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Ƶ statement on recent Thompson Facilities Services staffing decisions

December 12, 2018

University officials provide insights into recently announced personnel restructuring by its facilities-management contractor, Thompson Facilities Services

Thompson Facilities Services logoFor several years, Ƶ has outsourced the maintenance and upkeep of its buildings and grounds, as well as the campus’ custodial services, to Thompson Facilities Services. As part of that contract, the company, based in Reston, Virginia, employs a team of campus-based executives and staff to oversee the university’s maintenance operations.

Ongoing satisfaction surveying of students and employees, regular review of the thoroughness of Thompson’s work, and the quality of its preventative maintenance efforts recently led the leadership of the university’s Office of Facilities and Construction Management to outline new service expectations with Thompson’s local and corporate management.

In response to those concerns, Thompson’s corporate leadership indicated that the company would conduct a systematic reorganization of its campus-based personnel to ensure better accountability to the university, the requisite expertise required to maintain the university’s historic campus, and the personnel necessary to be conscientious and comprehensive in its overall service to Tuskegee, its students and its employees.

The company indicated that, to realign its staffing with the university’s needs, it would furlough or layoff a portion of its personnel so that other areas of the company’s campus-based team could be properly augmented. Since these individuals are Thompson Facilities Services employees, and not employed by Ƶ, the university has had no input into deciding which of Thompson’s employees are affected by the company’s decision.

Ƶ remains unwaveringly focused on providing its students and employees with a quality academic, residential and work environment. As a result, the university will continue to monitor Thompson Facilities Services’ recent staffing decisions in the context of guaranteeing a level of service our stakeholders and historic campus deserve.

Charles N. Smith, Ed.D.
Chief Operating Officer

Harold “Kippy” Tate, AIA
Vice President for Facilities & Construction

© 2018, Ƶ