Michael Dupre, associate vice president for university facilities, has held a variety of positions in his 24 years at UB. He recently was named interim chair of the Environmental Task Force.

I understand you started at UB as a cleaner. Outline your rise through the ranks.
I began my service at UB in June of 1975 at age 25. I was hired as a cleaner at nights-my shift started at 11:30-and I reported to O'Brian Hall, which was the only academic building open on the North Campus. At the same time, I was pursuing an electrical technology degree, which ultimately helped me to be promoted to the Electric Shop. I spent a number of years in the trades as a journey-level person and then moved to various levels of supervision-Electric Shop supervision, senior trade supervision and so on. While at the senior level, I started thinking about where I wanted to be long-term. I'd always loved UB, so I knew that I wanted to be here, I just didn't have the credentials to go as far as I wanted. I resumed my education and obtained a bachelor of science degree. Since then, I've served in a number of senior facilities positions, then as the director of facilities. When Ron Naylor left, I was asked to take this position in the interim. But I didn't make myself a candidate for the permanent position during the first search. However, over time, I changed my mind. This was largely due to two factors. The people in facilities were very supportive and it was clear that many people wanted me to be successful. Additionally, during the course of the 1990s, facilities has gone through some very sizable budget reductions-about $7.5 million over the past nine years. In most areas, we're doing better than ever as far as work-order timeliness and customer satisfaction. There have been some areas where we've had a diminished level of service, but by and large, our customers are very satisfied. I think that speaks very well of the character of the people in the organization. I got to the point where I thought, how could I not want this position? I did a reversal and made myself a candidate for the associate vice president's job after being in the position in the interim for about a year.

What specific units do you oversee?
University Facilities is comprised of a number of departments. These include all the trade areas-these are people who repair the building systems-as well as utility crews, custodial, grounds, central stores, facilities planning and design, design and construction, fleet maintenance, warehousing, stockroom and occupational and environmental safety services. We're an organization of about 460 people.

Your planning and design unit has been busy lately.
We've had a tremendous workload over the past couple of years, mainly due to the demands of UB's capital program needs. The student-housing projects, in particular, are very demanding of staff resources. The student-housing projects are emanating out of Dennis Black's office in Student Affairs. We look at Student Affairs as our customer. Additionally, UB's five-year capital plan, which holds considerable promise for the university, requires much staff time and energy.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Making the system we work in work. The bureaucratic restraints, guidelines and policies of New York State are very encumbering.

The most rewarding?
The people I work with, both in facilities and in the university as a whole. Dealing with Dennis Black and his staff on the student housing has been an outstanding experience. It's helped develop the professional relationship between the two large units. The people I work with are great!

You're taking over as interim chair of the Environmental Task Force. How do you balance environmentally friendly policies with the needs of the institution?
As interim chair, I'll need to broker a relationship between the ETF and the issues of good environmental stewardship, and align them as best we can with the mission of the university. A pressing issue facing UB is recruitment and retention of students and staff, and campus appearance has a lot to do with it. The environmentally friendly thing to do is to let the dandelions grow, but does that help with campus beautification efforts? There is a desire by senior administration to be aggressive in our landscaping plans to make this campus look a lot more attractive. My role is, how do we do that in the most environmentally friendly way? How do you balance the views of the ETF with the needs of the university? How do you develop plans that both fulfill the desire of the institution and good environmental stewardship? To be blunt, it ain't going to be easy!

Hadley Village is now occupied; ground has been broken for South Lake Village; construction is continuing on the new math building. What's next, in terms of major capital projects?
Student Services Building. We're just going through the consultant-selection process to hire the design services. This facility will be a building on the north side of Capen. It's designed to be one-stop shopping for all student-support services-admissions, financial aid, etc. The completion of this facility will allow us to demolish Hayes A, B and C. Additionally, major capital investments will be made in Cary, Farber and Sherman to support the future needs of health affairs.

Tell me something about yourself that most people don't know, but should.
I'm a scuba diver. I love it! I've gone to Costa Rica, the Caymans, Turks and Caicos Islands, Honduras, Belize and St. Thomas. It's my avocation; pure escapism.