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Ford's Focus
Fall has arrived and we have found ourselves with cooler temperatures and in the midst of another busy football season.
I want to draw your attention to the latest Progress Report, which addresses questions submitted at the OPP Town Hall, including becoming a smoke-free campus, dealing with outside contractors, and filling tech service positions. Thank you again for attending and asking questions regarding concerns you have.
On a more somber note, I wanted to address the loss of one of our OPP interns. Michael Eiben passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8 as the result of an accident at the intersection of Curtin Road and North Atherton. He had been working toward his master's thesis in a five-year engineering program and worked directly with Steve Oskin in Continuous Commissioning. Please join me in sending our deepest condolences to Michael's friends, family and coworkers.
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Welcomes
 Janelle Brown accepted a position as a custodial worker in District 13. Her first day was Sept. 8.Hometown: Hawk Run, Pa.
Hobbies: Outdoor activities
 Carlie Comly accepted a position as a custodial worker in District 42. Her first day was Sept. 8. Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.
Hobbies: Fishing
 Victoria Daugherty accepted a position as a custodial worker in District 52. She transferred from Housing & Food Services. Her first day was Sept. 21. Hometown: State College, Pa.
Hobbies: Outdoor activities, loves animals
 Damien Gritton began a position as a custodial worker in District 22. His first day was Sept. 14.Hometown: Clarion, Pa.
Hobbies: Fishing
 Frank Hipple began a position as a custodial worker in District 43 on Sept. 8. Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.
Hobbies: Lifting
 Kevin Potts accepted a position as a chilled water operator. His first day was Sept. 8. Hometown: Bellwood, Pa.
Hobbies: Hunting, ATV
 William Taylor accepted a position as an equipment operator. His first day was Sept. 8. Hometown: Petersburg, Pa.
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing
 Ben Thomas began a position as a chilled water operator on Sept. 21. Hometown: Orbisonia, Pa. Hobbies: Hunting, spending time with family
 Chris Vargo accepted a position as an H&V Tech. His first day was Sept. 8.Hometown: Cressin, Pa. Hobbies: Outdoor activities **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
Andy Ellenberger, facilities supervisor, is retiring after 34 years. His last day is Sept. 30.
Ray Helsel, painter, is retiring after 29 years. His last day is Oct. 2.
Rhett McLaren, compliance specialist, is leaving the University after 14 years. His last day is Sept. 30.
James Wilkins, stockroom clerk, is retiring after 25 years. His last day is Oct. 2.
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I want to thank all of you who have already participated in this year's Employee Meetings. The third of many feedback reports with responses and progress made on issues raised was recently shared via email (Technical Service Vacancies).
The fourth progress report covering questions asked at the OPP Town Hall is now available. Please take a few minutes to review the most recent report if you haven't already .
In addition to safety, service vehicle parking, and specific work-group issues, we're working on several other cross-OPP challenges:
- Maximo Issues
- Material Availability
- Planning and Estimating Delays
- 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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West Halls Asbestos Removal
Arkie Tromm, housing assistant manager, wrote in to OPP to pay compliments to John Bathurst and the asbestos crew regarding the tile replacement in the West Halls laundry rooms. "As usual, anything that could go wrong went wrong. Conferences ran late, contractors ran late, unknown asbestos was found under our old flooring, and additional removal of asbestos made sense once the project was started. Move-in was also going. Talk about stressful! "The first thing that went right was John showing up to look things over. He formulated a functional plan that involved members of the crew volunteering for some weekend overtime. Without their willingness to work the OT, we would not have been able to complete the job before the students arrived. Talk about a stress reliever! "I can't say enough good things about the crew. During the entire project, they worked around about three different trades and several contractors, all the while keeping the project moving. From asbestos removal to re-insulation, all the work was first rate." Dave Manos, assistant director of Housing, also contributed a few words of thanks.
"The crew also bailed us out of another situation in McKee Hall. The two technicians who did that work responded immediately to our need to resolve the condition ASAP and within a short period the students were able to comfortable and confident reoccupy their room. We know this crew is very busy and sincerely appreciate them helping to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable living environment for the students whom we serve."
Technology Support Building
Kevin Morooney, vice provost for IT, wrote in to OPP to share a few kind words regarding the Technology Support Building.
"I wanted to reach out to express my organizational and personal gratitude for all of the earnest and good work put into the building. The positive energy that is already being created is a tangible plus for all inhabitants. While you might not ever directly see the benefit like I will, I wanted to assure you that the OPP sweat is already being put to good use and there's plenty more to deliver on. Hats off to OPP!"
