The U.S. Department of Justice recently extended the compliance deadline for Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) digital accessibility requirements by one year. The new deadline to meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements is April 26, 2027.
“While this provides additional time, it does not change the Institute’s commitment to ensuring that Georgia Tech’s digital environment is accessible to everyone and aligned with federal requirements,” said Jarmon DeSadier, vice president for Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management. “The Institute will continue to move forward in advancing accessibility as a core principle of how we design, build, and manage our digital presence.”
Over the past several months, teams across Georgia Tech have made meaningful progress in laying the groundwork for sustainable compliance. This includes launching a centralized digital accessibility website with guidance and resources, delivering training to build campus capability, establishing a comprehensive inventory of web assets to clarify ownership and accountability, and implementing enterprise tools to identify and address accessibility issues. Work is also underway to expand document remediation capabilities to support improvements across instructional and web content.
In addition, Georgia Tech is advancing a new web governance framework to provide the structure and standards needed to sustain this work over time. Together, these efforts ensure that accessibility is not a one-time initiative, but an integrated, ongoing responsibility shared by all community members.
Looking ahead, the Institute will continue to build on this foundation — expanding services, strengthening support, and accelerating remediation across websites, applications, and learning materials. The goal is long-term, sustainable compliance and a digital environment that works for everyone.
For more information on digital accessibility at Georgia Tech, visit digitalaccess.gatech.edu.
This week, the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG) approved budget allocations and tuition and fee rates for its 25 member institutions. Pending approval of the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget by Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Tech will receive nearly $639 million in total state appropriations. In addition, the BOR approved limited systemwide tuition increases for undergraduate and graduate programs. This includes a 1% in-state tuition increase and a 3% tuition increase for out-of-state and out-of-country students for the upcoming fiscal year (FY27).
“We are grateful to Governor Kemp, the General Assembly, and the Board of Regents for continuing to invest in the success of Georgia Tech. With Governor Kemp’s approval of the state budget, Georgia Tech's appropriation reflects the state’s strong confidence in our mission and momentum,” said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “These funds, which support our growing enrollment, will allow us to advance our educational and research initiatives that serve communities in Georgia and beyond. The modest increases in tuition reaffirm the System’s commitment to student affordability and broad access to a world-class education.”
The BOR has also approved new in-state, out-of-state, and out-of-country rates for the Online Master of Science in Analytics, Online Master of Science in Computer Science, and Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity programs. In-state students will receive a 1% tuition increase, tuition for out-of-state students will increase 5%, and out-of-country tuition will increase 10%. Even with the increases, these online degrees remain highly affordable among comparable programs. Tuition for all other online and professional master’s programs at Georgia Tech will increase by 3% per credit hour.
The BOR also approved fee increases for several of its 25 member institutions. At Georgia Tech, mandatory student fees will increase by 1.3%, and online learning fees will increase by nearly 20% — though they remain 40% lower than in-person learning fees and on par with other USG institutions. In addition, the BOR approved limited increases for dining and housing rates across the System, including Georgia Tech. These measured fee increases balance rising operational costs with affordability for students.
Visit the USG website for a full listing of tuition, fee, and rate changes.
“Georgia Tech continues to be recognized nationally for delivering exceptional value in higher education, and we are committed to providing outstanding education and employment outcomes for our students and families,” said Chastain. “These tuition and fee decisions reflect a careful balance between sustaining the quality of the Georgia Tech experience and maintaining an exceptional return on investment.”
Georgia Tech’s Office of Institute Budget Planning and Administration will submit the FY27 budget to the Board of Regents for spending approval in advance of its meeting in May. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
Now in operation for more than a decade, the CFO of the Year Awards honor exceptional chief financial officers across metro Atlanta who demonstrate excellence in financial leadership, strategic decision-making, and organizational stewardship. Each year, the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes finalists and winners whose work strengthens their organizations and supports long-term sustainability amid evolving economic and operational challenges.
Toatley’s selection as a finalist places her among a distinguished group of financial leaders across the region and marks only the second time a Georgia Tech leader has been named a finalist for this prestigious award.
“Kim’s recognition as a finalist for CFO of the Year reflects her exceptional leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to stewarding Georgia Tech’s resources in support of the Institute’s academic and research mission and dedicated service to the Georgia Tech campus community,” said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance.
Since assuming her current role in 2025, Toatley has provided strategic oversight of Georgia Tech’s financial and budget operations, ensuring fiscal integrity and operational excellence across the Institute. Her work is grounded in her strong commitment to responsible stewardship, transparency, and making a meaningful impact on the Institute, its partners, and the greater community.
Toatley brings more than three decades of leadership experience at Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, having served in a wide range of senior finance, accounting, research administration, and operational roles throughout her career. She has played a central role in strengthening financial and research administration practices and supporting the Institute’s ability to sustain complex, externally funded research. In her current role, she continues to guide Georgia Tech through periods of significant institutional and governance transition.
Toatley holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University. She has often noted that her experience as a student deepened her connection to Georgia Tech and shaped her commitment to higher education. Her recognition as a finalist reflects not only her leadership but also the collective work of teams across Georgia Tech and the vital role strong financial stewardship plays in advancing the Institute’s academic and research priorities.
The CFO of the Year Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 21.
]]>Georgia Tech will host a film production requiring intermittent pedestrian and vehicular traffic holds as well as parking lane closures near the Historic Academy of Medicine and the George Tower | Scheller Tower beginning Sunday, March 22, and lasting through Tuesday, March 24.
Affected areas include:
These temporary disruptions will occur at varying times, but expect the greatest impact to occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, March 23.
Please plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time. Signage and security officers will be on-site to assist.
Members of the Georgia Tech community should prepare for increased traffic congestion and limited parking availability on West Campus during two periods in March as Georgia Tech hosts the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC).
Championship events will take place throughout the day on the following dates:
This large-scale event will bring a significant influx of student-athletes, coaches, and spectators to campus, resulting in increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout these weeks.
Peak congestion is expected around the CRC and nearby parking areas. Be sure to make a plan, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes or transportation options when possible. Additionally, the intersection of 10th Street and Hemphill Avenue will be closed during this time for critical pipe repair beginning Monday, March 13, and will further complicate campus traffic.
Parking demand will be higher than usual during these dates.
Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) has communicated directly with affected permit holders about increased traffic volume, alternative parking options, and potential delays.
Congestion and relocation advisories have been sent to permit holders in the following parking areas:
Additional event-specific updates and transportation information are available on the PTS website.
As of Jan. 31, the U.S. government has failed to reach a spending agreement in time to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government. Due in part to planning efforts, the Institute does not expect any significant effect on its operations in the immediate term. As in previous situations, a Georgia Tech working group has been assessing the potential of a shutdown and planning mitigation strategies to help ensure business continuity as lawmakers negotiate to reach an agreement.
If the partial shutdown is prolonged, mitigation strategies will need to be implemented to preserve cash and maintain campus operations. Similar to the previous shutdown, mitigation strategies will include accelerating federal invoicing; monitoring cash balances; and assessing the need to defer certain purchases, hiring, and non-essential travel.
The working group is closely monitoring this situation, and the Federal Shutdown Resources webpage will be updated with information as the situation develops.
The U.S. government is approaching its Friday, Jan. 30, deadline to reach an agreement on remaining federal spending for the fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1. If an agreement is not reached by this deadline, it will result in a partial federal government shutdown, which, because of the agencies involved, could affect many programs, including the federal contracting work performed by Georgia Tech.
“We actively plan for these types of situations, and the Institute is well-positioned in the short term,” said Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. “We understand that these situations can create uncertainty across our community, especially for those whose work and research depend on federal funding. Should a partial federal shutdown occur, leadership is committed to minimizing its impact on students, faculty, and staff.”
With guidance from a cross-functional working group, executive leadership continues to monitor the developing situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure continuity in the event of a partial federal government shutdown. Similar to the previous shutdown, mitigation strategies will include accelerating federal invoicing; monitoring cash balances; and assessing the need to defer certain purchases, hiring, and non-essential travel.
The Federal Shutdown Resources webpage will be updated with information as the situation develops.
Georgia Tech is committed to fostering an accessible environment where all members of our community can learn, engage, and thrive. Creating accessible digital experiences is a critical component of this commitment and reflects our institutional values of excellence and community well-being.
As a public institution, Georgia Tech also has a legal responsibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that our websites, digital content, online services, and digital communication tools are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.
“While Georgia Tech has already established protocols to provide accessible services to our students, faculty, and staff, there is more we can do to provide exceptional digital resources to our community,” said Jarmon DeSadier, vice president for Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management (EOCCM). “Accessibility is not a one-time checklist; it is an ongoing, shared responsibility where all members of the Georgia Tech community who create, manage, or share digital content help ensure an accessible learning and working environment. We realize this effort will add to people’s workload in the short-term, and we are taking a strategic approach to digital accessibility and working to ensure the right tools and resources are in place to best support the community.”
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued updated guidance under Title II of the ADA, clarifying that public universities must ensure that their digital content and services are accessible. As such, Georgia Tech is working toward the goal of making digital content accessible to all community members by the DOJ’s deadline of April 24.
Why Digital Accessibility Matters
Accessible digital content benefits everyone who engages with Georgia Tech. Specifically, it reduces barriers to access to information and helps accomplish the following:
Who This Applies To
All Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and student employees are expected to understand and follow digital accessibility requirements as part of their roles, particularly if they:
Types of Digital Content Included in the Requirement
Title II explicitly adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the minimum technical standard for digital accessibility and defines the scope of what public entities must make accessible. This includes, but is not limited to:
In other words, if a digital resource is used to communicate information or deliver a program or service on behalf of Georgia Tech, it is generally covered by Title II.
The campus community is expected to make strides toward meeting WCAG 2.1 AA accessible digital content standards. While additional resources, including tools for testing and remediation, will be forthcoming, there are key steps you can take today.
These include:
Subject matter experts from the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Information Technology’s Digital Learning Team, the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, and EOCCM are working together to develop an enhanced set of tools for testing and remediation, advanced training and workshops, and individualized support to assist you in meeting the updated Title II requirements.
In the meantime, the Digital Access website digitalaccess.gatech.edu has been established to serve as the central hub for updated guidance for Title II of the ADA; training resources; and support related to websites, instructional materials, multimedia, and more.
More information will be shared as it becomes available, including direct communications to affected groups with training and resources.
The 2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training will help Georgia Tech employees uphold the University System of Georgia’s (USG) and the Institute’s policies and compliance obligations.
"We are grateful to the campus community for strong participation in the 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training,” said Georgia Tech’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Joshua Toas. “Georgia Tech is required to conduct training twice a year — in the fall and in the spring. As we start the spring compliance training, we appreciate everyone’s continued commitment to the training and to compliance across the Institute."
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4, all faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Jan. 12 will be required to complete the 2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 27. The training is available at https://b.gatech.edu/genius.
This year’s training will include the following and should take no more than 50 minutes to complete:
2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training
“Cybersecurity training and the understanding of its shared responsibility are key to combating evolving cyberthreats,” added Georgia Tech’s Chief Information Security Officer Joe Lewis. “The spring cybersecurity modules will help Georgia Tech employees learn to detect deepfakes, phishing attempts, and artificial intelligence-based scams. These training sessions will help keep the Institute’s digital assets and information secure.”
The USG mandates the training for all employees. It can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished all at once. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute.
Learn more about the 2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training.
]]>These reports must be filed with the State Ethics Commission on their new filing system, which can be accessed at the State Ethics Commission – PeachFile website. If you have any questions regarding the filing requirements or accessing the electronic filing system, please reach out to the State Ethics Commission at gaethics@ethics.ga.gov or call 404.463.1980.
Business Transactions
The sale or leasing of any personal property, real property, or services on behalf of oneself or any third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative. It also applies to the purchase of surplus real or personal property on behalf of oneself or any third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative.
Any Business
Any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, trust, or other legal entity.
Georgia Tech leadership, with guidance from the Institute’s Federal Shutdown working group, continues to closely monitor daily cash balances and plan for the possibility of additional mitigation measures if the shutdown continues through the fall semester.
The Federal Shutdown Resources webpage provides communications and resources to assist the campus community in navigating the federal shutdown. Updates will be made as the situation continues to develop.
]]>For general inquiries and to contact anyone in Media Relations, email media@gatech.edu.
]]>On Oct. 1, the Office of Sustainability (a department within Infrastructure and Sustainability) led the second meeting of the University System of Georgia (USG) Campus Energy and Resiliency Group (CERG) summit to further the conversation around energy management for campuses statewide. Six Georgia schools participated: Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and the University of West Georgia. Staff from the sustainability, utilities, and engineering departments of each of these schools gathered to discuss setting USG energy targets and best practices for reducing energy use, increasing energy efficiency, and establishing shared resources.
USG Vice Chancellor of Real Estate and Facilities Sandra Neuse was the keynote speaker. “I’m thrilled that the Campus Energy and Resiliency Group has come together organically to share their collective expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability,” she said. “Their focus on establishing energy efficiency targets and collaborating with other institutions across the USG will not only avoid costs — it is an investment in the future and a model for our students, who will be the next generation of leaders.”
The call for the development of the summit was inspired by the potential of collaboration throughout the USG, and the acknowledgment that each university has unique expertise, experience, and insight that can aid in energy management strategies for campuses across Georgia.
The key ideas discussed during the summit included:
Increasing energy management efforts is critical right now as utility rates continue to rise. Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability, presented Georgia Tech’s energy data at the event. “One of the most important aspects of campus sustainability is increasing energy efficiency and setting energy targets to advance progress. We are excited to partner with our peers across USG to share best practices and move this effort forward,” she said.
The Georgia Tech Office of Sustainability plans on continued engagement with other USG campuses across the state, and the next summit is scheduled for Spring 2026 at Kennesaw State University.
“While we remain hopeful that the U.S. government shutdown will end soon, it is a fluid situation and we need to begin to slow spending to preserve cash and maintain essential campus operations,” said Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. “Georgia Tech is taking a thoughtful, conservative but principled approach to how the Institute will spend resources to help us weather this shutdown and limit the effect on our students and our mission.”
If the federal shutdown continues beyond Monday, Oct. 20, the Institute is prepared to significantly limit the following activities to help slow expenditures and preserve cash beginning next week:
Details and associated procedures will be distributed to College and unit leaders, along with financial managers. Executive leadership will continue to monitor cash reserves as the shutdown continues. Additional mitigation measures will be considered as circumstances warrant, especially if the shutdown continues into November.
Georgia Tech remains committed to continuing research activities during the federal government shutdown to the degree possible, given resource constraints. Georgia Tech will continue to submit invoices and make cash requests as federal systems allow, but payment from sponsors has been delayed. Researchers can consult Georgia Tech guidance here: https://osp.gatech.edu/federal-government-shutdown-guidance.
Institute leadership and the working group continue to closely monitor this situation and will continue to provide additional information to the Georgia Tech community as it becomes available.
]]>The Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) has announced the opening of its new Security Hub, located at 70 Fourth Street in Atlanta. The state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment by Georgia Tech in public safety, community engagement, and interagency collaboration in the heart of Tech Square.
The Security Hub is designed to serve as a collaborative workspace for the GTPD, the Midtown Alliance, and the Atlanta Police Department (APD), enabling stronger communication, coordination, and response capabilities across agencies.
“This hub not only enhances safety but also reinforces our shared commitment to community,” says GTPD Chief Robert Connolly. “Its presence in Tech Square provides visibility, instills confidence, and serves as a deterrent to criminal activity.”
The facility was designed to serve multiple purposes:
In addition to its outreach functions, the hub will operate as a secondary surveillance center, integrating real-time camera feeds from Georgia Tech’s campus and surrounding Midtown areas. This capability allows law enforcement to closely monitor high-traffic and high-theft zones, ensuring a safer and more welcoming environment for students, faculty, residents, and visitors alike.
The hub will also feature an air patrol program utilizing drones, giving GTPD the ability to monitor large areas quickly and efficiently from above. The drones will enhance GTPD’s situational awareness during emergencies, special events, and active investigations by providing real-time video feeds to officers on the ground and inside the hub. This aerial capability will be particularly valuable in hard-to-reach areas, during large crowd gatherings, or when immediate response is required. The drone patrols will complement existing surveillance systems, adding a new layer of coverage and deterrence to improve overall campus and community safety.
The project reflects GTPD’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing safety both on campus and in the wider community. By combining resources and expanding outreach, the Security Hub embodies a broader culture of vigilance, compassion, and shared responsibility.
For space booking or collaboration requests, please contact Outreach@police.gatech.edu
Institute Communications
media@gatech.edu
Thank you for your patience as we enter the home stretch of the exterior improvements surrounding Tech Square Phase 3.
]]>“Currently, Georgia Tech receives more than $100 million per month in federal funding for research activities,” said Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. “We actively plan for these types of situations, and the Institute is well-positioned in the short term. However, if there is a prolonged federal government shutdown, we would need to take measures to further preserve cash and maintain campus operations.”
Institute leadership continues to monitor the developing situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure continuity in the event of a federal government shutdown. Mitigation strategies include monitoring cash balances, accelerating federal invoicing, and assessing the need to defer certain purchases, hiring, and non-essential travel.
More information, including how specific federal agencies are affected, will be provided as the situation develops.
]]>Eligible full-time faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for education assistance through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP). These programs are designed to support your professional development and help you achieve your educational goals by providing tuition and mandatory fee waivers or reimbursements.
Participating in TAP and STRAP not only enhances your skills and knowledge but also demonstrates the Institute's commitment to your growth and success. By investing in your education, you contribute to the overall excellence and innovation within our community.
The application period for the spring semester is Oct. 15 – Nov. 15.
The Administrative Services Center has compiled comprehensive resources to guide you through the application and approval process. We invite you to join an upcoming information session to learn more about how to apply for TAP or STRAP and how to approve applications as a manager.
Click the links below to register for an upcoming session. Additional information on this employee benefit can be found here.
Education Assistance Info Session: Applying for TAP and STRAP
Education Assistance: Approving TAP and STRAP (managers and supervisors)
“Training plays an important role in a well-rounded and effective compliance program. The active participation of our employees demonstrates a commitment to ethics and compliance across the Institute,” said Danette Joslyn-Gaul, general counsel and vice president for Ethics, Compliance, and Legal Affairs.
All faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Aug. 1 will be required to complete the 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 12. The training will be available at b.gatech.edu/genius beginning Aug. 25 and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
The two-part training includes:
Part 1: 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training
Part 2: 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training – Common Threats
Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished at one time. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute.
Learn more about the 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training.
]]>Georgia Tech is pleased to announce the establishment of the Office of the Ombuds, an independent and impartial resource for students, faculty, staff, and postdocs. The ombuds serves as a trusted advisor — someone you can speak with informally about Institute-related concerns and conflicts. Whether you are facing a difficult situation at school or work, are unsure how to navigate a disagreement, or you need someone to help you think through your options, the ombuds is here to support you.
The ombuds can help you:
As a neutral and confidential resource, the ombuds does not take sides or make formal decisions. Instead, they advocate for fairness, helping individuals feel heard and empowered to act, while also supporting the Institute by reducing conflict, improving engagement, and surfacing systemic concerns. All communication with the ombuds is kept confidential except in limited circumstances when legal or imminent safety concerns require disclosure.
“I am passionate about this work because I get to help people find paths forward that improve their mental health, professional relationships, and overall success,” said Georgia Tech Ombuds Dona Yarbrough. “At the same time, the Institute benefits through reduced conflict, improved communication, and more informed decision-making. Research has also shown that ombuds programs help organizations save money by avoiding the costs associated with unresolved workplace conflict; miscommunication; and student, faculty, and staff disengagement.”
The Office of the Ombuds is available to all members of the Georgia Tech community. It is not part of any formal grievance process, and contacting the office does not trigger an investigation. Instead, it offers an opportunity for off-the-record conversation, reflection, and consultation.
To learn more, including how to schedule a confidential appointment, visit gatech.edu/ombuds.
Georgia Tech has launched a national search for its next associate vice president (AVP) for the Office of Real Estate Development. This key leadership position plays an essential role in supporting the Institute’s academic and research mission and is a vital partner in the planning and implementation of Georgia Tech’s strategic real estate priorities including existing and emerging innovation districts. Tony Zivalich, who served as the inaugural AVP for the Office of Real Estate Development, will continue to serve as senior advisor for Real Estate until his planned retirement later this year.
“This leadership role for Real Estate Development supports the Institute’s contributions to economic development, innovation, and commercialization,” said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “We are grateful to Tony for his vision and leadership which have helped set the stage for Tech’s future growth.”
Zivalich began working with Georgia Tech in 1998, and, since then, he has provided the leadership for and oversight of multiple high-profile real estate developments that have advanced the Institute’s mission and strategic plan. These innovative projects include Technology Square, The CODA Building and High Performance Computing Center, The Interlock in West Midtown, Cobb County Research Campuses for the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the rapidly expanding Science Square district.
Adrian McCord will continue to serve as interim AVP for the Office of Real Estate Development until a successor is announced. A search committee is in place, with Jennifer Bentson, interim deputy chief business officer, serving as chair.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.
This spring, the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents (BOR) approved $51.3 million in new state appropriations for Georgia Tech’s fiscal year 2026 budget. This 10% increase from last year’s state appropriations is primarily driven by enrollment growth funding. In addition, the BOR approved a systemwide 2% out-of-state tuition increase and a 3% tuition increase for out-of-country students for the upcoming fiscal year. For Georgia Tech, in-state tuition rates will remain steady for FY26, ensuring continued affordability for Georgia residents.
“We are thankful to the Board of Regents and the state of Georgia for their support of higher education and Georgia Tech,” said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance (A&F). “While this funding positions us to continue advancing our mission, we are entering FY26 with a fiscally cautious mindset given the uncertainties at the federal level and how those may affect our funding — especially our research enterprise.”
In total, Georgia Tech is projecting $57.2 million in new allocable funding on account of increases in state appropriations, undergraduate enrollment, and tuition. Due to the need to reserve funds to safeguard against unexpected shortfalls in revenue, the Institute’s executive leadership team has made the challenging but necessary decision to centrally reserve a significant portion of this new revenue to allow for adaptive financial planning throughout the year. In alignment with Tech’s commitment to student success and institutional priorities, limited funding was released to support strategic growth, with a focus on instruction and infrastructure.
The Institute has allocated $2.1million to support a limited merit pay program being implemented systemwide by the USG for the September payroll. This program is designed to recognize many high-performing faculty and staff, with eligibility limited to 15% of employees and pay increases of no more than 4%. Unit leaders will notify eligible recipients this month. More information is available on the Georgia Tech Human Resources website.
Looking ahead, the campus community is invited to attend A&F Connects (formerly known as A&F Town Hall) on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 3 p.m., to learn more about Georgia Tech’s FY26 budget, federal funding sensitivities, and the USG’s Merit Pay Program. This will be a hybrid event, and more information will be shared closer to the date.
The Administrative Services Center (ASC) is looking forward to welcoming thousands of new student employees for the fall semester! To help them complete the hiring and onboarding process, the ASC will host the annual Student Employee Onboarding event at the Instructional Center (across from the Exhibition Hall). Students can sign up for a 30-minute time slot on the Student Employment website or walk up to the Instructional Center Aug. 13 – 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This event is open to all graduate and undergraduate students who need to complete their in-person onboarding documents and I-9 verification requirements (e.g., Form I-9 verification and notarized Georgia Security Questionnaire). Original and unexpired documentation to prove eligibility to work in the United States must be provided during the event. A list of acceptable original and unexpired documents can be found here. Students should plan to attend if one of the following scenarios applies:
Need to Complete I-9 Verification but Cannot Attend This Event?
Student employees may also complete their in-person onboarding requirements at 755 Marietta Street prior to or following the event. Visit the Onboarding Documents and I-9 Verification webpage for more information.
Already Completed the Onboarding Documents and I-9 Verification Process?
Great! Student employees who have completed an onboarding appointment do not need to attend the Student Employee Onboarding event.
Other Important Notes
Student employees should complete their online onboarding documents before their in-person I-9 verification appointment. Step-by-step instructions to complete this process are available on the Georgia Tech Human Resources’ Student Onboarding webpage. This event is not an opportunity for students to find a campus job.
Hiring managers and their hiring support staff are encouraged to familiarize themselves with new and helpful resources designed to promote a seamless experience. Learn more here.
Questions?
Call the ASC at 404.385.1111.
Email the ASC at support@asc.gatech.edu.
For student employment eligibility inquiries, email Georgia Tech Human Resources Student Employment at student-employment@gatech.edu.
For information about the Onboarding Documents and I-9 Verification Process, visit the ASC website.
Patel has served the Institute with distinction since joining in 2011, leading Procurement and Business Services with strategic vision, integrity, and a strong commitment to operational excellence.
Under his leadership, Georgia Tech’s procure-to-pay operations have undergone a remarkable transformation. He championed the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, including a wide range of robotic process automations, which have streamlined workflows, improved compliance, and significantly increased efficiency across the Institute. His efforts have not only modernized our systems but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement and service.
"Ajay’s leadership has left a lasting mark on our operations and team culture," said Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. "We are grateful for his dedication and wish him all the best in his next chapter."
In the interim, Toatley will assume leadership of Procurement and Business Services while a search is conducted for Patel’s successor.
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Eligible Georgia Tech employees can apply for fall semester tuition assistance now through July 15.
Time worked in a temporary position does not count toward the eligibility requirement for either assistance program.
Please ensure your application is submitted and approved by July 15 at 5 p.m. Applications received after this date cannot be honored. A new application must be completed for each semester by the deadline. If the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, the business day prior applies.
The Administrative Services Center has compiled comprehensive resources to guide you through the application and approval process. Click the links below for more information.
Questions? Contact the Administrative Services Center for assistance.
Cheryl Kelley, assistant to the Vice President, coordinated with the Georgia Tech parent group who were mostly from the New England area. Those parents reached out to local Tech parents and confirmed a day and location for the delivery of hundreds of bottles of water and sports drinks, individual snacks, fruit and pastries. Cookies iced with the GT logo, the words "Thank You" and even the "Jackets Protect Jackets" tagline were a personal and thoughtful touch. In addition, individual thank you cards were available for staff to pick up as they made their way down a buffet of goodies.
For those who couldn't attend the organized event, Kelley and several other Facilities employees filled individual treat bags and delivered those to other departments throughout the unit.
Demyanek replied to the parent group, "Our front-line Facilities team members have stayed at their posts since this whole thing began...so I can tell you that your kind recognition will be deeply appreciated."
When Jackets appreciate Jackets, the sense of community and commitment strengthens among all those connected to the Institute.
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My Green Lab is an international community of scientists dedicated to making laboratories more sustainable and resource-efficient. To achieve My Green Lab certification, each lab conducted an initial assessment to evaluate their current sustainability practices and identified areas of improvement, including waste, water, and electricity. Labs were encouraged to adopt measures such as defrosting and cleaning refrigerator coils, using timers for test equipment, and promoting best practices. Alicia Wood-Jones, Lab and Safety Officer for EH&S, was a key leader in the working group. Known for her work on the Chemical Reclamation Committee, Wood-Jones’ vision and drive are instrumental in finding innovative solutions to long-standing challenges in lab decommissioning.
She thanks her colleagues, including the EH&S Lab and Chemical Safety Team, “for their help and vision. We believe that even small steps forward can make a big difference here at Georgia Tech. I am so appreciative to all involved. I look forward to future collaborations with lab members on campus.”
Katherine Nguyen and her team in the Takayama Lab construct multicellular models and dissect cell signaling pathways to understand disease physiology. While pursuing this research, the lab team activated measures to responsibly manage their lab resources, such as recycling in the lab, keeping centrifuges at room temperature when not needed, and consolidating orders.
“I’m incredibly happy and proud to have been a part of this program and appreciate everyone’s hard work to try to make Georgia Tech a more sustainable campus,” she said. “Our lab was the first academic lab at Georgia Tech to get certified. Sometimes, graduate students want to be greener, but don’t know how to or feel like we have the power to. My Green Lab helped identify feasible options for labs to reduce their waste. Even if labs couldn’t make every single change, any improvement is a positive change.”
Sustainability efforts at the Molecular Evolution Core Laboratory are led by Anton Bryksin, Shweta Biliya, and Adam Fallah. The lab is pioneering Tip-Cycle, a program that sterilizes and recycles pipettes for reuse. This lab also monitors campus blackwater for diseases such as Covid-19, using thousands of pipettes in their work. Faced with resource constraints during the pandemic, these researchers developed innovative solutions to maximize resource efficiency. “We’ve always wanted to make our lab practices more sustainable, but weren’t sure where to start. My Green Lab gave us the tools and guidance to turn that intention into action. This certification represents the dedication of our entire team to create a more sustainable environment,” said Biliya, a Georgia Tech research scientist.
The My Green Lab initiative offers an approach for transforming campus labs into more efficient spaces while producing less hazardous waste. By prioritizing sustainability in our labs, Georgia Tech can have both a global reputation for research and responsible resource management.
Visit the Office of Sustainability for more information on My Green Lab.
]]>or
Drew Cutright
Director of Sustainability Engagement
Office of Sustainability
Since September 2023, Chastain has served as the chief business officer at Kennesaw State University, where she managed day-to-day operations and fiduciary responsibilities. She initially joined Kennesaw State in 2019 as chief administrative officer, guiding the university through a period of growth and strategic transformation.
Before her tenure at KSU, Chastain was executive vice chancellor of Administration for the University System of Georgia and president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. She also previously served as assistant vice president for Government Relations at the University of Georgia and state director for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.
“We are excited to welcome Tricia to Georgia Tech,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Her depth of experience, proven leadership, and commitment to public higher education will be instrumental as we continue to advance our mission and support the Institute’s strategic priorities.”
Chastain holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Kennesaw State’s Coles College of Business.
“I am truly honored to join Georgia Tech and lead its division of Administration and Finance,” she said. “I look forward to partnering across campus to advance the Institute's ambitious strategic plan and achieve operational excellence.”
]]>UPDATE (March 15, 2025): Lawmakers have passed a continued resolution to fund the U.S. government through its fiscal year which ends Sept 30 – averting a federal government shutdown.
***
The U.S. government is rapidly approaching its Friday, March 14, deadline to agree on federal spending for its fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2024. The current continuing resolution is set to expire Friday at midnight. If an agreement is not reached by this deadline, it will result in a government shutdown, which will affect many programs, including the federal contracting work performed by Georgia Tech.
“Currently, Georgia Tech receives more than $100 million per month in federal funding for research activities,” said Jennifer Bentson, associate vice president for Finance and Planning. “We actively plan for these types of situations, and the Institute is well-positioned in the short term. However, if there is a prolonged federal government shutdown, we would need to take measures to further preserve cash and maintain campus operations.”
Coupled with the changing guidelines related to federal funding for research, leadership continues to monitor the developing situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure continuity in the event of a federal government shutdown. Mitigation strategies include monitoring cash balances, accelerating federal invoicing, and assessing the need to defer certain purchases, hiring, and non-essential travel.
More information, including how specific federal agencies are affected, will be provided as the situation develops.
Beginning Saturday, March 15, a planned outage for the campus chilled water distribution system will allow the current resiliency improvement project to test installations, continue with upgrades, and tie in the recently announced Curran Street Residence Hall. This spring break time frame leverages lower occupancy in campus buildings.
“We appreciate the understanding and support from the campus community during this planned outage as we continue the work to improve our systems and build resiliency for the future." said Greg Spiro, executive director for Infrastructure. "While we have completed repairs associated with the chilled water failure that occurred in July, the work at Harrison Square is ongoing to address utility systems affected during the repair work in addition to the renovation needs of the D.M. Smith building.”
The chilled water distribution system provides cool air to campus buildings and helps ensure the appropriate indoor temperatures for data centers to operate successfully, research labs to perform optimally, and the campus community to study, research, and work comfortably.
A similar planned outage occurred during winter break. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will again monitor the project and provide updates as needed. Each building’s Continuity of Operations Plan will be on file with OEM, as these plans ensure that each building has an individual who knows what to do if problems arise.
Information regarding this outage plan has been shared with campus building managers, and discussions with campus stakeholders have been ongoing since February.
While not expected, this work may require a West Campus outage for one day — Monday, March 17. If such an event occurs, the following buildings would experience a disruption of service:
Should this occur, stakeholders will be notified via email by the Office of Emergency Management.
View the map and building list here.
Communications Officer II
Institute Communications | Infrastructure and Sustainability
]]>
Pedestrian traffic around the EcoCommons may be held up periodically between March 17 and March 20. Pedestrians should consider alternative routes to buildings near the EcoCommons and plan for additional time to move through the area.
In addition, filming will take place in the Dalney Building on March 17, and at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on March 20. Building occupants and pedestrians should plan for additional time to move through these areas.
Adjacent parking lots will be in use during these dates. Parking and Transportation Services will send out more information to affected permit holders.
Please contact Julie.Birchfield@gatech.edu with any questions or concerns.
]]>As of March 6, Shantay Bolton is stepping down from her role as executive vice president for Administration and Finance to pursue new opportunities that align with her long-term professional goals.
Bolton has been with Georgia Tech since 2023 and has overseen major construction and infrastructure projects, improved administrative processes, implemented significant changes in Athletics finances, and developed a sustainable procurement guide. Beyond her administrative duties, Bolton has been an active leader in the Atlanta community and on campus, championing projects such as the Divine Nine Plaza and the Pathway of Progress.
Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning, will serve as interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance while a national search is conducted for a permanent replacement. Bolton will serve as a senior advisor through March 31 to ensure a smooth transition.
“Shantay Bolton’s leadership has driven meaningful progress in Georgia Tech’s infrastructure, financial operations, and administrative processes,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Her impact will continue to benefit our campus and community for years to come, and we are grateful for her service to the Institute.”
The Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) continues to set the standard for university public safety by implementing cutting-edge advancements in emergency communications. Most recently, GTPD became the first 911 call center within the University System of Georgia to integrate live caller video application capabilities, transforming how emergency calls are handled on campus.
In December 2024, GTPD's Emergency Communications Center introduced real-time data sharing with first responders, enabling both text messaging and live video streaming from a caller's mobile device. When a call is received, dispatchers can send an invitation to the caller, allowing them to share their live video feed and precise location. This feature is entirely permission-based — a caller must actively opt in, and the system does not track the caller’s location beyond the active emergency call.
"The safety and security of our campus community is our top priority," says GTPD Chief Robert Connolly. "This new technology enhances location accuracy and reduces response time, ensuring that our first responders can act quickly and efficiently."
This milestone is just the beginning of GTPD’s commitment to technological innovation. Future upgrades to the 911 Emergency Communications Center, scheduled for late April, will include the following enhancements.
