BETTER NOW THAN LATER…
Facilities Management will be replacing a cooling coil in Founders Hall during the week of August 13-19, 2006; building occupants on the second and third floors will experience warmer temperatures to be able to count on cooler ones later.  FM appreciates the patience of the University Community, and especially these “hot” employees.

STATE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
More than $9 million in grants will be made available to help protect seniors, disabled persons, families with small children and those in need from the increasing heat and humidity. The grants are also available to assist with the high energy bills associated with summer weather. The program assists those with medical conditions, residents with young children, the elderly and the disabled to pay electricity bills that are high due to the hot weather.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has allotted $8 million in energy grants through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP). LIHEAP is an energy assistance program that is funded by the state and federal governments.

The program assists households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,225, a two-person household up to $1,650 and a family of four can earn up to $2,500 and the benefits will be paid directly to the electric utility company.

Those interested in applying for the grant may call 1-877-411-9276 or visit www.keepcool.illinois.gov.


DENTAL SCHOOL NEWS
The EPDM portion of the roof of Building 8272 at the SIU Alton Dental School will be replaced during the week of August 6, 2006.


THIS IS A TEST…IT IS ONLY A TEST…
A major emergency exercise will take place in Edwardsville and surrounding areas beginning Friday, August 4, 2006.  It will test a mass evacuation and sheltering component and will be the largest exercise ever conducted in the state of Illinois. Federal, state and local response departments and organizations will band together to determine if the state’s plans would work in an actual attack.  Planned by the Illinois National Guard, the exercise will end on Wednesday, August 9, 2006.  Military personnel, military vehicles and many emergency officers will be in the area as part of the drill.  Area residents should not be alarmed as there is no threat to safety.  Should an emergency occur during the mock terrorism drill, they will be notified.  For further information, visit: www.goedwardsville.com

RATE INCREASE
Due to rising gas prices, Transportation rates will be increased and departments will need to plan accordingly.  A procedure is in place that helps keep SIUE rates flexible with the unstable fuel market.  Departments can expect a penny increase for every ten cent increase in SIUE fuel cost and vice versa for every 10 cent drop in gas prices.  The most recent fuel order was 30 cents more than when fuel was ordered in May, so rates will increase by 3 cents for rentals picked up after July 25, 2006.  New rates will be posted at http://www.siue.edu/TRANSPORT/ and customers may always check back for further details or the most current rates prior to reservations.

ROAD REPAIRS
Planned Supporting Services Building REAR parking lot (the lot on the south or loading dock side of the building) and road shoulder renovations by CD Peters have changed.  On Saturday, August 5, 2006, the prime coat will be applied and on Monday, August 7, 2006, oil and chip application will begin.  The application should take only one day to complete.   No vehicles will be allowed to park or drive through the parking lot during the renovation.  Barricades and signs will be in place and the lot will remain closed until ready for use by Wednesday, August 9, 2006, weather permitting.  Road shoulder erosion control will begin after lot completion.  Questions should be directed to Mohammad Rouf at extension 3917.  Facilities Management appreciates the patience of the University community. 

TRASH BAG TREES?
Those green bags at the base of newly planted trees look strange, but they are serving a very good purpose.  The bags are called “tree gators”.  They are made of a tough, UV-treated polyethylene reinforced with nylon webbing.  Sides are watertight with durable ¼” thick heat seals.  Bags are secured to the trees with heavy-duty nylon zippers sewn on each side.  Drip holes, cored through both ply of material, allow for adjustable drip times.  While the bag is attached to the tree, water is dripping into the roots, slowly delivering 20 gallons of water to the root system over a six to twelve hour time period.  This allows for deep water saturation, keeping trees healthy and green while reducing watering frequency. 

HAPPY TRAILS
Update August 6, 2006:  The contractor has begun installation of new materials including curbs along the edge of Parking Lot A, and the drive into Parking Lot A.  Rock has been spread over the trail in preparation for the asphalt paving scheduled to begin at any time.  Plans call for the trail to be open when classes resume.

ADA PROJECT
Update August 6, 2006:  Accumulation of the review comments is underway and they will be submitted to CDB shortly. 
    
MASONRY RENOVATION
Update August 6, 2006:  The contractor has scheduled the cleaning and application of waterproofing at the Vadalabene Center for Tuesday, August 8, 2006.  The small parking lot immediately west of the gymnasium will be closed during the aggregate panel cleaning process, which will be followed by the application of the clear waterproofing product.  Once washed, the panels will have to dry before the waterproofing is applied; the heat should help expedite the drying process.

MISCELLANEOUS GIR/MOD PROJECTS
Update August 6, 2006:    Installation of a new partition system in the Art & Design Graduate Painting and Graduate Textile Studios will begin Monday, August 7, or Tuesday, August 8, 2006.  The new partition system will create individual student studio work areas and replace homemade dividers.  Also in the Art & Design Building, the Metalsmithing Graduate Studio will be relocated to the current vending machine and locker room areas for their new space.  New electrical service, lighting, a set of doors, a work counter with an exhaust hood, and installation of a sink are just a few of the improvements to be made to this area.  Once the work is complete in the new studio, some modifications will be made in the existing studios to improve the function of those spaces. 

On the SIU Alton Dental School campus, Building 8272 is being updated with two accessible restrooms plus some door widening to make the building accessible for the planned special program serving the severely disabled community.  The work has been challenging as the concrete floor in the current restrooms is nearly nine inches thick, definitely slowing down the demolition process.

EAST ST. LOUIS HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPUS (ESLHEC)
Update August 6, 2006:  Enough storm damage has been repaired for the school to operate.  Architects are preparing documents for the window replacement, concentrating on replacing windows damaged during the storm.  The remainder of the window replacement will be bid after Christmas and the work completed during the summer term.

WATER TOWER PAINTING
Update August 6, 2006:  The painting of the logo on the SIUE water tower is complete; the work awaits inspection.

SERVICE NUMBERS