Departments

Vice President

The Vice President is responsible for the design, maintenance, and acquisition of all buildings, grounds, and public spaces on campus. Facilities and Real Estate Services is a service provider for the Penn community and external vendors for event planning, leasing, architectural or landscape services, operations, and ongoing maintenance of campus. The Vice President oversees all of the departmental functions, as well as communications and legal services for the Division.

The Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services is comprised of the following Departments:

• Administration
• Design and Construction
• Real Estate
• Office of the University Architect
• Operations and Maintenance

Administration

The Administration department is responsible for Finance and Business Planning, Information Technology, and Human Resources. Responsibilities include management of the capital planning and approval process for the University, financial planning and analysis, evaluation of accounting treatments for our real estate and development transactions, payroll, purchasing transactions, and capital accounting for design and construction projects. The Department also supports the Division’s technology needs, employment, and human resource functions.

Design and Construction

The Design and Construction department implements the University’s capital plan for new construction and renovation of existing properties. The team works closely with the Schools and Centers, design teams, and contractors to ensure that capital projects are completed on time and on budget, while meeting the quality level expectations of the University. The Project Managers lead the Schools and Centers through the budget approval process, design, procurement, and construction of these capital improvement projects.

Real Estate

The Real Estate department is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and operation of the non-academic property for the University. The primary centers within the Department are Real Estate Development, Retail, Off-Campus Housing, Office Leasing, and Third Party Leasing. Core disciplines include acquisition and disposition of assets, development partnerships in residential, mixed use and office, operations of real estate holdings and office leasing for academic schools and centers. Working in conjunction with other FRES departments, Real Estate implements urban land development and planning that increases the quality of life for Penn and its surrounding community.

Office of the University Architect

The Office of the University Architect is responsible for the oversight of the design, physical development, and preservation of University facilities, including off-campus facilities (Morris Arboretum and the New Bolton Center for Veterinary Medicine). The University Architect oversees the University’s design review process, campus planning, and designer selection, as well as zoning and accessibility requirements. The staff in the Department also facilitates the Capital Plan, oversees landscape design and improvements, signage, and sustainability efforts for the University. The Department is responsible for tracking and maintaining all space data, such as floor plans, square feet, and departmental areas for the University.

Operations and Maintenance

Operations and Maintenance sustains the University’s resources by providing maintenance and repair of existing Facilities infrastructure. The Department also manages campus-wide energy related initiatives, provides technical support to construction projects and service contracts, and services for special events.