A campus perimeter geofence that will ensure any emergency call made on the Georgia Tech campus is automatically routed to GTPD’s 911 center, eliminating delays caused by call transfers. Currently, 911 emergency calls placed on campus from cellphones are often rerouted through the City of Atlanta's 911 call center, leading to response time delays. With this direct communication channel, GTPD can provide immediate assistance, streamlining emergency response efforts.
A new two-way translation technology that will enable the call-taker to communicate verbally with non-English-speaking callers in their native language. Currently, non-English-speaking callers are assisted through a language line. This new AI-enabled technology eliminates the need for callers to be transferred to the language line — further reducing the response time of first responders.
“With these latest advancements, GTPD’s Emergency Communications Team will continue to solidify its position as a leader in university public safety,” Connolly said. “These achievements are a first for any University System of Georgia institution and serve as a model for others looking to enhance their emergency response capabilities.“
As technology continues to evolve, GTPD remains dedicated to leveraging innovative solutions to ensure the safety of the Georgia Tech community — pioneering advancements that set a precedent for public safety agencies across the nation.
To more effectively support the Institute’s expanding strategic needs, Tony Zivalich, associate vice president for the Office of Real Estate Development, will transition to the role of senior advisor for Real Estate effective March 1. In this new capacity, Zivalich will report directly to Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance, and will provide comprehensive and strategic advisement on real estate matters for the Institute.
“During this time of exponential growth at Georgia Tech, it is clear that we need to keep a laser focus on the growing needs of our campus community while navigating the evolving real estate environment to achieve the priorities stated in the Institute’s updated strategic plan,” said Bolton. “Given Tony’s extensive experience in working with government and community leaders, developers, investors, corporate occupants, and campus partners, he will provide the advisement needed to move our real estate interests forward.”
Since 1998, Zivalich has played an active role in advising, leading, and overseeing multiple high-profile developments that have advanced the Institute’s mission and strategic plan. These innovative projects include Technology Square, Coda and the High Performance Computing Center, The Interlock in West Midtown, Cobb County Research Campuses for the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the rapidly expanding Science Square district.
“I am honored to take on this new role and continue contributing to Georgia Tech’s growth and success,” said Zivalich. “I look forward to working closely with Shantay Bolton and the rest of the team to navigate the evolving real estate landscape and support the Institute’s strategic goals.”
A search for a successor will launch immediately, and details about interim leadership for the Office of Real Estate Development will be announced in the coming weeks.
Eligible full-time faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for education assistance through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP). These programs are designed to support your professional development and help you achieve your educational goals by providing tuition and mandatory fee waivers or reimbursements.
Participating in TAP and STRAP not only enhances your skills and knowledge but also demonstrates the Institute's commitment to your growth and success. By investing in your education, you contribute to the overall excellence and innovation within our community.
The application period for the summer semester is March 15 – April 15.
The Administrative Services Center (ASC) has compiled comprehensive resources to guide you through the application and approval process. We invite you to join an upcoming information session to learn more about how to apply for TAP or STRAP or how to approve applications as a manager.
Click the links below to register for an upcoming session. Additional information on this employee benefit can be found here.
Education Assistance Info Session: Applying for TAP and STRAP
Education Assistance: Approving TAP and STRAP (managers and supervisors)
The recently published Georgia Tech Sustainable Procurement Guide, developed in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Procurement and Business Services, reflects Georgia Tech’s commitment to sustainability. This guide provides faculty, staff, and departments with actionable recommendations to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.
Sustainable procurement is a forward-thinking purchasing approach that aims to create a circular economy — keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible while minimizing waste. By considering a product's full life cycle, from sourcing to disposal, and supporting local and certified suppliers, it fosters restorative supply chains that benefit the planet, society, and the economy.
Aligned with Georgia Tech’s strategic plan, the guide reinforces the Institute’s role in leading by example through sustainable practices, showcasing how smarter procurement decisions can drive campus sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
Georgia Tech’s community members can advance sustainable procurement by:
By making sustainable purchasing decisions, we can collectively reduce our environmental impact, support our local economy, and strengthen Georgia Tech’s position as a leader in sustainability.
Explore the Sustainable Procurement Guide here.
“Authentic leadership isn’t about mirroring others – it’s about standing in your truth and leading with unwavering purpose,” said Bolton. “This is what happens when you embrace your unique voice, stand firm in your values, and learn from but not imitate great leader playbooks.”
To learn more about this prestigious award, visit the 2025 Georgia Titan 100 website.
]]>The 2025 Spring Biannual Compliance Training will help Georgia Tech employees understand and uphold the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Institute’s policies and compliance obligations.
“This compliance training equips Georgia Tech employees with the necessary knowledge and understanding of our responsibility to keep the Institute safe,” said Leo Howell, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “This semester’s training specifically includes cybersecurity modules that focus on how to keep your accounts safe from compromise by cyberthreats, and generative AI awareness.”
All faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Jan. 1 will be required to complete the 2025 Spring Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 28. The training will be available at https://b.gatech.edu/genius and will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
The training is mandated by the USG for all employees. “Training plays an important role in a well-rounded and effective compliance program. The active participation of our employees demonstrates a commitment to ethics and compliance across the Institute,” said Danette Joslyn-Gaul, general counsel and vice president for Ethics, Compliance, and Legal Affairs.
Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished at one time. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute.
“During this time of exponential growth at Georgia Tech, it is clear that we need to keep a laser focus on supporting the growing operational needs of the Institute as well as the regulatory compliance matters which we must uphold,” said Bolton. “In aligning our expertise to better support the Institute’s academic and research mission, we are able to provide excellence to the entire campus community without exception.”
Effective Feb. 1, Jim Fortner, vice president for Finance and Planning (F&P) and interim chief financial officer, will assume the role of vice president and deputy chief business officer and continue to report directly to Bolton. In this capacity, Fortner will advance how A&F delivers on the operational needs of a growing campus. During this transitional period, Fortner will continue to lead F&P until the next leader is selected.
“I am honored to serve in this role in A&F to support the Institute’s business needs,” said Fortner. “A&F has a depth and breadth of experienced and committed talent, and I look forward to working across the division to build upon on our successes and continue to improve how we support the campus today and in the future.”
In addition, Jarmon DeSadier, senior director of Employee Relations for Georgia Tech Human Resources, will begin his role on Feb. 1 as interim vice president for the Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management and report to Bolton. This newly created unit will be responsible for overseeing and implementing policies, programs, and initiatives related to equal opportunity, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and effective conflict management within the Institute.
"As I step into the role of interim vice president for this emerging unit at Georgia Tech, I am energized by Georgia Tech’s continued commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic.” said DeSadier. “We will aim to be a trusted resource for information, guidance, and support, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and contribute their best.”
Details about the searches for these permanent leadership roles will be announced in the coming weeks.
]]>In collaboration with subject matter experts in Infrastructure and Sustainability, the Office of Sustainability is offering a series of Living Learning Campus Pathways to provide unique, immersive learning opportunities that connect classroom knowledge with real-world experience in sustainability. Applications for the Living Campus Student Fellowship, the newest offering, will open this month for students interested in gaining paid experience.
Pathway 1: Data Requests
Students, faculty, and staff can request campus data, including campus energy use and campus water consumption, for student projects and research. Data requests are available year-round. To date, Infrastructure and Sustainability has provided data for more than 200 requests. To request data, visit I&S Data Reporting & Analytics Request.
Pathway 2: Project Partnership
This pathway enables students, faculty, and staff to choose from a list of predetermined projects that advance campus sustainability and to work with staff members in Infrastructure and Sustainability. Current project offerings range from a campus LED lighting assessment to air quality monitoring. A list of available project topics for 2025 and the project application form can be found at Office of Sustainability | 2025 Living Campus Pathway 2 Projects. Projects can start as early as this semester.
Pathway 3: Living Campus Student Fellowship
Offers students a paid one to two-semester opportunity to work on a project advancing campus sustainability goals in partnership with the Office of Sustainability. The application for Fall 2025 will be open from Jan. 15 to March 14. Students interested in Pathway 3: Living Campus Student Fellowship should subscribe to communications from the Office of Sustainability for updates.
For additional information about each pathway and the application processes, visit Living Learning Campus Pathways | Office of Sustainability.
Georgia law requires that all Institute employees disclose business transactions — conducted by themselves or family members — with the state or any state agency. Public officials and employees are required to disclose all business transactions occurring during the previous calendar year. Reports for 2024 transactions are due Jan. 31.
This requirement applies to transactions by the employee or any business in which the employee, spouse, or dependent has more than a 25% interest. There is an exception for transactions less than $250 where the total of all transactions does not exceed $9,000 in the calendar year. If an employee has no business transactions to report, that employee doesn't need to file the State Business Transaction Disclosure Report.
Disclosure reports are being filed through the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission’s legacy system, which is no longer accessible on their website. To file a report for 2024 business transactions, employees must contact Haley Barrett, director of Communications for the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, at hbarrett@ethics.ga.gov or 470.355.6003 for assistance in completing the filing process or to answer any questions you may have.
Business Transactions: The sale or leasing of any personal property, real property, or services on behalf of oneself or any third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative. It also applies to the purchase of surplus real or personal property on behalf of oneself or any third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative.
Any Business: Any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, trust, or other legal entity.
UPDATE (Dec. 21, 2024): Lawmakers have passed a continuing resolution to fund the U.S. government through March 14, 2025 – temporarily averting a federal government shutdown. The Institute continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the situation develops.
***
The U.S. government is rapidly approaching its Dec. 20 deadline to agree on federal spending for the fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1. The continuing resolution is set to expire today at midnight. If an agreement is not reached by the deadline, it will result in a government shutdown, which will affect many programs, including the federal contracting work performed by Georgia Tech.
“Currently, Georgia Tech receives more than $100 million per month of federal funding for research activities,” said Jennifer Bentson, associate vice president for Finance and Planning. “We actively plan for these types of situations, and the Institute is well-positioned in the short term. However, if there is a prolonged federal government shutdown, we would need to take measures to further preserve cash and maintain campus operations.”
Leadership continues to monitor the situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure business continuity in the event of a federal government shutdown. Mitigation strategies include monitoring cash balances, accelerating federal invoicing, and assessing the need to defer major purchases and non-essential travel.
No effects to Institute operations are expected during winter break when the campus is closed. More information, including how specific federal agencies are affected, will be provided as the situation develops and campus reopens.
Since the unplanned outage to the campus chilled water system this summer, work has continued in Harrison Square to improve the resiliency and overall operation of the system by replacing old pipes, installing valves, and adding new tie-ins for specific campus areas and buildings. The upcoming planned outage, from Dec. 14 to Dec. 30, will allow newly installed pipes to be activated and shut-off valves to be installed. This period leverages expected lower outdoor air temperatures and lower occupancy in campus buildings.
“We appreciate the understanding and support from the campus community during this planned outage as we continue the work to improve our systems and build resiliency for the future,” said Greg Spiro, executive director for Infrastructure.
The chilled water distribution system provides cool air to campus buildings and helps ensure the appropriate indoor temperatures for data centers to operate successfully, research labs to perform as needed, and the campus community to study, research, and work comfortably.
A similar planned outage occurred last December. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will again monitor the project and provide updates as needed. Each building’s Continuity of Operations Plan will be on file with OEM, as these plans ensure that each building has an individual who knows what to do if problems arise.
The building list and a color-coded map of the outage plan have been shared with campus building managers. Discussions and preparations with campus stakeholders have been ongoing since October.
View the building list and map here.
Communications Officer II
Institute Communications
Infrastructure and Sustainability
]]>Toatley will begin her new role on Jan. 1. She will report directly to Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance, and join the president’s cabinet.
“Kim brings substantive experience in financial operations, research administration, fiscal stewardship, and compliance, as well as an in-depth knowledge of Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia’s financial goals and strategies,” said Bolton. “I am confident that Kim will provide the strategic, innovative, and sound vision necessary to help the Institute reach its milestones as a best-in-class university and research enterprise.”
A proud Georgia Tech alumna, Toatley joined the Institute in 1989. She has served as the associate vice president of Financial and Research Administration for GTRI since 2018, responsible for sponsored project administration, business operations, accounting, finance, budgeting, and audits. In this role, Toatley has led the finance research and administration team in navigating GTRI’s momentous growth to $869 million in research awards — a significant contributor to the Institute’s $1.4 billion research enterprise. Toatley has more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting, along with more than 34 years of experience in university operations. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and received a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in strategic management from Georgia State University.
“It is a privilege to be selected as part of the Institute’s leadership team and contribute to Georgia Tech’s mission,” said Toatley. “I look forward to drawing upon my perspectives as a financial team leader as well as my commitment to fiscal responsibilities, people development, and best practices in financial administration to support the Institute’s growth.”
Current interim leadership for Finance and Planning will remain in place until Toatley transitions into her new role at the start of the new year. Transitional plans for GTRI will be shared as they become available.
]]>Fortner, who has served Georgia Tech for 27 years, leaves a legacy of expertise and leadership across the Institute’s financial administration.
“I joined Georgia Tech as an early career professional with modest goals in mind,” he said. “The career progression and advancement opportunities that Georgia Tech afforded me far exceeded my greatest expectations. I am forever grateful to my colleagues and Georgia Tech’s leadership team for the support I have received over the years.”
Over his decades of service, Fortner has contributed to the Institute’s successful stewardship of its fiscal resources, as demonstrated by a proven track record of strong fiscal management and performance. Since arriving in 1997, he has held many leadership roles in financial planning and reporting and led important campuswide initiatives.
Notably, Fortner served as the interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance (A&F) from August 2018 to February 2020 — an appointment that was crucial in navigating organizational changes designed to support strategic initiatives and deliver core administrative and financial services during a pivotal time of transition in A&F. After this interim role, Fortner was instrumental in leading the Finance and Planning unit while also serving as chief financial officer for the Institute. In February, he was appointed by Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for A&F and chief business officer, to the role of vice president and deputy chief business officer to further advance how A&F delivers on the strategic operational needs of a growing and evolving campus.
"Jim has been an invaluable asset to our community. His dedication to building strong relationships across campus, the system office, and other stakeholders has left a lasting mark on all of us,” said Bolton. “Jim's ability to connect with people and foster collaboration has been instrumental in our collective success. As we celebrate his retirement, we recognize and honor the profound impact he has had on our institution. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
Information regarding the search for a successor will be shared as it becomes available.
]]>Georgia Tech was first awarded Gold status in 2016 as part of an elite group and has been renewed at that (second highest) level for two cycles. "We're happy to again be recognized as a Gold-level bike-friendly university, the only one in Georgia," said Lisa Safstrom, campus transportation planner. "The Institute's progress in providing high-quality bike and micromobility infrastructure and programs to encourage and support safe riding has earned us this designation, and we look forward to making continuous improvements and achieving platinum status in the next cycle, when projects that are currently under construction and our planned amenities have been implemented."
Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) collaborates with Planning, Design, and Construction (both units within Infrastructure and Sustainability) to support biking to and on campus safely. PTS partners with Propel ATL (the Atlanta region's bike and micromobility advocacy organization) to provide monthly in-person bike classes/rides led by certified League of American Bicyclist instructors. This started in the summer of 2022 and the program is constantly being refined to best serve the campus community. The department also offers a free online bike/scooter safety class (12-minute YouTube video); those who complete the course and a follow-up quiz can receive a free helmet. PTS also coordinates with the Georgia Tech Police Department, other departments throughout campus, and Institute Communications to help get the word out about riding safely.
Learn more about bicycling on campus at pts.gatech.edu/bicycling.
]]>To simplify the process for low dollar purchases, the Cost Center Manager approval will no longer be needed on contract and catalog requisitions totaling less than $1,000. Requisitions in this population will now route as follows:
Requester > Driver Worktag Manager > PO Issuance
Due to restrictions on certain funding sources, Grant and Gift funds will not use the new workflow and will continue to route to the Cost Center Manager for approval.
PBS will review the effectiveness of this change to the workflow and may expand this process to Grant and Gift funds later in the fiscal year. We will communicate any potential updates before any changes take place.
]]>Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
Since its January launch under the direction of Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance (A&F), EOCCM has been actively working to align policies, procedures, services, and personnel under the new centralized unit. The goal is to support the institutional commitment to serve all Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff by providing expertise, services, and outreach to help ensure equity, uphold compliance with applicable civil rights laws and regulations, and proactively manage conflicts within the Institute.
“The office's work ultimately supports the well-being of our people — the cornerstone of a thriving organization and a foundational priority of the Institute’s strategic plan,” said Bolton. “The alignment into the A&F portfolio will enable the team to leverage our unique enterprise-wide reach and commitment to empowering collaboration across the Institute to help ensure that the principles of fairness, equality, and respect are integrated into the broader organizational culture.”
Currently, EOCCM comprises the following responsibilities and functional areas:
EOCCM is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. The office ensures workplace compliance with Affirmative Action and provides accommodations, including those related to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), religious practices, and pregnancy, for Georgia Tech employees.
EOCCM is dedicated to staying informed of evolving laws and regulations, ensuring that the organization not only meets but exceeds the standards for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, which include but are not limited to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, and the Jeanne Clery Act.
In managing conflicts, EOCCM will establish an Office of the Ombuds, where all faculty, staff, and students will be welcome to talk in confidence about any campus issue, problem, or dispute. The Office of the Ombuds will supplement, but not replace, the Institute’s formal channels, such as Employee Relations, the Office of Ethics and Compliance, and the Office of the Provost’s Advocacy and Conflict Resolution. The goal will be to offer an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential environment to help the Georgia Tech community navigate challenging situations. In addition, EOCCM will also manage the Impartial Board of Review process, which is available to employees who have experienced an adverse action such as a demotion, suspension, or termination.
“EOCCM works to protect every community member’s sense of belonging,” said Jarmon DeSadier, vice president for the Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management. “We hope that the greater the sense of belonging, the more they feel they have a seat at the table, which can lead to increased engagement and a more productive environment where people can contribute their best.”
Over the next several months, EOCCM will continue to put its staffing in place to ensure the office can support all students, faculty, and staff. In addition, EOCCM will continue to evaluate, update, and create policies and procedures that promote the well-being of all members of the Georgia Tech community.
Learn more about the EOCCM at eoc.gatech.edu.
]]>The application period for the spring semester is Oct.15 through Nov. 15.
The Administrative Services Center (ASC) has compiled resources to support TAP and STRAP, detailing the application and approval procedures. Join us for an upcoming information session to learn more about applying for TAP or STRAP or approving applications as a manager. Click here or any of the links below to register.
Education Assistance Info Session: Applying for TAP and STRAP
Education Assistance: Approving TAP and STRAP (managers and supervisors)
When pressure readings at the Holland Plant dropped drastically in the early morning hours of Friday, July 26, Jim Stephens, vice president of Infrastructure and Sustainability (I&S), knew what that meant.
Despite a year of bypasses and other mitigation strategies around a chilled water system leak underneath Cherry Street in Harrison Square, the leak grew and led to a widespread outage across campus. Classrooms, research labs, offices, and other vital spaces were without air conditioning.
The I&S team had run through this exact scenario during its continuity of operations planning with the Office of Emergency Management. So, as the sun rose that Friday morning, a plan was in place. Crews began excavating to isolate the leak 20 feet underground, and the team started securing mobile chillers to protect vulnerable research labs and buildings against equipment failure, mold, and other potentially detrimental side effects of rising temperatures and humidity.
Meanwhile, students on campus for the summer session were preparing to take finals in classrooms that were suddenly without air conditioning.
Stephens likened the situation to triaging in an emergency room. He followed the example set by his mother, a pediatric cancer nurse.
"You have to be keenly focused on the next steps you need to take. You want to solve all the problems, but you may not be able to. What you can control is that next step and make sure you've got as many things covered as possible. That way, you're going to make the best of the situation you have,” he said.
Stephens and Emergency Management met with Institute leadership daily (and often twice daily) to ensure that resources were properly deployed to minimize the impact on operations.
Led by Executive Director of Infrastructure Greg Spiro and Associate Director of Utilities Will Varnado, excavation crews continued around-the-clock operations to isolate the leak under Cherry Street and replace a pipe that had been there since the 1960s — working carefully to avoid surrounding electric and gas lines. Meanwhile, a secondary leak by the Dalney Building threatened to make matters worse by taking the Biotech Quad offline. Repairs were quickly made to alleviate the pressure and bring chilled water back to the research hub.
I&S estimated that the repairs would take two to four weeks; in the meantime, mobile chillers arrived on tractor-trailers to serve as a temporary solution. Associate Director of Infrastructure Services Jamie Ready and her team quickly secured chillers from across the country, and within the week, units arrived to be placed around campus. Laboratory and Chemical Safety Officer Alicia Wood-Jones and Environmental Programs Manager April Kelly were charged with identifying hazards in more than 2,000 lab spaces during the outage, as well as promoting compliance in any needed repairs. At the same time, Emergency Management and the Office of the Provost enacted contingency plans for final exam locations.
Among the most affected buildings on campus was the Price Gilbert Memorial Library. Home to 30,000 books and collections, the Library quickly reached indoor temperatures in the high 90s with 85% humidity. Archives and rare books were at risk. Library staff moved artwork into a central cool zone operating on a chiller and a dehumidifier and moved all physical collections to the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. Collections are currently being cleaned by hand and returned to the Library, but it will take several months to return them all to the shelves. Nearly all books are available online and by delivery from the Library Service Center.
As the outage stretched into August, I&S worked to bring student-facing facilities like Stamps Health Services and the John Lewis Student Center back online before move-in.
"This effort seems like one long day because it never really stopped," Stephens recalled.
As workers installed new bypasses and pipes, they added pressure back slowly to avoid overloading the system. When students returned to campus the weekend of Aug. 10, air conditioning had returned to most campus buildings.
The Harrison Square excavation, which will continue during this academic year, presents an opportunity to rework aging sections of the chilled water system and "do it in a way so we won't have to fool with it for the next 50 years," Stephens said. He and Spiro emphasized the importance of creating a more redundant system, allowing chilled water to reach all areas of campus via multiple pathways. Another driving force in the repairs has been the continued electrification of campus heating and cooling operations to further align with the Climate Action Plan and the Institute's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Having worked in Florida, Stephens has a background in hurricane preparedness, and the urgency to plan for the worst-case scenario guides his approach in his work. He never wants to experience another chilled water outage, but if one arises, he knows he's surrounded by the right team.
"The true success of this story was the planning and the people at this institution working together for a common goal," he said. "If there's any message that outlives this crisis, it's that when we all decide to focus on accomplishing a common goal, we can do incredible things together."
While remnants of the recent chilled water outage remain in Harrison Square, operations are mostly back to normal following an around-the-clock operation executed by multiple departments across the Institute.
Imagine a campus where you spend less time waiting for the bus, have eco-friendly travel options, and your daily commute is more enjoyable. Sharing your feedback with Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) could make those things a reality.
PTS is asking for input from the campus community in the Transit Master Plan Survey available to Georgia Tech students, faculty and staff from Sept. 9 – 22. By participating in the survey, you can help improve Stinger shuttle operations, ride requests, micromobility options, and sustainable travel options. Campus feedback will help PTS design a system that focuses on students getting to class on time while prioritizing efficient sustainability goals.
Complete the survey at bit.ly/GTtransitsurvey.
If you’ve ever been in a restroom and looked down to see an empty toilet paper roll — or waved your hand under an automatic paper towel dispenser that sat silently, with no towels — then you understand the importance of restroom maintenance.
On a campus with more than 800 restrooms, Infrastructure and Sustainability’s (I&S) Building Services team covers a lot of territory. A simple technology tool is making it much easier.
To help improve efficiency, Associate Vice President for Services Tommy Little and Associate Director of Building Services Stan Smith headed Georgia Tech’s Smart Restroom Customer Enhancement Program, which uses technology to improve restroom experiences for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
“This tool has proved to be hugely beneficial and directly connects us to the needs of the campus community, as service excellence is our goal,” Smith said.
Throughout campus, restrooms are equipped with signage indicating the availability of Smart Restroom services. After scanning a QR code, users are presented with a menu of services related to restroom maintenance. This includes reporting issues such as broken fixtures, insufficient supplies, or cleanliness concerns. The information submitted by users is forwarded to Building Services, which dispatches an employee to address the reported issue. By streamlining communication, the Smart Restroom program ensures timely resolution.
The Building Services department collaborated with teams within I&S Technology Services, Geographic Information Systems, and the communications department for initial development. The pilot was deployed in six buildings before Covid-19, was halted, and then restarted as campus operations resumed. It was recently fully implemented in more than 200 campus buildings.
Building Services also uses data from the submissions to optimize labor and drive improvements in inventory control and staffing.
The Smart Restrooms pilot program received national recognition through the Association of Physical Plant Administrators Effective & Innovative Practices Award, highlighting the program’s ability to enhance customer service and maintain restroom facilities.
To date, more than 1,100 people on campus have used the program.
Students have given positive feedback on the system, noting, "The form that the QR code brings up is easy to use. The location is already pre-loaded, so you just have to click the bubble with what the bathroom needs." Users can also provide suggestions on how to improve the menu options or signage placement.
“The Smart Restroom barcode readers at GTRI locations have improved our restroom service by ensuring timely maintenance and service when used by our internal customers,” said Jennifer Leach, administrative operations coordinator with Georgia Tech Research Institute Support Services. “With real-time tracking, I&S can address issues immediately, providing a more hygienic and pleasant experience for all users.”
Building on the success of Smart Restrooms, the I&S Building Maintenance department developed a Smart Classroom program in 2023. Following the same protocol as the restroom program, students and faculty can immediately reach out to the appropriate Building Maintenance team and request specific assistance with issues such as broken furniture, lighting malfunctions, or flooring repairs.
The Smart Restroom and Smart Classroom programs highlight Georgia Tech's commitment to using technology for better customer service and data-driven decision making. They also reflect the Institute's spirit of innovation in creating more efficient and user-friendly environments for the campus community.
Communications Officer II
Institute Communications | Infrastructure and Sustainability
]]>The life cycle of the equipment that is funneled through the facility starts with Procurement buying goods for campus, Accounts Payable paying the invoices for the goods, and Insurance working to insure the acquired property. Property Control then catalogs all the goods and, when the item’s original lifespan comes to an end, it finally makes it to Logistics, where the property is either stored or disposed of through various means.
The small team that manages the facility handles all aspects of processing, storing, and distributing the hundreds of items that come through the building each year. In fiscal year 2023 alone, they took in 920 surplus items and sold nearly $900,000 worth of items via authorized channels.
“My team and I work to ensure everything brought into the surplus facility has been properly processed, and all procedures have been followed to identify items that should be inventoried, sold to interested parties, or disposed of,” said Kenneth Chavers, assistant director of Logistics and Surplus. “In the past fiscal year, we have housed nearly 50,000 surplus items for Georgia Tech, and it is a responsibility that we handle with great care.”
All supplies, materials, and equipment purchased through the Institute are the property of the state, federal government, or private grantor agency. This means any items that are acquired cannot be sold, surplused, or transferred from Georgia Tech without the prior written approval of the appropriate federal sponsoring agency and/or the Institute Surplus Property Officer. Property that is considered “valueless” may then be disposed of by removing parts from an obsolete piece of equipment, recycling, or waste disposal.
The Logistics and Surplus team also pride themselves on supporting Georgia Tech’s sustainability goals by supporting recycling efforts and the redistribution of lightly used items across campus, as well as making sure other functioning items make it into the hands of buyers. They have navigated the sale of over 105,000 pounds of surplus items and have also transferred 69,000 pounds to Electronic Recycling (ELC).
While many of the items in the surplus facility are purchased by or auctioned off to outside entities, members of the Georgia Tech community have access to a running list of objects on the GT Surplus Sharepoint inventory site to use at their discretion.
Those with a Georgia Tech work or school email account can browse the inventory website, which features various items that are available in surplus. All items listed on the site are on a first-come, first-served basis, for official Georgia Tech use only.
Click here for more information on surplus property procedures, available surplus items, or to visit the surplus warehouse.
]]>Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
Expense Dates:
Expense Reimbursement Submission Timeliness:
Expense Memo and/or Business Reason:
To assist employees with completing expense reports, text has been added to several fields (click on the question mark) to provide clarification.
Additional resources are also available on domestic in-state, domestic out-of-state and international travel requirements. The "Know Before You Go" documents outline important travel-related procedures and other information when preparing for travel. Click here to learn more.
PBS will provide additional guidance and support in the coming weeks. Beginning July 1, expense reports that do not fully comply with the above procedures will be returned.
If you have any questions or need clarification on this matter, please submit a request to ServiceNow or contact Travel and Expense Manager Xinia Richards.
]]>
CALEA accreditation allows public safety agencies to voluntarily meet a comprehensive set of professional standards, which include:
In 2022, GTPD’s Emergency Communications Center made history by receiving CALEA accreditation. It became the first university communications center/dispatch in the state of Georgia to achieve national accreditation. This milestone highlighted GTPD's leadership in public safety and its dedication to setting new standards of excellence.
GTPD remains committed to continuous improvement and excellence in public safety. The fourth CALEA accreditation is a testament to the department's unwavering dedication to serving and protecting the Georgia Tech community.
For more information about GTPD and its initiatives, please visit police.gatech.edu
]]>The University System of Georgia (USG) is moving forward with plans to select and implement a unified enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with the support of Gov. Brian Kemp, legislative leaders, and the General Assembly. A unified ERP will enhance the user experience for students, faculty, and staff across all 26 institutions through the standardization and unification of key central administrative systems onto a single Software as a Service (SaaS) technology platform.
Unified ERP is a multiyear project that includes the phased implementation of a cloud-based ERP platform that will replace aging, legacy systems used to manage financial, human resources, and eventually student-related processes for all USG institutions. This unified system introduces features and functionality that facilitate standardization and optimization of business processes across the university system, enhance operational efficiency, promote data-driven decision-making, and ultimately enhance student outcomes.
"By integrating data, business processes, and administrative systems into a single, cloud-based ERP platform, we are assured of institutional-level impact. This significant organizational and business transformation is not only exciting but also a catalyst for administrative excellence,” said Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “With improved access to data analytics, we will empower our community to make informed decisions that drive positive change throughout the Institute.”
Since last year, employees throughout the USG, including representatives from Georgia Tech, have been involved in identifying key requirements for the new ERP system, for which potential vendors will be evaluated. Currently, the USG has posted a Request for Information to help evaluate the best options and anticipates making an ERP vendor selection this fall.
Bolton noted that this is an opportunity to embrace an end-to-end system that will bring together data sources across the system and drive efficiency and innovation. It will play a critical role in supporting administrative excellence, collaborative partnerships, and innovative infrastructure across the campus to support the Institute’s growth well into the future.
Visit the Unified ERP website at usg.edu/unified-erp for helpful information, the proposed timeline, and FAQs. More information, including how Georgia Tech community members can get involved, will be shared as it becomes available.
“This compliance training equips Georgia Tech employees with the necessary knowledge and understanding of our responsibility to keep the Institute safe,” said Leo Howell, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “The fall training specifically includes two cybersecurity modules that focus on two-factor authentication push awareness and fatigue, and how to keep your accounts safe from compromise by cyber threats, both areas where we have seen attacks upon employees recently.”
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 1, all faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of July 1 will be required to complete the 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The training will be available at https://b.gatech.edu/genius and will take approximately 80 minutes to complete.
The three-part training and corresponding modules include:
Part 1 – 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training
Part 2 – 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training – Push It to the Limit: Push Notification Abuse
Part 3 – 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training – Your Role: Internet Security and You
The training is mandated by the USG for all employees. It can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished at one time. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute.
Learn more about the 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training here.
]]>As part of Georgia Tech’s commitment to institutional compliance and adherence to government issued travel-related policies, Procurement and Business Services is sharing several updates to essential travel-related policies and procedures as well as clarifying common procedures to help ensure travelers understand how to complete their expense reports accurately and in a timely manner. Travelers who do not comply with these requirements will have their expense report returned, delaying reimbursement.
The memo field in the header of the expense report must now provide the purpose of the expense request, describing how it benefits Georgia Tech.
Note the who, when, where, what and why (the benefit to Georgia Tech).
Make sure that the travel dates on the expense report match the travel dates of the business travel on the spend authorization.
See exhibit A below for an example of how to complete the memo field.
The memo field for the ground transportation expense item must also provide the purpose of the ground transportation. Examples include airport to hotel, hotel to customer’s office for meeting, etc.
Travelers may be reimbursed for the mileage incurred from one point of departure to travel destinations..
If a traveler departs from their normal work location (headquarters), mileage is calculated from normal work location (headquarters) to the destination point on regular workdays. If a traveler departs from their residence during regular workdays, mileage is calculated from the residence to the destination point, with a reduction for normal (i.e. residence to headquarters) one-way commuting miles.
If a traveler returns to normal work location (headquarters), mileage is calculated based on the distance to such normal work location (headquarters). If a traveler returns to their residence, mileage is calculated based on the distance to the residence, with a reduction for normal (i.e. headquarters to residence) one-way commuting miles.
Spend Authorizations:
Expense Reimbursement Submission Timeliness:
Receipts and Supporting Documentation:
Recommendation for non-reimbursable conference registration: If a conference registration is paid via supplier invoice request (SIR) or P-Card and is not reimbursable to the traveler, it is recommended that the employee include the expense and clearly identify the item as a "personal expense" on the expense report. This helps ensure all travel-related expenses are accounted for.
Conversion Rates for Expense Reports:
Expense Reporting and Dates:
When entering an expense report, there is helpful guidance text next to some fields in Workday (click on the question mark) to assist you in completing the expense reports (see Exhibit B for an example).
If you have any questions or need clarification on any of these travel-related requirements, reach out via ServiceNow or to the Travel and Expense Manager Xinia Richards.
To more effectively support people leaders through the interview and hiring process for staff, Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR), the Administrative Services Center (ASC), and an Institute-wide project team have collaborated to develop Interviewing @Tech.
Interviewing @Tech is a dynamic training course, paired with a comprehensive suite of resources, to help navigate the interview process with confidence. The resources are crafted to ensure the Institute makes a great first impression and selects the right talent to further our mission and goals.
“We understand that hiring may not be a regular activity for many people leaders, which makes the process challenging to master,” said Skye Duckett, vice president and chief human resources officer. “We developed Interviewing @Tech to streamline the interview process and curate a one-stop shop of resources for people leaders to help improve the hiring process for staff — and ultimately everyone.”
Next Steps for People Leaders
Explore the resources on the Interviewing @Tech webpage. It will be a central information hub and serve as a resource library for accessing and utilizing essential tools for the staff interview process.
All people leaders who hire staff must complete the Interviewing @Tech course through Genius, per University System of Georgia (USG) policy. This course will explore key resources, examine the interview process from start to finish, and review policies that are critical for talent selection. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. All 12-month supervisors (staff and faculty) who hire staff are required to complete the training by Aug. 31. Nine- or 10-month faculty who hire staff must complete the training by Oct. 31.
