The Office of Facilities & Engineering provides maintenance, operational support, and facility services for The Citadel campus. The following policies and procedures outline service expectations, emergency response priorities, cost responsibilities, and seasonal operational guidelines.
Service Support
Facilities & Engineering works closely with campus departments and activities to coordinate support services efficiently and effectively. To help ensure timely service, departments should provide advance notice whenever possible for events, projects, or requests requiring Facilities & Engineering support.
Please note:
- Some services may result in charges to the requesting department.
- Communications with public utility companies should be coordinated through Facilities & Engineering unless the utility service is contracted directly by the department or activity.
Emergency Maintenance Priorities
Facilities & Engineering strives to provide responsive maintenance and repair services across campus. Emergencies receive immediate priority because they may impact safety, operations, or property.
An emergency is defined as any condition requiring immediate action to prevent injury, facility damage, or interruption of essential services, including electricity, water, gas, heating, cooling, plumbing, or other hazardous conditions affecting personnel, equipment, or facilities.
Critical campus functions, including student housing, the Infirmary, and computer operations, receive priority response when emergencies occur.
Cost Responsibility
Facilities & Engineering costs generally fall into two categories: Facilities Management and Departmental Costs.
Facilities Management Costs
Facilities Management budgets support the operation, maintenance, and repair of Education & General (E&G) facilities as defined by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. These costs are generally funded through Facilities & Engineering budgets and are not charged to individual departments.
Examples include:
- Building envelopes, including roofs, walls, windows, and doors
- Utility systems, including electric, gas, water, and sewer services
- Heating and cooling systems
- Pest control services
- Custodial services
- Grounds maintenance
- Refuse collection
- Permanently installed building furnishings and finishes
Departmental Costs
Costs associated with equipment, furnishings, activities, or services outside the Facilities Management budget are generally the responsibility of the requesting department. Examples include furniture, shelving, partitions, laboratory equipment, decorative items, and specialized equipment.
Work requested by a department that is not funded through the Facilities Management budget will be charged to the requesting department. Charges may include labor, materials, equipment, and contracted services and are documented through established work order and accounting processes.
For questions regarding costs or departmental charges, contact the Director of Facilities Finance at (843) 953-6327.
Chargeable and Non-Chargeable Services
| Service | E&G Facilities | Auxiliary Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Paint exterior of building | No Charge | Chargeable unless part of an E&G facility |
| Repair roof | No Charge | Chargeable unless part of an E&G facility |
| Move or assemble departmental furniture | Chargeable | Chargeable |
| Replace light bulbs | No Charge | No Charge |
| Hang pictures | Chargeable | Chargeable |
| Relocate due to department request | Chargeable | Chargeable |
| Relocate due to College requirement | No Charge | No Charge |
| Provide paint for self-help projects | No Charge | No Charge |
Event Support and Special Activities
Facilities & Engineering provides support for a variety of campus events and activities. Funding responsibilities vary depending on the sponsoring organization and nature of the event.
Support for college-sponsored programs and camps may be governed by separate agreements or memorandums of understanding. Support for other camps, activities, and special events is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be charged to the sponsoring organization.
Event setup services may be either funded through College operations or charged to the requesting department depending on the sponsoring organization and event purpose. For guidance regarding event support charges, contact the Director of Facilities Finance.
Heating & Cooling Operations
Many campus heating and cooling systems serve entire buildings or building complexes and require a seasonal transition between heating and cooling modes. Because these systems are centrally operated, changing from one mode to another requires coordination among Facilities & Engineering leadership and building representatives and may take up to 24 hours to complete. Once a seasonal conversion is made, it cannot be easily reversed.
Seasonal changeovers are generally coordinated with affected departments and are typically initiated during the spring and fall based on weather conditions and operational requirements. Requests for changes outside the normal operating schedule must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Facilities & Engineering.
No Energy Period
To promote energy conservation and efficient campus operations, Facilities & Engineering may implement a “No Energy” period during seasonal transitions. These periods typically occur before and after the primary heating and cooling seasons when outdoor conditions do not require continuous heating or cooling.
Heating Season
Heating season startup and shutdown are based on average outdoor temperatures measured between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Heating System Startup
Heating systems will generally be started during the second quarter of the fiscal year (October through December) when the average outdoor temperature falls below 60°F for three consecutive days.
Heating System Shutdown
Heating systems will generally be shut down when the average outdoor temperature remains above 60°F for three consecutive days.
Cooling Season
Cooling season startup and shutdown are based on outdoor temperature and relative humidity conditions.
Cooling System Startup
Cooling season begins when outdoor temperature and relative humidity fall on or to the right of the established comfort line for four out of five consecutive days.
Cooling System Shutdown
Cooling season ends when outdoor temperature and relative humidity fall to the left of the comfort line for four consecutive days.
For reference, see the campus comfort chart (https://web.citadel.edu/root/images/Physical_Plant/figure1.jpg).
Barracks Cooling Season
Each year on March 15, the Commandant and the Vice President for Facilities & Engineering evaluate forecasted temperature, humidity, and pollen conditions to determine the optimal date for initiating cooling within the barracks. Cadet comfort with windows closed remains the primary factor in determining the startup date.
Exceptions
These criteria do not apply to faculty housing or the Infirmary. Exceptions may also be approved for facilities housing sensitive equipment, specialized environments, or other operational requirements.
Requests for deviations or exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Facilities & Engineering for review and approval.
Questions?
For questions regarding Facilities & Engineering policies, service charges, event support, or operational procedures, please contact the Office of Facilities & Engineering.