Brian Dempsey at bad5@psu.edu.
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Kicks 4 Kids needs volunteers to run the Penn State 8v8 Soccer Tournament on Aug. 1-2. Volunteers can sign up for 4 hour shifts on Saturday and/or Sunday.
When: Aug. 1-2, 2015
Where: Intramural fields at the intersection of Park Ave. and University Dr.
Questions? Contact Ben Eltz via email or phone (814-883-6631).
Kicks 4 Kids is an IRS registered nonprofit organization that raises money for charity. It has grown from a four team tournament in 2000 to more than 300 teams across two tournaments. All proceeds are donated to youth based charities. The Penn State 8v8 tournament benefits nonprofit organizations in Centre County, including children's program of the United Way and Easter Seals. To date, the tournaments have raised more than $350,000.
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 The Office of Physical Plant is now on Twitter! We're excited to connect with faculty, staff and students. We'll be sharing information about what OPP does, our various programs such as möbius, keeping people up to date about construction and other alerts on campus and looking to answer questions and address concerns from those on campus.
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Philipsburg CATA Vanpool
If you travel to campus from the Philipsburg area and would like to reduce the expense and stress of your daily commute, this might be the opportunity for you.
The Philipsburg to University Park CATA Vanpool is looking for both full and part-time riders for its daily service. It makes stops at Innovation Park, Centre Medical Science Building and two other campus locations.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Contact: Sandy Simler, 814-577-6289
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Have something to sell? Let us know! E-mail Susan Bedsworth with your item(s), details, contact information
 and photos. We will include it in the next edition of News & Views. And don't forget about OPP's Yammer Group "Up for Grabs." Just sign in with your University ID and password to post your item.
Lion Surplus
Lion Surplus handles the removal of University-owned equipment in environmentally responsible ways, such as sales, bids and auctions. Their store, located at the corner of Services Rd. and Big Hollow Rd., is open to students, faculty, staff and the public. The inventory changes daily, but the store routinely has gently used furniture, computers and other electronics, scientific equipment, and much more.
Follow Lion Surplus on Facebook to keep up to date on inventory and special events.
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Contact Us
If you have any comments or suggestions for News & Views, contact Susan Bedsworth by e-mail or at 863-9620.
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You can find a list of carpoolers and regional bus services through the 