Ready to Learn More?
Register for an upcoming Interviewing @Tech virtual information session using the links below. While the training is mandatory, participating in an information session is optional.
Interviewing @Tech is a commitment to excellence and innovation. We look forward to your participation in upcoming information sessions. Together, we can build a stronger community that continues to lead and inspire.
Questions?
The Fall 2024 Biannual Compliance Training is just around the corner, launching Thursday, Aug. 1. All faculty, staff, and student employees, who are active employees as of July 1, will be required to complete the training by Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
The Fall Biannual Compliance Training consists of three parts and corresponding modules. The entire training should take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
Part 1: 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training (all three parts must be completed)
Part 2: 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training – Push It to the Limit: Push Notification Abuse
Part 3: 2024 Fall Biannual Compliance Training – Your Role: Internet Security and You
To help ensure only active employees (including students and temporary employees) are enrolled in the training, please make sure anyone who is not actively working or will not be working after July 1 is removed from the HCM system in OneUSG Connect. Instructions on removing an employee from the system in OneUSG Connect can be found here (note that only people leaders with direct reports have access to the link).
As in the past, email reminders will be sent to employees during the training period as well as the lock out period. Throughout the campaign, managers will have access to reports showing direct reports who have not completed the training. Reports will also be sent to executive leadership on a regular basis.
The Fall 2024 Biannual Compliance Training is just around the corner, launching Thursday, Aug. 1. All faculty, staff, and student employees, who are active employees as of July 1, will be required to complete the training by Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
Following a national search, the Georgia Institute of Technology has selected Leo Howell as its new vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. Howell has served as interim vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer since Jan. 1.
He will transition to his new permanent role on July 1 and will report directly to Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance.
“We are very pleased that Leo will be leading Georgia Tech’s information technology efforts during this transformative time,” said Bolton. “His years of experience in information technology, including leading solutions for addressing cybersecurity risk at the Institute and his proven record as a collaborator and change agent, will help to bring a superior technology experience to students, faculty, staff, and other constituents.”
Howell joined Georgia Tech in October 2021 as Tech’s chief information security officer. In this role, he led the development and implementation of an Institute-wide information security and risk management program. As a member of the senior leadership team in OIT, he was responsible for creating and maintaining a cybersecurity program and leading the cybersecurity team, which manages the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Institute information assets and cybersecurity-related compliance. In his most recent interim leadership role, Howell has been responsible for guiding the strategic course of the Institute’s IT resources and identifying opportunities for the integration of information systems, platforms, and services across all business units.
With more than 20 years in higher education, he has extensive experience in risk management, data governance, operational change management, and strategic leadership. Before joining Georgia Tech, he held IT leadership roles at the University of Oregon and North Carolina State University.
In his new permanent role, Howell will provide vision, leadership, and oversight in the development and implementation of information technology. He will be responsible for establishing the strategic direction of information technology resources, including a governance strategy, as well as supporting information users by determining trends and technologies needed to advance the Institute’s academic and research mission.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to be in an environment that is committed to being innovative and data-driven,” Howell said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Georgia Tech community to develop an inclusive information technology strategy that will further the Institute’s continued commitment to administrative excellence through collaboration and innovation.”
Only authorized vehicular traffic will be permitted on Plum Street on June 18 and June 21, but expect delays. Regular vehicular traffic will be permitted on June 19. No vehicular traffic will be permitted on Plum Street on June 20, the day of filming. Alternative routes should be considered during this period.
Pedestrian traffic around the Noonan Courtyard may be held periodically from June 18 through June 21. Pedestrians should consider alternative routes to buildings surrounding the courtyard and plan for additional time to move throughout the area.
Filming activity will also take place on the second floor of the Blake R. Van Leer Electrical and Computer Engineering Building. Building occupants should also plan for additional time to move through this area between June 18 and June 21.
Adjacent parking lots will be in use during these dates. Parking and Transportation Services will send out specific information to affected permit holders.
]]>Starting June 15, 2024, eligible staff members can apply for education assistance through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP). All applications for TAP and STRAP must be completed and approved through the Administrative Services portal no later than 5 p.m., July 15. Late submissions will not be considered, so mark your calendars and get your applications in on time!
To help you navigate the application process, the Administrative Services Center (ASC) has created several helpful resources. For a step-by-step guide on how to submit your application, check out the Education Assistance Application Toolkit. Managers and supervisors can find detailed information on how to approve applications in the Education Assistance Approver Toolkit. You can also access all information session recordings on MediaSpace.
Need Help?
The Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) is electrifying its patrol division with three all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E GT SUVs, leading the national eco-shift among law enforcement.
The e-SUVs join an already-growing electric fleet, with the department currently using various electric alternatives.
“Having electric cars join our force is great. We already have other alternatives we utilize as vehicles to include electric golf carts, trikes, and electric bikes,” said GTPD Lt. Jessica Howard, adding that this development is one that further aligns with the Institute’s vision of sustainability.
Electrify GT, a student group helping the Institute reach its carbon reduction goals as part of Tech’s sustainability vision, researched and identified the best cost-effective electric vehicle options.
“We supported them in that endeavor with research and cost analysis, carbon accounting for what it would look like to implement electric vehicles into the patrol car fleet,” said Rohan Datta, Electrify GT president.
According to Electrify GT’s report, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT vehicles, which offer about 250 miles on a full charge, supporting the patrolling needs for the Institute’s 3-mile radius — while reducing carbon emissions, provide up to $4,000 in fuel savings per vehicle. Apart from reducing fuel costs, they also cut maintenance costs in half — key for patrol cars, which typically sit idle for extended periods. Noise pollution reduction on campus is another benefit.
The Institute remains committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Jamie Fernandes, executive director for Institute Budget Planning and Administration, has been selected as interim vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer for the Institute. This announcement follows Jim Fortner’s appointment to the role of vice president and deputy chief business officer earlier this year.
Fernandes will begin her new role on June 1. She will report directly to Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance, and join the president’s cabinet.
"Jamie is a consummate budget management professional who engages in transparent collaboration, seeks input from diverse stakeholders, and continuously adapts to feedback. She has a proven track record in financial leadership that will be invaluable during this transitional period,” said Bolton. “She has been instrumental in leading the institutional budget reform work that is underway and I am pleased for her to join the team as the interim vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. I am confident that Jamie will provide the strategic vision and operational excellence necessary to guide our institution’s financial planning teams as we embark on a national search for the next leader of the unit.”
Fernandes joined Georgia Tech in 2019 as executive director for Institute Budget Planning and Administration and is responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and administration of the Institute’s annual $3.1 billion budget. Since 2021, Fernandes has led Georgia Tech’s efforts to transform the Institute’s budget process with a focus on increasing transparency, accountability, and cost containment. Before joining Georgia Tech, Jamie served the state of Georgia and other University System of Georgia institutions, including Kennesaw State University as well as Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College, where she was instrumental in supporting the consolidation of the two schools.
“It is a privilege to step into this role for Finance and Planning as part of the leadership transitional plan,” said Fernandes. “I look forward to working with my colleagues across the Institute to further support the Institute’s growth and its instructional, research, and service missions.”
Jennifer Hubert, associate vice president for Finance and Planning, is chairing the search committee to select the next vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer for the Institute. The search firm supporting this process will be Buffkin Baker.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
The USG adopted these increases to help combat the rising costs of institutional operations, while also prioritizing their commitment to affordability for Georgia’s college students. For Georgia Tech, this will be the first tuition rate increase since the 2019-2020 academic year and the third increase in the past 10 years.
“Institutional budgets are under a lot of pressure due to rising costs, and this increase in vital funding sources will enable Georgia Tech to continue to grow and invest in its people in the upcoming fiscal year. It is imperative to boldly align our resources with core institutional priorities and goals to maximize the impact of the increased funding opportunities,” said Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance and chief business officer. “Georgia Tech’s record-breaking applications and enrollment, return on investment, and economic impact are a testament to what we can achieve with continued support from our partners. We are grateful to Gov. Kemp, the General Assembly, and the University System of Georgia for contributing to the continued success of Georgia Tech.”
The 2.5% in-state tuition and 5% out-of-state tuition increases apply to both undergraduate and graduate programs. For the first time, the BOR also approved a new rate for out-of-country students, representing a 2% increase over out-of-state tuition.
Tuition for online programs will also increase next year. Georgia Tech’s online and professional master’s programs are increasing by 2.5%. The Online Master of Science in Analytics, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity are each increasing by 8% — though they remain among the country’s most affordable programs.
The USG approved fee and rate increases for many of its 26 member institutions. At Georgia Tech, mandatory fees will increase by 2.7% overall. Notably, of the elective fees, the housing deposit fee of $600 has been eliminated in FY25. Housing and food costs will increase by approximately 3% and 5% respectively.
The USG also created a new online learning fee for students enrolled in distance learning courses or programs who are not enrolled in on-campus courses or residing on campus. This new fee will be prorated for part-time students. The Online Master of Science in Analytics, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity each have a separate tuition and fee structure approved by the BOR and are not affected by this fee. Visit the USG website for a full listing of fee and rate changes.
The BOR approved an additional $43 million in state appropriations for FY25. This includes the permanent reinstatement of $10.1 million initially cut from Tech’s FY24 budget. In FY24, state appropriations accounted for 19% of Georgia Tech’s total budget of $2.7 billion.
New state appropriations for FY25 will include approximately $17 million to fund the cost-of-living adjustment for full-time eligible employees. The majority of pay adjustments will be completed in July; more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Other new allocations include:
Georgia Tech’s Institute Budget Planning and Administration will submit the FY25 budget to the BOR for spending approval in advance of their meeting in May.
The new fiscal year begins July 1.
]]>The Allowable Cost Matrix is a tool created to assist accounting and finance staff with making decisions related to paying for Institute expenses. The matrix provides a vehicle to determine if certain expenses are allowable under certain fund types.
The Allowable Cost Matrix underwent an extensive review in 2023, with the collaboration of campus partners. As a result of this feedback, a new tool is now available on the Controller’s website – a LIVE matrix! The new interactive matrix is easy to navigate with a list of all Institute fund groups across the top of the matrix and a vertical list of common expense types down the left side of the matrix.
The new matrix offers the following features and benefits:
Enables users to easily search via keywords
Lives online and is always up to date – no need to worry about version control
Includes a column with recommended spend categories
Contains all the same fund types as the previous matrix when you scroll side to side
Any questions regarding Allowable Costs can be directed to ServiceNow.
Procurement and Business Services (PBS) continues to find innovative ways to deploy technology to help improve operational excellence and promote more effective and timely communication and collaboration among the team and the people they serve.
Beginning in April, Business Assets will deploy new robotic process automation (RPA) technology, commonly referred to as a bot, to assist with identifying untagged property assets in Workday. The new bot will enable more targeted and detailed communications to help ensure all assets are tagged appropriately and comply with the University System of Georgia’s asset policies.
If a Coordinator Cost Center has untagged assets (e.g. a laptop), the respective Property Coordinators (and Cost Center Managers) will receive an email notification from “GT Procurement No Reply” with information needed to accurately tag assets.
For any assets that do not have a Coordinating Cost Center, the bot will send an email to the Financial Cost Centers with instructions on how to add a Coordinating Cost Center to the asset.
More information regarding tagging assets can be found under the Asset Management Training section located here.
In addition to using bots, Accounts Payable has begun using optical character recognition (OCR) technology to help streamline and accelerate the processing of invoices. By deploying OCR, the team is able to scan documents and automatically convert them into editable and searchable data. This technology allows the team to efficiently load invoices into Workday for further processing by Accounts Payable associates and enables campus personnel to track the status of invoices, providing greater transparency and accountability.
Invoices are uploaded via OCR into Workday and are placed in "Draft" status. Subsequently, Accounts Payable associates review, edit, and submit these draft invoices for further processing. Once submitted, invoices will follow the established service level agreement of 1-5 business days for further handling and resolution. At this time, invoices with exceptions will continue to be routed via WebNow.
In the future, all invoices (including invoices with exceptions) will be managed directly within Workday which will provide a one-stop-shop for seamless submission, processing, and tracking.
In addition, campus personnel will be able to communicate directly with the Accounts Payable team by utilizing the "Activity" field at the bottom of the Workday Invoice screen.
These ongoing enhancements aim to streamline Accounts Payable processes, fostering better collaboration and efficiency.
PBS also offers weekly virtual office hours for the campus community to talk live with team members from Procurement and Accounts Payable to discuss any questions.
In addition, Workday financial users can participate in Workday Wednesdays – a monthly webinar series hosted by the Workday Enterprise Applications team dedicated to Workday Financials support. The next webinar is scheduled for April 24, from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to join the next meeting. This is a private Teams channel and access will need to be granted. Use code 8kitf6h.
Beginning April 6, America-To-Go (ATG), Georgia Tech’s e-procurement portal for campus food purchases, will launch several updates to its website designed to improve the user experience. Commonly referred to as the “punch-out catalog,” ATG offers a centralized purchasing hub, connecting purchasers with a diverse array of approved food suppliers and vendors, making the procurement process efficient and budget friendly.
The upcoming updates include:
Refreshed Georgia Tech branding.
Ability to minimize the toolbar.
Display of all available restaurant options tailored to the specified delivery date and time.
Improved at-a-glance views of all restaurant details, including opening times, addresses, delivery options, minimum costs, ratings, and lead times, without the need to click on individual restaurants.
Revised cart placement to the right-hand side of the screen allows users to review added items in real-time without being redirected to a separate page.
Click here for more information including upcoming training workshops and other helpful resources.
The Copilot chat tool offers text, graphic, and code generation with commercial data protection. The tool delivers the same GPT 4.0 capabilities as other popular genAI tools like ChatGPT without leveraging Georgia Tech data to train its model. Copilot also provides copyright protection and ensures that any content generated using the tool is the intellectual property of Georgia Tech.
“As with the rollout of any new and emerging technology, we want to ensure each tool offers the best protection for our Institute data and intellectual property, while also providing a variety of features and capabilities,” said Leo Howell, interim vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “With this in mind, we collaborated with the Office of General Counsel, Cyber Security, and Institute Communications to develop guidance around data privacy and security best practices as well as a set of dos and don’ts when leveraging genAI.”
The guidance advises against using tools that have not been reviewed and approved by OIT or sharing various types of data in AI tools. Data includes, but is not limited to, personally identifiable information such as name, social security number, and date of birthday, and FERPA data, which includes any student information. Other dos and don’ts include:
“Because of the rapidly evolving nature of AI, we expect this guidance to expand over the next several months,” said Howell.
OIT’s future state road map includes other AI service offerings such as Copilot for Microsoft 365, which integrates with popular Office tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and the advanced Microsoft Azure OpenAI platform, which allows developers to build and train their own custom AI models. An interdisciplinary team will investigate other tools, explore AI capabilities within existing technology services, strengthen adoption efforts, and build out governance and ethical frameworks for AI at Georgia Tech.
“We have laid the groundwork for rolling out generative AI services through a series of small educational workshops in some of our administrative spaces and the development of general use guidance,” said Howell. “The goal of the interdisciplinary team is to bring together voices from across academic, research, student life, and administrative areas to scale our efforts and explore the enterprise use of other generative AI tools at Georgia Tech.”
To view official guidance on AI use or learn more about generative AI tools, visit oit.gatech.edu/ai.
]]>Senior Director, IT Organizational Change Management & Communications
]]>Executive Director of Procurement and Business Services Ajay Patel and Director of Procurement Erin Mitchell accepted the award on behalf of Georgia Tech and had the opportunity to present at the NAEP's 2024 EPIC Meeting. Their session, "Revolutionizing Procure to Pay with Robotic Process Automation," delved into the transformative potential of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in procurement operations.
RPA has emerged as a pivotal tool in procurement, offering the capability to automate manual tasks, minimize errors, and enhance operational efficiency. It also empowers organizations to leverage automation effectively, optimize processes, and achieve significant cost savings.
Georgia Tech is at the forefront of innovation with the introduction of bots to assist with automating administrative functions in asset management, accounts payable and grants and contracts. For example, the “compliance documents bot” plays a crucial role in facilitating communication with suppliers to request essential compliance documents such as E-Verify, Certificate of Insurance, and Sole Source.
The accounts payable supplier team also plans to implement a “welcome bot” that will communicate with all new vendors via email. This bot will send out a welcome email that provides information on policies regarding purchase orders and invoices.
These initiatives emphasize PBS’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology to better serve our campus stakeholders and drive operational excellence.
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UPDATE (March 1, 2024): Lawmakers have passed a continued resolution to extend the deadlines to secure funding for the U.S. government – temporarily averting a federal government shutdown. The new deadlines are set to expire on March 8 and March 22. The Institute continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the situation develops.
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The United States government is nearing the extended deadlines to finalize an agreement on federal spending for the current fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2023. Congress established two extended deadlines in January to secure funding for the U.S. government through the fiscal year, with a March 1 deadline for some agencies, and a second deadline for the remaining agencies on March 8.
If an agreement is not reached by the March deadlines, it will result in a federal government shutdown, which will affect many programs, including federal contracting work performed by Georgia Tech. Of the two deadlines, the March 1 deadline will have a lesser effect on Georgia Tech’s funding sources. Currently, Georgia Tech receives approximately $100 million per month in federal funding for its research activities.
“We have been planning for a potential federal shutdown for quite some time. As we have anticipated in previous scenarios, most Institute operations would not be immediately affected,” said Jim Fortner, vice president and deputy chief business officer for Administration and Finance. “However, a prolonged federal shutdown would require measures to preserve cash and maintain campus operations.”
Leadership continues to monitor the situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure business continuity in the event of a partial or full federal government shutdown. Mitigation strategies include monitoring cash balances, accelerating federal invoicing, and assessing the need to defer major purchases and non-essential travel. More information, including how specific federal agencies are affected, will be provided as the situation develops.
]]>A five-week program designed to educate and inform Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff about how GTPD operates and the issues they face, the Citizens Police Academy enrolls 20 attendees each session on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This was a unique experience for my cohort and gave us exposure to the inside of policing,” said Tammie Pierce, emergency management coordinator. “I really enjoyed learning about each division within GTPD and how it functions – especially the hands-on training from the forensics session. I feel more connected to our campus officers now that I know about the work they do on a daily basis to protect the community.”
Sessions provide overviews and firsthand experience in forensics and investigations, digital intelligence, 911 dispatching, firearm training, and more.
All classes (except where noted above) meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at GTPD headquarters on the corner of 10th Street and Hemphill Avenue NW.
Click here for more information about the program. To secure your spot, submit an application here.
]]>As part of the ongoing Campus Connectivity Plan, this closure is necessary as we work towards enhancing our campus facilities for everyone's benefit.
Although in a new location, GTHR/ASC staff will continue to provide the same services and quality experiences you are used to receiving at 500 Tech Parkway.
Visitor parking spaces are available in the 755 Marietta Street parking lot. The remaining spaces are for permit holders only. Additional options for parking include 711 Marietta Street (Business Services) and 811 Marietta Street.
Employees with W04 parking permits can use the available spaces in the 755 Marietta Street parking lot that are not designated for visitors. Employees with W04 parking permits can use the available spaces in the 755 Marietta Street parking lot that are not designated for visitors.
Employees have the option of securing additional W04 Permit parking at 711 Marietta St. Additionally, in case all W04 locations are at capacity, alternative parking options at W01 and W06 are available for W04 permit holders.
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To learn more about the programs and application process for summer semester, click here for a recording from the Education Assistance: Applying for TAP and STRAP session.
TAP is offered by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents and provides a tuition waiver to full-time, benefits-eligible employees, both faculty and staff, who have worked for at least six months within the USG.
Time worked in a temporary position does not count toward the six-month eligibility requirement.
Eligible employees may seek approval to enroll in up to nine academic semester hours for each of the three designated semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Employees must apply by the TAP/STRAP application deadline to receive the waiver of tuition and mandatory fees.
STRAP is offered by Georgia Tech and provides partial tuition reimbursement for full-time staff (exempt and non-exempt) who have worked for at least 12 months at Georgia Tech.
Time worked in a temporary position does not count toward the 12-month eligibility requirement.
Eligible employees may seek approval to enroll in up to six academic semester hours for each of the three designated semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Employees must apply by the TAP/STRAP application deadline to be reimbursed for tuition.
Programs of study must be applicable to a career field at Georgia Tech.
Additional information can also be found in the TAP Policy and STRAP Policy.
]]>Call the ASC at 404.385.1111.
Email the ASC at support@asc.gatech.edu.
Submit a General HR Request via the Administrative Services portal.
"We are grateful to the campus community for strong participation in the 2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training,” said Georgia Tech’s General Counsel Danette Joslyn-Gaul. “Georgia Tech is required to conduct training twice a year – in the fall and in the spring. As we start the spring compliance training, we appreciate everyone’s continued commitment to the training and to compliance across the Institute."
Beginning Monday, Feb. 26, all faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Monday, Jan. 29, will be required to complete the 2024 Spring Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 22. The training is available at b.gatech.edu/genius.
This year’s training will include the following two modules and should take no more than 30 minutes to complete:
The training is mandated by the USG for all employees. It can be completed on a desktop or laptop and does not need to be finished at one time. Employees who do not complete the training by the deadline may face disciplinary action by the Institute.
To learn more about the 2024 Spring Biannual Compliance Training, visit ethicsfirst.gatech.edu/trainingandresources.
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Dear Colleagues,
It is with mixed emotions that I am sharing news of Maria Cimilluca’s departure from Georgia Tech to join Harvard University as senior director of Capital Planning and Project Services.
Maria joined Georgia Tech in November 2021, as the inaugural vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability. She has been instrumental in developing several efforts tied to the Institute’s strategic plan including the Sustainability Next Plan, Comprehensive Campus Plan, as well as overseeing the development of the Climate Action Plan. Also, Maria has provided forward-thinking contributions to transformative capital projects including Tech Square Phase 3 and the conceptualization of Arts Square.
As Harvard’s senior director of Capital Planning and Project Services, Maria will report directly to the chief financial officer and vice president for Finance and serve as a member of the Financial Administration leadership team. In this role, she will liaise with the university’s schools and departments to provide subject matter expertise in developing high-quality strategic and financial analyses to advance and support the capital needs of the university.
I am grateful for Maria’s contributions to Georgia Tech’s instructional and research mission. She has established a solid foundation for how we will meet the needs of this growing campus well into the future. Please join me in wishing Maria the very best in her next chapter.
Maria’s last day in her role at Tech is March 1. Details about interim leadership and the search for a successor will be announced soon.
Regards,
Shantay N. Bolton (pronounced: Sh-ANN-tay Bowl-ton)
Executive Vice President of Administration & Finance and Chief Business Officer
Office of the Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance
Georgia Institute of Technology
The annual Institute Staff Awards recognize employees for outstanding achievements over and beyond their regular job duties and who model Georgia Tech’s core values and vision for the future. There are a total of 13 awards. All faculty and staff, regardless of job function, are eligible and encouraged to submit a nomination. The nomination period ends on Sunday, Feb. 25.
“The act of being nominated, whether you are selected or not, does wonders for an employee’s sense of belonging, well-being, and retention. It shows that someone values you, that you are integral to the mission of the Institute, and it motivates you to continue doing great work,” said Mattie Hamilton, GTHR program manager for recognition, who manages the Staff Awards process.
Particularly exciting this year is the addition of a new award named, Embracing All Voices. This award will be given to a candidate who creates connections between different stakeholders to develop solutions that are transformative, culturally responsive, empathic, community-driven, and aimed at improving the lived experiences of our community members. Additional information on all awards, nomination criteria, and instructions can be found at https://engagement.hr.gatech.edu/staff-awards/.
Award recipients are selected by a cross-functional campus committee and will be recognized at the Georgia Tech Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 26.
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Public officials and employees are required to disclose all business transactions occurring during the previous calendar year. Reports for 2023 transactions are due Jan. 31.
This requirement applies to transactions by the employee or any business in which the employee, spouse, or dependent has more than a 25% interest. There is an exception for transactions less than $250 where the total of all transactions does not exceed $9,000 in the calendar year. If an employee has no business transactions to report, it is not necessary for that employee to file the State Business Transaction Disclosure Report.
Disclosure reports are being filed through the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission’s legacy system, which is no longer accessible on their website. In order to file a report for 2023 business transactions, employees must contact Haley Barrett, director of Communications for the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, at hbarrett@ethics.ga.gov or 470.355.6003 for assistance in completing the filing process or to answer any questions you may have.
Business transactions mean the sale or leasing of any personal property, real property, or services on behalf of oneself or a third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative. It also applies to the purchase of surplus real or personal property on behalf of oneself or on behalf of any third party as an agency, broker, dealer, or representative.
]]>Leo Howell has played a crucial role in guiding initiatives across the campus community aimed at crafting thorough solutions for addressing cybersecurity risks at Georgia Tech. I am confident in his capacity to guide the team through this period of transition,” said Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance and chief business officer.
Howell joined Georgia Tech in October 2021, reporting to Hubbard as the chief information security officer. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of an Institute-wide information security and risk management program. As a member of the senior leadership team in OIT, he is responsible for creating and maintaining a cybersecurity program and leading the cybersecurity team, which manages the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Institute information assets and cybersecurity-related compliance.
“It is a privilege to step into this role for OIT as part of the leadership transitional plan,” said Howell. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to further support the Institute’s instructional, research, and service missions.”
The search for the next vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer is in progress. The national executive search firm WittKieffer will assist Georgia Tech in the search. More information will be shared when it is available.
]]>Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center at State Street.
Tech Parkway to the John Lewis Student Center loading dock.
Access to Tech Parkway from North Avenue (past Cherry Street) will be unavailable. Traffic will be directed further down North Avenue and access to Tech Parkway will be available at State Street. See the detour plan here.
In this section of campus, Ferst Drive is currently a low- traffic interior road that parallels Tech Parkway, creating a redundant route. Future campus plans anticipate the removal of this redundancy, allowing for development or additional green space depending upon campus programmatic needs.
This phase of construction work will necessitate the removal of approximately 25 trees. In accordance with the Campus Landscape Master Plan and the Tree Care Replacement policy, trees will be planted elsewhere on campus, or funds equivalent will be added to the campus tree bank. Locations for replacement trees will be identified and the trees planted in the appropriate season.
This is the first of several phases of the Campus Connectivity Plan, and it is expected to last until March 2024, as the campus begins to increase connectivity south and west of campus as outlined in the recently released Comprehensive Campus Plan. Developments such as Science Square and Arts Square will require multimodal and pedestrian connectivity to the core of campus, and these connections will be implemented incrementally.
Subsequent phases of construction will move west along Ferst Drive with updates provided as they become available.
]]>Landscape Project Manager
Planning, Design, and Construction
Infrastructure and Sustainability
404-585-3449
]]>To implement operational resiliency for the entire campus, beginning in mid-December, the chilled water system valves will be replaced, or new ones installed, in a phased approach. This planned outage will allow technicians in the future to shut off the valves to isolate problem areas and service sections of the campus chilled water infrastructure with fewer interruptions to the entire system.
“Currently, technicians cannot isolate an active leak in the oldest section of the distribution system, placing the Institute at risk for a much broader chilled water outage,” said Greg Spiro, interim executive director for Infrastructure.
Without an operational chilled water system, campus buildings cannot be cooled, causing discomfort for building occupants, especially in the warm weather months. More importantly, lack of cooling would affect the Institute’s research and academic mission since much of the work conducted and equipment used in laboratories and data storage must be temperature controlled throughout the year.
Teams from Infrastructure and Sustainability and the Office of Emergency Management are working directly with building managers across campus to identify any areas of concern. Each building manager should have previously completed a Continuation of Operations Plan with the Georgia Tech Office of Emergency Management. These plans are critically important to ensure each building has an individual who knows what to do in an unplanned outage.
Building lists and a color-coded map of the phased outage plan (see image) have been shared with building managers. Communication with building managers about the project's progress will be ongoing throughout the improvement period, Dec. 16 – 28.
View the building listings with planned outage dates here.
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Capital Projects Manager
Planning, Design, and Construction
Infrastructure and Sustainability
404-433-4268
]]>Hubbard joined Georgia Tech in September 2020, as vice president for Information Technology and CIO. In this role, he has provided vision, leadership, and oversight in the development and implementation of information technology. He has been responsible for establishing the strategic direction of information technology resources, including a governance strategy, as well as supporting information users by determining trends and technologies needed to advance the Institute’s academic and research mission.
“Daren’s contributions to Georgia Tech have been invaluable, and while we bid farewell to a brilliant leader, we also celebrate the lasting mark he has left on our institution. I extend my best wishes for continued success and a huge thank you for his unwavering dedication to advancing technology and innovation at Georgia Tech,” said Shantay Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “As we embark on this transition, we remain committed to upholding the standards of excellence that define our institution and eagerly anticipate the continued growth of our technology landscape."
As Princeton’s chief strategist and operational leader of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the vice president and CIO is responsible for providing strategic leadership to identify, develop, and implement information systems, services, and the technical infrastructure that enables the Princeton community to achieve its mission to advance learning through research and teaching of unsurpassed quality. The OIT organization has a staff of over 300 people working across six core functions: the information security office, enterprise infrastructure services, software and application services, the service management office, the project and technology consulting office, and operations and planning. At Princeton University, Hubbard will be responsible for successfully transitioning OIT to a new organizational structure reporting to the executive vice president.
Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Hubbard worked for Wayne State since 1999 and was responsible for the university’s computing and networking facilities, enterprise software applications, learning management environments, high-performance research computing, information security, and information technology support services.
Hubbard’s last day in his role at Tech is Dec. 31. Details about interim leadership and the search for a successor will be announced soon.
]]>“While most Institute operations would not be immediately affected, a prolonged federal shutdown would require measures to preserve cash and maintain campus operations,” said Jim Fortner, vice president for Finance and Planning and interim chief financial officer.
Leadership continues to monitor the situation and is ready to implement strategies to help ensure business continuity in the event of a federal government shutdown. Current mitigation strategies include monitoring cash balances, accelerating federal invoicing, and assessing the need to defer major purchases and non-essential travel. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
]]>“The ASC’s IT Support Services A/V Team's dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence are the driving force behind the success of these BOR meetings,” said Richard Sargent, senior director for IT Support Services. “Their efforts enable the collaboration, engagement, and meaningful discussions necessary among the USG institutions.
Historically, the USG host institution would provide the information technology (IT) and A/V support for the BOR meeting. However, in 2021, a partnership formed between the BOR and Georgia Tech which solidified Georgia Tech’s A/V team as the primary technology support provider for future BOR meetings at USG institutions.
A successful technical setup for an event of this magnitude hinges on close collaboration and coordination between the Georgia Tech A/V team and host institution’s IT teams and event organizers to reduce the risk of technical “hiccups” during the meeting.
Learn more about the ASC’s IT Support Services here.
]]>The Administrative Services Center has compiled resources to support you as you apply for TAP or STRAP. We encourage you to review the resources below and share them with your colleagues.
Watch the recordings: View the recordings from past information and training sessions. These include the following:
Education Assistance: What’s Changing - Applying for TAP and STRAP
Education Assistance: What’s Changing - Approving TAP and STRAP (For Managers)
Watch the Applying for TAP and STRAP Recorded Demo: This brief step-by-step demonstration guides you through the process on how to apply for TAP and STRAP.
Search the Administrative Services knowledgebase for articles that provide detailed instructions on “TAP and STRAP.” These resources will serve as valuable reference guides during each application period.
For additional information about the various education assistance programs offered at Georgia Tech, we invite you to visit the Education Assistance webpage. This page provides an overview of the available programs, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions.
If you have any questions, contact the Administrative Services Center at 404.385.1111.
]]>Beginning Monday, Oct. 30, access to Georgia Tech systems will be interrupted for employees who fail to complete the training by the Oct. 27 deadline. Employees will need to complete all four of the training modules in order to restore their access to the Georgia Tech systems.
Employees can access the training at b.gatech.edu/genius. It will take a little over one hour to complete.
The required training modules include:
University System of Georgia Ethics Refresher.
Sexual Misconduct.
Ethics in Action (includes Conflict of Interest attestation).
Cybersecurity Awareness/2023 Your Role: Internet Security and You.
The first three training modules are accessible via the Genius platform. To complete the Cybersecurity Awareness training module, you will be redirected to KnowB4, where you will select the “Training” tab to access “2023 Your Role: Internet Security and You.”
It can take up to 24 hours for the system to update to show completion, and you can verify that you have completed all the training at b.gatech.edu/genius. You have completed the required training if, on the right side of your home page under COMPLETED COURSES, you see both “2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training” and “2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training Cybersecurity.” In addition, you will receive two certifications – one in Genius and one in KnowB4 – indicating that you have completed the full 2023 Fall Biannual Compliance Training.
The Institute appreciates the community's dedication to exercising sound ethical judgment, acting with integrity and transparency, and upholding the University System of Georgia's and the Institute's policies and compliance obligations.
Questions about the training may be submitted to Compliance Training Request Help. For additional assistance, contact Terry Bridges, interim Compliance Training manager, at Terry.Bridges@gtri.gatech.edu.
]]>As these construction projects move forward, the planning arm of the Planning, Design, and Construction department has been working for the past year with a cadre of consultants to plan for the future of the Georgia Tech campus and is close to finalizing a Comprehensive Campus Plan (CCP). This living document will inform how campus space can be utilized to support the growing and changing campus community for the next 10 years and beyond.
“We are excited for the upcoming reveal of the Campus Comprehensive Plan,” said Vice President of Infrastructure and Sustainability Maria Cimilluca. “Our team has worked collaboratively to create a thorough framework for future development. The Campus Comprehensive Plan is in its final stages, and we look forward to sharing it with the campus community in September.” Visit the CCP website to learn more.
Below is an update on some of the current construction projects on campus.
National Pan-Hellenic Council – Divine Nine Plaza
The Divine Nine are the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Construction is underway for a plaza area with nine distinct circular gathering spaces with seating, landscaping, and permeable pavers. Located adjacent to the John Lewis Student Center parking deck, the plaza will include an 820-square-foot amphitheater. Barring weather delays, the site should be available to enjoy in October. View the construction webcam here.
Georgia Tech Veterans Walk of Honor
This tribute project, located outside the Veterans Resource Center, will honor all Georgia Tech alumni, students, and staff who have served in the United States armed forces. The walkway leading to the Veterans Resource Center will feature granite inlays and mounted wall plaques recognizing the six branches of the military. Each inlay will include a portion of Morse code representing the individual branch’s slogan or motto. Adjacent elevated signage will display the core values of military service: honor, courage, commitment, respect, duty, valor, service, and integrity. An upper plaza reflection area includes an American flag overlooking Griffin Track and McCamish Pavilion, with the city skyline in the distance. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2023.