Army ROTC
Jan Grasser, executive operations manager in the Controller's office, wrote in regarding the updated Army ROTC space on the second floor of Wagner Building.
"A big thank you goes out to the painters and electricians and all of the OPP staff who worked on the project. The large open areas and the offices look fresh and clean with the new paint. The project was completed in a short window of time over the summer. Everything was ready to go in mid-August when the Army ROTC military staff and students returned."
In addition, Yvonne Gaudelius, associate vice president and senior associate dean for undergraduate education, also expressed her thanks.
"You've transformed the space from something that was shabby and 'make-do' to a space that is welcoming and professional. The color on the walls is perfect. I would have loved to be there to see the faces of students who returned after the summer. I'm sure they thought they were in the wrong place as the change is so amazing."
Football Trash Collection
Cory Chapman, assistant athletic director, reached out to OPP to offer thanks for the hard work put forth at the Penn State vs. Rutgers football game.
"I wanted to thank you and the staff for the work at the football game against Rutgers. The collection of trash was a major improvement, especially with the wet conditions we were faced with. I appreciate your quick attention to this matter. It goes a long way for our fan experience and we in Athletics recognize the hard work that goes into making that a reality."
artsUP
George Trudeau, Director for the Center for the Performing Arts, wrote in to thank OPP for its assistance with the artsUP event on Sept. 20.
"Thank you for the support provided by OPP. I'm pleased that we had a very successful event, and even the weather was great! Your assistance was very helpful in developing an effective signage plan to draw attention to arts UP and the arts district. I think they were all very nicely designed and appropriately displayed."
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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 Sept. 2 issue of News & Views was a Hydrodata multimeter used by the HVAC crew .
Item from the Sept. 2 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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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.
We Love Flowers!
 Penn State made a big perennial push between 2007-2010 with nearly 30,000 perennial plantings. Since then, we've also planted 115,000 bulbs, 36,000 spring flowers and 75,000 annuals. |
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 Attend this year's Finance & Business Women's Conference - "A Better U" on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The conference is for all women working in Finance & Business, including technical service, supervisory, support staff, administration, etc. There will be inspiring keynote speakers, engaging panel conversations and informative break-out sessions.
For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/1JL0xsV. Employees will need to get permission from their supervisor to attend. This conference is recognized by Finance & Business as a professional development program, and therefore attendance would be counted as work. The registration fee is $70 per person, and includes lunch and refreshments. Please speak with your supervisor as far as responsibility for payment. |
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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, on your break or at home. 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. Think you need a pricey gym membership to get fit and stay fit? Think again! You can get a great workout at home (or at work, the park, etc) without any fancy equipment or the expensive membership. Below are some great exercises and stretches demonstrated by your fellow coworkers that you can incorporate into a bodyweight workout whenever and wherever you choose.
Seated Twist
Sit in your chair with your spine tall and straight. Inhale, and, on the exhale, twist to one side from the bottom of your spine (more from your abdomen than your back) grabbing your armrest gently. Breathe for a few seconds and then repeat on the other side.
Wrist Release
Weeks and years of typing can take a toll on your wrists and forearms. Take a moment with each hand to bend your wrists in each direction. First, with one hand press your fingertips toward the top of your arm, then switch. Then bend each wrist in the opposite direction by pressing your fingertips toward the inside of your wrist.
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| | Derek Kalp takes a moment to do the wrist release while at his desk. |
Wall Sit
Another great, no equipment exercise is the wall sit. To do a wall sit, lean back onto a wall and sit like there is an imaginary chair. Your knees and hips should form right angles, and your back should be flat against the wall. If assistance is needed, use a chair to help reduce resistance. To make it more challenging, hold a weighted medicine ball between your knees. For beginners, start out holding for 2-3 seconds. As you get stronger increase the amount of time holding the position.
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| | Nikki Brown in HR took a brief break from her work to do a wall sit. |
Pushup
Keep your body in a straight line from your head down to your toes. To make it easier, use a wall or desk for an incline pushup or put your knees down. Regardless, keep your body in a straight line.
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| | Brian Grubb, elevator technician, demonstrates the proper form for a pushup. |
Disclaimer: Always talk with your doctor before starting a new fitness regimen. In addition, be sure to warm up and cool down properly before and after exercising. |
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Steidle Hall is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and rejuvenation. EYP Architecture and Engineering recently put together an interactive feature highlighting this project.
