How facilities management strengthens campus safety at the University of Tampa

What does it take to create an award-winning campus environment?

Commercial street sweeper cleaning a pedestrian walkway beside landscaped grounds and residential buildings At the University of Tampa, it’s a culture — lived and fostered by the facilities management team every day.

That culture recently earned Sodexo’s University of Tampa facilities team the Campus Unit Safety Excellence Award, recognizing their dedication to Zero Harm and operational excellence.

We spoke with Resident District Manager Anthony Simmarano to understand what sets their approach apart — and what other universities can learn from it.

A partnership model

Facilities management at the University of Tampa goes far beyond traditional service delivery. Sodexo operates as a fully integrated partner, embedded into the campus ecosystem and working hand in hand with university stakeholders.

“We’re not just a contractor providing a service — we’re part of the University of Tampa community,” Simmarano explains, “We serve both Sodexo and the university. It’s a true partnership.”

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6000
Assets
4 million
Square feet of campus
200
Employees
15
Managers across disciplines

That partnership spans a significant operational footprint.

The team manages more than 6,000 assets across 4 million square feet of campus, supported by over 200 employees and 15 managers across all disciplines. Their scope includes everything from HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems to custodial services, grounds, event support, central receiving, warehouse operations, building automation and project management.

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The scale of everyday excellence

Behind the scenes, the scale of facilities management is complex and when done well, largely invisible. On any given day, the team completes approximately 240 work orders, ranging from preventative maintenance to urgent reactive calls. Their custodial program alone maintains more than 3,000 cleaning points daily, covering everything from restrooms and hallways to common spaces, while also responding to unexpected needs across campus.

In addition, the team manages the receipt and delivery of roughly 300 packages per day, supports between eight and ten events with full setup and breakdown and fields around 350 calls and service requests through their call center. Facilities teams often become the central point of contact for campus needs, stepping in wherever support is required.

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If someone doesn’t know where to go, they come to us. We don’t say ‘we can’t’ — we figure it out.”

Anthony SimmaranoResident District Manager, University of Tampa, Sodexo Campus Facilities Management

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Zero harm in practice

Sodexo’s safety philosophy is built on a simple but powerful framework: Zero Harm. At its core are three essential checks —

Do I know how to do the job?
Is my environment safe?
Do I have the right tools?

“If you approach everything that way, you reduce risk across the board,” Simmarano says.

This mindset is reinforced through daily safety huddles, ongoing training and a culture that encourages open communication and accountability. Employees are empowered to speak up if something doesn’t feel safe, reinforcing the understanding that safety is a shared responsibility.

Creating a culture of ownership

Building a strong safety culture starts with leadership, and it’s sustained through trust and engagement at every level. For Simmarano, that means redefining leadership.

“I don’t see myself as a boss. I’m a support function. My job is to make sure my team has what they need to succeed,” he says.

This approach fosters a deep sense of ownership across the team, where employees understand the value of their work and how it contributes to the broader operation.

“People want to feel like their work matters,” he added, “when they do, they perform at a higher level.”

How safety drives performance

A strong safety culture not only prevents incidents, but enhances the campus experience.

“There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re in a safe environment,” says Simmarano.

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When staff don't have to monitor and manage their environment, they are more engaged and effective in their own responsibilities. For students, a safe and well-maintained campus creates a sense of security and belonging. For university leaders, this translates into improved operational reliability, reduced risk and greater confidence in their facilities partner.

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Proactive safety through innovation

A key differentiator in Tampa’s approach is the shift from reactive to proactive facilities management. With building automation and Internet of Things-enabled systems, Sodexo technicians can identify and address potential issues before they impact the campus community — and long before they become costly problem.

This proactive model reduces downtime, prevents damage and enhances the overall campus experience.

Looking ahead, plans are underway to expand building automation capabilities, add resources to accelerate system integration and explore the development of an in-house construction function to support the university’s ongoing expansion.

As the University of Tampa continues to grow, Sodexo is positioned to grow alongside it, strengthening a partnership that has spanned decades.

The value of integrated facilities management

The impact of an integrated facilities management approach is felt across every corner of campus.

As an integrated facilities management partner, Sodexo brings together trusted expertise, established systems and proven processes to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes. From rigorous vendor safety protocols to access to industry-leading safety resources, the model reduces complexity and risk for institutions.

“When clients know we operate safely, it’s one less thing they have to worry about,” Simmarano explains.

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See how Sodexo helps campuses perform at their best.

From day-to-day operations to long-term planning, the right facilities management partnership can empower institutions to unlock more efficient operations and a better campus experience.

Reach your potential

Get the full picture of campus care

Download the Comprehensive Campus Care Insights Report to see what the data reveals about how a well-maintained campus shapes enrollment, belonging and retention — and how an integrated approach to facilities connects everyday cleaning, grounds, and building operations into a single strategy for keeping students. You'll come away a clearer view of where campus care can move the numbers that matter most on your campus.

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How facilities management strengthens campus safety at the University of Tampa

A partnership model

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6000

4 million

200

15

That partnership spans a significant operational footprint.

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The scale of everyday excellence

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If someone doesn’t know where to go, they come to us. We don’t say ‘we can’t’ — we figure it out.”

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Zero harm in practice

Creating a culture of ownership

How safety drives performance

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Loading component...

Proactive safety through innovation

The value of integrated facilities management

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See how Sodexo helps campuses perform at their best.

Get the full picture of campus care

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A partnership model

6000

4 million

200

15

That partnership spans a significant operational footprint.

The scale of everyday excellence

If someone doesn’t know where to go, they come to us. We don’t say ‘we can’t’ — we figure it out.”

Zero harm in practice

Creating a culture of ownership

How safety drives performance

Proactive safety through innovation

The value of integrated facilities management

How integrated facilities management can drive student success