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How facilities management strengthens campus safety at the University of Tampa
What does it take to create an award-winning campus environment?
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.”
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.
