Friday Focus: No tricks, just treats from Facilities
Facilities Services staff gather at the entrance of the Lower Troth Yeddha' Campus near the below 40 sign for a photo on Aug. 20, 2024.
Oct. 31, 2025
— By Kellie Fritze, associate vice chancellor for facilities
As winter approaches, the campus is buzzing with activity – and Facilities Services has been hard at work behind the scenes to make sure the only “scary surprises” this season are from the weather, not from our classrooms, labs, offices, or residence halls.
This season has brought plenty of progress to celebrate. Our teams wrapped up summer construction projects and prepared academic and residential spaces for the busy semester. The grounds crew has kept campus looking neat and trimmed (no small feat with the buckets of rain we have had this fall), while our utilities and HVAC staff manage the seasonal switchover from cooling to heat – proving that even when the weather plays tricks, Facilities keeps campus comfortable.
One of the biggest treats on the horizon is the planetarium project, made possible by the largest donor gift in UA history. Construction is well underway, and the team is working hard toward a grand opening in February. This new facility will be a showpiece for the university, blending science, education, and community engagement. It’s exciting to see how Facilities, Development, Research, and Academic partners are coming together to transform a generous vision into a campus landmark.
At the same time, our teams are putting in long hours to lay the groundwork for new student housing. Housing projects can be complex, but important progress is being made. From refining options to coordinating with campus partners, every step is focused on the ultimate goal: creating a modern, welcoming living environment that supports student success and strengthens the UAF experience.
And of course, Facilities Services wouldn’t be what it is without its people. Facilities is a big umbrella, and every part contributes to keeping UAF strong. From Utilities, Maintenance, Grounds, Transportation, and our hard-working Laborers, to the administrative teams who manage space planning, customer service, budget and accounting, the warehouse, campus mail center, surplus property, central receiving, UAF’s fleet and shuttle service, as well as North Campus – every role is essential. Design and Construction brings new ideas from paper to reality, while custodial inspectors ensure our contracted services keep campus clean and welcoming. Our newest addition, the Environmental Community Partnership group, is already making a positive impact alongside long-standing units. Across campus, I hear constant appreciation for the dedication, skill, and can-do spirit of our Facilities team. If Facilities Services had a Halloween costume, my vote would be a superhero cape; our team is amazing!
Finally, a thank you to the campus community. Your patience, feedback, and collaboration make it possible for Facilities Services to do this work successfully. Whether it’s rerouting around a construction zone, adjusting to a temporary outage, or sharing ideas that improve how we care for campus, your support ensures that we keep moving forward together.
Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF's leadership team every week. On occasion, a guest writer is invited to contribute a column.