Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO) sets forth targeted interior space temperature ranges for academic/administrative spaces and residence halls.

These guidelines provide a formalized standard on indoor temperatures to be expected by building occupants depending on the season.  These guidelines are consistent with higher education peer institutions and with research performed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  Adherence to these guidelines will prevent inefficient and wasteful operation of centralized equipment from occurring.

Moreover, these guidelines support the University’s educational mission and commitment to environmental stewardship. Energy reduction resulting from these guidelines helps curtail global, social and environmental challenges including the country’s dependency on foreign fossil fuels and reduces the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

• Cooling Season

The cooling season is generally from mid-April to mid-October. Cooling is provided to maintain air conditioned facilities at 76 degrees Fahrenheit during normal occupied hours. During off hours, the temperature may rise above this level. As mentioned above, this temperature level is in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 55.

• Heating Season

Generally, the heating season is from mid-October to mid-April. Heat will be provided to maintain interior temperatures at approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit during normal occupied hours. A temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit has been researched by ASHRAE (Standard 55-Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy) to be comfortable for most people who are dressed appropriately for the season. During unoccupied hours, temperatures maybe allowed to drop to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Seasonal Changes

When determining the exact switchover date for each building, FMO considers prevailing weather patterns, the building’s HVAC system, the system controls and building usage. Switchover is approximately a two week process that is not easily reversible. In the spring and autumn, outside temperatures can vary considerably. Consequently, indoor space temperatures might drift from recommended levels.

Residential buildings are cleaned daily between 5:30am and 2pm.

Non-residential buildings are cleaned overnight, Sunday through Friday morning.

Shared spaces, such as classrooms, conference rooms, kichenettes, and bathrooms, are cleaned daily.

Touchpoints (door knobs, stair railings, elevator buttons, etc.) throughout buildings are disinfected overnight along with classrooms.

Offices are equipped with one deskside recycle bin (no liner) for dry recyclables, such as paper.  Please take all non-recyclable trash, such as food waste, tissues, paper towels, used office supplies, etc., to your nearest common area for disposal in one of the central landfill waste collection bins.  These collection stations are conveniently located in common areas, such as kitchenette area, lounges, and work rooms, throughout each building.  

While the absence of deskside trash containers may seem inconvenient, it helps us:

• Keep the Campus Cleaner - fewer places for waste to accumulate and pests to gather means cleaner buildings
• Keep Colleagues Healthier - fewer waste bins means fewer touchpoints for custodial staff, keeping them healthier
• Stay Active - stand up and walk to one of the central collection stations to stay active and give your eyes a break from your screen
• Help Us Recycle - review waste sorting guides posted above the central collection station bins to learn how to recycle properly

The University's Holiday Decorating Guidelines provide a framework for the holiday decoration and personalization that occurs on campus and in our facilities.  Generally, all decorations should adhere to the guidelines listed below. For specific questions, please contact the Facilities Service Center at x5121 or email cua-fmo@cua.edu. 

Please observe the following guidelines designed to maximize general safety practices, minimize potential fire hazards associated with holiday decorations, and to comply with fire prevention regulations:

Interior decorations:

• Decorations must be kept away from exit signs, fire alarm devices (pull stations, smoke and heat detectors, etc.), fire extinguishers, and emergency and normal-use light fixtures.
• The use of artificial Christmas trees are permitted provided the placement does not create an obstruction to egress.
• Live or fresh-cut trees are prohibited.
• Paper/posters or other combustible material of the sort used as coverings on walls shall NOT occupy greater than 10% of the particular wall's surface area.
• Use only U.L. approved "mini" or "LED" decorative lights. Large bulb lights such as C7 or C9 are prohibited.
• Keep decorative lights away from combustible materials (i.e, curtains, paper, etc.).
• Decorative lights should be turned off when the area or room is unattended.
• Use U.L. approved power strips with a fuse or a circuit breaker.
• No electrical cords may be routed through doorways, under carpeting or routed across hallways because they become both a fire hazard and tripping hazard.
• No items may be attached or hung from sprinkler system piping. This is a particular important requirement because of the potential for breaking the heads, pipes or pipe hangers.
• The use of spray applied artificial snow or other flammable spray decorations are prohibited.

Please contact Facilities Service Center to request assistance in hanging decorations at an elevated level or if general safety concerns exist.

Public Space:

• In public spaces, decoration placement shall be coordinated in conjunction with Facilities Operations. Large scale decorations that require hanging, mounting, attachment, etc., in public spaces, shall be placed or have oversight by Facilities Operations personnel.

Exterior Decorations:

• All University decorations on the exterior of buildings or on the grounds shall be placed by and be the responsibility of Facilities Maintenance and Operations. No other exterior decorations are permitted.

• Event requests from the immediate university community must be submitted through Events and Conference Services at events.cua.edu.

• All logistical plans must be carried out in consultation with Facilities Administration & Services to ensure that the set up, operation, and breakdown of event does not disrupt the normal business operation of Father O'Connell Hall or incur damages to the space.

• Outside vendors MUST check in with Facilities at the Power Plant to register and receive badges.

• Floor protection is required on any items that may be rented from an outside vendor (staging, tables, chairs, etc.)

• Loading and unloading of equipment must be done through the rear or west side entrances to the building. Use of the front entrances is not permitted. Facilities will provide access.

• Request for set up of tables and chairs should be submitted to Facilities at fmo.cua.edu

• All materials and equipment (including catering supplies) must be removed from space immediately following the event.

• Facilities Maintenance and Operations is not responsible for any items that remain in the space.

• Maximum Occupancies: 
  • Lecture style seating - 290
  • Banquet seating - 200

• Requests for usage of audio-visual equipment must be submitted to Technology Services at techsupport@cua.edu

• No signage, decorations, frames, or other materials shall penetrate or be attached by fasteners of any kind, including tape, to the walls, ceiling, floors, or any other fixtures in the space.

• Any damages incurred from neglecting to follow these guidelines will be billed to using department or organization.

• Reservation of space (including set up and break down times) must be coordinated through Events and Conference Services at events.cua.edu

• Set up request (i.e. tables/chairs) are provided by Facilities Administration & Services (FAS) and should be initiated by completing a Special Event Request, which can be found at facilities.catholic.edu/fmo/requests at least 2 weeks in advance. Diagrams for set ups other than lecture or banquet style should be attached to the request or emailed to cua-fmo@cua.edu.

• Any rental staging must be approved in advanced by FAS at least 2 weeks prior to the event. If approved, the vendor or organization must provide floor protection. Staging must be removed from space within 2 hours after the event concludes.

• Smart podium in the room must stay in place and is not to be moved under any circumstances.

• No items may be hung from the ceiling of the auditorium or the beams above the ceiling (i.e. truss, banners, and lighting).

• No signage, decorations, frames, or other material shall penetrate or be attached by fasteners of any kind (including tape) to the walls, ceiling , floors, or any other fixtures in the space.

• Nothing is to be hung, attached or leaned against the screen wall in the lobby of the auditorium (NO EXCEPTIONS).

• All materials and equipment (including catering supplies) must be removed from the space immediately following the event. Facilities is not responsible for any items that remain in the space.

• All logistical plans must be carried out in consultation with Events and Conference Services and FAS to ensure that the set up, operation, and breakdown of the event does not disrupt the normal business operation of the University.

• Any damages incurred from neglecting to follow these guidelines will be billed to the using department or organization.