FAQs

Facilities Management is at 5 North Orange Street, on the far west end of campus.

• On foot or bike: Head west on Louther St. and turn down the alley toward the Children's Center. We're at the front of the large building just past the DCCC.
• By car: Head west on Louther St. to Orange St., turn left at the stop sign, then left into our parking lot.

What's the best way to report a maintenance issue?

Submit a work order yourself whenever possible. If we have a question, we'll know who to contact. If someone submits on your behalf, give them as much detail as you can.

How do I use the work order system?

First-time users: Go to the work order system and enter your email address. You'll be asked for your last name, first name, email, and phone number to register.

To submit a work order:

1. Click Service Request on the Facilities Management homepage.
2. Choose your building type from the Location menu, then your building and room or location.
3. Select the problem type (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.).
4. Describe the problem. Include a deadline date if you have one.
5. Enter the password: Password
6. Click Submit.

Submit a separate work order for each trade — for example, one for moving furniture and one for painting.

How soon will someone respond?

Every work order goes to the appropriate department supervisor and is assigned to a technician. Priority depends on safety and emergency issues, time of day, requested completion date, and the availability of technicians and materials. You'll receive email notifications when your request is received, if its status changes (including duplicates or declined requests), and when it's completed.

How does Speed Queen Laundry Management work?

Speed Queen is an app that shows laundry machine availability in real time, notifies you when machines open up, and tracks your loads. Download and use instructions are posted in each laundry room.

When will the heat or AC in my building be turned on?

There's no fixed switchover date — we work to keep everyone comfortable while staying efficient and sustainable. The College targets 68°F (±2°) in heating season and 74°F (±2°) in cooling season.

The hardest times are the "shoulder seasons" — October-November and April-May — when outdoor temperatures swing between hot and cold, sometimes within a single day. Most campus mechanical systems can't react to rapid switches between heating and cooling, so we use outdoor temperatures to our advantage and provide limited heating and cooling during these periods. We switch modes once temperatures are forecast to stay consistently cold (heating) or warm (cooling) enough. Because the weather varies year to year, we appreciate your cooperation during these transitions.

Personal space heaters are not permitted on campus. If your space is unusually hot or cold, submit a work order and an HVAC technician will check the area.

Why do my heating pipes make so much noise?

Many older buildings, such as Todd and Stuart Houses, use steam heat. The banging comes from hot steam hitting cold pipe and causing it to expand. It's nothing to worry about — the noise subsides once the weather turns consistently cold and the boilers run more often.

What if I don't want all the furniture in my room?

Each residence hall room and lounge is allotted certain furniture. Per the Student Handbook, all furniture must remain in the assigned room, no College furnishings may be removed to make way for your own, and lounge furniture may not be removed from public areas.

How do self-cleaning residence halls get supplies?

Submit a work request under the Housekeeping craft for toilet paper or trash bags. Requests made before 1 p.m. Monday–Thursday or 11 a.m. Friday are usually delivered the same day. Requests after 11 a.m. Friday are filled Monday.

How do I get tables, chairs, or other items for my event?

Set up all event equipment (tables, chairs, podiums, lighting, etc.) through the Office of Conferences & Special Events (CASE) at x1900. CASE will coordinate the setup with us. Don't submit work orders for these items — they'll be declined.

How do faculty and staff request projects for their departments or classrooms?

Facilities Management meets annually with department heads to gather project requests. These meetings are encouraged but not mandatory. You can also request a project anytime by meeting with the Director of Projects or the AVP for Facilities. We'll evaluate the request and provide a design solution and pricing. From there, the request is either included in the next annual asset renewal cycle for review by the Space Planning Committee, or your department can fund it directly to move it forward. All project designs require Space Planning Committee approval for consistency with campus standards.

How do faculty and staff request office or classroom furniture?

Desk chairs: Chairs determined to be past their useful life through an ergonomic assessment (by the Safety and Emergency Management Specialist) are replaced with the campus standard at no cost to your department. Higher-end models are available for an up-charge, and samples are at Facilities. To have your chair assessed, submit a work order under the Furniture craft.

Other furniture: Facilities keeps a small inventory of used furniture. Submit a work order under the Furniture craft with details on what you need, including any color or finish requirements, and we'll contact you about availability. New and replacement requests are prioritized against several criteria; if possible, request before the start of the fiscal year so the limited budget can be allotted. Per the Surplus Property Policy, Facilities Management ensures compliance with the College's furniture standards. College funds should not be used for non-standard furniture or equipment, and we won't repair, replace, or dispose of non-standard items purchased without prior approval. For furniture requests, contact the Design Technician at x1017.

How do faculty and staff order office supplies and paper?

Order a case or single ream of white 8.5" x 11" copier paper from the Print Center using the online form. Deliveries go out the first Wednesday of each month; orders are due by 4 p.m. the preceding Tuesday and are delivered by CASE. To pick up at the Print Center instead, note that when ordering — pickup is Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Additional paper sizes, colors, and weights can be charged to your department using the Print Center's standard supply order form.

What do I do when my cable goes out?

Cable is administered by Library and Information Services. Contact them at x1000, option 4, or email helpdesk@dickinson.edu.

What do I do when my phone doesn't work?

The phone system is administered by Information Technology Services.

How much will I be charged for damages in my room?

Vandalism, damage, or any condition requiring cleanup or repair is not permitted. You and your assigned occupants are financially responsible for damage to your room and College furnishings. When responsibility can't be pinned to specific individuals, charges may be assigned individually or shared across a suite, wing, floor, or building.

Facilities Management maintains a list of standard damage charges. Please note:

• If actual costs differ significantly, the College may adjust the amount billed — higher or lower.
• Pricing may vary based on the complexity of the location.
• Excessive damage is priced separately.
• Painting damages are standardly painted corner to corner.
• Work done by College staff, when time allows, is billed at time, labor, and materials.