Policies and Procedures
Audio-Visual Services and Repairs 
Any problems related to the operation of AV equipment should be reported to the Center for Instructional Media and Technology (652-5045).
Authorized Construction, Remodeling, Additions, or Demolitions
It is imperative that the Department of Plant Management knows the exact condition of the College facilities at all times. Therefore, Plant Management must be advised of any planned construction, alterations of, or additions to any structure, utility or grounds area. Plant Management must know about any work planned, from hanging a picture or installing new teaching aids to completely renovating a new building, whether this work is performed by Plant Management or not.
Plant Management, inspectors from an authorized State agency (Department of Building and Construction and/or the Department of Community Affairs) must inspect and approve all plans and completed work for compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (NJUCC) requirements.
Departmental personnel are not normally authorized to remodel or renovate campus property, buildings, rooms, utilities, etc., but in warranted situations such work must be approved by the Plant Management Department and the following rules observed:
- Proposed work drawings must be submitted to Plant Management for review and approval.
- All work must be inspected by Plant Management during and after completion of the project.
- Competent personnel who meet Plant Management requirements must be employed to perform the work.
- Any unsatisfactory work performed by others (non-Plant personnel) must be removed and replaced at the department's expense.
- Construction Permit. The NJUCC states that no digging, construction, alteration, addition, demolition to buildings, grounds or utilities, except ordinary repairs (as defined by the NJUCC) are allowed within the campus perimeter without a permit. The restriction was established to ensure work is completed properly and to protect underground utilities and personnel performing such work. Permits may be obtained from the Director of Plant Management.
- Connection Permission. It is a College policy that departments or contractors requiring utility line connections (water, electrical, gas, sewer, etc.) must obtain permission from the Plant Management Department at least 72 hours before the connection is to be made.
- Estimates and Firm Bids. Plant Management will provide cost estimates or firm bids for all work requests considered to be major.
- An estimate gives the expected cost of materials and labor likely to be required. Estimates are made on less than detailed plans, but represent an honest attempt by Plant specialists to determine total costs of completing any project in good form and quality. Normally, many work requests involve alterations or remodeling of existing facilities; therefore, original estimates might, in time, need to be revised because of unforeseen problems.
- Firm bids require more detailed specifications so the number of educated guesses and assumptions is reduced. A firm bid usually is higher than an estimate, as it considers all possible details and circumstances. If an exact figure is needed for budgeting purposes, a firm bid should be requested.
- Changes. (For Plant Management work only). Any changes necessary in original plans or specifications are handled through a change order procedure. Appropriately completed change requests shall include both estimated and firm bid projects where necessary. This procedure assures that changes receive proper clearance with all parties involved, and that costs are established and approved before changes are completed.
- Remodeling Approval. All remodeling must be cleared with the Office of Plant Management before any work is performed.
Bicycle racks are located throughout the campus for the convenience of bicycle riders. Locking bicycles inside buildings (including porches and entranceways) is prohibited.
Bicycles are not to be fastened to light poles, trees, shrubbery, stair rails, etc. Bicycles fastened in a prohibited location will be confiscated by Stockton Police.
Plant Management provides maintenance services to all elevators on campus free of charge except those in self-supporting departments or agencies.
The College has adopted an energy conservation policy that places some restrictions on operations, but on the whole seeks voluntary cooperation.
A concerted effort by students, staff and faculty will save monetary resources through more efficient operations and decreases in energy demand. Some areas where you can help in this effort are as follows:
- Look for ways to save energy: Shut off equipment when not in use, turn off unnecessary lights and fans and other electrical equipment, turn out lights in offices, classrooms, laboratories, etc., when these areas are not being used.
- Use lighting only when sunlight is insufficient to provide proper working environment, safety and/or security.
- Reduce lighting levels where possible. Plant Management is available to measure your lighting levels.
- Lower thermostat setting in winter; raise setting in summer.
- Wear appropriate clothing to compensate for lower temperatures in the winter and higher temperatures in the summer.
- Report leaking taps, broken windows, cracks and leaks, overheated rooms, and any other situation that wastes heat or energy.
- Utilize bicycles, walking and smaller vehicles.
- Limit usage of facilities during "off hours".
- Join a carpool.
- Use blinds and drapes to help insulate the building. Closed blinds and curtains on south and west exposures will help keep a building cool in the summer, while opened blinds or curtains will help warm the building. They should be closed at night to help insulate the building.
- Turn off power to cold rooms, environmental rooms, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, etc., and similar equipment when not in use.
- Suggest other ways to increase energy conservation.
Complete pest control services are rendered on a periodic schedule as a physical plant service to all buildings that are not self-supporting.
