- Campus Posting Policy
- Permanent Signage
- Restrooms
- Tunnels
- Boulevard and Street Lights
- Abandoned Bicycles
- Water Features
- Bike Paths
- Sidewalk and Roadway Repairs
- Benches
- Trees
- Snow Removal
- Leaf Blowers
Campus Posting Policy
What were the drivers to changing the campus posting policy?
Reason for Policy
The University recognizes the need to provide students an avenue to post and advertise events and information for their various activities. The University also takes its role as a steward of the environment seriously. This includes balancing the overall aesthetic appearance of campus with the need for student information sharing. Therefore, this policy has been developed to provide guidelines and procedures by which students, employees, and other individuals, groups and organizations can post materials at various specifically designated areas in or around University Facilities.
What exactly does the revised policy say?
The revised policy can be found at: http://www.purdue.edu/policies/pages/facilities_lands/i_4_3.html
A. Prohibited Postings
The placement of posters, notices, flyers or other similar materials on any permanent University structures (e.g. buildings, utility poles, lamp posts, fountains, fixed trash containers, benches, trees, sidewalks, etc.) or any other area not specifically designated by the University as appropriate for posting is prohibited.B. Posting inside University Buildings
The University offers many specifically designated posting areas in and around University Facilities. Some of these areas are dedicated to official University business and include postings that are required by federal and state law (e.g. wage and hour, EEOC, and OSHA postings). These areas may not be used for non-official University business under any circumstances. Before using a bulletin board in any University building, a person must obtain the approval of the Building Deputy and post only in accordance with the established posting policies and procedures for that building, if any.C. Other Posting
- University Structures: Public Bulletin Boards and Kiosks
The University also provides various designated Public Bulletin Boards and Kiosks in or around University Facilities. Only recognized student organizations, University departments, schools, divisions or offices, students and staff members can post in or around University Facilities. All Commercial posting by off-campus businesses, organizations, entities and individuals is prohibited unless sponsored by a Recognized Student Organization or a University department, school, division, office or Recognized Employee Organization.- Sidewalks
The placement of posters, notices, flyers or other similar materials on sidewalks is prohibited. Posting of information on sidewalks is limited to washable (water soluble) chalk. The use of oil-based and aerosol (spray) chalk / paint is strictly prohibited. Chalking is limited to sidewalk areas (no chalking on brick pavers) that are exposed daily to the elements and prohibited from all vertical surfaces. Chalk messages must comply with all applicable University regulations for posted materials.D. Regulation of Postings
Posted materials must clearly promote the activity publicized and the sponsoring university organization as its primary message, rather than the commercial advancement of the non-university affiliated entity or product. The expiration date on all printed materials for posting will be a maximum of one week from the date of approval. It is the responsibility of the party receiving approval to post and remove and recycle their materials in accordance with this policy. No materials may be placed over the materials of other groups.
The content of all posted items must comply with University regulations and all applicable local, state and federal laws. The content of posted items may not be libelous, slanderous, obscene or incite violence.
How much it cost the school to clean up the signs?
Over the last several years, we saw the cost of sign removal double. In addition to staff specifically cleaning up the flyer and tape residue, we also were seeing an increase in the cost of litter pick up expenses as the flyers degraded.
Finally, did it have anything to do with going green?
Yes, the administration is concerned with reducing the amount of paper used for these activities and the sustainability issue was a factor in our decision.
Approval Process for Permanent Signage on Campus
Who approves requests for adding permanent signage on campus?
The approval for such a request does is coordinated through Campus Planning in the Office of the University Architect. Permanent signage would require the approvals from at least two committees (Campus Planning Committee and Architecture Landscape Design and Planning Committee) and the Director of Campus Planning, John Collier. Temporary signage requires approval from Senior Director Martha May and must follow the facilities use policy cited above.
Restrooms on the West Lafayette Campus
How many restrooms and restroom fixtures are on the academic campus?
There are 819 restrooms, 832 urinals, 1,951 toilets, 1,704 restroom sinks, and 1,066 towel dispensers located in the 120 academic and administrative buildings which Building Services staff clean daily.
Utility Tunnels
How many tunnels are there (total length or otherwise)?
There are approximately 7 miles of utility tunnels serving the campus.
How many of the tunnels are utility tunnels and how many are walking?
We only have readily available data for utility tunnels.
Can the utility tunnels be used as walking tunnels in the event of an emergency?
No, they are for authorized personnel only, and they are alarmed and monitored by the police.
What exactly is in the utility tunnels?
High and low pressure steam lines, condensate return lines, compressed air lines, telecommunications, and high voltage cables.
Who has access to the utility tunnels?
Due to the significant safety risks associated with these areas, only Utilities Operations staff (and anyone they deem authorized) have access.