Library Interactive Media Zone
Located on the Grove Level of the Price Gilbert Memorial Library, this project features a 40-foot curved landscape screen and 10 interactive tablet stations allowing users to view three modes of content: digital exhibit, pop-up lecture, and hero mode. The digital exhibit will feature pre-planned animations and live data. The pop-up lecture will allow faculty and visiting experts to hold short-form, impromptu lessons, and the hero mode will facilitate digital signage about activities and events on campus. The project is currently under construction, with completion slated for late September or early October. Read more here.
D.M. Smith Building Renewal
Renovations will include several upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, including strengthening compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act by creating a permanent wheelchair access feature and adding an elevator. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will increase comfort, as well as the building’s energy efficiency. A virtual lab and hoteling space will be created for members of the School of Public Policy. All proposed changes will respect the historical character of the building, and renovations will be completed by mid-2025.
East Campus Streetscape
Renovation of sidewalks and roadways on the east side of campus is underway to improve pedestrian and micro-mobility (lightweight, single-person vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, and skateboards) access while supporting the Institute’s safety, connectivity, and carbon neutrality goals. The heavy volume of campus traffic in this area requires careful attention to safety and accessibility. Improvements to sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and lighting will align with paving, new curbing, and reconfigured access to the parking deck for alternative-mode routes. All updates will cohesively coordinate with the campus bus systems. A phased construction approach is planned, with phase one underway on Fourth Street, Brittain Drive, and areas adjacent to Peters Parking Deck. Phases two and three will address Techwood Drive in 2024.
Progressive Workplace Pilots
Progressive Workplaces are defined by Georgia Tech as solutions to align space with the working styles of specific campus offices or departments resulting in a carefully curated combination of individual and group work, meeting, and collaboration spaces. The intent of these flexible and progressive designed environments is to foster engagement, innovation and improve space utilization and satisfaction. Currently, multiple pilot projects are under construction across campus.
One pilot includes the offices of the General Counsel and Internal Auditing, two distinct departments, each with about 90 employees. Their space in the 760 Spring St. building in Tech Square was recently renovated from a traditional configuration of assigned, enclosed, individual offices accommodating about 42 employees. The renovated space now offers a flexible, progressive workspace that accommodates 90 employees within the same amount of square footage as their original space.
Using the latest in scheduling technology, the workplace pilots offer reservable space in either private offices or open desk areas with the flexible amenities of both open and enclosed collaboration and meeting spaces. Each space houses a multipurpose hub, allowing for impromptu gatherings and encouraging employee interaction. These pilots will be measured through qualitative satisfaction surveys, and the collected data will inform future strategic space planning projects throughout the campus community.
Science Square
An 18-acre biomedical research and technology community is under construction just off North Avenue near Northside Drive. Phase one includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story lab and office tower that will feature clean rooms, labs, and research space, as well as affordable housing and ground-floor retail space. Phase one is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. BioSpark Labs, located in Science Square, has completed phase two construction of 10 private labs, one shared lab, cell culture and bacterial procedure rooms, and shared equipment areas. The labs are fully furnished and available for lease. This development will expand biotech and life science research and help revitalize and nurture new opportunities on Atlanta's west side. Learn more about Science Square and BioSpark Labs.
Tech Square Phase 3
Phase three of Tech Square will include about 415,000 square feet of academic and research space within two high-rise towers. The 14-story Scheller Tower will house the MBA and Executive Education programs for the Scheller College of Business and is named in recognition of the generous philanthropic commitment of Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr., IM 1952, HON Ph.D. 2013. The 18-story George Tower, named to recognize Penny and Bill George, IE 1964, HON Ph.D. 2008, for their integral support for the facility will be the new home for the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. A large plaza and retail space are planned for the street level. Site fencing will be installed soon, and construction is slated to begin in September. The projected occupancy date is early 2026. Read more here.
Aerospace Engineering Aircraft Hangar
The Aircraft Hangar facility is in the North Avenue Research Area next to the Techway building complex. This project will primarily focus on creating a facility to design, assemble, and house small aircraft for research in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. The facility will be approximately 10,000 square feet and feature a high bay with a mezzanine level. Site work will begin in late fall, with an expected completion date of early 2025.
Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track
This project will address the realignment of Ferst Drive at Regents Drive, which will allow the elimination of the traffic signal and enable connectivity to the planned bicycle infrastructure southwest of campus. A cycle track will be installed along Ferst Drive, providing improved safety and separation between bicycles and buses at the bus stops. This project is in the design phase, with completion slated for fall of 2024.
Student-Athlete Performance Center
The 100,000-square-foot facility will be built in the footprint of the current Edge Center in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Center will house strength and conditioning space, nutrition areas, sports medicine offices, ticket sales, dining, and academic support space. It will also include state-of-the art sport science and analytics and provide balcony views of Midtown Atlanta. The project is in the design approval stage, with an estimated completion date of early 2026.
New Residence Hall
The first new residence hall on campus since 2005, this project is currently in the design phase. This new facility for first-year students will be on the west side of campus along Northside Drive between Eighth and Ninth streets. The 191,000-square-foot building will contain approximately 860 beds with rooms configured for double -occupancy with the flexibility for students to customize, or rearrange, the in-room furniture layout. Each bedroom will have individualized climate control. Student support areas will include collaborative learning spaces, community lounges, and group kitchens. Completion is slated for August 2026. Read more here.
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Photo courtesy of Aerial Innovations Southeast.
]]>This year there are significant changes coming to available benefits and programs offered by the USG. Below we have listed an overview of those changes and ways to learn more before making your selections.
Benefits-eligible employees can begin learning about your 2024 benefits by using one of the following resources:
If you are enrolled in a USG healthcare plan, you are required to complete certifications each year during Open Enrollment. You must certify whether you (and your covered family members age 18+) use tobacco and whether your spouse has access to coverage through their employer.
To learn more about the $150 tobacco use and working spouse surcharges and when they apply, click here to learn more.
During Open Enrollment, Georgia Tech faculty and staff can donate sick leave hours to a pool benefiting those who need them.
Each year during Open Enrollment, faculty and staff have an opportunity to participate in Georgia Tech’s Shared Sick Leave program, which Tech has offered since 2010. The Shared Sick Leave Program allows employees to donate unused sick leave to a pool where it can be used by other Georgia Tech employees who have used all of their accumulated paid leave but are experiencing serious health conditions.
To see the full list of 2024 changes visit benefits.usg.edu/open-enrollment/2024-benefits-for-active-employees and read this article. Changes include premium updates, and changes to well-being programs.
Here are a few highlights of the changes for 2024:
Here is a summary of the approved plan design changes and premiums.
Learn more about all benefit options at benefits.usg.edu.
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The annual fair will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Exhibition Hall. During this time, you will have the opportunity to speak with USG vendors and attend a variety of well-being workshops on each of the eight dimensions of wellness.
New This Year
Get ready to enjoy an exciting day with the GTHR Employee Engagement team, who curated a diverse lineup of wellness workshops — from bonding with therapy dogs to a soothing seated yoga session, empowering guidance on mastering life's stressors, and more. Buckle up and check out the full schedule below:
10 – 10:30 a.m. - Ergonomic Excellence: Unlocking Productivity Through Assessments and Stretching, presented by Jamaal Taylor and Jerry Jackson from Environmental Health & Safety.
10:30 – 11 a.m. - Seated Yoga, presented by Leksi Simic from the Campus Recreation Center.
11 – 11:30 a.m.- Making the Most of Professional Development Opportunities, presented by Bryan Harber from Workplace Learning and Professional Development.
11:30 a.m. – noon - Recognition and the Soul's Journey to Wellness, presented by Mattie Hamilton from GTHR Employee Engagement.
Noon – 12:30 p.m. - How to Handle Life’s Stressors and Avoid Burnout, presented by Richelle Fields from the Wellness Empowerment Center.
12:30 – 1 p.m. - Money Hacks With Georgia United Credit Union, presented by Maria Peifer from the Georgia United Credit Union.
1 – 1:30 p.m. - Common Knowledge: Benefits 101, presented by Yolanda McDaniel and Kimberly Goler-Stubbs from GTHR
1:30 – 2 p.m. - Happy Hour, presented by Jennifer Attilus-August from GTHR Employee Engagement.
Also, get ready to have your questions answered on the spot with USG and Georgia Tech vendors. See the full list of participating vendors below:
USG vendors:
Acentra Health (formerly Kepro)
Aflac
Allstate
Anthem
Corebridge Financial (Formerly AIG)
CAPTRUST
CVS
Fidelity
HSA Bank
Kaiser Permanente
Legalease
MetLife
Purchasing Power
TIAA
TRS (Teachers Retirement System)
GT vendors:
BuzzCard Services
Campus Recreation Center
Employee Resource Groups
Environmental Health & Safety
Faculty Benefits Committee
Georgia Tech Athletics Association
Georgia Tech Police Department
Georgia Tech Arts
Parking and Transportation
Staff Council
Stamps Health Services
Tech Dentistry
TechMasters
Workplace Learning and Professional Development
We are excited to see you and support you as you navigate your benefit options while connecting with colleagues during the well-being workshops. We look forward to a productive and enriching experience together!
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Beginning Oct. 15, eligible employees will follow a more streamlined process for submitting and tracking their applications in the Administrative Services portal.
“Of the many benefits offered to Georgia Tech employees, the educational assistance programs really provide a direct investment in our employees’ future,” said Gail Imoukhuede, director of Benefits and Retirement in Georgia Tech Human Resources. “On average, we receive more than 1,000 applications throughout the year and are excited to implement a new digitized system that will improve the submission and approval process from start to end.”
There are two educational assistance programs available to Georgia Tech employees — each with specific criteria.
The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is offered by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents and provides a tuition waiver to full-time, benefits-eligible employees, both faculty and staff, who have worked for at least six months within the USG.
The Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP) is offered by Georgia Tech and provides partial tuition reimbursement for full-time staff (exempt and non-exempt) who have worked for at least 12 months with Georgia Tech.
Click here for more information, including deadlines, ineligible programs of study, and frequently asked questions.
TAP and STRAP Application Procedures
Note: Once you submit your application it will automatically route to your manager(s) for approval(s)
Please ensure your application is submitted and approved by 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. Applications received after this date cannot be honored. A new application must be completed for each semester by the deadline.
As a TAP participant, it is important that employees only register for classes during the TAP employee registration dates for the institution you are attending. These dates change each semester and will differ depending on the USG institution you are attending. If you register prior to the employee registration period, you risk your classes being dropped, and your TAP waiver will be removed.
Additional information can also be found in the TAP Policy and STRAP Policy
Need Help?
Before Oct. 15: Contact via eduassist@gatech.edu.
Beginning Oct. 15: Contact the Administrative Services Center for assistance
Beginning Oct. 15: Contact the Administrative Services Center for assistance
The Procurement of Group Meals for Employees, Students, and Official Visitors policy has been changed to better align with the Georgia Tech Foundation policy and the Controller’s Office’s Allowable Cost Matrix in relation to the Food Group Meal Form.
The Food Group Meal Form previously provided documentation for all food/group meal purchases with institutional, Foundation and sponsored funds. The updated policy no longer requires food purchasers to include the Food Group Meal Form when Georgia Tech Foundation funds or Georgia Tech Research Corp funds are used.
Food purchasers must continue to provide the form when purchasing with institutional or sponsored funds.
If you have any additional questions or need support regarding this policy change, please contact ServiceNow.
]]>Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
This year’s conference is all about empowerment and how Georgia Tech students, faculty, researchers, and staff can leverage available tools and knowledge to harness the power of data effectively. Led by experts in data management at Georgia Tech and partnering institutions within the University System of Georgia, sessions will explore how participants can use data to inform decision-making, enhance efficiency, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
“We are excited to host Data Days for a second year,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer as well as the executive sponsor for Data Days. “This year’s theme, Empowering You, centers around increasing access to tools and education for the data community.”
Introduced in 2022, Data Days was coordinated to bring together voices from across the Institute to discuss best practices in the management, protection, and value of data. The goal of the event is to build and strengthen community of practice around data services offered at Georgia Tech.
Data Days attendance is free and open to the Georgia Tech community. To view a full schedule of events and register to attend, visit c.gatech.edu/datadays.
]]>Following the creation of Georgia Tech’s 2020 – 2030 strategic plan, the Institute’s executive leadership team launched a task force to create a strategic sustainability roadmap — the Sustainability Next Plan — to help advance some of its most important goals.
“Sustainability Next is central to Georgia Tech’s commitment to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “As one of the largest technological universities in the world, we have the opportunity and responsibility to help find solutions to the biggest problems we face, achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and support a human population that will soon rise to 10 billion while reducing the stress we’re causing on our planet.”
The plan calls on Georgia Tech to:
Be a global sustainability thought leader.
Catalyze innovation through education and research.
Lead by example in the practice and culture of sustainability.
Since the fall of 2022, Sustainability Next has begun to implement projects, including:
The Climate Action Plan to develop a roadmap for integrating climate action strategies across operations, research, and education focusing on climate justice and reducing emissions.
Sustainable X, which supports students interested in and passionate about developing climate tech, sustainability, and social impact startups.
Sustainability Education Innovation Grants for faculty to expand Sustainable Development Goals concept and skill integration across the undergraduate curriculum.
Research Seed Grants to support interdisciplinary climate and sustainability research initiatives.
Living Campus connecting Georgia Tech’s built environment and surrounding landscape to serve as opportunities for collaborations between academics, research, industry, operations, and community partnerships.
These initiatives alone have created collaborations between several sustainability-focused departments on campus, including the Office of Sustainability, the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.
As an outcome of the strategic plan to more intentionally integrate sustainability and lead by example with campus operations, Georgia Tech restructured its facilities management into Infrastructure and Sustainability (I&S) in 2021. The following year, the Office of Campus Sustainability was restructured into the Office of Sustainability within I&S to bridge sustainability efforts across research, education, and operations. It was later expanded to integrate the departments of utilities, sustainable building operations, and The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.
Additionally, Sustainability Next has supported the Brook Byers Institute in becoming a transformative unit focused on climate and sustainability that integrates research and education. It has also strengthened ties in the sustainability cluster of the Vice President for Institutional Research, comprising the Byers Institute, the Renewable Bioproducts Institute, and the Strategic Energy Institute — including the permanent integration of Serve-Learn-Sustain into the newly established Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education.
In the next few months, the Sustainability Next Plan will be supported by a refreshed website, a schedule of sustainability-related events, and calls to action, reinvigorating the sustainability charge set forth in the Institute’s strategic plan.
The Sustainability Next co-chairs invite every member and unit of the Georgia Tech community to join in bringing the Sustainability Next Plan to life and expanding its ambitions over time so that we can build a just, equitable, and sustainable future — together.
For continuous updates and to find out how you can get involved, visit the new Sustainability Next webpage.
]]>Program and Portfolio Manager
Institute for Sustainable Systems
]]>The Accounts Payable Training takes users through a module that covers procurement policies and procedures, purchase orders, supplier onboarding, invoice submissions, and more.
The training is open to all Georgia Tech employees and serves as a reference guide to employees who are new to Georgia Tech as well as those who would appreciate a refresher or have questions about these processes.
“The Accounts Payable Training course is encouraged for all new employees who have any type of role in procuring or paying for items and services using Georgia Tech funds, as well as seasoned employees,” said Associate Vice President of Finance and Planning Jennifer Hubert. “The course provides a general overview of various roles related to procurement and vendor management, and guides participants through the processes that promote greater efficiency in pursuit of administrative excellence.”
Accessing the Training:
Employees interested in completing the Accounts Payable Training can access it via the Learning Management System course catalog.
The training takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is followed by a brief end-of-course survey. Please allow up to 48 hours for completion status to be reflected in the system.
This is the latest in a series of training courses that are intended for all financial administrators on campus. The Finance and Planning team has also recently created Accounting 101 and Procure to Pay High-Level Overview courses that are available for all employees and strongly recommended for Georgia Tech financial administrators. In addition, those who utilize Workday financials are encouraged to review the recently updated Workday training courses. A list of all relevant courses is available on Finance and Planning’s website via the resources link.
]]>Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
The 90-day rental program, which runs from Sept.1 to Nov. 30, will support the business travel needs of Institute employees.
The electric vehicle pilot program will provide sustainable transportation options to Georgia Tech that contribute to reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality, and support Tech’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
Leaders in the Procurement and Business Services department hope it will provide viable options for employees looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
“The overall goal of this project is to further Georgia Tech’s environmental and sustainability goals by providing our community with an electric vehicle option,” said Ajay Patel, executive director of Procurement and Business Services. “We are excited to collaborate with Hertz on this pilot program, as it allows us to maximize our efforts of becoming a more environmentally friendly campus community.”
The electric vehicles will be available for rental online at hertz.com/georgia, with daily rates ranging from $40 to $110. Rental options include vehicles such as the Chevy Bolt EUV, Kia Nero, Volkswagen ID4, Hyundai Ionic, various Tesla models, and more.
Electric vehicles included in this program will only be available for rent from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Hertz car rental facility located at 202 Courtland St. NE in Atlanta. Rentals can, however, be returned to any Hertz location in the metro Atlanta area.
For more information on rental rates, car charging requirements, and more, please visit HertzLink, choose “University System of Georgia” from the reservation category, and select “Georgia Institute of Technology” from the dropdown menu.
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Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
The new space increases the facility’s usable footprint to 17,000 square feet and adds five equipment rooms outfitted with $1.5 million in shared life science research equipment, including capabilities for flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging, real-time PCR testing, and cell culture. The buildout also includes one large, shared lab as well as two medium-sized and eight smaller private labs, along with additional workspaces and storage to attract and support emerging researchers and commercialization in the bioscience industry. Additional cleanrooms are expected to go online in early 2024.
Developed and managed by Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc., an affiliate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, BioSpark Labs is helping to advance the life sciences ecosystem in Atlanta. Strategically located in the Science Square district adjacent to Georgia Tech’s main campus in Atlanta, BioSpark Labs is already home to several bioscience startups, including Arnav Biotech, Exvade Bioscience, SynthBiome, and Karnelian X, an innovator in cancer treatment with significant expansion plans. Microelectronics startup Saras Micro Devices also occupies space in BioSpark Labs.
“The BioSpark Labs space is truly tailored to support early-stage companies that need turnkey laboratory amenities for their operations,” said Tony Zivalich, associate vice president for Real Estate Development. “In addition to its flex-use configuration, it is attractive lab space because of its location in the Science Square district and proximity to Georgia Tech — and to some of the brightest minds in life sciences research right here in Atlanta.”
As a bonus, companies moving into Science Square — a designated federal opportunity zone — may benefit from this program, which is designed to provide tax benefits for long-term investors in the district.
Zivalich added that the Science Square district is just getting started. Phase one, which includes the Science Square Labs building, the apartment community, and a new parking deck, are all on schedule to be completed in March 2024. You can learn more about it here sciencesquareatlanta.com.
Those interested in learning more about BioSpark Labs are invited to see the space in person at the open house on Sept. 19. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.
About Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc.
Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc. (GATV) is a legally separate, not-for-profit corporation that is organized and operated exclusively as a supporting organization to and for the benefit of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
GATV’s primary business purpose is to facilitate innovation and business collaboration with private enterprise, including but not limited to business, industry, entrepreneurs, and economic developers, and utilizing emerging technologies that are aligned with the strengths in research and education of Georgia Tech.
GATV provides support for technology transfer and economic development activities, including the Institute’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) incubator facilities and services to ATDC-affiliated companies.
]]>All student employees must complete all steps of the onboarding process, including the in-person requirements, and be hired in OneUSG Connect before beginning work.
New student employees should visit ohr.gatech.edu/student-onboarding for step-by-step instructions on completing the onboarding process, including required documentation.
Selecting a Time Slot
Email communications will be sent directly to newly hired student employees who have already completed the online Student Hiring Packet (step 1 of the onboarding process) but who still need to complete the in-person onboarding requirement. These students will have the ability to select a 30-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Aug. 16, 17, or 18.
Need to Complete In-Person Onboarding but Cannot Attend this Event?
If you are a newly hired student and need to complete your Form I-9 and/or notarized Georgia Security Questionnaire, but cannot attend this in-person event, contact the ASC for assistance about onboarding and all questions related to working at Georgia Tech.
Call 404.385.1111 to schedule an appointment at the ASC.
Schedule a walk-up appointment online here.
Submit an online Request for Help ticket here. You will need to login for enhanced services.
If you are in the U.S. but not in the Atlanta area and need a remote option, please contact the ASC to find an appropriate location near you.
Already Completed the In-Person Onboarding?
Great! Student employees who have already completed in-person onboarding at the ASC, located at 500 Tech Parkway, do not need to attend the Student Employee Onboarding event.
Other Important Notes
The Student Employee Onboarding event is not an opportunity for students to find a campus job. It is the final step in paperwork processing for those hired into an already accepted campus position. If you are looking for a job, visit the Student Employment webpage for helpful resources.
Hiring managers and their hiring support staff are encouraged to be prepared and familiarize themselves with new and helpful resources designed to promote a seamless experience. Learn more here.
The ASC is here to help students and managers navigate hiring and onboarding processes. Visit the ASC portal for assistance.
]]>Since opening less than a year ago, the ASC has been dedicated to analyzing the student hiring process and developing innovative solutions to improve the experience. This includes partnering with Georgia Tech Human Resources and others to develop new and improved guides and toolkits for hiring students.
Improved integrations with GradWorks improves the flow of information to the ASC and reduces process time.
New eRequest Report enables units to have greater visibility into the hiring process.
Additional staff are being hired to assist with seasonal volume.
“I’m excited to have this wonderful group join the I&S team,” said Maria Cimilluca, vice president of I&S. “This move is a great fit with the I&S portfolio of services, and PTS will be a strong partner as we work together to implement strategic, sustainable, and resilient transit operations across campus.”
PTS moves from Student Engagement and Well-Being to I&S to better align departments and services with the Institute’s strategic goals in sustainability. Transit is critical to the future of Georgia Tech, which aims to provide more sustainable service offerings to the campus community. The addition of PTS to the I&S portfolio complements and advances several of the Institute’s strategic goals and efforts for which I&S is responsible. These include the Sustainability Next Plan, the Comprehensive Campus Plan, and the Living Campus initiative. In addition, PTS leadership values operational strategies that prioritize sustainability, exceptional service, and responsible fiscal stewardship. This is evident with their transition one year ago to a self-operation model and the recent addition of fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles to the Stinger bus fleet.
As the PTS team transitions to I&S, they will report temporarily to Jerel Harris, assistant vice president for Environmental Health and Safety, until a permanent reporting structure is established. To help ensure a smooth transition, no changes to PTS’s organizational structure or service offerings will happen until the PTS team is fully integrated and is able to take part in long-term visioning and goal-setting.
]]>BioSpark Labs is already home to several bioscience startups, including Arnav Biotech, Exvade Bioscience, SynthBiome, and Karnelian X, an innovator in cancer treatment with significant expansion plans. Microelectronics startup Saras Micro Devices also occupies space in BioSpark Labs.
“BioSpark Labs is designed to offer fully fitted-out, equipped, and professionally operated laboratory and office space — representing a significant amount of the necessary services and support that early-stage companies need to begin laboratory operations on day one,” said Tony Zivalich, associate vice president for Real Estate Development. “In addition, it offers an intellectually and culturally enhanced environment with a neighborhood of researchers participating in a rich collaborative community environment adjacent to Georgia Tech.”
Located in Science Square, which is designated as a federal opportunity zone, BioSpark Labs helps advance and expand the ecosystem for bioscience research and commercialization in Atlanta. The planned expansion is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
About Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc.
Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc. (GATV) is a legally separate, not-for-profit corporation that is organized and operated exclusively as a supporting organization to and for the benefit of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
GATV’s primary business purpose is to facilitate innovation and business collaboration with private enterprise, including but not limited to business, industry, entrepreneurs, and economic developers, and utilizing emerging technologies that are aligned with the strengths in research and education of Georgia Tech.
GATV provides support for technology transfer and economic development activities, including the Institute’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) incubator facilities and services to ATDC-affiliated companies.
]]>Rosenberg was accepted into the ELI program alongside 35 faculty and staff members from 25 USG institutions and the University System Office.
The program is a comprehensive 120-hour development program facilitated by leadership experts. It teaches scholars how to enhance their leadership skills to prepare for potential high-level advancement within the System.
For more than a decade, the ELI program has provided professional development opportunities to several leaders within Georgia Tech’s Administration and Finance, including Jamie Fernandes, Jim Fortner, Jennifer Herazy, and others.
Click here to learn more about the ELI program and how to become a scholar.
]]>Overall, the USG’s FY24 budget included a $66 million decrease in state funding which will affect teaching budgets across the state. Georgia Tech’s portion of the decrease is roughly $10 million, which was based on its share of state appropriations among the 26 USG institutions.
Additionally, the BOR is maintaining tuition and mandatory student fees at current levels for most USG institutions, including Georgia Tech, in the 2023-24 academic year.
In light of limited new funding, Georgia Tech leadership, along with the Administration and Finance Dean’s Council, Budget Advisory Committee, and Institute Budget Planning and Administration, has worked to ensure that funds are conservatively and strategically allocated.
“Now more than ever, it is important for us to demonstrate our commitment to financial stewardship, ensuring that every dollar is spent in a timely manner and invested to support our students, mission, and strategic plan,” said Jim Fortner, vice president for Finance and Planning and interim chief financial officer. “We prioritized our allocations to enable us to continue to advance our instructional, research, and service missions, and prioritize our people, growth, and performance.”
The following Q&A with Jamie Fernandes, executive director for Institute Budget Planning and Administration, provides additional details on the FY24 budget, including revenue sources, where funds are being allocated, and how leadership prioritized allocations.
How will state earnings and increased tuition revenue affect Georgia Tech?
We are grateful to the BOR and the state for our formula earnings, which generated an additional $21.3 million for FY24. In addition to these formula earnings, we project a $7.9 million increase in tuition revenue associated with enrollment growth and $3 million growth in our indirect cost recoveries. With this growth, we did not have to consider a budget reduction in FY24, and we were able to allocate funds for the Institute’s highest priorities.
What are some of the key campus allocations for FY24?
They are focused on three primary areas: people, growth, and performance.
Supporting Students, Faculty, and Staff ($17.6M)
$13.1 million to assist with cost-of-living adjustment funding.
$3.9 million for faculty and staff retention and compression, strategic hires, and faculty promotion and tenure.
$670,000 to subsidize graduate student's’ health insurance.
Facilitating Growth ($13.8M)
$5.1 million to support instruction, including new tenure and non-tenure track faculty lines.
$5.6 million to support faculty research and related indirect cost expenses.
$1.7 million to support previous growth in class sizes and course sections.
$1.4 million for Development initiatives.
Improving Performance and Reinforcing Compliance ($2.2M)
$1.4 million for facility contract increases and Maintenance and Operations expenditures.
$800,000 for memberships, background checks, and other compliance activities.
What were the determining factors in how allocations were prioritized once the budget was approved?
The limited new funds available required careful prioritization by leadership. We worked with our budget governance committees to prioritize planned expenditures to enable us to continue to advance our instructional, research, and service missions.
Additional information on the FY24 budget, including allocations, will be provided as it becomes available.
]]>Communications Program Manager | Institute Communications
Georgia Institute of Technology
india.maul@gatech.edu | comm.gatech.edu | gatech.edu
GTRI’s recruiting team was also integrated into the ASC in alignment with Tech’s overarching people-focused strategy to provide consistent HR services that support growth across all areas of the Institute.
Employees can now contact the ASC for these services, where they will be greeted by a knowledgeable agent who will assist them with their question or issue.
1. You can navigate to the ASC portal at asc.gatech.edu to do the following:
2. You can also call the ASC at 404.385.1111 Monday through Friday
3. You can even walk-in for an appointment Monday through Friday
You are invited to explore the ASC at asc.gatech.edu.
]]>Effective July 1, the following structural enhancements were implemented to help further this partnership and deliver on this goal:
GTRI Organizational Development reports to GTHR’s Employee Experience team.
GTRI Research Faculty Recruiting and Student Recruiting & Programs report to the ASC Talent Services team.
GTRI HR Consulting Services, including Temporary Employment Services, continues to report directly to GTRI with dual line reporting to GTHR’s HR Business Partner team.
Employee Performance, Recognition, and Wellness remains reporting to GTRI and will be embedded in GTRI HR Services.
While the Organizational Development and Recruiting teams began reporting to new units on July 1, they will continue to support and serve GTRI while working alongside their new teams to share best practices and thought leadership across the organization. Looking ahead, the teams will work with leadership in the ASC, GTHR, and GTRI, as well as clients, to identify and explore opportunities for continued process enhancements. Input and engagement from all stakeholders will be essential.
The new structure will enable both GTRI and the broader Institute to:
Enable subject matter expertise oversight of candidate recruiting to ensure GTRI meets high-volume hiring targets needed to sustain growth.
Enable alignment to Institute-wide employee learning, development, and experience initiatives while ensuring GTRI receives the level of support required for its business model.
Align skills, knowledge, and functions to drive best practices and capabilities to support learning, development, and recruiting across the enterprise.
Throughout this integration, the top priority is to maintain business continuity and enable GTRI’s research productivity. After July 1, the Organizational Development and Recruiting teams will continue to utilize their GTRI email and have access to GTRI technology systems and buildings so they can continue to support GTRI. Any updates to service delivery, the way labs request services, and other processes will be communicated to GTRI through Troy Littles, GTRI chief operating officer, and the executive leadership team.
]]>As the executive vice president for A&F and chief business officer, Bolton will serve as a member of the Institute’s executive leadership team and lead in developing administrative and operational strategies across the enterprise in support of Georgia Tech’s strategic plan. She will provide leadership, oversight, and direction for A&F, which includes fiscal management and reporting; budgeting; human resources; business services; campus sustainability; facilities planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations; campus safety; information systems and technology; and real estate development.
More than 1,500 staff report through A&F. Bolton will begin her new role on Aug. 14 and report to President Ángel Cabrera.
“Shantay’s leadership and operational experience in higher education will serve us well at Georgia Tech as we continue to grow and implement our strategic plan,” Cabrera said. “Her commitment to strengthening the employee experience and developing strategies that advance sustainability and workplace diversity will greatly enhance Tech’s ability to achieve our academic, research, and service missions.”
At Washington University, Bolton provides strategic counsel to university leadership and serves as the key point person for university operations. Bolton is responsible for spearheading effective strategies in administration, including information technology, human resources, public safety, procurement, supplier diversity, and the Danforth Campus operations and facilities.
Prior to joining Washington University, she served as vice president and deputy chief operating officer at Tulane University and founding director of the Tulane Leadership Institute. Bolton has served as a board member for the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education; as a faculty member of the Leadership and Mentoring Institute; and as a reviewer for the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist Anti-Racism Grant Subcommittee. She is the creator of E3©: Engage, Educate, Empower, which seeks to empower individuals and teams to achieve organizational goals. She is also an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and currently serves as an international director for Zeta Organizational Leadership, which provides professional development opportunities for its members.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling psychology from Alabama A&M University. She holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology with a concentration in industrial psychology from Walden University and an MBA in corporate business from Florida International University.
Her achievements at Washington University include the establishment of the Institute for Leadership Excellence; overseeing the university joining the St. Louis Anchor Action Network; Kulture City training for university officers to implement an inclusive safety intervention framework; and launching the IT strategic plan. Additionally, she oversaw the electrification of the university’s shuttle fleet and the transition to a new dining services partnership.
Bolton also made an impact within the St. Louis area — including philanthropic support for the March of Dimes, service as a founding donor and advisory board member of the Easter Seals Midwest Women’s Giving Collective, and serving on the city of Clayton, Missouri, municipal judge selection panel. She was named a 2023 St. Louis Titan 100, for which she also serves as a board member. Bolton is an alumna of the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education.
“It is a privilege to lead Administration and Finance at Georgia Tech, as I believe so deeply in both the impact of public education and how excellence can be achieved by the collective power of people within organizations," said Bolton. "I am eager to work with the leadership team under President Cabrera to achieve institutional goals and to continue the forward momentum of this world-renowned institution by learning from and growing with my new team members."
Current interim leadership for Administration and Finance will remain in place until Bolton joins in August.
“As we welcome Shantay, I also extend my gratitude to the interim A&F leadership team, who have helped the Institute successfully navigate this transitional period and advance many of the Institute’s strategic initiatives,” Cabrera said.
]]>Institute Communications
]]>“The Institute is growing, and we need to change the way we deliver administrative services to better support the evolving needs of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff,” said Ira Bragg, ASC executive director. “Our mission is to make high-volume, routine administrative transactions less complicated and easier to accomplish with fewer headaches. We are currently working with central functional units to identify, transition, and enhance the types of activities that will ease the administrative burden and generate a significant benefit for the community at large.”
To date, the ASC has had several successes as the team works toward improving the hiring experience for hiring managers, HR Partners (HR Business Partners and HR Directors), and candidates.
For example, the majority of student hiring is done through the Direct Hire eRequest Form, which digitizes the process of capturing and routing the information needed to process direct hire requests in a more accurate, complete, and timely manner. In addition, the ASC introduced the real-time Direct Hire Reporting Tool, which helps reduce the guesswork and alleviate the administrative burden associated with tracking and troubleshooting candidates throughout the hiring process. Together, these improvements are helping to reduce the time to process a direct hire from an average of 15.8 days to 10.4 days — a 34% improvement.
The ASC also processes all Manager Self-Service (MSS) transactions submitted via OneUSG Connect. The transactions, which span the employee life cycle, range from name changes to retirements. Even with a reported 12% increase in MSS transactions for the first quarter of 2023, the ASC reported a 34% reduction in denied transactions. Bragg attributes this success to a “try before you deny” approach supported by increased tracking and analytics to better understand the cases flowing through OneUSG Connect, as well as enhanced training for the ASC teams involved in hiring. As with direct hires, the ASC is seeing notable improvements in the hiring cycle time for MSS transactions, from 4.2 to 2.5 days — a 41% improvement.
Additionally, the ASC customer service team is improving its ability to resolve customer inquiries on first contact. At launch, the team was able to successfully resolve 45% of incoming inquiries without needing to take the matter to a higher level of support. Today, the team is resolving 66% of incoming inquiries and aims to reach 85% — the industry standard — by year end.
In addition to making tangible service improvements, the ASC has also been streamlining content articles in Service-Now that are designed to address commonly asked questions and provide a better self-service experience. The ASC team has collaborated with central functional units, like GTHR, to review more than 1,500 articles and is on track to reduce the number of articles to approximately 700 by July, through updates, consolidation, and removal of duplicate content. The articles are now role-based, which helps ensure users are finding information that is most relevant to their job responsibilities.
