Chad Klaus
Photo by Denise Applewhite
Chad Klaus, a member of Princeton University's Facilities Organization staff for 11 years, has been named vice president for University Services. The newly created position is part of a realignment of the responsibilities within Facilities and University Services to strengthen the University's capacity to manage its facilities and provide critical services to members of the campus community. Klaus' appointment is effective Jan. 5.
Reporting to Executive Vice President Mark Burstein, Klaus will oversee University operations that provide daily services for faculty, staff and students. He also will serve as a member of the president's cabinet.
"I believe Chad will be an excellent vice president for University Services. His leadership of the University's efforts to revitalize residential college dining, implement the Housing Master Plan, and redesign our faculty and staff home ownership programs clearly illustrate he is ready for the challenges that lie ahead," Burstein said.
"Along with Assistant Vice President for University Services Paul Breitman and office directors, Chad will create an organization well positioned to build on the recent improvements in campus services," he added.
In his new role, Klaus supervises the offices of Conference and Event Services; Contract Management and Trademark Licensing; Dining Services; Frist Campus Center; Housing and Real Estate Services; Print and Mail Services; Richardson Auditorium; Transportation and Parking; University Scheduling; and Business, Marketing and Communications for University Services, including TigerCard and University Ticketing.
"I feel honored to be at Princeton and excited about the opportunity to work more closely with Mark, the senior administration and the talented University Services team to serve the campus," Klaus said. "I look forward to creating a new organization that supports Princeton's mission and enhances the daily quality of life for our faculty, students and staff by providing efficient and quality services that meet the diverse needs of our University community."
Klaus previously served as assistant vice president for facilities services, forging partnerships across the University to develop new programs and enhance campus services for faculty, staff and students.
His work included revamping the residential dining program to improve meal options and customer service, as well as co-leading the early arrival initiative to improve safety for returning undergraduates and better allocate University resources at the start of the academic year. He also helped oversee the Housing Master Plan to augment housing options for faculty, staff and graduate students — one of the strategic planning projects he will continue to be involved with in his new position.
Three of the four offices that Klaus oversaw in his former facilities services role — Conference and Event Services, Dining Services, and Housing and Real Estate Services — will move to University Services, while Building Services will remain within Facilities. The shift is part of a new organization plan announced in November that responds to the growth of both Facilities and University Services.
As part of the realignment, current Vice President for Facilities Michael McKay will continue to lead units within Facilities that are responsible for planning, operating and maintaining the University's physical space. Those offices remaining within Facilities are: the University Architect; Building Services; Design and Construction; Engineering; Facilities Finance and Administrative Services; Grounds and Building Maintenance; Life Safety and Security; Organizational Development and Planning, as well as Picus Associates, which manages the Forrestal Center for the University; Real Estate Development; and Sustainability.
Klaus came to Princeton in 2000 as director of customer service and quality improvement in Facilities. During that time he helped establish the Facilities Customer Service Center, a one-stop concept for requesting services. He also initiated customer and employee feedback mechanisms and worked to strengthen collaboration between departments.
A graduate of Oregon State University, Klaus previously worked in the facilities department there for nine years, ultimately serving as assistant director for marketing and customer service.