Facilities management cleaning procedures

Recently Intensified Cleaning Procedures Taking Place Across Campus

Facilities Management is using spring break and the two-week online instruction period as an opportunity to perform a more detailed cleaning of common areas, surfaces and high touch points.

Providing clean and safe facilities is one of the university’s top priorities. In recent weeks, OU Facilities Management has amplified cleaning and disinfecting practices across campus to add an extra layer of protection against COVID-19.

On top of routine cleaning, Facilities Management is using spring break and the two-week online instruction period as an opportunity to perform a more detailed cleaning of common areas, surfaces and high touch points.

“We have been communicating with public health experts and monitoring professional guidelines to ensure proper procedures are being followed for routine and preventative cleaning, as well as planning for responsive cleaning,” said Matthew Rom, associate director of Facilities Management.

Each night, Custodial Services is disinfecting touch points such as door handles, water fountains and restroom fixtures. Daytime and afternoon personnel are routinely monitoring areas to ensure soap, sanitizer and paper products are fully stocked.

Hand sanitizer stations are being installed near building entry/exit doors and elevators – a project that Facilities Management had already planned to implement over spring break. These stations will be checked nightly to ensure they are filled.

The university community is encouraged to submit requests for service by contacting the Facilities Management Customer Service Department at (405) 325-3060 or facilities@ou.edu.

In areas throughout campus, electrostatic sprayers are being used to disinfect large areas quickly and more efficiently. This method is particularly useful in high-use areas like the residence halls and in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Additional action is taking place in other areas of campus.

Food Services is cleaning doorknobs, handles and front-of-house tables with a bleach-based spray. Over 150 full-time employees are ServSafe trained, with an emphasis on proper personal hygiene. Disposable to-go containers are being used for food service, minimizing contact between employees and customers. Self-serve buffets have been halted.

To help reduce person-to-person germ transfer, for almost two years, customers who dine with Food Services have swiped their own cards or can add their Sooner Card to Apple Wallet. Customers can also tap their own cards and can place mobile orders through Grubhub.

Housing Operations is cleaning with disinfectant throughout all areas and touch points at least four times a day. All surfaces and keyboards in computer labs are sanitized continuously throughout the day.

Extra cleaning protocols have been implemented in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Additional cleaning rotations have been added for the game room and computer lab, and hospital-grade disinfectant wipes are being used in all public areas, including on elevator buttons, door handles, handrails and chairs.

Parking and Transportation Services is providing bus drivers with disinfectant to wipe down buses daily and supplies for spot cleaning.

During the campus closure period, Fitness + Recreation facilities like Sarkeys Fitness Center and the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex will undergo a comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing before reopening. Once the facilities reopen for visitors, Fitness + Recreation will resume its previously established cleaning measures and guidelines. These protocols include cleaning the cardio room, bridge, free weight/select area and bathrooms up to six times a day. Visitors must use the provided sanitary wipes or spray stations to wipe down equipment after usage.

Good hygiene practices are being promoted to minimize the spread of the virus. University Operations, in partnership with OU Health Services, has ordered 4,000 mirror decals with tips on staying healthy, which will be found in bathrooms on all campuses. These health safety tips have also been printed on fliers and posted on digital signage across the university system.

At the administrative level, Eric Conrad, vice president for operations and COO, explained that OU understands the importance of being prepared.

“Last fall, the university began preparations to conduct a pandemic tabletop exercise, which we held in early February, with over 50 senior managers from across the OU system and representatives from several Oklahoma state agencies participating,” Conrad said. “Little did we know when we started planning this exercise that this preparation would provide useful insight to help us respond quickly to COVID-19.”