Campus Operations News

Looking up at UT Tower

Campus Operations News

Our team is dedicated to providing a world-class campus experience for our community through operational excellence. Here are media mentions, news, updates, and stories of the caretakers and work happening across Campus Operations.

UT WaterHub

University of Texas at Austin to cut water use by 40% with new recycling facility

Jan. 23, 2025
KEYE-TV AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin announced plans Thursday to build a 9,600-square-foot water recycling facility that will allow the school to reduce its water usage by 40%.
UT WaterHub

Why UT is developing largest 'WaterHub' of its kind, and how it'll use the reclaimed water

Jan. 23, 2025
Austin American-Statesman The University of Texas will develop a 9,600-square-foot water processing facility — the largest of its kind in the nation, it says — on campus to decrease its reliance on Austin Water and reduce its usage by 40%, it announced Thursday.
UT WaterHub

UT Austin unveils revolutionary water facility to cut water usage while saving millions

Jan. 23, 2025
KVUE AUSTIN, Texas — A new state-of-the-art project aims to revolutionize water use at the University of Texas at Austin. The university is developing a 9,600-square-foot processing facility on campus that will allow it to decrease its water usage by an estimated 40%.
Turtles at the turtle pond

Why UT Austin's famed turtles have temporarily vacated their pond and when they'll be back

Dec. 10, 2024
Texas Standard— “I do think there is something about turtles in general that they’re somewhat charismatic and people really like them,” said Justin Havird, a UT associate professor leading research involving the turtle ponds."
Mark Smyth

5 Questions With Work Control Specialist Mark Smyth

Nov. 18, 2024
The Facilities Service Center (FSC) was established in 2013, originally to handle work orders for divisions within Facilities Services. These work orders typically include maintenance, landscape, custodial, surplus, and event and moving support and services. Today, the group has a reputation as the first line of contact when anyone on campus has an operational issue. A team of seven full-time employees answers approximately 70,000 calls and emails every year, collecting information from clients to create work orders and route inquiries across Campus Operations and beyond.
Wreath Laying Ceremony

UT honors veterans with wreath-laying ceremony, dedicate new World War II memorial

Nov. 7, 2024
Austin American-Statesman—A new memorial with the names of former UT students who died while serving in WWII is dedicated at the University of Texas annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Thursday November 7, 2024.
Campus Operations staff members at UFCU Disch-Falk Field

Campus Operations Hosts Appreciation BBQ

Oct. 29, 2024
Campus Operations hosted a barbecue for all team members on Oct. 24 at the UFCU Disch-Falk Field Baseball Concourse to celebrate all the hard work accomplished over the last year. View photos from the event, including aerial group photos for both day and night shifts.
Carin Peterson

5 Questions With Carin Peterson, Senior Training and Outreach Coordinator

June 13, 2024
Carin Peterson is no stranger to working with animals. A UT graduate, she has a background in zoology and wildlife biology that prepared her to work with bats, reptiles, and endangered birds as a field biologist and researcher. She also worked as a zookeeper, veterinary technician, technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and ranch hand before joining UT to develop Animal Make Safe, a program in the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) department.
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Media Coverage

UT WaterHub

Why UT is developing largest 'WaterHub' of its kind, and how it'll use the reclaimed water

Jan. 23, 2025
Austin American-Statesman The University of Texas will develop a 9,600-square-foot water processing facility — the largest of its kind in the nation, it says — on campus to decrease its reliance on Austin Water and reduce its usage by 40%, it announced Thursday.
UT WaterHub

UT Austin unveils revolutionary water facility to cut water usage while saving millions

Jan. 23, 2025
KVUE AUSTIN, Texas — A new state-of-the-art project aims to revolutionize water use at the University of Texas at Austin. The university is developing a 9,600-square-foot processing facility on campus that will allow it to decrease its water usage by an estimated 40%.
UT WaterHub

University of Texas at Austin to cut water use by 40% with new recycling facility

Jan. 23, 2025
KEYE-TV AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin announced plans Thursday to build a 9,600-square-foot water recycling facility that will allow the school to reduce its water usage by 40%.
Turtles at the turtle pond

Why UT Austin's famed turtles have temporarily vacated their pond and when they'll be back

Dec. 10, 2024
Texas Standard— “I do think there is something about turtles in general that they’re somewhat charismatic and people really like them,” said Justin Havird, a UT associate professor leading research involving the turtle ponds."
Wreath Laying Ceremony

UT honors veterans with wreath-laying ceremony, dedicate new World War II memorial

Nov. 7, 2024
Austin American-Statesman—A new memorial with the names of former UT students who died while serving in WWII is dedicated at the University of Texas annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Thursday November 7, 2024.

Messages from Associate Vice President for Campus Operations

Leadership Transition in Planning, Design and Construction

Feb. 4, 2025
I’m writing to share an important update regarding leadership in Planning, Design and Construction (PDC). Amanda Barber, who has been serving as interim Executive Director, will leave her role March 5 to join Southwestern University in Georgetown as Associate Vice President of Facilities. Please join me in thanking Amanda for her dedication and service during the past year and a half. Her leadership has been invaluable, and we wish her all the best in this next chapter.

Happy New Year and Updates

Jan. 22, 2025
As we step into the new year, I have updates to share about the exciting path ahead for Campus Operations and about our leadership. 2025 is going to be a big year for shaping how we work and plan for the future at UT. We’re building on the success of UTWorks and other initiatives to make what we do more effective and meaningful. And, we’re working to create better opportunities and improve experiences for our staff.

Dan Cook Departing UT

Dec. 16, 2024
Dear Campus Operations Team, I am writing to let you know that Dan Cook will be stepping down from his position as Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction (PDC). He has accepted a role with his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, as Vice President for Facilities Design and Operations and University Architect. He will be Notre Dame’s leading advocate, planner, and steward of planning, design, construction, utilities, and maintenance services. His last day with UT will be Jan. 16.

Wishing You a Restful Holiday Break

Dec. 12, 2024
As we wrap up the year, I want to express my gratitude for everything you have done in 2024 to make UT a remarkable place. Your commitment is key to ensuring our campus inspires learning, collaboration, and community. I hope you’re able to enjoy a restful and well-deserved winter break.

Fall Updates & Fleet Vehicle Parking in Facilities Complex

Nov. 1, 2024
Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Campus Operations BBQ! It was fantastic to be at the UFCU Disch-Falk Field and to see so many of us, across all our departments, together at once.

Kicking Off an Exciting Semester

Sept. 11, 2024
As we settle in for the new academic year, I want to express my gratitude for your hard work during the past few months. While much of campus slowed for the summer, Campus Operations buzzed with activity and energy.