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 The flu vaccine clinic dates are now open for registration. To make an appointment, visit http://ohr.psu.edu/health-matters/flu-shots/. Flu vaccines are free to any current Penn State employee and their spouse/partner enrolled in health benefits. If an employee's spouse wishes to receive a flu shot and does not have Penn State health benefits, the cost of their flu shot is $24. Retirees and children are not eligible for this program.
OPP is hosting the following sessions in Room 150A&B. Please enter the 105B side.
Thursday, Oct. 22
12 - 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
4 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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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.
Supplemental Retirement Plans
One of the benefits of being a Penn State employee is having access to multiple ways to save for your retirement. One of the underutilized benefits we offer is the Penn State Tax-Deferred Annuity plan and the Penn State 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate in both of the supplemental retirement plans, regardless of whether your are enrolled in SERS or the Penn State Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with TIAA-CREF. Contributions to these plans are separate from, and in addition to, contributions you make to your mandatory retirement plan with Penn State. These plans are great ways to reduce your taxable income today, while ensuring you save enough to retire comfortably. You can find out more information about these plans on the OHR website.
Consultations with TIAA-CREF Financial Consultants
Consultations are free to Penn State employees, and there is no limit on the number of consultations you may have. All employees are encouraged to call TIAA-CREF at 800-732-8353 or schedule a consultation online.
Attend Live Webinars
Live webinars are also available for you to attend where you are able to interact with the presented to respond to material presented and ask questions. These interactive sessions are designed to give you practical, useful information on personal finance and long-term investing designed to make financial education easy.
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Dedicated to Diversity
In an effort to spotlight some of the diversity we have here in OPP, we'll be sharing words and phrases from the different languages many of your coworkers speak. If you speak a second language or know some words and phrases from your ethnic background, email Susan at newsviews@psu.edu and you could be featured in an upcoming issue of News & Views.
 Alex Novak, communications manager, is a first-generation American. Both of his parents are from Slovenia, part of the former Yugoslavia. They met in high school in Ljubljana (loo-blee-ah-na), Slovenia's capital city, and escaped to Italy in 1949 to avoid Communist persecution. They immigrated to the United States in 1954. Slovenia declared independence in 1991 and is now part of the European Union.
Alex's favorite Slovenian word is "kikiriki" (kee-keeree-kee), which is simultaneously the sound a rooster makes and the word for peanuts. Here are some other useful words and phrases.
Adijo (ah-dee-yo) - goodbye
Stklenico slovenskega vina, prosim (stuck-len-izzo slow-ven-skay-gah vee-nah praw-sim) - A bottle of Slovenian wine, please.
Na zdravje (nozz-drav-yay) = Cheers!
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:
- 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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 Participate in brain research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)!
Participants must be at least 60 years old and have no history of brain injury or disease. Compensation is $10/hr for behavioral sessions and $20/hr for MRI sessions.
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 The United Way Day of Caring is a week away! This year there are more than 70 projects throughout the county to be tackled by volunteers on Oct. 1.
Volunteers are still needed! Register today as an individual or form a team. Please also share with your family, friends, clients, clubs, churches, etc.
Plan to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at the Bryce Jordan Center before you head out to your project.
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 Want to visit New York City and benefit the United Way too? Consider the College of Engineering United Way Fundraiser trip to NYC. Bus departs at 6 a.m. and returns to campus at 1 a.m. Enjoy nine hours to shop, sightsee and more.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: $60
Contact: Sally Kelley (sjk4@psu.edu) or Jane Reese (jzr1@psu.edu)
Deadline: Reservation due by Nov. 18
Payment: Check only made out to COE United Way
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 Several changes have recently been made to the section of Lot Orange A located just west of the Physical Plant Building.
Visitor Parking and Pay Station
The 15-space section located just outside the main entrance to Physical Plant has been re-designated as visitor parking only. Parking by permit holders, service vehicles or department vehicles will no longer be permitted. Vehicles parked in these spaces are required to purchase time at the new multi-space pay station. The two ADA spaces in this section are available to both visitors with paid time at the pay station and faculty and staff with a valid core parking permit and valid ADA placard or license plate.
Physical Plant Fleet Vehicle Spaces
Seven parking spaces located just west of the EV charing station in the lot's primary section have been re-designated for use by authorized Physical Plant Fleet vehicles only. These spaces are reserved 24/7.
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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.
OPP Bulletin Board
Weston Brush Guard & Undercover Hard
Tonneau Cover
Contact: Marty, 7-4432 (daytime) or stop by room 155
Price: Grill Guard - $325
Tonneau Cover - $325
Set - $525
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 