Service to self-supporting areas may be rendered as a departmental service.
Common sense dictates that everyone take all possible precautions against fire. The New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act (NJUFSA) and the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (NJUCC) and Fire Protection Sub-Codes require that all buildings and premises be kept free of extraneous combustible materials at all times.
Fire Standpipes, Extinguishers, Detection and Alarm Systems
Plant Management services those units in mechanical equipment areas and unassigned general use spaces that are not unique to a specific department. There is no charge-back to the department.
All self-supporting areas and special equipment are handled as a departmental service.
- SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in all College buildings. If you smoke outside, extinguish cigarettes and matches before discarding. Do not smoke around flammables.
- ELECTRICAL: Do not overload circuits. Keep wiring in good condition. Avoid the use of extension cords.
- RUBBISH: Clear it out of all areas daily.
- OIL RAGS: Keep stored in tightly closed metal cans or hang up with plenty of air space.
- CORRIDORS, STAIRWAYS AND EXITS: Keep clear. Do not store anything in corridors and stairways. See that exit signs are maintained.
- FLAMMABLE & EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS & CHEMICALS: Do not use or store in labs or other occupied areas in large quantities. Where small quantities are used, they should be secured in a definite place and prominently marked as flammable, explosive or otherwise hazardous. A fire inspection is made by the Fire Marshal on a regular basis.
Regular office and classroom furniture (including normal laboratory furniture) is maintained by the Plant Management Department. Specialized furniture used in research departments is the property of the department concerned and is not maintained except on a departmental service basis.
The NAMS Science Laboratory coordinates and is best equipped to handle the disposal of hazardous materials. Plant Management urges everyone planning to dispose of potentially hazardous materials to contact the NAMS Science Laboratory for assistance.
The College has assigned Plant Management the responsibility for the control of all keys and locks on campus. The following regulations apply:
- Keys for College buildings, offices and other facilities as required will be issued by the Plant Management Department to staff members or students only upon presentation of a work order signed by the department head, dean or director. Requests for master keys must be signed by the appropriate department head and approved by the Vice President of Administration and Finance. Keys are issued on the recommendation of an appropriate administrator in order to facilitate the program for which the administrator is responsible. Thus, it becomes the responsibility of administrators who recommend the issuance of keys to ensure that the keys are used properly, and that they are returned upon the termination of service of the persons to whom they have been issued, where the need for the key no longer exists, or upon the request of the Director of Plant Management.
- Work orders requesting keys shall include the name of the individual receiving the key, the rooms for which keys are requested, and all necessary authorization signatures. Requests should be submitted to Plant Management at least five days prior to pick up of keys to ensure availability. Keys may be signed for and picked up in Plant Management between 7:30 AM and 4 PM weekdays by the individual so authorized.
- To ensure the maximum degree of security possible, the number of building master keys issued must be restricted. Building master keys will be limited to appropriate members of the administration, deans, directors, department heads, and appropriate staff members.
- There will be a $25 charge for each lost key and for each key not returned upon termination. Where advisable, and with the mutual agreement of Plant Management and the College or division, locks shall be rekeyed whenever a key is lost or not returned upon termination. The individual responsible for the keys of the specific departments involved (or the department itself) shall pay rekeying costs in addition to the lost key charges. Departments shall bear the cost of rekeying locks when staff members or students who have been issued keys through their department terminate and do not return their keys.
- Students who have been issued keys must return them and receive clearance from the Plant Management Department before class credit will be released from the Office of Student Records.
- Staff members who are terminating employment must complete a checkout with the Human Resources Office. This will include clearance from Stockton Police, the Inventory Clerk, Library, Plant Management (Locksmith Section) and approval by their dean or director.
Mail services for the College are handled by the Office of Administrative Services.
Maps, Building Plans, and Project Requests
The Office of Facilities Planning is responsible for all campus maps, building plans and new projects. If you are in need of services of this nature, please call Facilities Planning at extension 4281.
Moving of Furniture and Equipment
If furniture or equipment is simply relocated within a room, a work order is all that is required. Moving to another room or building requires a Property Transfer Request ("green sheet") from the Central Stores Section or from Stockton's website. These services may be rendered on a departmental basis.
Although Plant Management is responsible for the overall physical plant operations, it is the responsibility of each department head to see that personnel, materials and equipment within the area are in compliance with College, State and federal policies and procedures. Department heads are responsible for the overall safety and security of their areas.
Occupational, Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
College employees must comply with the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act (PL1983, C516).
Contractors' work practices and student activities are regulated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Maintenance painting is done on a scheduled basis as a Plant Management service. Painting generally follows a three, five and ten-year cycle. Painting done not in accordance with this schedule or done to change color only will be rendered as a departmental service.
