Questions and Answers
Why is the University considering the possibility of outsourcing facilities management services?
The University has maintained a good faith commitment to a thorough review of the information and to our engagement in this initiative until we have been presented the necessary, valid information for making an informed decision whether to opt in or out.
What specific services are subject to being outsourced?
Facilities management services: Maintenance, landscaping and janitorial.
What are the decision factors?
As with every decision, a cost-benefit analysis will examine effectiveness and quality compared to cost. Along with projected savings, quality and care of the workforce are key factors.
Is there a benchmark or a minimum savings that must be achieved for a campus to decide to use outsourced services?
No
Have any campuses already reached decisions?
Leaders at each campus are now evaluating the proposals received. They will make decisions after careful and thorough review and evaluation of the information.
When will all decisions be made?
Upon conclusion of careful thorough evaluation of proposals. No date has yet been determined.
Aren’t decisions supposed to be presented to the Board of Trustees? When does that happen?
Chancellors must present their decisions on whether to use any or no outsourced services to a joint meeting of the UT Board of Trustees’ Finance and Administration Committee and the Subcommittee on Efficiency and Cost Savings at a date yet to be determined.
If a campus contracts with JLL, what happens to current University employees doing that work? Will they be let go by the University or hired by JLL?
No current, productive employee will lose his or her job solely because of a contract. The service provider will include language prohibiting a reduction in force at any time during the contract period.
If former employees are hired by JLL, what will happen to their pay and benefits? When would that happen? What guarantees are there for impacted employees?
Current employees transitioning to JLL will receive similar pay and benefits as they do now.
Can a campus refuse to use outsourced services?
Chancellors must present their decisions on whether to use any or no outsourced services to a joint meeting of the UT Board of Trustees’ Finance and Administration Committee and the Subcommittee on Efficiency and Cost Savings at a date yet to be determined.
Opposition has been stated publicly from various sources. Can’t the University just decline across the board?
The University has maintained a good faith commitment to a thorough review of the information and to our engagement in this initiative until we have been presented the necessary, valid information for making an informed decision whether to opt in or out.