For the "right amount" of money, is it possible to convert the current utility tunnels into walking tunnels?
No, they are very small and not for continuous habitation. In addition, due to the hazards associated with the utilities that run through these tunnels, we would not want to mix pedestrian walkways in these utility tunnels.
Are there walking tunnels that exist currently, but are not in use?
No.
When were the tunnels first constructed?
When the campus started using a central power plant (the late 1950s/early 1960s) and needed protected corridors for utility distribution.
How much did the tunnels cost to build / how much do they cost to maintain?
The cost for the original build is unknown, and new ones are included in the cost of new building projects. Maintenance is estimated at $40k per year not including major repairs, which are ongoing because of age and natural degradation.
Is there a map of the existing tunnels somewhere that I can get my hands on?
No, again, due to the hazards in the utility tunnels, maps are not available.
Boulevard/Street Lights on the Purdue West Lafayette Campus
Are there any certain regulations on what kind of light poles and lights that can be placed on campus?
Several standard fixtures have been identified for use on the West Lafayette campus:
- Gothic style: Black fixtures located around Memorial Mall and Founders Mall.
- Sterner Executive style: These fixtures are ideal for parking lots (e.g. FREH lot) and are scattered around campus.
- Cobra head style: Fixtures found on most streets.
We attempt to be as uniform as possible when placing lights on campus. We usually don't mix different styles together.
What is the average cost of installing and running these lights?
The average installation cost could be as high as $5,000 per pole, if we have to install a concrete base, conduit and pull new wire to feed this fixture. Operations costs are not available.
Is there a distance requirement between each pole?
Most of our poles are around 200 ft apart. Sometimes, depending on need, they could be closer.
Abandoned Bicycle Removal Process
What process do you go through to collect the bikes?
Residence halls notify their residents, mark, and collect abandoned bikes on their own and use their own procedure (you might want to check with them on their procedures). For academic campus, we will put an announcement in Purdue Today to let people know we will be conducting an abandoned bike sweep in the next week.
Then either Purdue Student Security Patrol (PSSP) and/or Grounds personnel will mark bikes that are obviously not in good repair (missing parts, tires, bent rims, etc.). Bikes will remain marked for at least 3 days, but often a week or more. Then a Purdue police officer will accompany Grounds personnel in trucks and will take an inventory of the bikes that are removed. The bikes are then transported by Grounds to a storage facility in the gravel pit off S. Russell. PUPD dispatch will be provided with the list and anyone who calls in to report their bike missing will be asked to describe their bike, at which time the list will be checked. If we have the bike, we will return it to the owner.
We usually collect them one time a year, in the Spring semester before commencement. The police department holds them in storage for 30 days to allow people the opportunity to call in and claim their bike. Then they are transported to Purdue Salvage Operations at the INOK facility on Sagamore Parkway. Salvage Operations then advertises the bikes for sale in a sealed bid auction and a portion of the funds goes to the Salvage Operations and the remainder goes to the primary Purdue Physical Facilities account.
About 5 years ago, the Police Department attempted to restore the bikes and make them available on campus for students to use to ride to and from classes. The program failed miserably due to a couple of factors, the bikes were poorly maintained and unsafe, and people vandalized them or stole them rather than using them as intended.
Water Features on the Purdue West Lafayette Campus
How many water features do we have on campus?
We have five main fountains located on the West Lafayette campus
- Class of 1939 Water Sculpture on the Purdue Mall, constructed in 1989
- Loeb Fountain in Founder's Park, constructed in 1993
- Lion Head Fountain on Centennial Mall
- Memorial Fountain located by John Purdue's Grave on Memorial Mall
- Discovery Park Water Feature, constructed in 2009
and an additional water feature - Sinninger Pond - located under the Bell Tower.
When are the fountains turned on and off each year?
All water features are activated each spring and shut down each winter. The start up and shutdown schedules are dependent on the weather conditions at that time of year.
In addition, the water features may be down for maintenance during the year.
In general, Operations & Maintenance staff target the following timelines for activation:
- Class of 1939 Water Sculpture:
Activate: April before Grand Prix weekend
Shutdown: October, weekend after Homecoming
Runtime: 7 am to 7pm, 7 days / week - Loeb Fountain
Activate: April before Grand Prix weekend
Shutdown: October, weekend after Homecoming
Runtime: 7 am to 7pm, 7 days / week - Lion Head Fountain
Activate: Late March / Early April
Shutdown: Late October / Early November
Runtime: 7 days / week - Memorial Fountain
Activate: Late March / Early April
Shutdown: Late October / Early November
Runtime: 7 days / week - Discovery Park
Activate: April before Grand Prix weekend
Shutdown: October, weekend after Homecoming
Runtime: 6 am to 10 pm, 7 days / week - Sinninger Pond
Activate: Late March / Early April
Shutdown: Late October / Early November
Runtime: 7 days / week
Bike Paths on the Purdue West Lafayette Campus
What is the cost to paint the Bike Path markings on campus?
