Make the Difference

Sample Submitted Suggestions

Generate Revenue
  • Lease first floor of Boone Center Faculty Club to quality restaurant, renovate to suit, and charge for utilities; construct a second story for large conference room/meeting areas.
  • E-bay type auction site for UK Surplus items could broaden exposure and increase revenue
  • Make “last day to add” and “last day to drop” a class the same day; would fill classes.
  • Create and rent patient family sleeping quarters when new UK Hospital Bed Tower is complete
  • Expand UK’s online degree program to U of Phoenix level
  • Conduct a clinical trial of Kleenex brand antibacterial tissues at UK Hospital.
  • Grow and sell hay on unused UK farm land.
  • Allow employees to purchase additional vacation time
  • Sell UK Identification badge reels at UK hospital
Budget Savings
  • Before sending equipment/furniture/office supply items to Surplus, use http://notes.crms.uky.edu/bigbluetransfer.nsf to make items available to other UK departments
  • Stop printing payroll stubs
  • Make cash transmittal, DAV and JAV process electronic
  • Control access to office supply cabinet/closet will reduce office supply pilfering
  • Set default to “fast-draft” print to reduce inkjet cartridge/toner use.
  • Save paper. Use 2-sided printing option; print draft copies on scrap paper; reduce fonts; require vendors to upgrade new software systems to conserve paper use (example: consumer prescription info, patient information sheets)
  • Ask recipients to turn name-badge holders in after event
  • Have UK’s designers provide sample pallets of color coordinated paint, trim and carpet schemes for departments making renovation decisions. (ADOPTED)
  • Quarterly survey departments for unused phone and computer lines, disconnect
  • Replacing some land-lines with cell-phones may reduce departmental costs
  • Provide tools to help UK travelers make better use of UK’s tax exempt status when making UK purchases while traveling
  • Frequent Flyer miles should accrue to UK if flight is authorized UK travel
Electronic Efficiency
  • Maximize use of electronic conferencing for district meetings, saving time and travel costs
  • Install “scrub” uniform dispensing machine to reduce uniform loss/theft
  • Replace paper version of UK News with electronic version; send Microsoft Access reports, employee open-enrollment benefit package, and all UK newsletters/magazines electronically
  • Establish policy/procedure to require mass e-mails to faculty/staff be authorized, collected and edited by UK Public Relations, and “sent” by them only once a week.
  • Provide web casts of all important UK ceremonies
  • Authorize use of electronic UK letterhead
  • Standardize academic course website URLs
  • Add US postal domestic mail-meter cards to UK Forms electronic version (ADOPTED)
  • Convert UK History video to online version and make available to all new employees (ADOPTED)
Energy

NOTE: Anytime temperature in work area is too hot/cold, or there are leaks, drips, or other building maintenance/energy-loss problems, any employee may report it at once to PPD’s work control center (Campus 257-3844, Medical Center 233-6281)

  • Turn out lights when leaving rooms/classrooms; install motion sensors, reminder stickers, etc.
  • Install energy efficient light fixtures throughout campus
  • Modify UK vehicles for use of bio-fuels, hydrogen, etc.
  • “Vending Miser” attachment on refrigerated vending machines will significantly reduce energy consumed during periods of non-use
  • Upgrade old Medical Center power plants when expanding to reduce future energy costs
  • Set computer so it defaults to “sleep” mode after 10 min. of non-use
  • Increase summer indoor temp. in all buildings
Parking and Transportation
  • Expand employee carpooling/mass-transportation/alternative options and incentives
  • Install system to count number of cars entering structures and display signs when lots/structures are full
  • Consider future use of monorails/moving sidewalks to enhance transport from outer parking areas
  • Reduce UK Hospital parking structure abuse by implementing plan similar to that implemented for Ky. Clinic garage
Safety/Security
  • Improve 911 emergency response time; create and post specific street addresses for all UK buildings
  • Provide mediators, conflict management training, etc., to reduce workplace conflict.
  • Reduce wheelchair theft via sensors, alarms, welded attachments; Install electronic/keyless building entry systems, security web-cams, etc. in buildings, parking and other key areas
  • Install caution signage, alter landscape, add traffic calming methods for better pedestrian safety (ADOPTED)
  • Pre-punched holes at top of IV cover bags will reduce risk of accidental punctures and hazardous spills (ADOPTED)
  • Separate lactation station and IV-preparation areas at NICU (ADOPTED)
Workplace Operations
  • Reduce frequency of printing a particular FRS report (ADOPTED)
  • Have department managers formally recognize/reward employee perfect attendance annually
  • Quarterly collaboration among all UK conference planning units may yield helpful tips for savings, excellence
  • Modify purchasing requirement for sole-source purchasing for UK Library (ADOPTED)
  • Streamline agency referral process via modifications in Patient and Family Services department (ADOPTED)
  • Sponsor a “wheelchair roundup” day once a month, gathering and returning wheelchairs to proper Hospital/Clinic units
  • Pocket multi-meter tool might improve efficiency for PPD building operators
  • Amend HR policy to allow transfer of unused Employee Education Credits to employee’s family members
  • Allow Make The Difference award recipients to designate their award to charity
Mail
  • Have UK mail center send mass mailed copies in bundles (no individual names on mailing labels) to departments so units won’t have to sort each piece individually
Customer Service
  • Add volume control device to customer courtesy phones at Ky. Clinic and Student Center visitor desks to help hearing impaired users. (ADOPTED)
  • Covered entrances to buildings improve appearance and functionality
  • Maps/directional signs needed at key locations (hospital, clinics, parking structures)
  • Drive-thru satellite pharmacy would aid Markey Cancer Center patients and others
  • Rent hand-held GPS campus maps to campus visitors
  • HR Division uniform shirt could aid in promoting UK as employer (ADOPTED)
Staffing
  • Cross-train department staff to resolve minor computer problems
  • Modify HR policy to allow flexibility in semester use of employee education credits (ADOPTED)
  • Provide a “Quiet Room” for staff use in UK Hospital/Ky. Clinic for relaxation/stress reduction