Looking ahead, the ASC will welcome several new teams into its portfolio and continue to position itself as the one-stop shop for other high-volume, routine administrative services and assist in retooling resources for an improved user experience.
Beginning this fiscal year, several services in OIT will be transitioning to the ASC. This includes teams from Audio Visual, the Enterprise Service Desk, and Directory Services. The ASC team will also be collaborating with central functional units to define a clear scope of finance and research administrative functions that could be improved by a shared-services model.
GTRI’s recruiting team will also be integrated into the ASC in alignment with Tech’s overarching people-focused strategy to provide consistent HR services that support growth across all areas of the Institute — including GTRI.
In further support of this strategy, the ASC will also continue supporting GTHR in improving policies, procedures, and tools to provide greater efficiencies and transparency.
In eight months of operation, the ASC is seeing tangible results from its efforts. Bragg added that while these initial improvements are targeted to select campus audiences, their ripple effect, and future administrative service improvements, will have a positive impact on the entire Georgia Tech community.
You are invited to explore the ASC at asc.gatech.edu.
]]>The ASC is one of many outcomes of the much broader Administrative Excellence initiative, AdminX, that was envisioned nearly three years ago to rethink and retool how administrative services are performed across centralized functions and campus units. The overarching goal of AdminX is to enable students, faculty, and staff to maintain a focus on the core instructional, research, and service mission by reducing administrative burden with more effective and efficient administrative structures, processes, and systems.
In support of Administrative Excellence, the ASC is guided by the following tenets:
In addition, the ASC has managed customer inquiries totaling more than 6,600 phone calls and 6,766 general help tickets.
]]>Georgia Tech won two notable awards at the Georgia Procurement Conference, hosted by the University System of Georgia (USG) this week. This event highlights the achievements of various schools within the system and awards those who meet the strenuous requirements of their awards submissions process.
The first award was presented to the Procurement and Business Services department on April 24 for their work in the research-intensive (i.e., R1) category. This is the first time the department has won the award.
This award recognizes the work of the Procurement and Business Services team in supporting faculty, staff, and researchers and highlights Georgia Tech as a leader in the procurement field in the state of Georgia. The work of the Procurement and Business Services team has not gone unnoticed and has been lauded by Georgia Tech leadership.
“It is wonderful to see the Procurement and Business Services team’s expertise and informed advocacy recognized. It is a well-deserved honor for their department. They have established themselves as leaders within the University System of Georgia by finding innovative solutions that comply with established laws, rules, and regulations” said Vice President for Finance and Planning and Interim Chief Financial Officer Jim Fortner.
Procurement Director Erin Mitchell says her team worked together to make their efforts in supporting Georgia Tech a success. “Everyone on the team brings unique ideas and skills to the table. This award is not just about the result but about the team effort that made it possible. It is also a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together and serves as motivation to continue to strive towards excellence within the state and beyond.”
During the closing session of the Georgia Procurement Conference on April 27, Georgia Tech was honored with the prestigious Vision Award for its work in Robotic Process Automation. This was won in part due to the collaborative efforts of Procurement and Business Services and the Office of Information Technology. The initial draft of the submission was created using Chatgpt, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, and was noted as being both an innovative process and submission.
“This Vision Award is a great reflection of all the teamwork that went into planning and implementing the bots, as well as each team member having the vision to pursue these bots,” said Executive Director of Business Services Ajay Patel. “This award is a testament to the collective work of all involved.”
While the 2023 USG award season has ended, Procurement and Business Services anticipates another year of stellar service to further support the Georgia Tech community at large.
Youth programs vary, from internships with high school students, to student organization outreach activities, to summer camps and mentoring/tutoring in local schools. Campus and lab tours, and school field trips to the Tech campus, are generally not considered youth programs.
“The breadth and depth of youth programs at Georgia Tech are extensive,” said Kelly Cross, Institute policy manager in the Office of Ethics and Compliance. “Through conversations with program organizers, internship supervisors, building managers, and human resources representatives, it is clear to me that there is a passion for excellence in youth programming and outreach here.”
According to Youth Programs Compliance, the exciting work occurring at Tech also presents unique risks. To help mitigate these risks, Youth Programs has been actively implementing the Youth Programs Policy, which mandates program registration, safety protocols, and more to assist everyone involved in working with minors.
Programs are required to register every calendar year, at least 30 days in advance of the program start date. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of programming. By registering, programs that work with minors will proactively receive information on the resources and policies developed for the protection of the minors and the program staff.
This spring, online information sessions (see schedule in sidebar) will be conducted to clarify policies, process requirements, and how to register a program. Training will focus on key areas of responsibility for organizers of youth programs broadly, and specific sessions will also focus on requirements when minors want to intern or participate in research activities at Tech.
Visit Youth Programs to learn more and register your program. Questions may be sent directly to Kelly Cross at kelly.cross@gatech.edu.
]]>Thursday, April 6, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to noon
RSVP to register for Youth Programs Compliance 101 webinars scheduled throughout the spring semester. Additional sessions can be scheduled as needed.
Youth Programs Compliance – Internship Requirements covers the Youth Programs Policy and the requirements of organizing a youth program through the lens of internships and minors in labs. The training will focus on six key areas of responsibility for program organizers, internship supervisors, and program support coordinators.
Wednesday, April 12, from 9 to 10 a.m.
RSVP to register for Youth Programs Compliance – Internships Training webinars scheduled throughout the spring semester. Additional sessions can be scheduled as needed. Please reach out to Youth Programs Compliance with any questions.
]]>Shawn Scott
Youth Programs Compliance
Office of Ethics and Compliance
Meg Bailey
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
Office of Legal Affairs
“I am thrilled to return to Georgia Tech, my alma mater, to share my experiences and expertise in sustainability. In my opinion, the people at Georgia Tech are its foundation and what makes it great,” said Chirico. “I hope to serve as a connector and bridge in helping to lead the university in becoming a world-class sustainability Institute that is known for its advances and innovation in student programs, clean energy, net zero initiatives, zero waste, and climate justice.”
In this inaugural role, Chirico will lead the implementation of the Institute Sustainability Plan and the Climate Action Plan as well as help guide the future of sustainability at Georgia Tech.
You can learn more about Chirico at the upcoming Sustainable Facilitates Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Click here to learn more about this event.
]]>The Climate Action Plan, a key deliverable of the Sustainability Next Plan, will support the Georgia Tech strategic plan efforts to lead by example in solving some of the most pressing issues of our time. Once developed, this plan will lay the pathway forward for the Institute to achieve its climate goals, including reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
About the Process
The planning process launched last year and will extend through 2023. Led by Infrastructure and Sustainability, the process will include developing a greenhouse gas inventory, modeling potential mitigation strategies, and engaging with faculty, students, and staff from across campus. The engagement process will include an advisory task force and individual working groups that focus on specific climate solutions. Once complete, the plan will align with Georgia Tech’s broader commitments to address climate change and provide an actionable roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality and climate justice.
Get Involved
The Georgia Tech campus community is invited to take part in helping to develop the Climate Action Plan. Reach out to sustain@gatech.edu to express your interest. For additional information on the Climate Action Plan and other sustainability efforts across campus, please follow the Office of Campus Sustainability on Instagram and Facebook and visit sustain.gatech.edu.
]]>This week, Procurement and Business Services will begin deploying a bot to help reduce the number of supplier invoices that go unpaid due to missing receipts. The Procurement Receipt Bot will create receipts for these invoices and route the receipt to the Requisition Requester for approval. Since any employee can initiate a requisition, the Procurement Receipt Bot has the potential to reduce the administrative burden for anyone involved in making purchases.
“We are excited about the potential of technology, like RPA, to automate manual and repetitive processes in our day-to-day business activities,” said Ajay Patel, executive director of Procurement and Business Services. “The Procurement Receipt Bot will enable us to process and pay Georgia Tech’s invoices in a timelier manner while reducing the administrative burden on employees — it creates a win-win outcome.”
It is important to note that the Procurement Receipt Bot is not intended to replace the existing receipt process. It will only assist with creating receipts to pay invoices that have missing receipts, which accounts for approximately 300 to 400 invoices in the daily queue. As a reminder, it is best practice for users to create receipts as items are delivered to Georgia Tech as opposed to waiting for the invoice.
Once operational, the Procurement Receipt Bot will run daily and initiate receipts for purchase orders where an invoice has been submitted and a receipt has not been created. Requisition Requesters will receive Workday inbox notifications alerting them to approve the automated receipts. Once approved, the invoice will be routed for payment.
The Staff Awards recognize employees for outstanding achievements over and beyond their regular job duties and who model Georgia Tech’s core values and vision for the future. There are a total of 12 awards. All faculty and staff, regardless of job function, are eligible and encouraged to submit a nomination. The nomination process ends on Friday, Feb. 17.
“The act of being nominated, whether you win or not, does wonders for employees' sense of belonging, retention, and well-being. It shows that someone values you, that you are integral to the mission of the Institute, and it motivates you to continue doing great work,” said Mattie Smyth, GTHR program manager for recognition, who manages the Staff Awards process.
Award recipients are selected by a cross-functional campus committee and will be recognized at the Georgia Tech Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 21. Additional information on the awards, nomination criteria and instructions can be found at hr.gatech.edu/staff-awards.
]]>“The creation of the Comprehensive Campus Plan will guide campus development and capital investments on and around the Atlanta campus for the future,” said Maria Cimilluca, vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability. “This is significant because it will also strengthen Georgia Tech as an anchor institution for the neighboring communities and Atlanta as a whole.”
Steeped in the Institute’s strategic plan and commitment to people, research, and teaching, the CCP will demonstrate how Georgia Tech will lead and inspire by example in creating a roadmap for the sustainable development and management of the campus and surrounding communities.
Key strategic principles of the CCP include:
The project team is led by members from Infrastructure and Sustainability’s Planning, Design, and Construction team. The CCP will be developed in collaboration with individuals from Georgia Tech’s campus and the Atlanta community. Through January 2023, the team will be working to develop plan concepts by:
Beginning next week, campus community members are invited to learn more about the development of the CCP, including how they can contribute to and stay involved with this transformative project.
The first in-person open house will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tech Walkway. In addition, a virtual option will also be offered on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom https://gatech.zoom.us/j/95369936919.
In the meantime, the campus community is invited to participate in an online visioning exercise to help inform classroom planning. Please take a few minutes to provide your thoughts at https://padlet.com/sdowling22/43ejj7c8s1q746z9. You may use the password “yellow jackets” to access the board.
]]>“It became apparent to the project team, based on hearing student feedback, just how important it was to the student body to keep a water feature surrounding the Campanile,” said Amanda Jones, campus planner for Infrastructure and Sustainability. “We were able to find a solution to honor those wishes while making the fountain a more accessible and functional space for the entire campus community.”
One of the most distinct changes to the fountain is the zero-entry feature on one side. As you enter, the water gradually rises to a height of 6 to 8 inches. The fountain will offer the opportunity to walk barefoot and cool off during Atlanta’s sweltering summer days. In addition, 12 water jets within the fountain will be illuminated with LED lighting, creating a lively nighttime ambience.
To accommodate campus events more efficiently, fountain operators will have the ability to drain the fountain as needed to allow for greater flexibility and functionality in this space historically known for hosting campus traditions.
Meanwhile, additional landscape and hardscape design changes have improved universal accessibility of the pathways leading up to and surrounding the Campanile. Gradual landscape grading and wider individual grass tiers within the amphitheater have allowed for improved stormwater runoff and a more comfortable gathering space. The Campanile plaza’s natural and integrated connection to the Campus Center anchors the area, and with the addition of the nearby Reck Garage, this location on campus will offer ample and vibrant space for campus engagement.
The Campus Center construction and renovation project, a three-year effort, has dramatically reenergized the corridor between Tech Green and the Campus Recreation Center as well as the surrounding areas. The completion of the Campanile fountain will signify the successful culmination of this campus improvement initiative. Barring any extreme weather conditions, the return of water to the fountain is anticipated in the next few weeks.
]]>The Campanile spire served as a design element of the Institute’s logo for more than 25 years.
]]>
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. This year’s training includes more modules than in previous years, and you should set aside up to 2.5 hours to complete all the training. It does not need to be finished at one time, and the deadline to complete the training has been extended to Monday, Dec. 19.
Employees are reminded to not use a Firefox browser to complete the Identifying and Responding to Sexual Misconduct module. In addition, employees must complete and submit the COI attestation in order to receive credit for this module.
Visit Georgia Tech’s Employee Learning Portal today to complete the 2022 Annual Compliance Training. Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Dec. 19 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute.
For more information on the 2022 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit ethicsfirst.gatech.edu/trainingandresources.
]]>With the widespread availability of Covid-19 vaccines and boosters, Stamps Health Services is shifting its operations to resume its student-centered mission and will end its provision of Covid-19 vaccines to faculty and staff at the end of December. Students who are seeking a Covid-19 vaccine and/or booster during the spring semester will be able to schedule a Covid-19 vaccine appointment at Stamps Health Services starting in January 2023. More information will be posted on the Stamps Health Services website health.gatech.edu.
As a reminder, Covid-19 vaccine clinics will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are open to the entire campus community and eligible family members. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine or booster on these dates, visit mytest.gatech.edu. Beginning, January 1, 2023, mytest.gatech.edu will no longer accept Covid-19 vaccine appointments.
More information about Covid-19 vaccines and recommended boosters can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. Find alternative vaccination sites at vaccines.gov.
Visit health.gatech.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates on Covid-19 and campus operations.
]]>Jerel Harris, assistant vice president for Environmental Health & Safety, will oversee the following departments: Biological Safety, Environmental Safety, Fire Safety, General Safety, Lab and Chemical Safety, Hazardous Materials and Radiation Safety. Harris previously served as the Institute's general safety manager and has been with Georgia Tech for 8 years. Prior to Georgia Tech, he was the director of EH&S for Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. He also previously served as the watershed safety manager for the City of Atlanta.
Tommy Little, associate vice president for Services will oversee, Building Services, Fleet Management, Material Management, Move Management, Solid Waste and Recycling, and Staging. Little has served in I&S leadership roles for more than 25 years where he leads the team of IT and Support Services professionals implementing the Smart Restrooms technology - an enhanced customer service program currently expanding across campus. In addition, Little is an active member of several trade related organizations. He held a similar role at Auburn University prior to joining Georgia Tech.
You can learn more about I&S leadership team here.
]]>Beginning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, Tech Tower Lawn will be closed and will reopen at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25. During this time, pedestrians will need to choose an alternative route around this space.
In addition, the Callaway Plaza on the north side of Bobby Dodd stadium will be closed from 6 to 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. Athletes may still enter and exit the Edge Building; however, they should expect brief delays.
The following roads will have partial closures on Monday, Oct. 24.
Parking in the nearby areas will also be affected as follows:
“We are excited to introduce this multifunction, shared services model for the entire campus community,” said Mike Shannon, interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance and interim chief business officer. “The Institute will experience a fundamental transformation in how we provide and receive business services at Georgia Tech.”
The ASC is an outcome of Administrative Excellence (AdminX) – a strategic initiative that is delivering on operational excellence and providing an exceptional quality of service and customer satisfaction.
Shannon added that the creation of the ASC is a manifestation of the Institute’s strategic plan, and this initiative is about the people of Georgia Tech and will help employees focus on the core aspects of their roles by streamlining administrative tasks.
Ira Bragg, executive director of the Administrative Services Center, is responsible for all aspects of designing, implementing, and overseeing the ASC. Bragg noted, “The growth and changes Tech has experienced over the past several years have created the need for a customer service-focused organization like the ASC. I’m eager to create a culture dedicated to making the many processes around campus simpler and more efficient.”
The first wave of the ASC is focused on navigating human resources activities and providing much-needed improvements to the hiring process. This is a multiyear initiative, and the scope will include transactional activities in information technology, finance, and support to research administration.
What’s changing? The ASC is now the one-stop shop for onboarding activities, including BuzzCard and I-9. With the new HR service delivery model, the ASC consolidates approvals at the local unit level and, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 19, will remove many of the central office approvals.
When it comes to hiring, units will continue to follow the current process for traditional hires (i.e., candidates who need to be selected through an interview process), using OneUSG Connect Careers and submitting any requisite Manager Self-Service (MSS) transactions. ASC will work closely with the hiring manager throughout the hiring process and create the job offer transaction in Careers on behalf of the unit.
In instances when an interview process is not required (i.e., student direct hires), the OneUSG Connect Direct Hire Form is no longer needed. Instead, units will utilize the new eRequest through ServiceNow and the ASC will use this information to complete the hiring transaction in OneUSG Connect. Units will no longer submit MSS transactions related to direct hires.
GTRI’s Talent Management Division will submit an eRequest after recruiting a candidate via PageUp.
For all hiring transactions, there will be early creation of the employee ID number, with the ASC submitting on the unit’s behalf. In addition, if a candidate is a foreign national, ASC will submit the applicable iStart eForms and work in conjunction with GTHR Global HR to ensure a smooth process.
Units will continue to follow the current process (with reduced approvals) for all post-hire MSS transactions.
The new ASC portal is intuitive and easy to navigate. It provides a high-quality user experience and improves searchability of HR content (job aids, knowledge articles, most viewed articles). The portal can also be used to schedule appointments, request help, and submit the new Direct Hire eRequest. This will greatly streamline the process for direct hires, including student employees.
Portal access is role-based, displaying the most relevant information. At this time, only OneUSG Connect Level1/Level 2 approvers and provisioned initiators are authorized to submit an eRequest.
Effective Monday, Oct. 17, the ASC walk-up location will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the first floor of the building at 500 Tech Parkway, which is shared with GTHR. ASC staff will assist with the following services:
HR Service Delivery
The HR Service Delivery team, led by Laura Hessler, senior director of HR Support Services, is comprised of experienced personnel in Talent Services and Workforce Administration. This team will partner with many organizations across Georgia Tech to support hiring and onboard new hires to improve the employee experience.
Customer Service Excellence
Stacy Whitman, director of Customer Service Excellence, is leading a team of customer service professionals dedicated to providing live support for HR transactions and questions via phone, walk-ins at 500 Tech Parkway, and the new ASC Portal. Additionally, there will be customer relationship managers assigned to support the three largest areas on campus – academics, research, and Administration and Finance. These customer relationship managers will serve as customer advocates, identify blind spots, and work with the ASC to improve the service experience.
Operational Excellence
The ASC will produce integrated metrics to track, report on, and improve key performance indicators and metrics such as HR inquiries, resolution cycle times, hiring process error rate, and average time to hire. This data will be used to help make informed business decisions to improve administrative service delivery.
With a focus on continuous improvement, this team will provide training, communications, and resources to support affected stakeholders as changes are introduced.
The ASC team is looking forward to partnering with you. Visit adminx.gatech.edu for information to support you through this transition. You can click here to navigate the ASC and training pages for additional resources.
]]>The Institute will enjoy faster hiring, reduced handoffs, and ultimately a better candidate experience.
You can reach the Administrative Services Center through multiple channels:
Beginning Monday, Oct. 17, all active employees (faculty, staff, Tech Temps, retired-but-working, and student employees) hired on or before Oct. 3, 2022, are required to complete this year’s training modules:
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. This year’s training includes more modules than in previous years, and you should set aside up to 2.5 hours to complete all the training. It does not need to be finished at one time and the deadline to complete the training has been extended to Monday, Dec. 19.
Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Dec. 19 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute.
For more information on the 2022 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit ethicsfirst.gatech.edu/trainingandresources.
]]>
Campus Center
The John Lewis Student Center and Stamps Commons opened the week of August 1. As part of the Campus Center Project, this final phase consisted of the renovation of the original part of the Student Center building, the addition of a brand new three-story building in place of the original Stamps Commons, and upgrades to the Kessler Campanile and its surrounding plaza.
The iconic Campanile and surrounding plaza are being reconfigured to improve the accessibility around the site. Its water feature will be updated to become more sustainable so that beloved campus traditions that occur in that space can safely continue. These improvements are on track for completion later this fall.
10th Street Electrical Substation Improvements – Phase 2
Improvements have increased the electrical resiliency of the plant by upgrading its four electrical substations to protect capacity required for campus cooling. This electrical substation powers the 10th Street chiller plant that provides chilled water to the campus and currently operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Originally constructed in 1995, the plant has been expanded and currently houses seven chillers with a total capacity of more than 15,000 tons.
828/830 West Peachtree Demolition
The demolition of two buildings along West Peachtree is complete, and the space is currently being used for campus parking. During the fall semester, the space will house food trucks and serve as additional parking for gameday visitors.
Howey Physics – Lecture Hall 5 Renovation
Following the successful renovation of the four large lecture halls in the building, Lecture Hall 5 is now complete. Flexible seating was installed along with new windows to allow daylight into the revitalized space.
Ramblin’ Wreck Garage
Constructed to house and display the Institute’s mechanical mascot, the nearly all-glass structure with showroom-quality lighting and rooftop solar array will foster community spirit in the heart of campus. The garage houses a tool bench, vehicle turntable, and lift for students to maintain the Wreck. Located near the Campus Center and the Campanile Plaza, the garage will showcase the Ramblin’ Wreck and offer outdoor programmable space. The Wreck will also be in a direct line of sight from the Little Theatre in the Student Center, where prospective student tours depart, reinforcing the connection between the students and Georgia Tech’s rich traditions.
Gilbert Hillhouse Boggs Building Electrical Project
This resiliency project will replace the existing network transformers, panels, and switchgear that support the electrical distribution systems throughout the facility that houses laboratories and offices spaces for the College of Sciences. The upgraded system will increase preparedness and the ability to respond to electrical disruptions. The expected completion date is May 2023.
Coliseum Annex Renovation
Adjacent to McCamish Pavilion, the Coliseum Annex will undergo renovations to its student-athlete Track and Field and Cross Country locker rooms, coaches’ locker rooms, the training room, and storage and support spaces. A lounge, nutrition space, and hydrotherapy space are also planned. The third-floor renovation will consist of two new smaller locker rooms for officials and visiting teams. Project completion is slated for year-end 2022.
Access Control Upgrade
In progress since 2015, the implementation of a single, campuswide physical access control service is planned for completion by the end of the year. The scope of work includes the replacement of existing access-control hardware systems for an estimated 4,000 entrances to academic buildings, research space, and athletic facilities.
Community and Chefs Garden Expansion
The Community Garden, located on the east side of the Instruction Center, will be upgraded to add accessible pathways and garden plots as well as increase the number of individual plots. The installation of cooking instruction tables and facilities will allow for chef demonstrations. More trees will be planted in the orchard area, and there will also be the installation of a new composting area, shed, and fencing. This project is scheduled to be complete in October.
Science Square
Twenty acres of mostly undeveloped land just off North Avenue near Northside Drive will be transformed into a new research community. Science Square will expand the biotech and life science research space and help revitalize and nurture new opportunities on Atlanta's west side. A 13-story tower will feature labs, clean rooms, and research space as well as retail space and affordable housing. A $500,000 grant will kickstart job training so people in this community will be able to learn, work, and research here. Science Square is slated to open in 2024.
Aerospace Engineering Aircraft Hangar
The Aircraft Hangar facility is proposed to be in the North Avenue Research Area (NARA) adjacent to the Techway building complex. This project will primarily focus on creating a facility to house small aircraft for the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering research. The facility will be approximately 10,000 gross square feet and consist of two floors. Design planning is underway.
D.M. Smith Building Renewal
Renovations will include several upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, including strengthening compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by creating a permanent wheelchair access feature and adding an elevator. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will increase occupants’ health and comfort, as well as the building’s energy efficiency. A virtual lab and hoteling spaces will be created for members of the School of Public Policy. The outer structure will remain largely intact, and all proposed changes will respect the historical character of the building. Renovations to the building are planned to begin in late 2023 and conclude in Spring 2025.
Georgia Tech Veterans Walk of Honor
Located outside the Veterans Resource Center, this tribute project will honor all Georgia Tech alumni, students, and staff who have answered the call to service in the United States armed forces. The walkway leading to the Veterans Resource Center will feature granite inlays and mounted wall plaques recognizing the six branches of the armed forces. Each inlay will include a portion of morse code representing the branch’s slogan, encouraging discovery and reflection. Adjacent elevated signage will display the core values of military service: honor, courage, commitment, respect, duty, valor, service, and integrity. An upper plaza reflection area will feature an American flag and overlook Griffin Track and McCamish Pavilion, with the city skyline in the distance.
Student Athlete Performance Center
The 115,000-square-foot facility will be built in the footprint of the current Edge/Rice Center in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Center will house strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports medicine, ticket sales, and academic support. It will also include new expanded space for Georgia Tech football, featuring a dedicated football-only strength-and-conditioning area, players’ lounge, and meeting spaces. The student-athlete performance center will also include premium seating for Georgia Tech football games and other events held inside Bobby Dodd Stadium. The estimated completion date is early 2026.
East Campus Streetscape
Renovation of sidewalks and roadways will improve pedestrian and cycle access, safety, and connectivity to the east side of campus and Tech Square. Current sidewalks, curbing, and roadway paving will be improved. Designs are underway with phased construction planned for next summer and full completion projected for Fall 2024.
Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track
Realignment of Ferst Drive at Regents Drive will allow the elimination of the traffic signal and enable connectivity to the planned bicycle infrastructure southwest of campus. A cycle track will be installed along Ferst Drive, providing improved safety and separation between cycles and buses at the bus stops. This project is also in the design phase, with construction planned for next summer.
“Didier brings a wealth of IT leadership and experience engaging across academic and research communities to this role,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. “He has always been a strong partner to OIT and we are happy to welcome him as a permanent and integral part of our team.”
In this newly established role, Contis will provide leadership and direct supervision to the OIT’s Digital Learning, Technical Applications, and Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE) teams. Contis will report directly to Hubbard and serve as an integral part of the OIT senior leadership team.
“As both an alumnus and a proud Georgia Tech parent, I look forward to partnering with students, faculty, researchers, and staff to support the Institute in achieving its lifetime of learning, research, and innovation goals,” Contis said. “Georgia Tech has an outstanding IT community committed to being a trusted partner that empowers users. Together with my colleagues in OIT and the distributed IT community, we will expand access to services that meet the diverse and evolving needs of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff. At the same time, we will continue to reduce the digital divide by delivering human-centric, equitable, and inclusive services.”
Contis began his career at Georgia Tech in 1999 as a research engineer for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Before that, he was a network security engineer in the banking industry in France. He was the IT manager for Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 2004 to 2007 before becoming the first director of Technology Services for the College of Engineering. In this role, Contis established several partnerships with OIT and other academic units to develop new campuswide services in support of research and instruction, with a strong focus on empowering users. He has previously served as interim associate vice president for Data Strategy and Analytics and interim chief information security officer at Georgia Tech.
Contis holds a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur (bachelor’s degree) from the Ecole des Mines de Nantes-France.
]]>We continue to recognize that Covid-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urge all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated and boosted either on campus or at a local provider. Stamps Health Services continues to conduct vaccine clinics for those who are eligible. You can learn more here: health.gatech.edu/coronavirus/vaccine.
As part of Georgia Tech’s continued monitoring of the overall health of the campus community, we have transitioned from individual surveillance testing to wastewater surveillance testing. Over the past 18 months, Georgia Tech’s Covid-19 testing team has validated the use of wastewater testing for Covid-19 detection and has put in place the infrastructure necessary to conduct broad-based wastewater surveillance. As such, Georgia Tech has created new dashboards to track and report the status of wastewater testing as well as symptomatic positives (students only) from Stamps Health Services. The previous dashboard, that has tracked cases since 2020, will be archived but remain publicly available. Access to the new dashboards can be found here: health.gatech.edu/coronavirus/monitoring-covid.
“Many health experts agree that Covid-19 is with us for the foreseeable future, and, while the severity of cases is much less overall, we continue our commitment to track overall trends of the virus in our community,” said Will Smith, director of Emergency Management and Communications for the Georgia Tech Police Department. “We have been exploring the use of wastewater testing during the pandemic, and it has proven to be an effective and reliable method of tracking the prevalence of Covid-19 in our population.”
Beginning this summer, Georgia Tech deployed eight autosamplers across campus that are programmed to pump small volumes of sewage from a given site at regular time intervals throughout the day, yielding a composite sample of sewage that represents a sample collected over multiple days. Currently, samples are taken for analysis on Monday and Thursday mornings. More information about wastewater testing, including FAQs, may be found here: health.gatech.edu/coronavirus/monitoring-covid.
“As with Georgia Tech’s response to Covid-19 from the beginning, we remain vigilant and will use scientific data to support how we operate to protect the well-being of our community,” added Smith. “As we move forward, every one of us will need to continue to make informed decisions for the sake of our own health and the health of others.”
To help keep yourself and the community safe, there are many actions you can take to help protect yourself and mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Stay informed, healthy, and well by visiting health.gatech.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date guidance and resources.
]]>Beginning Aug. 13, Mike Shannon, A&F’s vice president and deputy chief business officer, will assume the role of interim executive vice president for A&F and will serve as interim chief business officer. In addition, Jim Fortner will remain A&F’s vice president for Finance and Planning and will assume the role of interim chief financial officer.
“I thank them both for their support, leadership, and willingness to serve in this capacity as we move forward,” said Cabrera. “They are trusted and dedicated members of the Institute’s senior leadership team and bring a wealth of experience to the organization.”
Both Shannon and Fortner have served the Institute in various leadership roles over the years and will continue to lead the transformative initiatives already underway in A&F. This includes Administrative Excellence and the launch of the Administrative Services Center, the Budget Reform initiative, the HR Transformation project, Data Excellence, the Institute’s Sustainability Plan, and the Campus Master Plan.
“It is my honor to help lead A&F during this transition and continue the work that brings the Institute strategic plan to life,” said Shannon. “I am delighted to work with President Cabrera, the Executive Leadership Team, and my colleagues in A&F to deliver on our mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”
“I am honored to be asked to serve in this capacity for Georgia Tech,” said Fortner. “We are fortunate in A&F to have highly committed and experienced talent, and I am certain that we will continue on our journey to create an inclusive and high-performing environment for our employees and students.”
Provost Steve McLaughlin will chair the search committee to select the next executive vice president for A&F. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
]]>Following the news of Kelly Fox’s departure from Georgia Tech as executive vice president for Administration and Finance (A&F), President Ángel Cabrera is appointing two new interim leadership positions until a permanent replacement is selected.
Fox joined Georgia Tech in early 2020 and, during that time, crafted a new Administration and Finance (A&F) strategic plan to better serve campus stakeholders, using data and a high-touch customer service approach. She also built an A&F staff culture council to bring the voices of staff to campus leadership, to connect to colleagues, and address concerns. She created a strong new team by welcoming leaders in Infrastructure and Sustainability, Human Resources, and Information Technology who will continue to drive change in service and quality; helped reform the Institute budget process; and built an Administrative Services Center, set to launch in October, to substantially reduce the administrative burden for all campus units.
“Kelly has been a transformative leader at Georgia Tech, cultivating a culture of trust, excellence, and accountability that will have a lasting impact. She has led by example and has been a trusted and supportive colleague to me and the rest of our leadership team,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Kelly joined us only one month before the onset of the pandemic, and I feel fortunate to have had her experience, wisdom, positive attitude, and steady hand on my team. I will miss Kelly, but I find some solace in the fact that she will be serving and making a difference at another excellent university and under a member of the Georgia Tech extended family, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, former chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and honorary alum of Georgia Tech.”
At Rice University, Fox will be responsible for financial and administrative oversight of the university to include oversight of financial planning and policies, financial reporting, debt and cash management, financial systems, non-academic budgeting, compliance, capital markets, accounting and audit, construction, facilities, security, housing and food services, and human resources.
Before joining Georgia Tech, Fox led Strategic Resources and Support for the University of Colorado Boulder, guiding the financial management and planning activities of the $1.8 billion university budget. Prior to that, she served as vice president and chief financial officer for the four-campus University of Colorado System. In all, Fox has more than 20 years of working in public higher education.
Fox’s last day at Tech is Friday, Aug. 12. Details about interim leadership and the search for a successor will be announced soon.
]]>The sunset date planned for Georgia Tech's use of the BlueJeans videoconferencing platform has been extended to June 14. Any recordings that are still present in BlueJeans after the new June 14 deadline will be permanently deleted. In order to provide additional support and training, the Office of Information Technology will offer office hours:
· Wednesday, June 1, from 10 a.m - 2 p.m.
· Thursday, June 2, from 1 - 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, June 7, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
· Thursday, June 9, from 1 - 4 p.m.
· Monday, June 13, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Original story:
Georgia Tech will sunset the BlueJeans videoconferencing solution on Monday, May 30. Campus users are encouraged to migrate stored recordings before then.
The BlueJeans decommission is a culmination of a review by the Video Collaboration Review (VCR) Committee. The group was established to evaluate new videoconferencing solutions for academic course delivery and collaboration against existing services. Driven by Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the committee brought in student, faculty, and staff voices from across the Institute to identify video collaboration service offerings. Ultimately, plans to sunset BlueJeans and WebEx (except for the Georgia Tech Research Institute*) were formalized.
The VCR Committee also announced a soft launch of the Zoom video collaboration platform.
“Not only did Zoom, to a large extent, meet our committee’s criteria, but it is also one of the most widely used video collaboration tools,” Yakut Gazi, Ph.D., associate dean for Learning Systems at GTPE, said earlier this year. “Many of our students, faculty, and staff have participated in Zoom meetings during and even before the pandemic, which we anticipate will facilitate adoption at Georgia Tech.” Since the soft launch, the platform has facilitated over 2,700 meetings and webinars by Tech users.
In preparation for the transition from BlueJeans, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to migrate stored lecture, meeting, and event recordings to Kaltura MediaSpace via the BlueJeans Video Exporter tool. The exporter will move a maximum of five videos simultaneously, with each video typically taking a few minutes to upload. Archived videos can take up to five hours, depending on the video’s length.
OIT has published an 11-step illustrated knowledge article to guide campus users during the recording transfer process. Campus users who need further assistance can also submit a help request via the Services and Support site at gatech.service-now.com/home.
In addition to Zoom, Georgia Tech will continue to offer and support Microsoft Teams, which offers videoconferencing, secure file storage, chat, meeting, calling, and file-sharing capabilities.
OIT will work with the Georgia Tech community throughout the rest of the spring semester to prepare for the transition from BlueJeans. Upcoming communications will share additional information.
The BlueJeans Video Exporter tool can be accessed at mover.bluejeans.gatech.edu.
*The Georgia Tech Research Institute will continue to use its version of WebEx (gtri.webex.com).
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The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has been preparing to sunset several legacy applications, including PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM).
