Ashley N. Hughes

Another amazing bgsu blog

Ashley N. Hughes

Risk Management and Negligence

February 16th, 2011 · 324 Comments · Application, TLEP 4830

I feel that both the entity and individual demonstrated negligence in the Steinbach article. Negligence is defined by an individual tort that injures an individual – person, property, and/or reputation. In the article, it is clearly stated that the accidents associated with track and field events can be avoided. A prime example of this is by coaches having a duty, a relationship to the provider or program that gives them an obligation to protect participants, to protect their team from any harm. Having the basic knowledge of not walking into a designated area when objects are being thrown should be apparent, but instead many participants involved with the track and field sports are being harmed and going into dangerous areas out of pure negligence. To be exact, it is a carelessness negligence or gross negligence.

The facility and coaches are seen as the loco parentis’ for the individuals participating in the sports, therefore they should be held liable to an extent. However, with the example I gave earlier I feel that the individual is also liable since they acted in gross negligence and willingly walked into a non-controlled area. One example of how this negligence can be prevented is by having an area that is surrounded with barriers that way individuals are not permitted in the ‘danger zones’ or ‘buffer zones’. Another scheme of prevention would be to have better supervision in the outdoor area. Having more coaches or individuals supervising the area can help lower the incidences that occur because they would be able to enforce the safety rules and regulations. They would have been able to prevent the accident (from the article) from happening by directing the man to move out of that area and into a safe area. And, as mentioned from the book and the article, the use of signage can be one of the easiest prevention methods. Having signs in visible areas clearly stating “ Caution: moving objects” or “Be alert while on the field” can make individuals more aware of the potential dangers.

Having a Risk Management Plan developed, implemented, and managed can be the difference between being alive or severely injured, and it is important to note that there may not be only one sole individual liable for the incidence, but multiple parties can also be at fault.

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Capital Planning Reflection

February 11th, 2011 · 9 Comments · In Class Presentations, TLEP 4830

I really enjoyed the Capital Planning presentation by Bob Waddle, Mike Schuessler, and Ryan Miller. I thought all three men did a good job of recapping the importance of facility planning with the class. I was glad that they talked about how important it is to be flexible and have back-up plans in place if something goes wrong. Working as a Construction Administrative Assistant in the BGSU Purchasing Department, I definitely understand what they mean by this. I constantly receive Change Orders for different projects because the project managers ran into controversies with the planning of their facilities.

However, I do wish that they would have talked more about the Campus Master Plan and the Energy Conservation Measure project phases. They briefly touched base with ECM (1 and 2) but I think these projects would be of interest to the class. These projects also go into a different aspect of facilities – renovations. Renovations are extremely important to facility because if something changes (like the need for more classrooms in a building) then you can’t always just demolish the existing facility to build a brand new one. A lot of this type of planning is included in the Campus Master Plan.

Some of the rewards in the profession of facility design is being recognized for your facility. The architect on the Wolfe Center will almost inevitably be up for various awards because of the pure design aspect of the building. Also, being able to have a LEED certified building is a huge accomplishment, especially being the dimension and size of these facilities. One of the biggest rewards of facility designing is how the end user is pleased, though. Being able to give someone what they asked for is a huge reward because you will receive a sense of accomplishment and pride for what you have achieved. I think that knowing a facility that I have planned will be used for its sole purpose and exceed the standards would be a great reward. Also, knowing that it is helping solve small problems that occur within the existing facility and making the work and stay in the new one better and at ease is a tremendous triumph.

BGSU’s Capital Planning mission statement is “We strive to combine the best elements of Bowling Green State University’s past history, current strengths, and future strategic planning to become the premiere learning community in Ohio.” When compared to University of Toldeo’s Facilities and Construction Team mission statement, “The Facilities and Construction Team’s mission is to provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment that facilitates the best possible patient care, education and research”, I think it is fair to say there are some visible differences. The mission statement of an institutions Capital Planning department really defines their priorities for the university at hand. BGSU is more concerned with using all facets of history, current, and futuristic planning where as UT defines more on aesthetics and functionality.

When looking at Ohio State University’s Capital Planning records I have noticed that they don’t have nearly as many construction projects as BGSU does. I found this to be really odd. Taking an even closer look, the projects that OSU does have are all primarily renovations and replacements. Their records haven’t shown a new project in years, whereas BGSU has multiple new projects. The BGSU Refurbishing datasheet provides examples of many new buildings being constructed on campus, such as The Stroh Center, The Wolfe Center for The Arts, Commons Dining, McDonald Dining. Which this makes me wonder if OSU is simply not concerned about providing new facilities, or if the ones they are doing are through private sectors (much like both new residence halls being built at BGSU)?

Overall, great informational presentation!