Assuming an existing surface (sidewalk or drive area), the cost to paint a ½ mile path with the appropriate white and yellow paint is estimated at $800 to $1,000. To install a new path in concrete would increase the estimate by approximately $35,000 for the materials to complete.
View the Bike Path Map here (PDF).
Sidewalk and Roadway Repairs
What is Purdue currently doing to solve the issue of potholes and cracked sidewalks in and around campus? Does Purdue own road repair equipment or do you hire a company to make repairs?
The campus has a total of 20 miles of streets and 80 miles of sidewalks. The "island area" located west of University Street and east of Russell Street is not part of Purdue's campus proper. This area is part of the City of West Lafayette. Purdue does not maintain the streets or the sidewalks within this area. However, Purdue does work with the city to help resolve issues within the area.
The Grounds Dept. has been pro-active this past year in respect to both pothole and sidewalk repairs. We have purchased an asphalt planer to upgrade our quality (which increases the longevity) and efficiency in the repairs that we make to our streets and asphalt sidewalks. In respect to our sidewalks on campus, we have hired a cement mason within the Grounds Dept. to repair sidewalk issues. Our civil engineers have identified and produced a campus map of all the areas that need repair. These repairs have been graded in respect to severity of the problem. The repairs will range from patching to replacing sections of the walk. From this map, we will begin sidewalk repairs and will continue until the winter season shuts us down. This is not just a 1 year work detail.
How much dues the University spend on road repairs annually? Are there any future plans for the repair of sidewalks and/or roadways beyond crack filler?
We seek funding every year and address the issues when they come to light each year. This would be the same for our asphalt streets. Our civil engineers identify areas of our streets that need paving. Based on the need and the funds available, Purdue can spend anywhere from $50K to $200K in street paving each year. Plus, INDOT spends about $50K worth of paving each year on campus. All this work is performed by an outside contractor. In addition, the Grounds Dept. spends in the neighborhood of $30K to $40K in hot and cold mix repairs annually. These repairs are relatively small in nature due to the fact we do not have the big paving equipment.
What type of repairs do you typically make and how long do they last?
The longevity of the concrete repairs will last for years, but the asphalt has more of a wide ranging life span. This is primarily due to the freezing and thawing conditions our winters and early spring gives us.
Benches on the Purdue West Lafayette Campus
What is the average labor cost to install additional benches on campus?
The average labor costs to install each bench would be $100 per bench (5 hours labor @ $20/hr) plus the cost of the bench. All fixtures on campus are specified and approved by the Office of the University Architect's Senior Landscape Architect.
Trees on the Purdue West Lafayette Campus
How many trees do we have on the West Lafayette campus?
We have over 8,000 trees on the West Lafayette campus.
Are there any trees on Purdue's campus considered undesirable?
A tree may be undesirable for a specific site based on proximity to structures, soil conditions, or other factors. In addition, the following list details undesirable trees and the corresponding reason:
| Tree | Problem |
| Silver Maple | Weak wood and poor structure |
| Female Ginkgo | Offensive odor of fruit |
| Sycamore | Constant dropping of small branches and bark |
| Honeylocust | Many insect and disease problems |
| Linden | A favorite of Japanese beetle |
| Accolade Elm | Another favorite of Japanese beetle |
| Austrian Pine | Diplodia tip blight |
| Scotch Pine | Diplodia tip blight, pine wood nematode |
| Disease Susceptible Crabapples | Apple scab, fire blight, powdery mildew |
| Weeping Willow | Weak wood, canker problems |
| Mountain Ash (Sorbus spp.) | Borers, cankers |
| Pin Oak | Emerald Ash Borer |
How many ginko trees do you have on campus?
We currently have a total of 180 ginkgos on campus but only 30 of them are female.
Snow Removal Process for Campus Grounds
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Snow Removal Plan, 2008-09
With 54,000 "residents" at peak capacity, Purdue University is aptly described as a medium-sized city. Most cities limit their snow removal duties to roadways, prioritizing primary roadways first and then clearing secondary roadways later. At Purdue, our snow removal mission encompasses not only primary and secondary roadways, but all parking lots, sidewalks, pathways, and building entranceways. These additional responsibilities require a comprehensive planning effort.
The Grounds Department uses Unified Command principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to conduct snow removal operations. The following overview of the Purdue snow removal plan reflects current practices.