The new TechWorks website is available for preview through a banner on the current TechWorks site. The new TechWorks website will be automated on July 14. Access to the old TechWorks site will be available through a link on the new website until July 27, after which the new TechWorks website will exclusively run.
Legacy reports for HCM and Financials will be located on LITE. Legacy SPD reports will also be located under the Financials tab. These reports will be available on June 6.
“The current PeopleSoft Financials version is no longer supported by Oracle,” said OIT Senior Project Support Specialist David Thomas. “This move will help minimize security risks posed by an end-of-life system.”
The project team has worked with campus partners such as the Administrative Services Center, the Controller’s Office, Georgia Tech Human Resources, Grants and Contracts, OIT Enterprise Data Management, and Procurement and Business Services to help manage the change and ensure access to information.
Open office hours to provide additional support are scheduled for June 8 and June 9 at 2 p.m.
To learn more and for ongoing updates, visit oit.gatech.edu/techworksupdate.
]]>Background
Georgia Tech’s Office of Information Technology will perform a data center failure simulation on the weekend of June 10 as part of its disaster recovery and preparedness plan.
The simulation will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10, with a 24-hour test period. This test period will end at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, at which time, a recovery period will begin. The recovery period runs for 24 hours, ending at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12. Students, faculty, and staff should expect downtime and delays for Banner throughout the 48-hour test and recovery periods.
Performing routine recovery drills is a best practice within disaster recovery planning and helps to ensure the ongoing health of mission critical technology services and organizational readiness in the case of a real disaster. Disaster recovery planning is an essential component of the Institute’s overall emergency preparedness plan and helps to:
Plans for future disaster recovery exercises are forthcoming.
Up-to-date progress will be shared via https://status.gatech.edu during the 48-hour exercise window.
]]>There are a variety of ways employees on the main campus can leverage flexibility while maintaining, and often increasing, productivity, especially in the summer work period between June 6 and August 5.
“As we enter the summer months, it is the ideal time to remind the campus community of existing flexwork arrangements that are available to them,” said Skye Duckett, vice president and chief human resources officer. “Finding that balance between work and life is important to our well-being, and we encourage everyone to make use of these arrangements where and when they can.”
The Flexwork Arrangements policy covers multiple work arrangements, including hybrid and fully remote work scenarios. As stated in the policy, decisions to implement flexible work will be made by an employee’s unit leadership. There are three types of flexible work arrangements:
The Institute’s strategic plan reiterates the commitment to a collaborative, holistic approach to campus health and well-being through inclusive environments where all our students and employees can flourish and be fulfilled. Additionally, during the summer months, Fridays will be a “no meeting” day for internal meetings.
This commitment across Tech's main campus will help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to focus on their work, catch up on existing projects, and find new ways to keep everyone connected to their work. Employees are encouraged to visit hr.gatech.edu/be-well and hr.gatech.edu/work-life-programs to learn more about work-life programs.
Although in a new location, GTHR staff will continue to provide the same services and quality experiences you are used to receiving at 500 Tech Parkway.
Visitor parking spaces are available in the 755 Marietta Street parking lot. The remaining spaces are for permit holders only.
Employees with W04 parking permits can use the available spaces in the 755 Marietta Street parking lot that are not designated for visitors.
Additional options for parking include:
Once construction begins on 500 Tech Parkway, access to the parking lot will be limited.
]]>This annual school supply drive benefits Georgia Tech employees who need support equipping their children in grades K-12 with school supplies.
This year, GTHR has partnered again with SchoolKitz.com to offer pre-packaged supply kits. This will streamline the donation process and make sure all backpacks are filled uniformly. Each school kit purchased sponsors one child.
If you would like to sponsor a child(ren), the deadline to order supplies from SchoolKitz is Tuesday, June 7. If you would like to request a backpack(s), the deadline is Friday, June 10.
Need a backpack?
For more detailed information, visit https://hr.gatech.edu/buzzin-back-school.
]]>
To help us understand the basics of making a purchase at Georgia Tech, I had the opportunity to interview Ajay Patel, who was recently appointed interim senior director of Business Services at Georgia Tech.
Can you give us an overview of what the Purchasing department is responsible for at Georgia Tech?
We are responsible for the actual processing of a purchase as well as payment to the supplier – both via PCard and purchase orders generated through Workday. This applies to all purchases with the exception of capital and public works as well as subawards and subagreements. Those are handled respectively by Infrastructure and Sustainability and the Office of Sponsored Programs. On average, our department issues more than 100,000 purchase orders a year and that number continues to grow.
Who establishes the rules and regulations for making purchases?
Since we are a state entity, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services grants Georgia Tech the authority to make purchases on behalf of the state. In addition, since Georgia Tech receives significant funding from the federal government, we often must comply with both state and federal procurement rules. It can get quite complicated, especially when new rules and regulations become part of the process.
I’d like to emphasize that these aren’t “guidelines,” these are state or federal laws. All higher education institutes that receive federal funding must comply with federal rules. In addition, all University System of Georgia (USG) schools must also comply with state rules, which are often more restrictive than federal rules. To help ensure compliance, there are established purchasing requirements that every USG institution must follow.
Can you walk us through the steps necessary to make a purchase of goods and services?
There are generally two ways to authorize and pay for goods and services. One is the State of Georgia PCard, which is used primarily for smaller dollar amount purchases, and the other is a purchase order (PO) issued via Workday Financials. Both require documentation for compliance verification.
By issuing a PO, Georgia Tech is assuring the vendor that the appropriate authorization, or approval, has been issued and Georgia Tech is financially committed to paying the vendor in return for the goods and services specified on that PO. It’s essentially a contract. Plus, the State Accounting Office policy requires that a PO must be issued in most cases before a vendor is paid.
What does the process look like to issue a PO? How long does it take?
It begins with issuing a purchase requisition. After it is approved by the approving department in Workday, it is then routed to Purchasing for review and approval. Once approved, the purchase requisition becomes a PO.
In approximately 80% of scenarios, Purchasing has automated the approval process of the purchase requisition, and this has really helped speed up the process for issuing a PO. On average, automated approvals of a requisition take three business days. A great example of this would be purchasing office supplies from the Staples catalogue.
For the remaining 20% of requisitions, Purchasing will review them for compliance with state and federal procurement rules. Once all requirements are met, a PO is issued and sent directly to the vendor. The time for Purchasing to review can vary depending on the complexity of the purchase and the steps required.
What happens if a complete purchase order is not issued and a purchase is made or work begins?
At that point, there is no PO and it is an unauthorized purchase, which is by far one of our biggest issues in Purchasing. This opens the door for discrepancy between what the supplier provides and what was expected, and it creates a noncompliant purchase, which is against the established rules and laws. Not only does this greatly delay payment of invoices, but it can cause the potential for no payment to the vendor. In some extreme cases, the person who made the unauthorized purchase can be personally liable for the cost of the unauthorized purchase.
What are the new procedural changes that will help ensure compliant purchases and streamline processing of purchases and payments?
We strive to be good business partners with our internal constituents and our external vendors, but we also recognized the need to implement stricter protocols. Beginning this calendar year, Georgia Tech Purchasing implemented the Unauthorized Purchase Form to further support policy (i.e. prior approval required) and ensure regulatory compliance as well as the appropriate processing of payment. It states that any unauthorized purchase will require a completed and signed Unauthorized Purchase Form attached to the requisition before a PO can be issued. The following additional approvals are required:
All applicable procurement requirements (such as EVerify, Certificate of Insurance, bidding, etc.) are required for purchases prior to payment, which has always been the case.
And as a reminder, if a purchase does not comply with state purchasing rules and requirements, the person authorizing the purchase may be personally financially liable for the purchase. Again, this has been policy all along. I encourage employees to visit the Policy Library to learn more about unallowed procurements.
Are there exceptions, such as emergency purchases? What do those procedures look like?
Georgia policy does allow for emergencies – one of the few cases where is it acceptable to authorize work without a PO. These are typically issues that directly affect health and safety. The state clearly says that loss of funding or lack of planning does not constitute an emergency. There is a form that must be submitted to the Department of Administrative Services within five business days of the purchase.
What advice would you give the campus community when making purchases?
Plan ahead and work with your business officer if you need help navigating the process. If you know that you will need to order certain goods or secure services, do not wait until the last minute. The procurement process can be complicated and require some time depending on the nature of your purchase. People are often surprised by this – that’s when we see people working around the process and the consequences that follow.
How do I learn more about the purchasing process at Georgia Tech?
New and existing employees should visit the course catalog, which features a variety of training related to procurement and other financial activities. Questions can also be submitted through ServiceNow.
Ramirez’s curated exhibition, “SDG 5, Gender Equality: Reimagining our Future through Art and Technology,” is on display through December 2022 in The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. Ramirez also designed an interactive oral history about women's experiences at Georgia Tech, which she demonstrated for visitors on April 13.
“I am passionate about the intersection of storytelling, art, and feminism,” Ramirez said. “When I learned that 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of women attending Georgia Tech, I wanted to design a master’s project that not only celebrates their remarkable achievements but shows the reality of attending a male-dominated institution.”
With the support and guidance of her team of advisors — LMC Associate Professor Nassim Parvin, LMC Assistant Professors Anne Sullivan and Noura Howell, Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) Service Learning and Partnerships Specialist Rebecca A. Watts Hull, and Women’s Resource Center Director Melanie DeMaeyer — Ramirez invited trans women, non-binary folks, and cis women affiliated with Georgia Tech to submit digitized photography, paintings, creative writing, and research papers related to the theme “Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” Visitors can see a selection of these artworks hanging from six banners on the second-floor railing of the Kendeda Building and three posters on the first floor of the building.
“The exhibition aims to connect diverse research methods, artistic endeavors, and knowledge production occurring today on Georgia Tech’s campus,” Ramirez said. “It is not a space to simply showcase women in technology, but to demonstrate how women and gender non-conforming folks in technology are reshaping research questions and pushing artistic boundaries, which can bring us closer to accomplishing this grand goal.”
During her graduate studies, Ramirez worked as a graduate research assistant in SLS, a campus-wide initiative working with educators to incorporate the U.N. SDGs and community partnerships into student learning.
“When Michelle shared that her final project would focus on gender equity, we started brainstorming ways she could bring together her academic work with SLS. We are thrilled with the impressive exhibit she curated,” Watts Hull said. “By engaging with a diverse group of students and faculty members who submitted works, the exhibit demonstrates how gender equity (SDG 5) can be linked to virtually any discipline and expressed in many creative ways. Through collaboration with the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, the exhibit also highlights equity in the built environment, advancing the Living Building’s equity and beauty goals.”
To further amplify the impact of the exhibition and reach a wider audience, a digital magazine including images of the banners and posters on display, research papers, as well as biographies of the artists and abstracts of the selected works is available at issuu.com/mmireya8/docs/gender_equality_exhibition.
“The exhibition presents a much-needed supportive and celebratory recognition of gender equality progress and issues on Georgia Tech’s campus,” Howell said. “Michelle chose to work in the background and showcase others’ artworks in this exhibition, yet through her vision, curation, and execution, the artworks in this exhibition come together as more than individual works. Taken together, the pieces in this exhibition celebrate the progress on gender equality that has been made so far, critically acknowledge ongoing and intersectional and queer issues of gender equality and offer hopeful ways of imagining and striving toward a future of gender equality for all.”
In addition to curating the SDG 5 exhibition, Ramirez invited visitors to a “living room” space she created in the basement of the Kendeda Building for a one-day demonstration. She designed the space to serve as a “familiar” and “conversational” environment for visitors to experience the project.
Visitors interacted with objects lined with touch-sensitive conductive tape, which played snippets of interviews from the Living History Programs on the wall. Some of the objects displayed were reproductions of relevant documents and photos, such as The Freshman Girls’ Handbook — a female-student-written handbook, which provided information on “dress, activities, and campus rules”— and a RAT Cap. Other items were symbolic representations of the video content, such as an old record player.
“Selecting the snippets of stories, selecting and creating artifacts to relate to the stories, and designing ways of interacting with the artifacts to play the stories is a challenging design problem that Michelle tackled through carefully listening and doing justice to stories alongside thoughtful, tangible design iterations,” Howell said. “All this hard work fades into the background of a highly engaging, slow, thoughtful way of eliciting and witnessing these stories of Georgia Tech's history.”
The M.S. in Digital Media is one of six innovative degree programs offered by the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at the intersection of humanities, social sciences, and science/technology.
]]>When Saporta asked Cabrera to rank on a scale of one to 10 the degree of urgency with which climate change needs to be addressed, without missing a beat, he responded, “10.” He referred to the latest “sobering” report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which describes how the perils of climate change are not only in the future but are already here now.
Bastian said, “We can’t walk out of this timeframe without a renewed commitment to replenishing the Earth … and creating an opportunity for all of our children going forward.”
Cabrera, hopeful that humanity can find solutions for this present threat, used the lightning-fast development of the Covid-19 vaccine as an example of what can happen when humanity unites to face a global threat. Solving the climate crisis, he said, will require “the best of our best thinking” from scientists, engineers, policy experts, social scientists, and others in many fields.
Cabrera additionally shared how Georgia Tech and Delta partnered on a project to remove the wiring from certain aircraft entertainment systems to make them wireless devices. That small change, removing kilograms of material from planes, led to improvement on the fleet’s overall efficiency. Cabrera said, “A lot of innovation is not about, ‘Oh, let’s all stop flying … or stop living.’ No, it’s, ‘How can we be smart about doing this?’” He acknowledged Georgia Tech experts in the room who understand what types of combustion technology can be most efficient, and those who are working on carbon capture. He said that while some may think carbon reduction is anti-business, the truth is quite the opposite. Cabrera said that many innovative solutions will, in fact, create more opportunities for business.
Developing innovative ideas and technologies isn’t the problem. The question is: How are they to be funded and scaled? Bastian said, “Ninety-eight percent of [Delta’s] footprint is fossil fuel … jet fuel.” The airline industry is classified as “hard-to-decarbonize.” While Delta is working with Georgia Tech and other organizations on how to replace their energy source, there isn’t presently a viable alternative to jet fuel. Bastian said, “At Delta, if we acquired all of the sustainable aviation fuel that exists in production today in the world, it’s enough to fuel our planes for one day.” Even though sustainable aviation fuel can be produced, it’s incredibly expensive, costing anywhere from three to five times a gallon more than jet fuel. “Energy producers aren’t going to invest the tens of billions of dollars required unless they know they’re going to have somebody on their side,” said Bastian.
The speakers expressed hope that our government can intervene the same way it did with electric vehicles (EVs). Incentives and subsidies created the investment for EVs to be produced – and this segment of the auto industry is now seeing a boom.
The Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business supports corporate sustainability through education, research, and industry partnerships. It is motivated by the example set by sustainable business visionary and Interface founder Ray C. Anderson (IE 1956, Honorary Ph.D. 2011), who understood the role of business in tackling the big challenges the world is facing.
Cabrera said, “[The center] is aligned with this vision that business ... and business leaders have a key role to play. And it all starts when a business leader says, ‘This is important, and I want to hire someone to lead the effort.’” He also explained that the solutions that are going to be coming forward are not just new technologies but new business models that accompany those technologies.
Drawdown Georgia is a multi-university research collaboration led by Georgia Tech, with leadership from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. Its research has resulted in a list of 20 proposed carbon solutions tailored to Georgia to help businesses of all sizes understand the importance of their carbon impact.
Cabrera said, “This is an effort to bring this global problem close to home.”
Drawdown Georgia takes into consideration the state’s unique economy, population mix, and geography. Delta is one of the 28 (and counting) Drawdown Georgia Business Compact members seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and positively impact “beyond carbon” issues of equity, economic development, and public health.
Overall, the discussion underscored the urgent need for businesses, the government, and individuals to take action immediately. Valencia summarized what exactly is at stake. He said, “This is one of the most important discussions of our time. As a father of two small children, I want to make sure that I leave a good world here behind for my kids, and I know that these individuals here are doing their part to make sure that the future generations have a world to live in.”
In addition to the Atlanta Press Club and the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact, other sponsors included Delta Air Lines and Southern Company Gas.
]]>Held at the Renaissance Midtown Atlanta, 21 25-year service honorees and 84 10-year service honorees celebrated their accomplishments with members of our executive leadership team, fellow colleagues, and guests.
Provost McLaughlin marveled at the combined 2,950 years of expertise, hard work, and passion our 10-year honorees have given the Institute. He recalled that one honoree shared, “I am truly grateful for the support, the friendships, the opportunities, and the challenges that allow me to grow as a better employee and even as a better person.” Another shared that their fondest memories were from the classroom and seeing the “light bulb go on in a student's mind…the sparkle in their eyes and their smile!” They said, “That is the best feeling you ever get as a teacher!”
President Cabrera reflected on the tremendous growth and expansion our 25-year honorees have experienced throughout their tenures at Georgia Tech, not only physically but culturally as well. He stated, “The Institute has become more diverse, more welcoming, more innovative, and more impactful than at any time in our history.” He noted that the contributions our 25-year service honorees have made contributed to much of that growth.
At the Service Recognition Luncheon, 10-year recipients receive a certificate in recognition of their commitment to the Institute. 25-year recipients receive their choice of a gold tack pin or charm, presented to them by President Cabrera, signifying our appreciation for their dedicated years of service.
For more information regarding our Service Recognition program, visit our GTHR website. Photos from the event, as well as a listing of our 2022 honorees, can also be found on our website.
]]>Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
To support the Institute’s commitment to well-being, and in recognition of Mental Health Awareness this month, Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR) is providing resources that can support faculty, staff, and students with their mental health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their lives, and 21% of all U.S. adults currently live with a mental health condition.
At Georgia Tech, one of our values is to nurture the well-being of our community by striving to build a healthy and vibrant environment that helps our students and every member of our community grow holistically and develop the self-awareness, knowledge, and practices necessary to pursue healthy, purposeful, fulfilling lives.
This month the GTHR Be Well webpage has been updated to include new mental health articles, events, resources, and activities to help members of our Yellow Jacket community flourish and be fulfilled.
Additionally, we have a full list of mental health resources linked below and will continue to share tips and events on the campus calendar throughout the month.
Sources
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Support from the governor and the state legislature, along with healthy state tax revenues, is bringing positive news for the University System of Georgia (USG) and its 26 member institutions, including Georgia Tech. Pending approval by Governor Brian Kemp, the University System of Georgia will allocate an unprecedented additional $98.3 million to Georgia Tech for the upcoming fiscal year (FY23). This brings Georgia Tech’s total state appropriations to nearly $457 million – a 27% increase.
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Kemp, the General Assembly, and the University System of Georgia for their ongoing support and their continued investment for the coming year,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “Their willingness to invest in our people – both students and employees – is a testament to their support of higher education as well as Georgia Tech’s commitment to offer an excellent educational experience to our students and a top-notch place to work for every member of our faculty and staff.”
The funds appropriated by the state will allow Georgia Tech to eliminate the Special Institutional Fee, which amounts to $344 per semester for graduate students and $544 for undergraduates. In addition, the Board of Regents voted to keep tuition steady for the third consecutive year. “At a time of great national concern over the mounting cost of higher education, it is comforting to see that the cost of a Georgia Tech education will not only not go up this year but indeed will be reduced,” Cabrera said. “We are fortunate to be in a state that invests in higher education so that we can offer high quality and affordable options to our students.”
The new budget will also fund a Cost of Living Adjustment of $5,000 per employee that will begin to appear this month in employee paychecks.
Georgia Tech’s additional $98.3 million in state appropriations for FY23 can be broken down as follows:
Along with next year’s budget allocation, the USG also approved several capital projects, to be paid for with institutional funds, at Georgia Tech including a new Student-Athlete Performance Center, an Aerospace Engineering Aircraft Hangar Facility, and improvements to the Blake R. Van Leer Building for Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as safety and accessibility enhancements to Ferst Drive and campus streetscapes. The USG also approved the establishment of the Master of Science in Global Development.
“We are very appreciative of these allocations and look forward to investing in areas that support our growth and directly benefit our people, spaces, and processes,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “Over the next few weeks, we will work diligently to prioritize spending that supports our strategic initiatives and upholds our values – always putting our students first in everything we do.”
“I’d also like to give a special thanks to our Institute Relations team,” Cabrera said. “They are instrumental in sharing our story of growth and impact with state leaders and helping us secure resources to help us develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”
Georgia Tech’s Institute Budget Planning and Administration will submit the FY23 budget to the Board of Regents for spending approval in advance of the Board of Regents meeting in May. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
]]>Samuel Evans III, Fleet Services Manager for Infrastructure and Sustainability
Emma Brodzik, Campus Sustainability Project Manager for Infrastructure and Sustainability
Samba Diop, Senior Digital Learning Specialist in Office of Information Technology
Infrastructure and Sustainability
Sheila Brown
Jonathan Cummings
Wesley Harding
Donald Read
Stanley Smith
JulieAnne Williamson
Office of Information Technology
Adam Arrowood
Roger Higgins
Office of Real Estate Development
Adrian McCord
Georgia Tech Police Department
Franck Pierre-Louis
Human Resources
Sterling Dunkley
Joi Perriman
Administrative Services Center
Hemalatha Manickavinayaham
Infrastructure and Sustainability
Billy Baxter
Calvin Borders
Terence Bowens
Fenella Bryant
Billy Chunn
Anthony Craft
Sherrel Dennis
Delores Douglas
Linsey Duffy
Patricia Ficenec
Angel Gonzalez
Jason Gregory
Richard Harris
Samantha Harrison
Quentin Holden
Brenda Hubbard
Gary Jelin
Renee Lee-Starks
Delores Miles
Douglas Moore
Ronald Neal
Daniel Nemec
Clayton Patterson
LaTonya Robinson
Henry Samuel
Astou Seye
Alexander Smith
Stanley Tarver
Donna Vongsouvan
Miguel Zarate
Finance and Planning
Michael Barnwell
Ajay Patel
Georgia Tech Police Department
Randolph Ory
Office of Information Technology
Sasha Bahadur
Grace Battle
Roosevelt Bryant lV
Darren Conley
Christopher Farley
Wade Finch
Lamarr Jackson
Sam Kuonen
Alvin Malcolm
Keya S. Reed
Christopher Robinson
Lauren Robinson
Adam Smith
Damon Rogers
Veronica Stokes
Phillip Westbrook
Nathan Wilder
Jan Zehner
"The Institute's strategic plan asks us to envision an institution that leverages its unmatched scale and resources to address the most crucial challenges of our time,” Cimilluca said. “I see the Institute's sustainability plan as one of the many pathways for collaboration, innovation, and action that will lead us toward transformations in research, applied technologies, culture, and ultimately a more sustainable future."
Georgia Tech first celebrated Earth Day in 1997. For many years the celebration was a one-day, afternoon event. In 2020, it was expanded but held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Held in person last year, the event featured The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design’s Living Building Certification by the International Living Futures Organization, and President Cabrera cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the EcoCommons. These two areas on campus represent Georgia Tech’s commitment to sustainability and serve as living, learning laboratories for students, faculty, and staff.
Event co-chairs Anne Rogers, associate director of the Office of Campus Sustainability, and Emma Brodzik, campus sustainability project manager, have planned a strong lineup of events for this 25th anniversary. From a bike ride with President Cabrera, to a waste audit of the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, to a bird walk and tree planting, this year’s “Down to Earth” event offers many opportunities to celebrate nature and learn about new and innovative ways to protect and preserve our planet.
As is the tradition, this year’s theme and logo were chosen from a student design contest. The winner, Abhinav Thukral, is a graduate student in human and computer interaction. “I think it’s incredibly important to be aware of how our activities affect the planet and to learn sustainable ways to progress as a community,” Thukral said. “Earth Day is essential to reflect on some of the environmental issues we face today and how we might work together to address them.”
Students have often requested to work with campus operations to manifest positive environmental change by engaging with the staff of Infrastructure and Sustainability. This unit is responsible for providing sustainable, safe, and well-maintained campus facilities. For example, recent Carbon Reduction Challenge winners aided in implementing the replacement of existing fluorescent lighting with LED in a wing of the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience building. By working with the Building Engineering and Energy Strategies department, this improvement will yield more than 250,000 pounds of carbon dioxide reduction per year. Another area where students are proactive is recycling. When the need for acrylic shields lessened as the intensity of the pandemic waned, student volunteers from the Office of Minority Education assisted campus staff in collecting 800 pounds of acrylic and PVC for recycling.
These types of student-led collaborative efforts are encouraged. If your organization or class would like to collaborate with Infrastructure and Sustainability, use this form to get started.
]]>Institute Communications
]]>You can read more about the project here.
]]>The “Leading Data and Technology Executives U.S. Public Education List” honors those who are leading the way in technology and data advancements within public universities and schools. These leaders were recognized for “redefining the education landscape through the use of digital tools and assisting the public education system with their high-caliber expertise.”
Last year, Hubbard launched a multi-year, multi-phase Data Excellence initiative to not only transform data governance and management practices, but reimagine how data is leveraged to make decisions and drive positive change across Georgia Tech. Since the launch of Data Excellence, Georgia Tech has completed two trainings on cybersecurity and data protection, welcomed a new chief information security officer, and formalized a new data governance policy for the Institute.
Read more about the Leading Data and Technology Executives U.S. Public Education List at https://www.cdomagazine.tech/cdo_magazine/nominations_and_lists/leading_executives_us_public_sector/.
]]>The upgrade provides students with access to an enhanced self-service system and provides students with new scheduling features and a modernized user interface for desktops and mobile devices.
“The number one thing students have asked me is, ‘When are we getting a new registration system?’” said Megan Dass, Student Government Association (SGA) joint vice president of IT and computer science major.
Dass said that students commonly identified issues with registration during their assigned time ticket slots as well as the system’s outdated interface as primary sources of concern.
In 2021, representatives from SGA met with members of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the Registrar’s Office, and the Bursar’s Office to address concerns. The teams subsequently established a committee to explore upgrades to the self-service registration system and prioritize improving students' registration experience.
“Improving the student experience continues to be our top priority, so we wanted to make sure students recognized that we heard them, and we were working to address their needs,” said Daren Hubbard, vice president for IT and chief information officer. “Partnering with SGA, the Registrar’s Office, and other key stakeholders, we worked to gather feedback and find the best solutions to improve our students’ experience. With the new enhancements to the system and the positive feedback we’ve received from students in our test groups, I believe we are moving in the right direction.”
Additional goals for the system upgrade include maintaining custom functionality critical to current business processes and adherence to compliance standards.
“We are very grateful for the input from students and the partnership with OIT and others,” said Reta Pikowsky, associate vice provost and registrar. “Our office has been keenly interested in bringing new functionality to the registration system to improve the experience for students. We are also very grateful for the academic advisors on campus who work with us daily to discuss and address issues related to registration. This is truly a collective effort. As with other ventures into new technologies or new functionalities, we will learn as we go and make every possible effort to ensure success.”
Key features of the upgraded system:
The self-service registration project team, developers, and the Registrar’s Office collaborated with SGA to gather student feedback and complete testing for the upgraded system. The student representatives from this group participated in the testing phase and provided feedback on user experience and input on how to increase student engagement during the launch of the new system.
Registration for the summer term will begin on March 14 for students in OMS programs and on March 28 for the rest of the campus. Students will receive a reminder message prior to their registration time slot to review the available training resources for the self-service registration system.
Tech students are invited to attend a Banner registration system informational session on Tuesday, March 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We will provide a live demo of the system and a Q&A session. Click here to view event details.
Online registration system news and training resources are available at info.oscar.gatech.edu. For additional registration resources, visit registrar.gatech.edu
]]>The Banner team will kick off the session by providing a live demo of the upgraded system. The walkthrough of the system will highlight the system's new features, including the updated user interface, Plan Ahead tool, visual schedule, and streamlined lecture, lab, and recitation registration.
After the live demo, students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the system upgrades and learn how to use the new features. The Q&A session is not intended to answer questions on student records or individual registration issues, but to provide a forum for higher-level questions on the features discussed.
Online registration system news and training resources are available at info.oscar.gatech.edu. Please reference this site to view the latest news and information related to the upgraded student self-registration system.
]]>Georgia Tech remains focused on the well-being of students, faculty, and staff — especially during these very stressful times when many are feeling the substantial impact of rising gas prices.
We know that Georgia Tech thrives only because of hard work and dedication from the entire Yellow Jacket community. And as we all face the uncertainty of the future, we want to assure you that we are here for you.
Georgia Tech is taking a proactive stance now with the resources we have available and is committed to continuing to monitor the situation and adjust our approach as needed. So, multiple units campuswide are collaborating to identify and implement measures that will ease the cost of driving to work.
We recognize this situation is rapidly evolving. While we continue to re-evaluate business operations at Tech and will continue to offer a residential experience for our students, including in-person course delivery, we strongly encourage all employees to explore more immediate alternatives to their daily commutes.
Here are a few options with potential cost-savings:
We know uncertainty of any kind is not easy. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide solutions where we can. We want to hear from you: email staffcouncil@gatech.edu or visit Georgia Tech’s Staff Council’s virtual office hours to discuss or share your suggestions.
Employees are also encouraged to reach out to their HR Business Partner or Unit HR Director to ask questions and share ideas.
]]>To help the campus community understand their best alternative commute options, Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) launched Commute Concierge. The concierge service allows individuals to schedule one-on-one communication with PTS staff to discuss personalized commuting options, routes, and program offerings.
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Duckett joins the Institute from nearly eight years at Atlanta Public Schools, where she most recently served as the chief human resources officer, leading the organization through a dramatic improvement following the testing scandal of 2009. As a committed Atlanta resident, she brings nearly 20 years of experience in HR roles in urban educational settings. Her experience includes implementing ethics programs, launching new HR technology, developing capacity of hiring managers, designing career development pathways, developing comprehensive compensation programs, and supporting employee well-being.
“Georgia Tech has an opportunity to become a world leader in utilizing innovative, efficient practices to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented employees across all job types,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance (A&F). “This transition will enable us to continue the great work of building and fostering a culture consistent with the Institute’s goals and values.”
Duckett will join Georgia Tech beginning Jan. 31 and will report directly to Fox. Offices reporting to Duckett include Total Rewards and Payroll, HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, Global HR, Talent Acquisition and Employee Services, Student Employment, and several administrative support departments.
“It is an honor to be selected to lead the human resources team for such a prestigious organization and have the opportunity to collaborate across all academic, research, and business functions,” Duckett said. “I look forward to leveraging my life and work experiences to build upon the solid foundation that has been laid in order to take human resources into a new era of innovation, efficiency, and work-life balance in support of recruiting and retaining a highly engaged and talented workforce.”
As previously announced, Kim D. Harrington, chief human resources officer for Georgia Tech, will assume her new role in A&F as the chief of staff and associate vice president for Special Initiatives. In this new position, she will serve as an advisor to Fox and a liaison to campus leadership — including faculty, staff, and students — to help strengthen the workplace culture by building relationships and creating an inclusive and high-performing environment for employees and students.
]]>Cimilluca joins the Institute from Northeastern University, where she serves as the vice president for Facilities Management. She brings nearly 27 years of experience managing large scale campus operations, navigating complex capital projects, and leading strategic and master planning efforts for research institutes in higher education. In particular, she is a strong environmental advocate with an abundance of experience and passion for energy management, carbon reduction, resiliency, and sustainability.
“This inaugural leadership role for Infrastructure and Sustainability presents an opportunity to bridge Georgia Tech’s academic and research expertise with our operational talent and resources in facilities and sustainability,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “By making these connections, Georgia Tech can become a world leader in utilizing sustainable practices to develop healthy, safe, and innovative spaces for the entire campus community to learn, work, and play.”
Cimilluca will join Georgia Tech beginning Jan. 17, 2022, and will report directly to Fox. Offices reporting to Cimilluca include Design and Construction, Capital Planning and Space Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Sustainability and Building Operations, Fleet and Landscape Services, Building Engineering and Energy Strategies, Utilities Maintenance, Staging, Building Services, Recycling and Waste Management, Area Maintenance, and Keys and Locks, as well as several administrative support departments.
“It is an honor to be selected for this position leading the Infrastructure and Sustainability team.” Cimilluca said. “I will draw upon the experience, knowledge, and skills I have acquired during my career, and look forward to working across the Institute to engage the campus community and guide the development of the Campus Master Plan.”
Nazia Zakir, interim vice president for I&S, will assume a new leadership role in I&S. “I am so grateful to Nazia for her leadership during the past 12 months,” Fox said. “It has been a transitional time for the organization — especially in the midst of a pandemic — and her steady leadership helped the team focus on strategic priorities and chart a course forward.”
]]>The federal government has launched a Covid-19 OTC Tests website for online ordering. This site allows each household to order up to four free Covid-19 tests.
Online or over-the-counter tests are also available through the University System of Georgia (USG) Healthcare plan without a prescription. As a member, you can receive up to eight tests per 30-day period. Below are instructions for how to obtain the tests based on your healthcare plan.
Consumer Choice HSA, Comprehensive Care, or BlueChoice HMO
For employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA, Comprehensive Care, or BlueChoice HMO plans, tests are available through in-network pharmacies at no cost, if they are purchased through one of the following options:
If you paid out-of-pocket, you may request reimbursement through the CVS website. Members who choose this option will be reimbursed up to $12 per test up to the eight tests per 30-day limit.
For questions or assistance submitting a reimbursement request, call Accolade at 866-204-9818.
Kaiser Permanente
For Kaiser plan members, go to the Kaiser website for information on where to obtain the tests and how to submit them for reimbursement.
For more information about the types of tests available and in-person testing sites, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) website.
Information is also available on the USG Benefits website at: benefits.usg.edu.
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Additionally, the City of Atlanta will mill and pave Hemphill Avenue between Ninth Street and Ferst Drive between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12. Both lanes of Hemphill Avenue will be closed to through traffic.
Police, flaggers, and signage will be on site to direct traffic at both locations. Thank you for your patience during the final stages of this campus infrastructure improvement.
]]>In anticipation of the newly transformed John Lewis Student Center and Stamps Commons coming online late this summer, reservations for all spaces within the newly renovated Student Center and Exhibition Hall are now open to the campus community.
The completed Student Center will include eight new meeting rooms, as well as a 165-seat theater with retractable theater seating and 297-seat theater. With the conclusion of the Campus Center project, services that have been temporarily located in the Exhibition Hall will move to their permanent home in the Student Center, allowing those spaces within the Exhibition Hall to return to their original purpose as event space. When this transition is complete, there will be an additional seven reservable spaces in the Exhibition Hall, including full use of the 11,598 square foot Midtown Ballroom space. Each room in the Exhibition Hall is named after an Atlanta neighborhood, and those in the new Student Center are named after Atlanta’s major streets. Names for both buildings were chosen by Georgia Tech students.
The community is encouraged to explore these future spaces online following the links above to find information on available setups and comparisons to rooms with which the community is already familiar. All spaces are reserved through GT Events.