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ADA Scavenger Hunt

February 7th, 2011 · 7 Comments · Application, TLEP 4830

Positive examples of designing for inclusion

  1. Automatic open door buttons
  2. Low water fountains (wheelchair accessible)
  3. Braille signs
  4. Wheelchair ramps at entrances of buildings
  5. Student Recreation Center has a handicap accessible entrance to pools
  6. Motion censored doors and lights
  7. Anderson Hall has a wheelchair lift
  8. Handrails in the bathrooms
  9. Shuttles have wheelchair lifts/ramps
  10. Curb cuts in sidewalks for wheelchair

Negative examples of designing for inclusion

  1. Disability Services office is on the fourth floor of South Hall
  2. Vending machine buttons don’t have Braille
  3. Anderson Hall doesn’t have many handicap accessible seating options
  4. Fraternities aren’t handicap accessible
  5. Unlevel floors inside Eppler
  6. Small dorm rooms
  7. No close handicap parking to academic buildings
  8. Sundial dining hall is not located on the first floor
  9. Handicap persons can only be in the back of the classrooms that are multi-level
  10. Limited, if any, voice activated programs

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Questions for Capital Planning

February 1st, 2011 · 153 Comments · In Class Presentations, TLEP 4830

  1. How do you determine which construction projects take priority over the others?
  2. Do you foresee any changes when the new Governor of Ohio takes office?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-Prevailing Wages compared to Prevailing Wages?
  4. In the first phase of the Campus Master Plan the Administration building is demolished – where will those offices be relocated to?
  5. What are all of the phases for the Campus Master Plan?
  6. What is your preferred method of delivery? (multi, designbuild, etc.)
  7. How is working as a project manager in the university different from working in a private sector?
  8. Right now there are two Energy Conservation Measure (ECM-1 and ECM-2) projects going on, will there be more?
  9. What are your thoughts on dealing with multiple campuses? (ie. BGSU Firelands and BGSU Main)

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Eppler Program Statement

February 1st, 2011 · 1 Comment · Application, TLEP 4830

As BGSU’s main campus continues to experience growth in enrollment, it will need to expand its provision of classrooms for those programs that are propelling this growth. I have identified potential renovation projects for the BGSU Eppler Complex through a sample feasibility study. The following are specific elements that are critical to the success of a construction project:

  1. Existing Conditions
    1. Verification of existing Master Plan
    2. Verification of interior condition
      1. i.      Preliminary understanding of circulation, adjacent plan organization, environmental conditions, building services, and need for utility upgrades
  2. Focus Groups and Survey
    1. Workshops with administration, faculty, staff, and key stakeholder groups
    2. Campus wide survey
  3. Occupants
    1. Who the building is serving
  4. Activities
    1. What spaces are required of this facility
  5. Programming
    1. Development of Program of Requirements (PoR) and Graphic Program Translation
  6. Conceptual Design
    1. Site planning, parking, layout based on Master Plan direction, and exterior building access and egress
    2. LEED Design integration
  7. Opinion of Preliminary Cost
    1. Projected cost and budget reviews
  8. Fundraising and Referendum Support
    1. Operations and revenue analysis, financial and debt retirement analysis, and market research
  9. Project Schedule
    1. Creation of project schedule that outlines major project design and construction phases, milestone, funding, and completion goals

10.  Final Report

  1. Executive summary, mission statement, goals and objectives, program description, peer comparisons, phasing strategies, coast models, relationship diagrams

Program statements are critical to the success of any construction project for numerous reasons. It provides information, which describes the scope of a proposed project in terms simple enough for a nonprofessional to understand and at the same time, provides detailed design data required by an architect. According to the Guide to Preparation of the Program Statement, the program statement serves as a planning and evaluation document. It should include information that adequately describes the need and purpose of the project and the general design criteria and standards upon which the design will be based.

 

Another great example of a Program Statements can be found on Sarah Atkinson’s blog. She has a great picture of a diagram explaining various Programming Opportunities!

 

References

Bostwick Design Partnership. Proposal for Programming and Conceptual Design. Rep. 2011. Print.

Hastings & Chivetta. Proposal for Student Recreation Center Feasibility Study. Rep. 2005. Print.

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SRC Management Tour Reflection

February 1st, 2011 · 148 Comments · Facility Tours, TLEP 4830

I really enjoyed the Student Recreation Center tour. The most prominent feature of the tour for me was all of the racquetball courts in the facility. I thought this was poor planning at the time of construction. The book describes the importance of maximization of space within a facility. It’s clear that when the SRC was built that the planners and architects didn’t take advantage of this facet. There is so much wasted space within the facility because of these courts, which could have been avoided if a proper feasibility study had been preformed prior to building the facility. The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Student Recreation Center is a great example of space maximization. Their facility has the following amenities: State-of-the-art Aerobics Studio, Cardiovascular Theater, Free-Weight Room, Two Multi-Use Gymnasiums, Bouldering Wall, Indoor Basketball Courts, Handball/Wallyball/Racquetball courts, Squash Courts, Tennis Courts, Diving Well, 25-yard Lap Swimming Pool, Ice Arena, Indoor Running Track, Rowing Studio, Child Care Center, five conference rooms, and numerous other designated areas.

