ANNUAL REVIEW 2024
August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
A good mechanic will tell you to keep your car motor in good working order with regular oil changes. If you don’t, the car will eventually need a series of repairs—and provide a series of headaches—that will add up quickly. Now imagine you had the responsibility of not just one motor, but 6,000 motors within machines such as complex ventilation systems or irrigation pumps, each requiring specific preventive maintenance to operate optimally. At Pepperdine Department of Facilities Services (DFS) staff members have such a responsibility. Our team completes more than 26,000 work orders per year with one-third of them being routine maintenance to prevent future malfunctions.
It’s commonly said that students may decide to select a particular school within the first 10 minutes of visiting a campus. The pleasant ambient environment that our students experience is accomplished only through the dedication and commitment of more than 100 people proactively ensuring the landscaping is neatly trimmed, the countertop is dust-free, the lobby has a cool temperature, the wall is freshly painted, and much, much more.
The daily work that DFS completes to maintain this campus is living out the mission we are each called to do at this University. In Galatians 6:9, we are encouraged to not “grow weary for doing good, for in good season we shall reap.” Those hours of carefully tending to the motors, filters, sinks, and everything else are reaping the goodness that God has blessed us so abundantly.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:9–10).
In gratitude,
Marilyn Koziatek Director of Facilities Services
Pictured on cover: Newly renovated Stotsenberg track with state-of-the-art running surface.
WHO WE ARE
The Department of Facilities Services is composed of more than 100 dedicated individuals working in the following service areas:
• Access Control and Locksmith
• Custodial (cleaning)
• Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing (building systems such as ventilation, pipes, and lights)
• Landscape and Irrigation
• Structural (carpentry and paint)
OUR HIDDEN WORK
Much of the work of DFS is not visible to the general public and details might surprise you:
exhaust fans checked and repaired 200 deployed during the rain 130 dehumidifiers
52 fountains, emergency blue light phones, air compressors, and vehicle safety weekly checks of chemical dispensers, boiler loops, and chiller loops and towers biweekly checks of 26 replaced 50 thermostats
ADVANCING EFFICIENCY
The Department of Facilities Services researches and employs new technologies to better serve the Pepperdine community. For example, DFS invested in several new floor-cleaning machines that scrub four times faster than traditional machines, resulting in a higher-quality clean in half the time. The machines can work on many surfaces including tile, carpet, hardwood, concrete, and entry mats. The low moisture technique ensures only one pass over the floor is needed, resulting in occupants being able to use their space more quickly than before. The new machines are more ergonomic and require less pressure to push while operating at a lower noise level.
DFS also replaced the dampers in the Firestone Fieldhouse with modern technology, resulting in fewer moving parts for easier maintenance and rubber seals for the damper blades to prevent any influx of fumes. The actuators were integrated into the University’s building automation system for increased efficiency to cool the gym during large events and better protect air quality during potential wildfires.
By replacing the hallway and stairwell carpeting with new LVT flooring material, the DFS staff is improving allergen protection, promoting cooler interior temperatures, and providing a maintenancefriendly approach to daily cleaning and sanitizing.
SAVING ELECTRICITY
DFS is experiencing a year-over-year decrease in electricity usage of nearly 5 percent due to intuitive building automation tailored to the weather conditions and conversions to more efficient fixtures as a maintenance initiative.
In December 2023, DFS converted 88 1000W light fixtures to new 400W LED heads in the tennis stadium. This conversion provides an annual:
62
percent reduction in electricity usage
$6,500+
More reliable lighting for our athletes of estimated savings
Throughout the year, Facilities Services staff replaced all burnt or broken light bulbs and fixtures with LED solutions. In FY24, we completed 1,100+ work orders related to LED light replacements, many of which were in the law school, the Thornton Administrative Center, and the Drescher graduate buildings.
CARING FOR TREES
Trees are a vital part of Pepperdine’s ecosystem, and our campus contains more than 3,300 trees composed of 95 different species. In addition to beautifying campus, the trees are an integral part of campus life by giving students, faculty, and staff a shaded place to recreate, socialize, and study. Trees also improve air quality while cooling the buildings and hardscapes. DFS maintains and protects these vital assets to our community through regular trimming and fertilization to remove dead materials and help the trees flourish.
Every tree is inventoried in a cutting-edge software with GPS location to ascertain each individual tree’s risk management, disease identification, and data-driven tree-trimming plan, all managed by Steve Olmos, supervisor of landscape and irrigation services. Olmos ensures a qualified arborist is on campus whenever needed to review our most delicate species and tailor care plans to keep our trees healthy and thriving.
PREPARING FOR ANYTHING
Emergency generators throughout campus ensure that power remains to vital safety systems in the event of a power outage. The department integrated several generators into a telemetry system so it can have a streamlined response during the most critical of emergencies. Integrating building functionalities with remote visibility enhances operational efficiency and user experience.
BEAUTIFYING CAMPUS
Landscaping near the Tyler Campus Center and the Stauffer Chapel was replaced with new drought-tolerant vegetation that enhances student and community life at these two active and important campus locations. The new plant life adds color while being easier to maintain.
The Stotsenberg track has a new branded color scheme with a state-of-the-art running surface.
SURVEY SPOTLIGHT
This year, we focused on ensuring our customers had a way to let us know immediately if we did not complete our work to their satisfaction. We created a survey through our work order system and a digital survey on the door hangers that we leave behind if the customer is not present. We were able to identify areas of improvement and received an avalanche of praise for our hard-working team members.
JUDITH DERAS
“Judith does an amazing job at White House and is also incredibly friendly and kind to residents! I love seeing her around the hall and saying ‘hi’ to her.”
Survey comment from a student residing in White Hall
JUANA VENTURA
“Juana consistently demonstrates her exceptional work ethic and dedication in maintaining our office space. From meticulously cleaning the tables to efficiently vacuuming the carpet and ensuring the trash is promptly disposed of, she ensures our workspace is always tidy and inviting. What truly sets Juana apart is her genuine care for our well-being, as she never fails to ask how we are doing. Her proactive approach to both tasks and interpersonal interactions creates a positive atmosphere, making us genuinely happy to see her each day. Juana’s unwavering commitment to providing excellent service is truly commendable, and we are grateful to have her as part of our team!”
Survey comment from a client technologies analyst working in TAC
FURTHERING THE STAFF
At DFS, we believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and accordingly recruiting and retaining qualified staff is a priority. The department invests meaningfully in the development of its team members throughout the year. DFS locksmiths, plumbers, and facilities managers attended trade-specific expos, and the following professional growth opportunities were enjoyed this year by other department members.
Leaders from the Department of Facilities Services and Planning, Operations, and Construction attended the Pacific Coast APPA Association
to present on recruiting and retaining qualified personnel during a staffing shortage
Landscape and irrigation staff visited the world-renowned Dodgers Stadium to learn best practices in maintaining professional sports fields and turf
Project managers and irrigation and plumbing technicians toured the Las Virgenes Recycled Water Treatment Facility to learn about the methods of treating water delivered to the University
Conference
Landscape and irrigation team members enjoyed a day in Anaheim to learn the latest and greatest at the Landscape Expo
The Western Association of College and University Housing Officers hosted local facilities departments at the University of Southern California to dive into issues and topics related to maintenance of residential halls for students
DFS and Seaver College are in their second year of partnering on equipping employees with the conversational English skills to be successful in the workplace