Campus Snow Removal Overview
The timing and priorities for which snow removal crews respond varies with the amount and type of snowfall, time of day, predicted weather, ground temperature, wind direction and speed, and upcoming University events. Usually the trucks for the streets and the crew that performs handwork for Americans with Disability Act needs (ADA) will respond to any light snow. The sidewalk brooms and parking garage trucks are deployed from ¼ inch accumulation and up, and the parking lot plows at 2+ inches. Units assist each other in clearing the campus and because of the overlap of areas and timing of each snowfall. Due to the wide range of variables, these deployment triggers are general rules and should not be considered binding.
There are eight separate but coordinated facets of our snow removal operations. The Grounds department maintains a brine solution roadway pre-treatment system that allows us to retard the accumulation of snow and ice prior to an expected or imminent snow event. The brine solution can be combined with beet juice to extend the life and enhance the effectiveness of the preventative solution. The brine solution lines can be seen on the pavement for up to a week, depending on the weather conditions. The brine deployment system is a cost-effective solution to spreading traditional post-event road abrasives.
The next phase of our snow removal operations is triggered when road conditions deteriorate and require attention. Grounds supervisors and/or the Purdue police department will alert the on-call crew chief that snow/ice removal is needed. The responding crew chief will evaluate the conditions and confer with a supervisor to determine the appropriate response level required. Supervisors and crew chiefs will then call in the personnel necessary to implement the snow removal plan.
The three street trucks are the first to be deployed. They respond 24 hours a day. They plow, salt, and sand all campus and some West Lafayette streets and State highways. During light snow or ice storms they spread abrasives on the driving lanes of parking lots and loading dock areas. The trucks have assigned areas and clear these simultaneously, with priorities placed on major intersections and drives, emergency and other critical areas such as food delivery docks.
The next group to deploy is the hand-shoveling crew. They respond to ADA needs and other small areas. This group has two Bobcat skid-steer loaders along with hand shovels. They clean all disabled and reserved parking and sidewalk curb cuts and spread ice-melt compound in those areas. They are also responsible for aprons at building entrances and steps not attached to buildings. Building Services custodial staff, along with Operations & Maintenance Zone staff clear building entrances of accumulated snow as needed.
Two parking garage vehicles are usually deployed at or near the same time as the hand-shoveling crew. They are both 4-wheel drive pick-ups with snow blades and sanders. Their priorities are the entrances and exits of all parking garages, followed by the upper uncovered decks and areas where moisture is tracked to the middle ramps. They divide the garages and operate simultaneously. These trucks are equipped with special rubber blade attachments to prevent damage to the parking garage surfaces.
The sidewalk brooms are next to be deployed. There are eight separate sections on campus that are cleared simultaneously. The broom priorities vary with each section, but concentrate on major walks and high traffic areas. We have added nylon brooms this year to clear colored and stamped concrete surfaces, so as to avoid damage caused by steel brushes.
Tractor and truck-mounted snowplows and loaders are next to be deployed. They are responsible for campus parking lots and assist the street trucks in order to widen streets and detail intersections. There are twelve separate pieces of equipment dedicated to parking lots, each with an assigned area.
The last phase of our response is the abrasives crew. This group is combined from the aforementioned groups (brooms, blades, hand crew) to spread abrasives and ice melting compound. This is done after all the loose snow has been removed, and/or when ice has fallen which make the blades and brooms ineffective.
Finally, after we have completed the snow removal process from the entire campus, we use many of the trucks and loaders to begin hauling snow piles and ridges. Again this is prioritized by events, ADA, weather, high-traffic areas, and other factors.
In event of a major snow storm, severe drifting, or a declared snow emergency or recess, we maintain only priority areas until conditions improve. These would include the following areas in order.
- Purdue Police and Fire Department lots, Purdue University Student Health, Small and Large Veterinary Emergency Treatment areas and access to high-profile buildings as needed
- Day Care centers
- Access and parking for buildings where food service is provided
- Access and parking for critical areas, Wade Power Plant as an example
- Parking garages
- City Bus routes and parking lots served by them, north and south remote lots
- Major walks
- Surface lots and street parking as conditions improve
- Remaining sidewalks as conditions improve
Gas-powered Leaf Blowers
Why do we use gas-powered leaf blowers?
We are very interested in determining more environmentally-friendly ways in which we can do our jobs in Grounds. Our first consideration is safety. Wet leaves contribute to a number of “slip and fall” incidents on campus each year. We focus first on leaves that are near walkways and building entrances for safety reasons.
After that, we try to remove leaves from grassy areas for the health of the grass and to maintain a neat appearance on campus. Leaf removal is one of the basic functions that we are funded to provide and we try to mulch them with our mowers whenever possible.
We are investigating alternative fuel sources for future equipment purchases, including propane-powered mowers, blowers and trimmers. We can't go away from leaf blowers altogether, because we do not have enough staff to hand rake leaves on campus (it would take about 20 people to rake the amount of leaves one person can remove with a leaf blower).
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