This brings me to the next aspect I noticed: building design. The design of the building is very poorly laid out. The master floor plan of the SRC is very sporadic and demonstrates poor coordination. Thad Long mentioned at the end of the tour that there is not a set wing of administrative offices, activity rooms are located in the sub-basement, and the rock climbing area has insufficient room when swim meets are going on. All of these factors should have been addressed in the initial planning phase of the SRC. The University of Nevada in Las Vegas’ Student Recreation Center is a brand new and has a great floor plan. The entire building has great traffic flow and everything is grouped accordingly (ie. offices, gymnasiums, locker rooms). The following is the floor plans for the first, second, and third floors of their SRC:

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Questions for SRC Management Tour

February 1st, 2011 · 2 Comments · Facility Tours, TLEP 4830

  1. If you could change the layout of the SRC facility, what areas would you change? Why?
  2. Does the SRC meet all ADA requirements?
  3. What security measures does the SRC use to protect guests?
  4. Does the SRC engage in any sustainable or Lean practices?
  5. Have you noticed any need for renovations or adding to the SRC facility over the years? What were (are) they?
  6. What is the SRC mission statement? How do you ensure all employees abide and follow it?

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Blog S.W.O.T. Analysis

January 26th, 2011 · 441 Comments · Application, TLEP 4830

STRENGTHS

  1. Actively engages members to participate in the blog.
  2. Inspires other to think about the subject
  3. Writing is a result of a passion of a specific topic
  4. Creativity with what you blog/post about
  5. Builds confidence and self-esteem

WEAKNESSES

  1. Very direct, closed question. Not a lot of room for interpretation.
  2. Poor writing skills
  3. Some responses are very generic
  4. The blogger probably receives constant emails/texts saying someone has commented
  5. No artistic design since it is a template of the website

OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Allows for networking with other individuals in your field.
  2. Leveraging/promoting a product or company (or yourself)
  3. To expand your intellect and awareness of what else is going on in Event Planning
  4. Recognition of other professionals
  5. Understand latest trends in the industry

THREATS

  1. May be intimidating to post since others are reading what you say.
  2. Technical problems ie. computer malfunction or internet not working
  3. The blogger could have not gotten any responses
  4. A competing blogger may get more attention
  5. Inconsistency to update or put new ideas up

Just for fun…finish this sentence: You know you’re an Event Planner when…

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Brooklyn Reflection

January 25th, 2011 · 1,227 Comments · Application, TLEP 4830

After watching the Developing Brooklyn video in class I had many differing views on the topic. First, I thought how Brooklyn could afford such a complex. According to the American FactFinder, the median income for households in Brooklyn was $32,135, and the median income for a family was $36,188 in 2005.  With this said, Brooklyn is in no way among the wealthiest neighborhoods so I don’t foresee a lot of local support in generating revenue for the project. On the other hand, I can imagine that high income individuals in surrounding communities, such as Manhattan, would consider investing and giving large monetary contributions. These individuals will probably see huge potential in the developing Brooklyn project and will want to be a part of it – put their name on it in a way. But, even with these donations, that’s still nowhere close to the $1.2 billion Bruce Ratner proposed.

The proposed amount is also just that, proposed. It does not account for any Change Orders to the contracts set forth. Working in the BGSU Purchasing Department as a Construction Administrative Student Assistant I see Change Orders (numerous amounts) on a daily basis. I have yet to see a construction project reach completion with the amount of the original contract. So even if this project would receive the grants and the local and state funding that would be required, I still have doubts in the time frame of the contracts completion dates. The article was dated in 2005 with hopes of completion in 2008. The administration part of this project alone would be months of ongoing paperwork. This phase alone includes preparation of bid spec books (granted there are no addendums added), pre-bid meetings, bid openings, awardee processes, approval from government to receive purchase orders, and pre construction phases. On top of this, there will have to be, almost inevitably, out of state contractors who will need special attention to ensure they are working by New York state law and regulations.

Looking into specific funding for this project I also came upon the NY Schools website which had information regarding ACORN. “Crucial to the project has been the public support of the activist housing group ACORN, which signed the Affordable Housing Memorandum of Understanding with developer Forest City Ratner in 2005 and, in 2008, was revealed to have received a $1.5 million grant/loan bailout from the developer.” I thought this was pretty substantial to the progress of the Brooklyn Borough project, especially since from the beginning Bertha Lewis stated “It’s pretty amazing. It is ground breaking. It’s the most far-reaching housing agreement that’s ever been reached in this country. No one else has 50-50 — no one. It’s exhilarating and it is scary. It absolutely is.”

However, I tend to agree more with Candace Carpenter who stated that “Presuming that they get the funding that they anticipate, the split in the affordable housing requires that approximately 60 percent of the people who get affordable housing are making over $65,000 a year. You’re talking about far above the median income of Brooklyn.”  This statement just brings me back to my initial point, that Brooklyn’s median family income is only $32,135 – not $65,000.

With finances and time aside, I think this project would have a great impact on the Brooklyn area. The sports arena alone would bring in job opportunities and help stimulate local economy.  But for this to happen all businesses created would have to be owned locally and not globally to deter leakage (This term refers to the way in which revenue generated by tourism is lost to other countries’ economies). Also, having this complex will attract visitors promoting the tourism industry. This could really help the Brooklyn area financially and culturally.

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