Those planning events over this summer should note that all spaces in the Exhibition Hall and West Village will be offline beginning May 28, 2022, to allow the team to focus on the transition to operations in the new Student Center. Spaces will reopen in a phased approach:
West Village spaces reopen Thursday, July 28.
Exhibition Hall Midtown Ballroom spaces reopen Monday, August 1.
John Lewis Student Center and Stamp Commons’ meeting spaces open Monday, August 15.
John Lewis Student Center and Stamp Commons’ Atlantic Theater open Monday, August 29.
Exhibition Hall second floor meeting spaces reopen Monday, October 31.
Community members looking to reserve space for the summer can explore alternatives meeting and event spaces on GT Events.
Further updates on the Campus Center project and the move of services into the Student Center this summer will be available on the Student Center's social media.
]]>The Staff Council Employee Engagement Committee partnered with Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR) to expand the Institute’s Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP) to provide reimbursement for professional certifications related to an employee’s job functions on campus.
While STRAP provides partial tuition reimbursement for degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates that offer letter grades and credit hours to classified Tech employees at any accredited private institution, STRAP-Certifications, or STRAP-C, will reimburse for professional certifications. The expansion will cover up to $750 toward a staff member’s exam costs every other year.
“The Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program is important to Tech employees because it offers another layer of education assistance outside of TAP” [the University System of Georgia’s educational assistance Tuition Assistance Program], Candice Bovian, program manager for GTHR and 2022 Staff Council chair, said. “Over time, it became clear that staff also wanted the choice of pursuing a professional certification."
"The Council worked very closely with the Office of General Counsel and GTHR," Bovian continued. "We heard what our colleagues wanted, advocated for them, and made this a reality.”
Byron Fitch, senior consultant with Georgia Tech Strategic Consulting, added, "We are very grateful to Kelly Fox [executive vice president of Administration and Finance], Kim Harrington [chief human resources officer, soon to be Administration and Finance chief of staff and associate vice president for Special Initiatives], and Kelly Cross [Institute policy manager] for supporting Staff Council with this effort. We are excited to be able to contribute to staff development with this expansion.”
Fitch served as 2020 Staff Council chair and chair of the Employee Engagement Committee in 2019 when STRAP expansion discussions began.
Previous STRAP guidelines did not provide reimbursement for staff seeking professional certifications and designations that did not offer credit hours and letter grades. As a result, they were responsible for paying out of pocket for professional certifications — or forced to forfeit altogether.
Based on research and benchmarking conducted by Staff Council, the average cost to pursue a professional certification is $750. This amount served as the proposed threshold that staffers could leverage for potential reimbursement. (The allotment will cover exam fees only.)
STRAP-C applications must be submitted by the STRAP deadline for reimbursement of a passed exam. The application period will open 30 days prior to the deadline.
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With the Institute’s existing agreement with BlueJeans set to expire at the end of the spring semester — and the sunset of the WebEx platform in December 2021* — the Video Collaboration Review (VCR) team formed in early 2021 to explore new video collaboration platforms that meet the academic and operational needs of students, faculty, and staff. The committee, comprised of members from each division and College, along with students and technology representatives, identified requirements and evaluated possible solutions on their ability to:
“It was critically important to us that we start our selection process with an examination of our needs from a collaboration, teaching, and learning perspective,” said Daren Hubbard, Georgia Tech vice president of Information Technology and chief information officer. “The committee spent a great deal of time articulating these criteria so that we could, as objectively as possible, evaluate a number of options and eventually recommend a solution for Georgia Tech.”
“Not only did Zoom, to a large extent, meet our committee’s criteria, but it is also one of the most widely used video collaboration tools,” said Yakut Gazi, Ph.D., associate dean for Learning Systems at Georgia Tech Professional Education. “Many of our students, faculty, and staff have participated in Zoom meetings during and even before the pandemic, which we anticipate will facilitate adoption at Georgia Tech.”
The VCR team had planned to launch a two-month pilot of Zoom at Georgia Tech last October.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regrettably had to delay, then ultimately cancel our planned October pilot,” Gazi said. “Thanks to collaborative work between the Office of Information Technology (OIT), Procurement and Business Services, and the Office of the General Counsel, we were able to come to an agreement with Zoom in December, setting us up for our soft launch in February with our campus partners.”
Canvas has been integrated with Zoom and will enable convenient access for faculty and students in blended and online learning courses. During the first phase of the Zoom soft launch, the platform will only be available to Georgia Tech users who host meetings from inside the U.S. Zoom recordings will be automatically migrated to the user’s Kaltura MediaSpace account.
“Over the course of the next few months, our teams will work to tighten the integration of Zoom with the classroom technology systems, as well as with the Kaltura MediaSpace video storage and delivery system, to further enhance the interoperability of our academic technology ecosystem,” Gazi said. “We will also be working with Tech entities and Zoom to expand the platform’s usage to all Georgia Tech learners, independent of their global location.”
Gazi also applauded the extensive due diligence process that guided the committee’s decision to bring the platform to Georgia Tech.
“I am thankful for the resilience and persistence of the committee members who guided this process for many months. I am excited to introduce this much needed platform to our community and welcome input as we continue to improve our technology tools and services.”
OIT will work with the Georgia Tech community through the spring to prepare for the transition from BlueJeans. Upcoming communications will share resources for securely migrating stored lecture and meeting recordings and additional information.
The campus community is invited to join an upcoming ‘Ask Me Anything’ informational Zoom session:
Georgia Tech users can log into Zoom at gatech.zoom.us.
More Zoom information and resources will be made available to the Georgia Tech community in the coming months.
*The Georgia Tech Research Institute will continue to use its version of WebEx (gtri.webex.com).
]]>You must complete all four of the Compliance Training modules by Nov. 19. Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Nov. 19 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute.
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. It should take approximately 45 minutes, and it does not have to be completed at one time. Visit Georgia Tech’s Employee Learning Portal (powered by Genius) today to complete the 2021 Annual Compliance Training.
For more information on the 2021 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit hr.gatech.edu/integrity-and-compliance.
]]>You must complete all four of the Compliance Training modules between Oct. 25 and Nov. 19. Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Nov. 19 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute.
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. It should take approximately 45 minutes, and it does not have to be completed at one time. Visit Georgia Tech’s Employee Learning Portal (powered by Genius) today to complete the 2021 Annual Compliance Training.
For more information on the 2021 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit hr.gatech.edu/integrity-and-compliance.
]]>New this year, the Annual Compliance Training will take place in the fall to coincide with Ethics Awareness Week. Faculty, staff (including Tech Temps), and student employees hired prior to Oct. 1, 2021, are required to complete this year’s four training modules:
You must complete all four of the Compliance Training modules between Oct. 25 and Nov. 19. Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Nov. 19 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute.
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. It should take approximately 45 minutes, and it does not have to be completed at one time.
For more information on the 2021 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit hr.gatech.edu/integrity-and-compliance.
]]>With existing agreements for BlueJeans and WebEx* set to expire in 2022, a review committee was formed to explore new video collaboration platforms that meet the academic and operational needs of students, faculty, and staff. The review committee, comprised of members from each division and college along with students and technology representatives, identified requirements and evaluated possible solutions on their ability to:
“The video collaboration review committee has been thorough in defining requirements of a video collaboration service, in thinking through a migration from BlueJeans, and in considering how best to roll out a replacement for it,” said Michael Smith, senior lecturer of information systems in the Scheller College of Business. “Most faculty, staff, and students have learned how to incorporate a video collaboration service into their work and that’s a big hill that we don’t have to climb again. In addition, Zoom has capabilities similar to those of BlueJeans and is widely used in education — making it a strong contender as a videoconference platform for Georgia Tech.”
Zoom will integrate with Canvas and Kaltura to enable course delivery for hybrid and online learners. The pilot will inform the review committee’s ultimate decision to implement Zoom as an enterprise videoconferencing solution at Georgia Tech.
“We have more than 120 requirements against which we will evaluate Zoom’s performance during a portion of the fall semester,” said Yakut Gazi, associate dean of Georgia Tech Professional Education. “We performed our due diligence in terms of cybersecurity and procurement processes prior to the trial so that if the trial results in a positive outcome, we can quickly move forward with an enterprise license and full implementation.”
Gazi added that the extensive due diligence process guided the committee’s decision to begin the pilot mid-semester.
“We will make sure to engage a variety of courses and activities to ensure a robust evaluation of Zoom in our environment,” Gazi said. “Georgia Tech learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t in the digital learning environments, especially during the transition to remote and hybrid work stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. The committee members brought a lot of their experience to the table and were really engaged in this process. I thank them all for their thoughtful contributions.”
The Office of Information Technology will work with students, faculty, and staff over the fall to prepare for the transition from BlueJeans and WebEx. Additional communications will share resources for securely migrating stored lecture and meeting recordings and a schedule of information sessions planned to share updates and answer questions.
To learn more about the video collaboration review project, visit oit.gatech.edu/videocollaboration.
*The WebEx transition does not affect GTRI.
]]>“We are excited to be entering the next phase of this very impactful project for the state of Georgia,” said Tony Zivalich, associate vice president for Real Estate Development at Georgia Tech. “This represents an unprecedented opportunity to partner with several key stakeholders to repurpose underutilized assets that will support economic growth for the state and specifically the coastal region of Georgia to advance Georgia’s emerging leadership position in the film industry.”
Georgia’s film industry has experienced exponential growth for more than 10 years, making the state one of the top filming locations in the industry. In fiscal year 2021, Georgia hosted 366 film productions including 21 feature films, 45 independent films, 222 television series, 57 commercials, and 21 music videos, resulting in a record $4 billion invested in the state by the film industry.
Savannah has captured a significant amount of production-related activity in Georgia. However, a shortage of purpose-built, scalable soundstages and production facilities has hindered the region’s ability to support this economic growth. Subject to approval from the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents, the redevelopment of the current 52-acre Georgia Tech-Savannah campus and adjacent property owned by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) will provide much needed high-tech facilities to further attract industry and support local workforce development. Furthermore, the project aims to identify programs and initiatives to facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion in both procurement and staffing — in addition to demonstrating sustainability in design and construction.
This project is a collaborative effort between the USG Board of Regents, Georgia Film Academy, SEDA, and GATV. Currently, Georgia Tech’s Savannah campus occupies a portion of the land and anticipates relocating its programs to the downtown Savannah area as the project moves forward.
“The Georgia Film Academy is delighted to be a part of this project, which will advance film and television production in the Savannah region and provide good long-term jobs for the Georgians we are committed to serving,” said Jeffrey Stepakoff, executive director of the Georgia Film Academy. “Students we will train from the state’s universities and technical colleges in the region will be ready to provide the sustainable workforce that this new world-class production hub will need.”
It is anticipated that redevelopment of the land to create this production hub will begin in 2022. Plans are to build out several soundstages, multiple production and workforce training facilities, as well as industry and vendor accommodations.
About the Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.
The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning.
As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.
About Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc.
Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures Inc. (GATV) is a legally separate, not-for-profit corporation that is organized and operated exclusively as a supporting organization to and for the benefit of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
GATV’s primary business purpose is to facilitate innovation and business collaboration with private enterprise, including, but not limited to, business, industry, entrepreneurs, and economic developers, and utilizing emerging technologies that are aligned with the strengths in research and education of Georgia Tech.
GATV provides support for technology transfer and economic development activities, including the Institute’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) incubator facilities and services to ATDC-affiliated companies.
About Savannah Economic Development Authority
The Savannah Economic Development Authority’s mission is to help create, grow and attract new job opportunities and investment in the Savannah region. Whether a business is looking to relocate or an existing business is ready to grow, SEDA is the centrifuge of a propeller, making the connections, propelling the business to success. An independently funded organization, SEDA acts in the best interest of both the client and the community.
About Georgia Film Academy
The Georgia Film Academy (GFA) is a collaboration of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia created by state leadership to meet education and workforce needs for high demand careers in Georgia’s film and creative industries.
GFA classes are offered for college credit through more than 20 University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia partner institutions. Classes may also be taken through continuing education programs at several partner institutions. The GFA higher education program offers rigorous professional training, and may lead to union-covered film and television production craft internships and placement in creative industry apprenticeships and jobs.
The GFA provides professional training in the form of post production education and AVID editing certification. The GFA also offers high school teacher training in production, content creation, and post production, in partnership with the GaDOE. These provide professional film and television experiences and training, as well as curriculum and resources for teachers across the state.
]]>With the help of an audience of project stakeholders, the team identified the following solutions and will strive to implement a redesigned student hiring process throughout the remainder of this year and into 2022:
This improvement effort is aligned with the goals of the Administrative Excellence (AdminX) initiative, which is focused on creating positive experiences for faculty, staff, and student employees in completing routine administrative activities. The outcomes of this improvement project will address current process challenges and strengthen processes that may integrate into broader AdminX functions in the future.
The first wave of student hiring-related improvements will launch April 1, 2021. This will include a student hiring pilot program, where a dedicated team will have the oversight, expertise, and access to manage student hiring transactions. Departments will submit hiring requests via one user-friendly intake form, and the pilot team will complete pertinent updates and transactions related to the request in OneUSG Connect on the department’s behalf.
While students will not see all of the behind-the-scenes changes, they will experience a faster hiring process.
The pilot will be a phased rollout; additional campus units will participate in the next phase, which will begin this fall.
For additional information and updates related to this project, visit hr.gatech.edu/student-hiring-improvement-project.
Have thoughts, questions, or suggestions for the project team? Tell us!
]]>Additionally, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate each week in our free asymptomatic surveillance testing program, even if you have been fully vaccinated. We especially urge those who have not yet been vaccinated to get tested weekly. Find campus testing sites and locations.
Beginning today, Georgia Tech is introducing new rewards to encourage individuals to get vaccinated and test weekly:
If you are unvaccinated, you are at risk of contracting Covid-19 and infecting others, with potentially severe consequences for you or someone else. Please seek medical advice from your healthcare provider or a member of our Stamps Health Services team, led by Dr. Ben Holton, if you have doubts or concerns about getting vaccinated.
Like you, we want this academic year to be as safe as possible. The best way to achieve that outcome is for every member of the campus community to get vaccinated and continue to test weekly.
]]>Jess Hunt-Ralston
College of Sciences
As fall semester approaches, construction and renovation projects continue to improve the campus experience for students, faculty, and staff. While the pandemic — and the associated reduced population on campus — has enabled some projects to move ahead of the original timeline, global supply chain disruptions in the construction industry are having some effect on campus projects.
Currently, all campus projects are moving forward with project managers communicating directly to project owners regarding any cost or scheduling implications. Because of this ever-changing scenario, Design and Construction closely monitors the situation and is adjusting schedules and costs as needed.
Read on for detailed information about the latest campus improvements.
City of Atlanta Water Main Installation along Techwood Drive
The City of Atlanta is installing a 12-inch water main along Techwood Drive between North Avenue and Third Street/Bobby Dodd Way (adjacent to Bobby Dodd Stadium). The project has paused for student move-in but will resume periodically over the next two months during periods of low campus activity. During installation, the northbound lane of Techwood Drive is closed during normal business hours Monday through Friday. The southbound lane is used to maintain two-way traffic, with traffic controllers, during working hours. Both lanes of Techwood Drive are open each night. The access drives to Brittain Dining Hall and those in between Cloudman and Glenn Residence Halls will remain open. On-street parking in ER51 along Techwood Drive may be limited.
Georgia Tech Design and Construction is working closely with the City of Atlanta to ensure this campus improvement project remains on schedule with an expected completion date of mid-October.
Pi Mile Marker Improvement Project
The Pi Mile Marker improvement project features the replacement of the bronze medallion markers along the trail with the installation of new, more robust granite inlay markers, enhancing the visibility of the trail. Several vertical signs will be installed at key entry points to the trail as well as locations along the path to designate the 1-mile marks. The signage will also provide links to a website for more information.
In addition, the recent completion of the EcoCommons coupled with the street work along Tech Parkway/Ferst Drive has slightly altered the route — reducing the amount of road crossings and creating safer path conditions. The estimated completion date is late August. The Alumni Association will host a rededication ceremony for the improved trail in the fall.
Boggs Building Switchgear Replacement
Current work includes an upgrade to the building’s electrical infrastructure by replacing the existing electrical panelboards, transformers, and switchgear, most of which is original to the building’s 1970 construction.
10th Street Chiller Plant Improvements
The 10th Street plant provides chilled water to the campus and currently operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Improvements will increase the electrical resiliency of the plant by upgrading its four electrical substations. During these improvements, the plant will remain operational, with completion expected in April 2022.
Phase 2 Campus Center Renovation and Expansion
With the completion in 2020 of Phase 1 of the Campus Center Project (the Exhibition Hall and the Pavilions), Phase 2 is now substantially underway and includes the renovation of the original part of the Student Center building, a new three-story addition in place of the Stamps Commons, and upgrades to the Kessler Campanile and its surrounding plaza.
The first floor of the Student Center will feature an upgraded Tech Rec (six-lane bowling alley, pool tables, and late-night dining), a revamped Post Office (with high-density mail), and indoor/outdoor dining with covered porch.
The second floor will house the food hall, coffee house, information desk, Burdell’s, and DePoe’s Optical, as well as organizational space for student groups. The third story will feature a graduate student lounge, LGBTQIA Resource Center, student government space, and five meeting rooms.
A large, 298-seat theater will house a full stage and stadium-style seating. Pocket porches on the second and third floors will have the best views of the new Campanile Plaza and will surely be a favorite spot for students, staff, alumni, and visitors.
The iconic Campanile and surrounding plaza are being reconfigured to improve accessibility around the site. Its water feature will be updated to become more sustainable so that beloved campus traditions that occur in that space can safely continue. For more information on the Campus Center Renovation and Expansion Phase 2, visit https://studentcenter.gatech.edu/campus-center-project.
Library Interactive Media Bridge
The construction of a large, digital screen on the underside of the connector bridge between Price Gilbert and Crosland Tower is underway. This giant screen will provide images of upcoming events, identify campus locations for incoming students, illustrate pertinent Institute data and statistics, and feature student work and departmental programs. Content will be provided by campus communicators from each respective college, division, and unit. The expected completion date is late September.
Library Terraces Art
The seventh-floor terraces of Crosland Tower will welcome an art installation by Tristan Al-Haddad, founder of Formations Studio and 10-year faculty member in the Georgia Tech School of Architecture. Composed of spiraling, dichroic polycarbonate strips, the piece creates an incredible spectral symphony as the sun or the viewer moves, providing constant, yet shifting, shafts of light and color.
“Light is often a metaphor for knowledge, and the library is the storehouse for knowledge on campus,” Al-Haddad said. His creation “breaks white light into its component colors, which represents how all the various streams of knowledge combine in the library to light campus.”
The piece will act as a “lantern” in Midtown, said Al-Haddad, allowing viewers to alter how they see the skyline, and how people across Atlanta see the library’s tower. The installation should be complete in early fall.
Howey Physics — Lecture Hall 5 Renovation
Following the successful renovation of the four large lecture halls in the building, the design phase for the renovation of the smaller lecture hall 5 is complete and work will mobilize in December of this year. The tiered seating structure will be removed to provide a level classroom area with flexible seating. Marker boards will be installed as well as a new window to the corridor and northern entry, allowing daylight into the revitalized space.
About the Pi Mile:
Sponsored by the Alumni Association, the annual Dean George C. Griffin Pi Mile 5K Road Race is one of the longest continually running races in Atlanta. It is named after former Dean of Students George C. Griffin in honor of his tenure as a track and cross-country coach. Part of the race is run along the Tyler Brown PiMile Trail, a 3.14-mile running course around well-lit areas of campus. Tyler Brown was a former Student Government Association president and ROTC member who was killed in action in Iraq in September 2004. The trail was completed in December 2004 and was dedicated in his honor in April 2005.
“We really try to accommodate all filming and photography requests that complement what we do as a teaching and research institution,” said Deborah L. Greene, campus use and film specialist, Office of Capital Planning and Space Management (CPSM). “However, the requests were coming from so many internal and external groups that it became clear that we needed a more consistent process for reviewing requests and permitting filming and photography in the least disruptive manner to the campus.”
So, the Filming and Photography on Campus Policy was created in 2016 to define the rules of engagement for photographers and videographers to film on campus.
Last year, the policy was reviewed and revised to help clarify certain aspects of it. In addition, basic “how to” guidelines were developed to help outline the process.
Greene adds that no two requests are the same, and there are many nuances to how each request is managed. However, the following filming and photography ground rules will help ensure greater consistency and compliance while facilitating the review and approval process.
To Whom Do the Policy and Rules Apply?
How Do I Submit an Application and Begin the Approval Process?
Given the requirements and parties involved, sufficient time is needed to review requests and obtain necessary approvals. While smaller productions often require a minimum of 10 business days, major motion pictures, television episodes, and some advertising commercials require a minimum of six weeks. Staff in CPSM and IC will determine time requirements on a case-by-case basis within these parameters.
For more information on filming and photography on campus, including guidelines and FAQs, visit space.gatech.edu/films-and-photo-shoots. Questions about the Filming and Photography Policy, including how it applies to your project, may be submitted to films@cpsm.gatech.edu.
]]>The ASC is a key component of the Administrative Excellence initiative at Georgia Tech and will service the Institute across a variety of administrative transactions ranging from HR to IT support, as well as support for finance, procurement, aspects of research administration, and more.
“I am delighted to welcome Ira on board to lead the Administrative Services Center. He brings a wealth of experience in customer-focused problem solving as well as a robust understanding of Tech’s culture, systems, and processes,” said Mike Shannon, deputy chief business officer for Administration and Finance and portfolio owner for the Administrative Excellence initiative.
Bragg brings a legacy of excellence serving the Institute. He graduated in 2001 from the College of Computing and returned to Tech in 2005 as an application developer for the College of Sciences. His work included improving business processes through the development of creative technology to empower faculty and staff to work more efficiently.
His work eventually led to the establishment of TAG, through which many ideas were transformed into tools to create efficiencies in business processes. A few of these tools include GT-TRACS for faculty hiring and commitment tracking, PROMOTE for faculty promotion and tenure, and, most recently, the MyTest portal for Covid-19 surveillance testing and vaccination appointments.
In his newly created position, Bragg is responsible for all aspects of designing, implementing, and overseeing the future ASC.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to bring my passion for Georgia Tech to the Administrative Services Center,” he said. “The growth and changes Tech has experienced over the past several years have created the need for a customer service-focused organization like the ASC. I’m eager to create a culture dedicated to making the many processes around campus simpler and more efficient.”
]]>This week, leadership in Administration and Finance (A&F) has been meeting with direct reports and hosting all-hands gatherings to announce some exciting changes in A&F that, beginning August 1, will more effectively align our resources to better serve the campus community and accomplish our strategic goals. I would like to stress that, while several offices are transitioning to another unit in A&F, the work we do remains mission critical to the Institute and will require leadership throughout the division to successfully chart our path forward.
Organizational Changes in Sustainability, Facilities, and Safety
After conducting many conversations, gathering information, and exploring best practices in higher ed, I concluded that additional changes were needed to further support this organization and foster collaboration throughout A&F.
As such, Sustainability, Facilities, and Safety will be renamed Infrastructure and Sustainability to reflect the new organizational structure as described below.
We are moving Capital Planning and Space Management into the organization to better align our campus planning, design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the campus. In addition, the Georgia Tech Police Department, including the Office of Emergency Management, will report directly to the vice president and deputy chief business officer for A&F to enable more nimble responses and planning from executive leadership.
We are also specializing the communication and data management efforts for this organization. The communication role will continue to primarily support communications for this unit but now reports into Institute Communications. We are also creating a new data management organization to focus on facility and utility data usage to help us understand and explore efficiencies and improvements in sustainability efforts.
With this reorganization complete, I am pleased to announce that I have re-engaged the search committee for the vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability, with plans to immediately restart the search for this very important position. I want to give my sincere thanks to Nazia Zakir, interim vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability, for her leadership during this extended interim period. More information about this search will be shared as it becomes available.
Organizational Changes in Finance and Planning and Information Technology
Jennifer Bentson Hubert is assuming the role of associate vice president for Finance and Planning. In this expanded role, Jennifer will serve as a deputy and strategic advisor to the vice president for Finance and Planning. She will focus on enhancing longer-term Institute planning functions, including capital financial planning, financial systems governance, and financial compliance and outreach. In addition, she will lead the creation and implementation of a Finance and Planning strategic plan to align with and support both the A&F and Institute strategic plans.
The Enterprise Resource Planning organization has completed implementation of the Workday and OneUSG systems and is ready to transition into an operational mode. This change will result in the technical portions of the organization moving into the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the human resources functional leads moving back to Georgia Tech Human Resources. The Organizational Readiness and Service Delivery portions will move into the new Administrative Service Center (ASC) to help provide support for the Institute-wide process improvement initiative. Once the ASC is activated later this year, it will report to the vice president and deputy chief business officer for A&F.
Lastly, the Enterprise Data Management (EDM) organization will move into OIT to enable the creation of an Institute data strategy that is built upon a new data governance structure being led by OIT. This move will enable the creation of the data infrastructure needed to support a new data strategy that serves both units and the campus as a whole. A dotted-line to the Finance and Planning organization will be added to maintain the close relationship between Institutional Research and Planning and EDM.
Throughout the week, I have appreciated the thoughtful conversations and meaningful questions about our new organizational structure. I heard clearly that there is “change exhaustion” in A&F – you all have been through quite a lot over the last several years. Through these changes, I am confident that we will more effectively align our resources, improve how we operate as an organization, and achieve our goals. You may view the revised organizational chart here.
I am committed to ensuring that these changes, as well as any changes to come, will be grounded in our shared values and beliefs and will uphold the Institute’s mission and the people who make it all happen – you!
Sincerely,
Kelly Fox
Executive Vice President
Administration and Finance
“Many people have concerns about returning to more in-person interactions and the life they had before the pandemic,” said Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, director of the Center for Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE). “Keep in mind that we have all become more accustomed to interacting with fewer people. Therefore, some in-person meetings and events could feel extremely overwhelming and anxiety-provoking.”
On the other hand, many have experienced video fatigue and will be excited about re-engaging socially and reconnecting with others.
“Many students experienced loneliness and isolation during the pandemic,” Hughes-Troutman said. “We are social creatures and need human interaction to survive. Health researchers point out that people who are chronically lacking in social contact are more likely to experience elevated levels of stress.”
Some employees, like Savannah Torrance, reservations and event coordinator with the Student Center, have been working on campus during most of the pandemic. In the spring of 2020 she worked online for two months before coming back.
“I was nervous because at the time we were going through the second surge of cases in the country, but more specifically Atlanta,” said Torrance, who works on campus three to four days a week. “I overcame my fear by coming in and following the preventive measures recommended by our campus experts. Even while our department shifted operations from the Student Center to the Exhibition Hall, we upheld and enforced all of Georgia Tech’s Covid-19 health and safety policies.”
Hughes-Troutman believes it is important to recognize the range of post-pandemic responses and understand that every individual will have their own approach.
“Leaders and managers should carve out time to execute a plan that acknowledges the unique response that employees will have, and not expect things to be exactly as they were before,” she said, noting that living and working through a pandemic have provided an opportunity to closely examine health and well-being in new ways.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, many have benefited from the opportunity to connect with family and friends, to focus on holistic health, and to adopt new routines and rituals,” Hughes-Troutman said. “The ability to work in comfortable clothes, being at home more with family, and having more time to get some sun or fit in some physical activity between meetings has been an upside for many. As we adjust our schedules for more time on campus, make note of the healthy lifestyle habits and practices that you wish to retain.”
For Torrance, whose job includes processing and corresponding with more than 15,000 annual client reservation requests, working remotely forced her to change the way she carries out daily tasks and procedures.
“We previously did a lot of our work with tangible items and have now been able to shift a lot of our work to a digital format,” she said. “But being in person allows me to better explain and convey our spaces and their capabilities. With a brand new space, the Exhibition Hall, it can often be difficult to conceptualize how to host in the space. Being in person can only make event planning go better.”
Hughes-Troutman; Chris Wiese, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology; and Joi Alexander, director of Health Initiatives, give these tips on managing anxiety and adjusting to the return:
]]>
For more information about current campus health and safety protocols visit Tech Moving Forward.
]]>Institute Communications
]]>Administrative Excellence (AdminX) is an Institute-wide initiative focused on creating positive experiences for faculty, staff, and student employees in completing routine administrative activities. The establishment of an Administrative Services Center (ASC) for Georgia Tech is foundational to meeting this goal. The ASC will support campus users by handling requests to fulfill routine, high-volume administrative transactions, enabling units to focus more time and attention on mission-critical and strategic activities.
Some, but not all, administrative, IT, and grant administration tasks and processes (or portions of processes) will be transitioned to the ASC. Some work – especially work that is highly complex, specialized, and unique to a unit (whether a central or distributed unit) – will not be well served by a shared services model. For that reason, the AdminX team is carefully evaluating which processes and functions will be moved to the ASC, and will be reaching out to those who are closest to this work to better understand the activities they typically perform and the time required to complete them. This information will also help to determine appropriate staffing levels within the ASC to support the anticipated level of activity.
“The success of this project will depend upon how well we understand the routine tasks that are performed today,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “This survey is an important step in helping us improve our processes and better serve the Institute as a whole.”
To collect this information, the AdminX team will survey classified administrative staff (across RI, the IRIs, and GTRI). The Activity and Opportunity Identification survey will be open from July 21 through Aug. 6.
The survey is made up of two parts. The Activity assessment captures the level of effort being expended on administrative tasks. Then the Opportunity portion gathers open-ended input that will help with the planning and rollout of the ASC. The survey will primarily focus on the following functions:
While there are some parallels between this survey and the assessment conducted for the Comprehensive Administrative Review (CAR) in 2019, there are several key differences. The Activity and Opportunity Identification survey will include the task-level of transactions, while CAR stopped at the activity level. In addition, CAR was conducted before the Workday and OneUSG Connect implementations, which have significantly affected the day-to-day activities of administrative staff. This effort does not negate the work that has been done over the past few years, but will provide more up-to-date and detailed information for planning.
The team is excited to begin engaging with the campus to get more information about the administrative work performed across the Institute. For more information about this survey, visit the Activity and Opportunity Identification Survey page on the Administrative Excellence website. In addition, information sessions will be offered to provide tips on how to prepare for and complete the survey:
Attending an information session, which will be conducted virtually, is optional.
If you have any questions, send an email to adminx@gatech.edu.
]]>“Given the instability of the past year, this is not your typical scenario in higher education and we are cautiously optimistic moving forward,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “We are also extraordinarily grateful to the state of Georgia and the University System of Georgia for their commitment to higher education and our students as well as their thoughtfulness and willingness to work with us during these uncertain times.”
Comparing Spring 2020 with Spring 2021 enrollment, among all 26 schools in the University System of Georgia (USG), Tech had the largest growth in terms of number of students, with an increase of 4,223 students (mostly at the graduate level), and in terms of percentage, at 11.9%. Overall, the system averaged an increase of 1.3% in spring 2021.
Thanks to strong enrollment numbers and healthier than expected state tax revenue collections, Georgia Tech is receiving $33 million in new state formula funding for fiscal year 2022. In total, state appropriations account for 16% of Georgia Tech’s FY22 budget of $2.3 billion.
In looking at Georgia Tech’s overall budget, it is important to understand the vulnerability of state appropriations, which has been increasing in dollars along with Tech's enrollment but declining as a percentage of the total budget for nearly a decade. This year, tuition revenue exceeds state appropriations for the 12th consecutive year.
In addition, the Board of Regents (BOR) also voted to keep tuition and mandatory fees – another source of revenue for USG institutions – steady across the system for the upcoming academic year.
“While we are very fortunate to end this year better than expected, there are sensitivities, and we need to be mindful of all the variables that contribute to the health of our budget,” Fox said.
The rollout of the Institute’s strategic plan earlier this year is helping to guide how Tech will invest this new funding to advance many of the Institute’s goals and values. Here are a few highlights from the approved FY22 budget:
Retention and support of our talented faculty and staff:
Students are our top priority:
Support of the Institute’s growth:
As Georgia Tech moves into fiscal year beginning July 1, more information related to the budget will be made available.
]]>“We feel a responsibility to lead by example,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech where The Kendeda Building is located. “This building — which is a tribute to the power of human ingenuity to find new solutions to our greatest challenges — aligns with our longstanding vision for our campus to serve as a laboratory for innovation to inspire and develop tomorrow’s leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”
The Living Building Challenge (version 3.1) requires a 12-month performance period, during which time the project must prove it is net-positive for energy and water. This means it must generate more energy from onsite renewable sources than it uses, and also collect and treat more rainwater onsite than it uses for all purposes, including for drinking.
Meeting all seven Petals in the Living Building Challenge — Place, Water, Energy, Health + Happiness, Materials, Equity, and Beauty — The Kendeda Building is the first Living Building Challenge-certified building of its scale in the southeastern U.S., where a warm humid climate poses many challenges. In spite of this, over the performance period, the building generated 225% of the energy needed to power all of its electrical systems from solar panels on its roof. It also collected, treated, and infiltrated 15 times the amount of water needed for building functions.
“We partnered with Georgia Tech on this transformational project because the institution is full of world-class problem-solvers. Students passing through The Kendeda Building today will be the engineers, architects, scientists, product designers, urban planners, and policymakers of tomorrow,” said Diana Blank, the founder of The Kendeda Fund, whose $30 million grant to Georgia Tech made the building possible. “By raising the bar for building performance, we are encouraging Georgia Tech to keep reaching higher. We want students and faculty to embrace the challenge, continually asking ‘How can we improve on this?’”
The project’s goal is to support Georgia Tech’s mission while transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction industries in the southeastern U.S. by advancing regenerative building and innovation, and by showcasing synergies between environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic development.
To ensure Living Building Challenge certification by fulfilling the requirements in the Petals performance categories, the Kendeda Building’s performance metrics incorporated the following:
“Living buildings are the future,” said Scott Cannon, executive vice president and general manager of building operations in Georgia and South Carolina for Skanska, the general contractor. “We’ve been committed to sustainability for years and have seen how projects like this are a catalyst to reshape how people think about the built environment. It illustrates the practical and replicable solutions, materials, and technologies that other buildings in the Southeast can use to meet similar environmental standards.”
In a region challenged by flooding and drought, The Kendeda Building also shows that regenerative design can treat stormwater, conserve potable water, lower the risk of downstream flooding, reduce the burden on existing infrastructure, and save money on utilities.