Passageways must be kept clear and fire doors must not be blocked open. For obvious reasons, all stairways, corridors and passageways shall be kept free from loose material and debris.
For a number of years the official policy of the College has been that pets are not allowed on campus. However, this policy is apparently not known to a great number of people in the community or there is a disregard for the policy. Bringing pets onto the campus and into buildings has created a sanitation and housekeeping problem that cannot continue. We solicit your assistance in helping us improve this situation. Please make off-campus arrangements for the care of your pets while you are on campus. Animals, except for guide animals, are not allowed on campus or in the buildings. Owners will be asked to remove animals from the campus. Strays will be turned over to an animal shelter.
The Plant Management Department runs a schedule of routine preventive maintenance checks on doors, windows, roofs, hardware, refrigeration, air conditioning, plumbing, ventilation, electrical requirements, and all other devices proprietary to campus buildings or departmental activities. Defects or deficiencies found in equipment belonging to departmental activities are reported to the department along with an estimate of the cost of repairs.
Recycling/Solid Waste Disposal
- Routine disposal is provided as a physical plant service on a six-day-a-week basis for all container areas and lots on campus, except for self-supporting departments and agencies.
- Unscheduled pick-up or discarding of materials requiring special attention can be requested from Plant Management, but they will be handled as a departmental service.
- The College operates a recycling program for paper, newspaper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, light metals, oil, batteries, tires, asphalt, concrete, prunings, grass clippings, and some food waste. Containers are provided at various locations on campus.
Rental Alarm Systems/Telephone Service
All telephone services and repairs to rental alarm systems are handled via Plant Management.
Because they can be easily damaged, College building roofs are off limits for setting up experiments or for any other use other than Plant Management construction and maintenance. Only authorized personnel are permitted on roofs of College buildings. All individuals must obtain permission from Plant Management before being on the roof of a College building.
Safety and security is provided by Stockton Police, extension 4390 (extension 4444 for emergencies). Like Plant Management, these services are generally rendered free of charge and are to ensure the safety of College personnel and students, buildings, grounds and equipment. However, it is the primary responsibility of the individual department head to ensure that those areas under his or her control meet standard operating levels of safety and security.
Scheduling of Special Services
Since Plant Management must normally reschedule work and personnel and/or work shifts to handle special events, it is imperative that staff be given as much lead time as possible for setups, etc. For events such as blood drives, concerts, picnics, etc., Plant Management should receive all information a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. Failure to provide adequate lead time may result in our inability to service your event.
Temporary signs, banners, posters, or other types of signs advertising College events are permitted with restrictions. They may not be attached to the exterior or interior of any building except at designated locations. Outside signs may be displayed on the campus directional signs provided at various locations on the campus for that purpose. Free-standing signs may be placed on campus grounds with the approval of the Director of Plant Management or his designee. Trees, signs or lamp posts shall not be used for the display of signs, posters, etc.
Displays on building interiors must be confined to bulletin boards or similar areas provided for that purpose. Taping signs or other displays to walls, doors, railings, balconies or similar interior structures causes damage and is therefore prohibited.
Climbing of utility poles carrying electricity and/or communication cables is extremely dangerous and should never be done.
Permission and possible assistance must be obtained from the Director of Plant Management and the Office of Student Affairs.
All displays must be promptly and completely removed by the department sponsoring that event after the event is over, or Plant Management will remove and indicate this as a departmental service. For additional information, see College Policy VI-88.
Solutions to Stormwater Pollution
Pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the ocean and lakes. Find out how you can help keep Stockton's water systems clean by viewing our informative brochure in Adobe PDF format below.
View/Download Brochure in PDF format
Prior to discarding any materials and equipment that belong to the College, they first must be cleared through the Purchasing Department. Potentially useful items will either be stored or placed in the salvage yard and will become part of the College's general supplies.
Responsibility for the control of all College vehicles is assigned to the Director of Plant Management. Selected vehicles have been allocated by the Director of Plant Management to specific departments. These allocations carry a priority for advance scheduling of the vehicle by the department. However, the time limit on this advance scheduling is one week. Reservations for those vehicles with less than a week's notice and others not assigned to specific units will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
College-owned vehicles are to be used, if available, for all College travel within the State. The use of personal vehicles for College travel is not advisable. Applicable sections of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Travel Regulations apply to the operation and use of College-owned vehicles (Travel Regulations are available from the Office of Administrative Services).
The College has a mechanic on duty from 7:30 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays. However, if mechanical services for emergencies or road service are required, you can obtain these services by calling Stockton Police 24 hours daily at 652-4390, and they will notify appropriate Plant Management personnel.
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