Talking Stick - July/August 2008 - (Page 22)

Facilities quality are concerned. Find out if the price that was quoted is a good one by comparing it to those quoted by other vendors, and double check the department budget to see if the price lines up with what there is to spend. As for quality, again make sure it compares to that of pieces offered by other vendors, and think about whether or not it can be easily repaired when it becomes worn. More components to consider are design, features, aesthetics, and student needs. Design considerations include determining if the furniture will fit easily in the building and if it will blend into a setting of similar pieces from other vendors. Considerations about features should take into account the unique design capabilities of the furniture: Does it provide something that other similar products don’t? Does that help meet student needs, or is it “extra”? Aesthetic considerations include aspects of style: Does the furniture look and fit right in the building? Does it match the style of the building? Will the furniture go out of style after 10 or 20 years? Finally, considerations about student needs should focus on what students need to succeed: Does the furniture meet the needs of most of the students living in the building? Is it an academic theme community? What specific needs do the residents have that should be addressed? Choosing a specific vendor requires careful consideration not only of furniture (construction type, impact on the environment) but also of the vendor’s reputation and ability to meet a delivery schedule. Thompson says that one of the largest considerations for him is “the ability of a manufacturer to design, deliver, and stand behind their product in good times and when things don’t go so well.” Joe Mills, the director of housing and residence life at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, says that, above all, he considers “construction type and quality of the product.” To determine what factor takes precedence over another takes many years of experience and the ability to adapt when factors change. Find the Right Fit with a Vendor To buy the right furniture you must first find the right company. Furniture buyers in housing units turn to companies they trust, companies that have years of experience creating furniture for housing units and that they have developed a relationship with. These companies can be ones that have been represented at conferences or ones recommended by colleagues who also purchase furniture. Gary Thompson, director of facilities planning and operations at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, explains that he factors in experience with a manufacturer and student opinions about design when considering who to buy from. However, what is deemed “best” is simply a point of view and varies not only from one campus to another but also from one housing unit to another. Buying with Sustainability in Mind With over 546 college and university presidents to date signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, dedication to creating carbon-neutral and more environmentally friendly campuses is on the rise. As a result, buying “green” furniture has increased greatly over the last 15 years. Housing departments are being asked to take on the challenge and to become more green in their function and design. What this means Does the furniture meet the needs of most of the students living in the building? Is it an academic theme community? What specific needs do the residents have that should be addressed? 22 Talking Stick

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Talking Stick - July/August 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Calendar When Politics Come to Your Town Support System Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - July/August 2008

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