“If there was any doubt, we have shown that net-positive energy and net-positive water are both within reach in Atlanta and across the Southeast,” said Joshua Gassman of Lord Aeck Sargent, one of the lead architects on the project. “Using analytics and sound building science, we were able to provide comfort to the building’s occupants, connect them to nature and the history of the place, and live within the water and energy means of the site. We were able to do all of this while creating a clear and sustainable vision for the future.”
At $544 per gross square foot, The Kendeda Building is 13% more expensive than a comparable building at Georgia Tech. However, in reality, there are few comparable buildings of this type that include the infrastructure for net-positive energy and water in the construction cost.
"We took the lessons we learned from the Bullitt Center and adapted those ideas for a new climate and new building type," said Margaret Sprug, principal at The Miller Hull Partnership, which designed the building in collaboration with Lord Aeck Sargent and served as the lead architect of the Bullitt Center, another well-known living building. “The Kendeda Building serves as an inspiration and gathering place for people from around the region who are advancing sustainability and regenerative design.”
The knowledge and processes used with The Kendeda Building are already being transferred to other projects. Thousands of people have toured the project, the entire design and construction team has learned deep sustainability lessons throughout the life of the project, and the students and administrators who inhabit the building on a daily basis will all take these lessons out into the world and apply them to their future projects.
The Kendeda Building’s achievement is being celebrated at Living Future ‘21, a virtual gathering of the world’s leading architects, contractors, and product designers.
For more about The Kendeda Building, visit livingbuilding.gatech.edu and livingbuilding.kendedafund.org.
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society. gatech.edu/
The Kendeda Fund
The Kendeda Fund is a private Atlanta-based grant-making foundation that supports the dignity of individuals and the sustainability of communities through investments in transformative leaders and ideas. Founded in 1993 under the guidance and vision of Diana Blank, the Fund has made more than $800 million in grants since its inception. By the time Kendeda concludes its grant making at the end of 2023, the Fund hopes to have developed new pathways for solving seemingly intractable problems and advanced solutions benefitting people and planet. kendeda.org/
Skanska
Skanska is one of the world’s leading construction and development companies. In the U.S., Skanska’s core operations include building construction, civil infrastructure, and developing self-financed commercial properties, which together generated $7.6 billion in revenue in 2019. As a developer in the U.S., Skanska has invested a total of $2.7 billion in commercial and multifamily projects. With U.S. headquarters in New York City, Skanska has offices in 28 metro areas with 7,900 employees nationwide. Skanska is an industry-leading innovator in both safety and project execution, and offers competitive solutions for both traditional and complex assignments to help build a more sustainable future for our customers and communities. Global revenue of parent company Skanska AB, headquartered in Stockholm and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, totaled approximately $18.7 billion in 2019. usa.skanska.com/
Lord Aeck Sargent, a Katerra Company
Lord Aeck Sargent (LAS), a Katerra Company, is an award-winning architecture, planning, and interior design firm serving clients in the college and university, K-12 education, multifamily housing/mixed-use/commercial, and urban design/planning markets with specialization in sustainable design, science and technology, arts and culture, and historic preservation. The firm’s experts in these practice areas have deep regional and national experience and collaborate across firm offices located in Atlanta, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Austin, Texas; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lexington, Kentucky; and Washington, D.C. Lord Aeck Sargent has been named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle's Top 25 Architectural Firms 15 times, has received the American Institute of Architects’ National Honor Award, and has been in Engineering News-Record Magazine (ENR)’s Top 500 Design Firms list 10 times. LAS is consistently ranked on ENR’s Top 100 Green Design Firms list and has been named a Top Green Design firm by multiple publications. lordaecksargent.com/
Miller Hull Partnership
The Miller Hull Partnership LLP is an internationally recognized architecture, planning, urban and interior design firm that works to create a regenerative and inclusive future through the built environment. Since its founding in 1977, Miller Hull has been designing dynamic and environmentally responsible buildings that provide enduring value for their communities. The firm has a studio in Seattle and San Diego with work extending across multiple project types for a range of public and private clients where people live, work, learn, gather, and serve. Widely recognized for innovative, timeless designs and a partnership-driven practice, Miller Hull has received over 350 local, regional, national, and international awards for design excellence, including the American Institute of Architects Firm Award and Architect 50’s Top Firm for Sustainability. millerhull.com/
]]>Georgia Tech
Institute Communications
(404) 632-5921
Brad Kahn
Groundwork Strategies
(206) 419-1607
]]>Over the last 13 months, we have learned much about how the virus spreads. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidelines on cleaning and disinfection of indoor spaces to account for the relatively low risk of infection from touching a surface.
“While we will continue to appropriately clean and disinfect common areas throughout campus, we are scaling back the frequency in low-risk areas as recommended by the CDC,” said Nazia Zakir, interim vice president of Sustainability, Facilities, and Safety.
Beginning May 10, the following changes to the campus cleaning protocols will go into effect:
Cleaning of labs will continue to be performed regularly by research personnel who have been trained in proper cleaning methods.
Also, consistent with previous protocols, if an employee is diagnosed with or tests positive for Covid-19, areas occupied by the affected employee will be closed for 24 hours when possible. If a 24-hour closure is not feasible, the area will remain closed for as long as possible without disrupting campus operations. Custodial Services will clean and disinfect all areas used by the Covid-19-positive person.
Environmental Health and Safety will continue to issue disinfectant, tissues, dry wipes, and hand sanitizer for common spaces and individual offices.
“In addition to getting a vaccine, one of the best ways to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other illnesses is to regularly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer,” Zakir said.
Detailed cleaning procedures are posted on the Facilities Management website.
]]>While the Institute is planning to restore normal occupancy in residence halls, classrooms, and laboratories, many employees are asking what "normal" means for employee offices, cubicles, and other workspaces. What is the new normal for employees?
To answer those questions and more, the Institute launched the Future of Work @ Georgia Tech working group last month. With a focus on the fall semester, the cross-campus partnership seeks to understand what the optimal return-to-work strategy should be for Georgia Tech. This new project builds on the foundations created by the Workforce of the Future Initiative.
One of the goals in the Institute’s 10-year strategic plan is to lead and inspire by example by creating a culture of deliberate innovation in all our practices.
With input from employees, leadership, and external consultants, the Future of Work working group will create an innovative workforce strategy that defines Georgia Tech’s approaches and priorities for staffing, professional development, employee engagement, and retention.
Kim D. Harrington, chief human resources officer and project team member, said the working group will also examine and build on lessons learned during the pandemic.
“There is a tremendous opportunity to optimize the workplace for an evolving workforce. There is an expectation for work to look different at Georgia Tech.” Harrington said. “As we reflect on and analyze the successes and challenges of the past year, we are examining how the future of work can successfully combine virtual, onsite, and hybrid experiences without compromising the student experience.”
Over the next three months, the project team will:
The plan would also define and address policy changes, new management practices, space requirements, technology requirements, and other essential items to support employees.
“The optimal workforce strategy will achieve excellence through a combination of remote and hybrid working conditions,” said project team member Daren Hubbard, chief information officer and vice president for Information Technology.
“The strategy must remove any cultural, policy, physical, or other barriers to success; cultivate the well-being of staff across the Institute, wherever they are working; and engage, develop, and retain our talent,” he said.
In the coming days, some employees and people leaders may receive invitations to participate in focus groups and surveys.
]]>The award was issued to Carol Gibson, Institute Controller, earlier this month. This is the Institute’s seventh time receiving this award since its inception in 2014. Congratulations to Carol and her team for striving for excellence!
]]>AdminX is a multi-year initiative focused on creating positive experiences for our faculty, staff, and student employees in completing routine administrative activities through:
“While we will always strive for process improvement, this initiative is actually more about our people and helping them thrive at Georgia Tech,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “Many of our processes are complex and employees feel burdened by the administrative work involved. If we can simplify the work and reduce the number of hats they wear, we can help them focus on and perform their core responsibilities.”
It is important to note that there are already several initiatives underway to improve administrative processes, especially focused on increasing effective use of our new enterprise resource planning systems – Workday and OneUSG Connect. This includes addressing improvement opportunities, such as student hiring, identified by the academic and research community. These efforts are helping address current process issues while strengthening parts of processes that may integrate into the administrative services center.
The Administrative Excellence initiative will help the Institute realize the goals of its strategic plan through Leading by Example (enacting more efficient and effective administrative processes), Cultivating Well-Being (reducing the stress, anxiety, and frustration of our administrative staff), and Championing Innovation (discovering new leading-edge ways to operate and implementing innovative practices across the Institute).
This initiative involves anyone who performs or engages with administrative processes, and over the next year, students, faculty, and staff will have ample opportunities to become part of the solution through surveys, info sessions, process-improvement working groups, and more.
The AdminX team is excited to embark on this journey with the campus community and looks forward to building and implementing solutions that will help employees be less transactional and more transformational with their time and talents. More information will be coming soon and the team plans to begin engaging with targeted groups over the next few weeks. In the meantime, questions and comments may be submitted to adminx@gatech.edu.
]]>This project will measurably improve the student hiring process across Georgia Tech by:
Learn more at hr.gatech.edu/student-hiring-improvement-project.
]]>In late January, Ellis received notification from Georgia Tech that he was eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. Hesitant and skeptical at first, he ignored the email. He was surprised at how quickly the vaccine was available on campus, and his experience with Covid-19 was limited to a co-worker who tested positive and experienced only minor symptoms. He admits that as a Black man, born and raised in Alabama, he felt a deep mistrust of the government and its public health initiatives. This mistrust stemmed from his knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment research study and the subsequent abuse of Black men over a 40-year period. Ellis also felt the chaotic and divided political climate had clouded information surrounding the science behind the vaccine.
Ellis knew he should do his research and find out more. He needed to hear from those he trusted so he did what he does every day at Georgia Tech — he educated himself. Fortunately, his church, the Providence Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta, was offering a virtual forum about the vaccine.
The forum was moderated by Pastor Damon Williams, a frequent lecturer in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. The panel included three doctors — a pediatrician, an oncologist, and a general surgeon — who carefully explained the medical facts surrounding the vaccine to help church members understand that the vaccine is safe. They dispelled many misconceptions and revealed that one of the scientists at the forefront of the Moderna vaccine research, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, is a Black woman, a research fellow, and a scientific lead at the National Institutes of Health. They emphasized that the vaccine clinical trials did include people from many races and ethnicities and were thus deemed safe for this segment of the population. Ellis also felt reassured after hearing that this mRNA type of vaccine delivery had been used in previous virus trials and was not entirely new. The forum ended by focusing on the fact that the vaccine helps in preventing you from contracting the coronavirus infection as well as keeping you from becoming severely ill if you do contract Covid-19. In addition, it may help protect others you come in contact with, including friends and family. It became clear that vaccination is key to ending the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the forum, Ellis had a much better understanding of the safety and necessity of getting the vaccine. He thought about his new baby granddaughter and how this could protect her as well. With information directly from respected medical professionals and encouragement from trusted individuals, he changed his mind and signed up for the vaccine. He received his first dose on Jan. 27 at the Stamps Health Services vaccine clinic and said, “The nurse who administered my vaccine was so helpful, and she made sure that I would be safe during the process.” He said he experienced no side effects from the Pfizer vaccine that day and is due for his second dose shortly.
Ellis calls himself a “free spirit” and said, for him, the worst aspect of the pandemic has been living as somewhat of a recluse. “I prefer being out and being social. I love people and enjoy being around others.”
For Ellis, getting the vaccine was the first step toward doing that again.
]]>The contemplative grove will provide an area of reflection with its tupelo trees strung with hammocks surrounding a center of prairie-like grasses. Situated parallel to Hemphill Avenue, this northwest corner of the EcoCommons is the location of a notable moment in Georgia’s civil rights history.
In 1948 Lester Maddox, who would later become the 75th Governor of the state of Georgia, opened his Pickrick Restaurant along Hemphill Avenue. As a staunch segregationist, Maddox famously prevented three African American theology students — Reverend George Willis, Jr., Reverend Albert Dunn, and Reverend Woodrow T. Lewis — from entering his restaurant by threatening them in the parking lot with a handgun and pickax handles. After losing a lengthy federal court battle, Maddox chose to close the Pickrick Restaurant rather than comply with the court order to desegregate. Shortly thereafter, as the Institute was looking to expand campus, Georgia Tech purchased the building to serve as a job placement center. Known as the Fred W. Ajax Building, it stood on campus more than 40 years and in its final years served as a storage facility for the campus police department. The building was leveled in 2008, as one of many steps taken to fulfill the campus environmental restoration project known as the EcoCommons. A historical marker has stood on the site to honor and educate about this event in the fight for civil rights. The new landscape and hardscape design for this area will work together to symbolically pay tribute to this moment in history.
As you approach the contemplative grove from Hemphill Avenue, the pathway will follow a seated wall on the left. As the path narrows, three openings in the wall appear. Just beyond each opening, you will see that a piece of the wall has been pushed back. Representing both obstacle and door, these pieces of the wall are directly in line with a tree that is different in species from the surrounding grove. The three unique trees in the grove symbolize the three courageous men who confronted the walls of injustice and broke through the obstacles of inequality. Also located within the grove area will be three large, moveable wooden benches to encourage moments of collaboration or contemplation. The footprint of the Pickrick Restaurant will be outlined in the ground by a raised steel edge and the interior planted with a simple tree canopy and a calm, subtle groundcover of woodland ferns. This area is in contrast to the dense woodland that surrounds the Pickrick site. Educational signage will explain and contextualize the events that occurred on the site more than 50 years ago.
The second programmed area of the EcoCommons is designed for engagement. Located just west of The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, this area will feature a granite outcropping, several large, multi-person swings, and a play hill. A meadow at the base of the hill will be conducive to studying and relaxing. Plantings in this area will feature, among others, the colorful blooms of coreopsis, Appalachian rock-pink, and Porter’s sunflowers.
The third programmed area is for learning. Installation is progressing on an extensive network of utility and drainage infrastructure, which will aid in reducing storm water runoff, a major goal of the 2014 Landscape Master Plan. Sensors and meters strategically placed throughout this area will provide valuable data on soil, air, and water. This ecological and operational data is planned to be available to campus operators, researchers, and students alike. A platform overlooking the wetland area will serve as a vantage point for observing effective water stewardship using nature’s systems. Plants such as buttonbush, tussock sedge, and cutleaf coneflower are a few of the many plantings that will comprise this wetland area.
Weaving throughout the EcoCommons will be a network of paths and bridges connecting the three programmed areas into one performance landscape representative of the diversity of Georgia’s native habitats. With more than 10 years in planning and design, this $12 million lush green space project will come to life by mid-year. While honoring its historical roots, the landscape will provide vital ecological functions as well as important data for analysis and research. Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff will have a vibrant new space on campus in which they can interact in a multitude of ways.
]]>“I am delighted to welcome Mike to our leadership team,” Fox said. “He brings a wealth of experience in leading and implementing operational strategies designed to solve pressing matters. Mike will be able to contribute greatly to A&F as we work to define our future.”
Most recently, Shannon led the development and rollout of Georgia Tech’s Covid-19 surveillance testing program, which has conducted nearly 200,000 tests since August. Additionally, Shannon was selected by Institute leadership to lead the implementation of the Georgia Tech CLIA testing laboratory, which was a requirement to process these surveillance tests onsite. The effort included establishing the team, process, facility, information systems, and required governance and compliance protocols.
In this newly created position, Shannon will serve as an advisor and counselor to the executive vice president and the A&F leadership team. He will oversee operational coordination of strategic initiatives including implementing the A&F strategic plan; fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and overseeing A&F polices to ensure clarity, relevance, and effectiveness.
“I am honored to take on this newly created role within the Institute leadership team,” Shannon said. “I have had the privilege of leading people and teams throughout my career in government, industry, and academia. I look forward to helping A&F implement the Institute’s strategic plan and deliver on its proud mission of developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition."
Shannon joined Georgia Tech in 2016 and holds an adjunct appointment in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. A two-time Tech alumnus, Shannon earned a Master of Science in health physics in 2003 and a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering in 2009. He is a retired U.S. Army officer and has held numerous operational and leadership positions within the Department of Defense, including service as an instructor and assistant professor at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
]]>The campus EcoCommons is 80 acres of smartly designed and engineered performance landscape. This new 8-acre portion features more than 600 trees, tens of thousands of perennials, and an abundance of ferns and grasses. A granite outcropping adjacent to The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design provides an area of engagement featuring multi-level grassy areas perfect for picnics and excellent views of the entire acreage. Nestled among the granite boulders will be three bright yellow slides slated for installation this March. Nearby, a “snag,” or dying tree, has been purposely left in the area to encourage a wildlife habitat, and work is ongoing to certify the area as an Audubon bird sanctuary. Close to Ferst Drive will be a temporary sculpture installation by Stickworks artist Patrick Dougherty. With the help of hundreds of campus volunteers, the piece, resembling a small fortress, blends seamlessly into the landscape. Read more about the artist and his work here.
Traversing the area are pervious pathways, wooden bridges, and natural trails that will encourage a relaxing walk in the park between classes and meetings. Benches throughout will provide additional places to rest and enjoy this refreshed and renewed area of campus. Landscape Project Manager Jerry Young has guided the site transformation and looks forward to seeing the Georgia Tech community enjoy its natural beauty. "I've worked for Georgia Tech since 2006 and have overseen lots of projects. I can honestly say that this one was quite complex and extremely satisfying to watch evolve. I'm excited for spring to see it really come alive."
Across from Couch Park, a swath of tupelo trees strung with hammocks encircles a raised meadow planted with native grasses. There is also a contemplative grove, which pays tribute to and symbolizes an important moment in civil rights history. From 1947 to 1964, the Pickrick Restaurant stood on this portion of land and was the site of conflict over equal access to public accommodations. Historical signage will be in place to explain and contextualize the events that occurred there. Read more about the EcoCommons design, and the Pickrick and its significance, here.
The EcoCommons is more than just a park. According to Jason Gregory, senior planner in Capital Planning and Space Management, “If people think this is just a park, we have failed.” Georgia Tech’s overall EcoCommons project envisions 80 acres of greenspaces throughout campus that follow what were once naturally occurring stream paths before urbanization. These greenspaces are being designed, connected, and engineered to reduce stormwater runoff by 50%, increase biodiversity on campus, and provide a living, learning laboratory for the Georgia Tech community.
Extensive grading, soil amendments, and installation of drainage infrastructure were the first steps in transforming this area into an ecological treasure. Located near the Dalney Building is a large bioswale, capable of holding 500,000 gallons of water before releasing any of it back into the city’s water system. This large channel is designed to convey stormwater runoff while removing debris and pollution. A covered platform overlooks this seepage wetland and provides unique vantage points for observing this smart and effective water stewardship.
Located throughout the 8 acres will be numerous sensors connected to the LORA-WAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) Internet of Things (a networking protocol wirelessly connecting battery-operated “things” to the internet), which will measure air temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, carbon dioxide levels, soil moisture, and water depth and pressure. Sensors placed at Tech Green will allow for a comparison of data between its open, grassy expanse and this piedmont woodland. The trove of ecological data collected from the sensors will be available to campus operators, researchers, and students alike so that the entire campus community can leverage this living laboratory.
With more than 10 years in planning and design, this latest portion of the campus EcoCommons performance landscape exemplifies Georgia Tech’s commitment to the individual health and well-being of its campus inhabitants while supporting its sustainability initiatives well into the 21st century.
]]>In its initial allocation, Georgia Tech received both the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
The first phase of distribution, called Phase 1A+, includes Stamps Health Services staff; CARE staff and Counseling Center staff; Health Initiatives victim advocates and nutritionists; Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) staff; Covid-19 surveillance testing personnel; Athletic Association medical staff and trainers; and Georgia Tech employees ages 65 and older.
Captain Marcus Walton with GTPD was among the first to get vaccinated.
“I was excited because to me it is the sense of knowing that we are one more step closer to getting back to some type of normalcy in the world,” he said.
“Personally, I have family members that I have not visited since the pandemic started, and I would love to go visit and hug them,” Walton said. “Professionally, I am what you call a critical or essential employee, and when I took this job 16 years ago I took an oath that I would do this job to the best of my ability. Taking the vaccine, along with practicing other safety measures, allows me to continue to go out and do my job daily knowing that I am helping and not hurting. I want to be a part of the solution, not the problem.”
Janet Foley, a pharmacist with Stamps Health Services, is working at the vaccine distribution clinic in the Exhibition Hall. As a healthcare worker, she was glad to get it.
“I believe in vaccination, and I believe in the benefit vaccines give to building herd immunity. So I think it’s important for everybody to get vaccinated,” Foley said. “I have trust in the system that the vaccine is safe, so I wanted to get it right away to show my family, neighbors, and everybody that it’s good to get this vaccination.”
Foley, who has been in her job for seven years, said she likes the large turnout for vaccines.
“Demand seems to be pretty high on campus, and that’s encouraging,” she said. “I hope the students come out and get vaccinated when it’s open to them.”
The next phase, Phase 1B, is expected to be open to all faculty and staff, including affiliate, auxiliary, and foundation employees. Phase 1C is expected to include people ages 16 to 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness with Covid-19. This includes Georgia Tech students. Phase 2 is expected to include all Georgia Tech students. The DPH is responsible for setting all phases of the vaccine rollout, including the timing.
“We’re ironing out the process to make it faster to get people in and out,” Foley said. “The more of these clinics we do, the faster the process is going to get.”
NOTE: As a reminder, community members in the initial phase of the vaccine distribution — Phase 1A+ — are eligible to schedule an appointment to receive their vaccine. For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, including the rollout plan for the Georgia Tech community, visit health.gatech.edu/coronavirus/vaccine/
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Participants include:
A calendar entry is available at www.calendar.gatech.edu/event/643008.
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]]>This strategic decision allows Georgia Tech to refocus its priorities and further define its vision for on-campus dining where our dining environments offer cuisine, atmosphere and service that enhances and supports our commitment to student engagement and well-being. To align the program with campus stakeholder demand, students, faculty, and staff are being asked to participate in a short survey that will be used to plan the future of Tech Dining and name many of its new dining locations. Please take ten minutes to complete this survey before Sunday, Jan. 24.
Over the next year, Tech Dining will prioritize healthier foods, more diversified offerings, sustainability initiatives, and high-quality ingredients to increase campus satisfaction and meal plan demand. Beginning in Fall 2021, meal plans will move to all-you-care-to-eat in all three traditional dining halls, including West Village, while avoiding a price increase for the first time in decades. Dining will also look to partner with local restaurants to bring popular cuisines to the heart of the Georgia Tech campus.
Current dining employees will have an opportunity to continue working at Georgia Tech, and additional information will be available soon. More information about Tech Dining and its proposed improvements will be communicated over the coming months. For immediate questions, please contact ryan.greene@gatech.edu.
]]>If you’ve made weekly testing a habit, the process is the same, with minor changes to improve the experience for participants. If you’re new to campus, learn more about testing and plan to participate weekly. Register at mytest.gatech.edu.
Sites at the Price Gilbert Library, 760 Spring Street, GT Connector, and Couch Building will be open five days a week. Additional sites will be operated by mobile teams and set up one to two days a week. Hours will continue to be updated here each week.
Those who are experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 should seek diagnostic testing, not surveillance testing. Students can be tested at Stamps Health Services; employees should seek testing from their primary care doctor or a public health testing location.
Georgia Tech is also in the process of planning for vaccinations on campus, and staff at Stamps Health Services and other first responders will be the first to receive vaccinations. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to continue to test, wear face coverings, keep physical distance, and wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For additional information and preventive measures, visit health.gatech.edu/tech-moving-forward.
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]]>As a reminder, Georgia Tech’s campus is closed the week of Dec. 21 for the winter break. While many people may be taking additional time off the week of Dec. 28, some employees may be planning to report to work during this time. These employees are encouraged to work from home if their work allows them to do so. Since employees are allowed to report to work during this time, non-closure emergency will not be utilized. Previously scheduled leave should continue as planned.
“If you are planning to work during this time and can work from home, please do,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “With fewer people on campus during the holidays, now is the time to further reduce the density on campus to help keep everyone safe when coronavirus cases are spiking.”
Employees, including essential workers, who do come to campus are expected to continue following established safety protocols, which include wearing face coverings, washing hands, testing frequently, staying home if you are ill, and maintaining social distance – even when gathering in small and familiar groups.
The campus community should continue to follow the Covid-19 guidance established on campus, as well as public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
]]>Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Dec. 14 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute, and their access to Georgia Tech’s network may also be revoked.
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. It should take approximately 45 minutes, and it does not have to be completed at one time. Visit training.hr.gatech.edu today to complete the 2020 Annual Compliance Training.
For more information on the 2020 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit hr.gatech.edu/integrity-and-compliance.
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Beginning today, all faculty, staff (including Tech Temps), and student employees hired prior to Oct. 1, 2020, may complete the 2020 Annual Compliance Training. This year, employees are required to complete the following four training modules:
You must complete all four of the Compliance Training modules between Oct. 26 and Nov. 16. Employees who do not fully complete the requirements by midnight on Nov. 16 may receive a formal disciplinary notice from the Institute, and their access to Georgia Tech’s network may also be revoked.
The Annual Compliance Training can be completed on a desktop or laptop. It should take approximately 45 minutes, and it does not have to be completed at one time. Visit training.hr.gatech.edu today to complete the 2020 Annual Compliance Training.
For more information on the 2020 Annual Compliance Training, including helpful resources, visit hr.gatech.edu/integrity-and-compliance.
]]>The coronavirus can affect anyone, which is why it is so important that we remain vigilant about wearing face coverings, washing hands, testing weekly, and keeping an appropriate distance – even when gathering in small and familiar groups. While we have focused on students staying safe as they return home to complete the fall semester, much of this advice applies to employees who will also want to gather with friends and family for the holidays.
A few helpful reminders before and during the break:
Stay vigilant before and during the holidays. Don’t just do it for yourself — do it for your loved ones.
]]>At Tech Hubbard provides vision, leadership, and oversight in the development and implementation of information technology. He also is a member of the Institute’s Recovery Task Force and he was recently asked to direct all Covid-19-related infrastructure and technology activities.
At his office in the Coda Building, Hubbard recently sat for a conversation that ranged from how he views the role of IT at a research university to his love of Corvettes, novelty socks, and donuts.
What attracted you to Georgia Tech?
The reputation of the institution, at a national and international level, is attractive in and of itself. It’s the kind of place where you want to take your career.
The whole interview process really got me excited about the opportunity. Knowing where you're going to be working and who you’re going to be working with is more important to me than some of the other environmental aspects. After talking to Kelly Fox [executive vice president for Administration and Finance] and to President Cabrera — I don’t think there’s anybody who can talk to President Cabrera and not get excited about Georgia Tech — and meeting everyone else on the search committee virtually, it was a done deal.
I also had the benefit of visiting Atlanta probably every summer for the last 25 years. I have friends here, and my godsons attended Centennial Place Elementary School. I remember Atlantic Station being built, and I had a membership to the Georgia Aquarium prior to moving here. No one had to sell me on Atlanta. Also, you can’t ask anybody from the state of Michigan if they are sad about leaving the Michigan winters.
You have only been at Georgia Tech for about five weeks. Is it what you expected, or is it different? Any early takeaways regarding opportunities or challenges?
I have reflected on this a lot. It is both new and strangely familiar. Some of the problems may be a little different in a scale, obviously, but challenges at Georgia Tech are the same as at Wayne State — really trying to align the mission of the institution with the conditions on the ground. People have many competing ideas about how to do things. Resources may not necessarily be distributed equitably, leaving our team working to balance that out.
The early takeaways are the consistent themes that have really forged my career. I have been doing this type of work for more than 20 years. During that time, I have developed a personal set of core values that work really well, and I am able to apply them over and over again.
At Georgia Tech I am trying to build great partnerships across campus. We are coming to the table to support you, not necessarily to create something that’s just cool and has a wow factor. It’s about creating an excellent experience. I think that applies to everyone on the campus, entire communities of students, faculty, and staff — making sure that the work they need to do is as effortless as possible.
I want to make sure we have a great work environment for our team. If you feel good about what you’re doing, it shows in your work and enables you to create an excellent experience for the people you support.
The last thing we do is to really focus on continuous improvement. Make sure that people don’t see the same problem again, and try to make the experience better the next time. We want to make sure that people have the tools to do what they do.
You started at Tech during the coronavirus pandemic — when the majority of students, faculty, and staff were working remotely and depending on Tech’s technology infrastructure to stay connected. How was that experience?
Our ability to transition from having a fully on-campus experience to a remote experience didn’t happen the day the pandemic started. Those are investments that were made over time. It was the good work of people in this division and across campus, making those choices, investing in tools, and really getting folks up to speed before the pandemic. We didn’t know everyone was going to have to work from home. But we did know that some people would need to be able to collaborate and have meetings in a remote fashion, so we were building the infrastructure just in case. Tech is now seeing the dividends of investments made three or four years ago. We have to continue to make investments and strategically select tools that are going to be here today and hopefully here for us tomorrow.
One thing that we’re going to see coming out of this pandemic is that our workforce may not need to be physically here in Atlanta. That means we can compete with either coast or globally for the best talent. It presents a new opportunity for universities.
IT is often seen as a support function. How do you view IT?
I don’t believe it’s necessarily a bad thing to be a support function. For example, this building has big pillars that support the floors. They have to be here or the building will fall. However, another way to view IT is as a facilitator of some of the innovation that’s coming from the subject matter experts who we are fortunate to work with. IT always has the opportunity to help people accelerate what they’re doing at its core. That is what all this stuff is intended to do — to enable people to be more productive, creative, and innovative. As long as we have an opportunity to be a partner with folks, to listen to what they want to do and what they can do, we can bring all the different tools and capabilities we have to the table.
What keeps you awake at night?
There is always a — and it’s not even existential anymore — real and present danger surrounding data security of the intellectual property assets that a place like Georgia Tech generates on a daily basis. I wrote a paper in graduate school about how the very nature of universities makes them a target for bad guys. If you are looking to steal something, you want something new. Universities literally create new ideas and opportunities every day. That data has a high value, and it’s part of our job to help facilitate the protection of those assets. But, in general, the thing that keeps me up at night is the question of whether we are doing enough. Are we communicating well enough? Are we creating a culture that enables people to collaborate.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Being from Detroit, I grew up following the auto industry the way some people follow sports. So, there’s an automotive enthusiast lurking inside of me. I drive a practical car now, but right before I moved down here I sold my 2017 Corvette Stingray. While it was fun, that car is not just a car. It’s a whole lifestyle.
I did a little photography in high school and college, and I recently started getting back into it, mainly photographing cars and buildings. I had initially gone to college to become an architect. I still love buildings and studying the use of space, but now I just photograph them.
Tell me something that most people don’t know about you.
I have been collecting and wearing novelty socks for 30 years. I have all kinds, for every occasion. Yesterday was ‘Taco Tuesday’ so I wore my taco socks.
It began in college. I wanted to express myself beyond wearing the standard ‘preppy’ clothes. I bought a pair of fun socks, and I started saving them for a special occasion. But once you start saving something it becomes this mythical thing, so you can’t just pull them out and wear them any time. About three years after I bought the socks I still had not worn them. Then I met someone and had a date planned for the weekend. I told my friends I was excited about the date, and they asked if I thought she was worthy of my socks. I said yes. I wore my special socks, and the date was great. My date, Tanya, later became my wife. We just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in August.
Another thing most people don’t know is that I really love donuts. But donuts don’t love me, so I have constructed a framework for how I can enjoy them. I call it Oktoberfest because my birthday is Oct. 3. So, for the month of October I eat as many donuts as I want, but I don’t eat them the rest of the year. Last weekend I went to Revolution Donuts, and I also like Sublime Donuts. I want to live as long as I can, so this framework allows me to enjoy donuts while minimizing the health risk.
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]]>The Atlanta E3 Awards honor projects, organizations, and people working to conserve metro Atlanta’s natural resources and develop clean technologies to enhance the economy and environment. The Kendeda Building won one of four 2020 awards.
“The Kendeda Building was built to inspire change, not just on Georgia Tech’s campus, but across the Southeast building industry,” said Shan Arora, the building’s director. “We are honored that the region’s leaders have recognized the building for demonstrating what is possible in terms of buildings that return more to the environment and people than they take.”
The Metro Atlanta Chamber selects a handful of projects each year that prove doing the right thing by the environment is not at odds with making a profit. The awards celebrate collaboration, problem-solving, and making a positive difference for the region.
“This year’s Atlanta E3 winners represent the very best of the cutting-edge companies advancing what sustainability means for metro Atlanta’s businesses and their communities,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We are thrilled to showcase their impact in the region and in their respective industries.”
The Kendeda Building officially opened for classes in January. The project’s goals extend far beyond sustainability — it’s a regenerative facility that generates its own electricity and collects its own water for onsite consumption. It also diverted virtually all of its construction waste from landfills. The building is in a one-year performance period for Living Building Challenge 3.1 certification.
“Completing The Kendeda Building was just the beginning,” Arora said. “Now we have to apply what we’ve learned across the entire metro Atlanta region so we have the highest-performing buildings in the country.”
Other E3 Award winners this year include:
404.894.6016
]]>This year's forum, which will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27, kicks off with speakers from Stanford University, UC Santa Cruz, and Biohabitats, who will share their efforts and experiences in reducing energy and water consumption and minimizing material waste on their campuses.
Next, Facilities Management staff will lead four tracks for exploration: Sustainable Resource Management, The Eco-Commons, The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, and The Historic Sector: Preserve to Conserve.
The event will be hosted virtually and is free for all students, faculty, and staff to attend.
More about this year's tracks:
Georgia Tech has been innovating in the areas of hard-to-recycle materials, lab energy cost-savings initatives, and Covid-19 staffing efficiencies to meet sustainability goals. Learn how Georgia Tech responded to Covid-19 in the realm of cleaning and recycling, explore the Smart Labs project from the perspective of blending safety and savings, and understand how nontraditional recyclables on campus are diverted from landfills.
A new 7-acre section of the campus Eco-Commons will be opening soon. Take a virtual tour of the space, learn how its interpretive signage will relate to equity and wellness in outdoor spaces, and discover how Georgia Tech is enabling data collection and access for researchers in this on-campus ecosystem.
Virtual tours of The Kendeda Building will focus on how the building is reaching net positive water management and explore its sustainable energy features. The lessons learned during its first year in operation will be shared by Shan Arora, building director.
This track provides an overview of the campus historic preservation plan, the legacy of the Alumni House, and the promising future of East Campus housing.
The forum is co-chaired by Maria Del Mar Ceballos (BIM /VDC Manager) and Malte Weiland (Sustainability Senior Project Manager). Presenters from Capital Planning and Space Management, Building Services and Recycling, Design and Construction, Communications and Analytics, and Environmental Health and Safety will provide the inside story on Georgia Tech's latest campus sustainability efforts.
For more information and to register, visit the website.
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