We follow the construction spend rate of the US education industry; using the US Census Bureau Construction Spending figures released the first day of every month.
We encourage our colleagues in the education facilities industry to respond to Census Bureau-retained data gathering contractors in order to contribute to the accuracy of the report.
Congratulations to @MaumeeHS band members Bridget Braithwaite and Henry Herman for being invited to perform in this year’s BGSU Honor Band. They performed in a concert on Saturday, November 22, at BGSU’s Kobacker Hall. pic.twitter.com/qYjPE1KwCs
Status check on the catalog of best practice titles covering the management of education community snow and ice management during the coldest months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Frederick Bourchier Taylor (1906-1987) Hockey On Henri Julien Street At Pine Avenue East, Montreal 1948
An overview of public commenting opportunities on proposed standards for sports and recreation equipment and athletic facilities. Send email to bella@standardsmichigan.com for access to the agenda.
US Wintersport Traditions:
Basketball: Basketball is one of the most popular NCAA winter sports. The season typically starts in November and runs through March, culminating in the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, commonly known as March Madness.
Wrestling: Wrestling is another winter sport in the NCAA. The wrestling season usually begins in November and extends through the NCAA Wrestling Championships, which take place in March.
Indoor Track and Field: Indoor track and field competitions take place during the winter months, with athletes competing in various events such as sprints, distance races, jumps, and throws.
Gymnastics: Collegiate gymnastics competitions are held during the winter and early spring months. Both men’s and women’s teams compete in events such as floor exercise, vault, uneven bars, parallel bars, and rings.
Ice Hockey: Ice hockey is a winter sport in the NCAA, with the season typically starting in October or November and continuing into the early months of the following year. Both men’s and women’s teams participate in NCAA ice hockey competitions.
Skiing: Skiing competitions, including alpine and Nordic events, are part of NCAA winter sports. Athletes compete in skiing disciplines such as slalom, giant slalom, and cross-country.
Swimming and Diving: Swimming and diving competitions take place during the winter months. Athletes participate in various swimming events and diving disciplines, with the season culminating in NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Bowling: Bowling is considered a winter sport in the NCAA, with competitions taking place during the winter and early spring.
Congratulations to the cast, musicians & creative team of Love’s Labour’s Lost, our most recent Jesus College Shakespeare Project production. This version relocated to Oxford in 1974 & forms part of our ongoing celebrations of 50 years of co-education at Jesus. It was fantastic! pic.twitter.com/ZU0dXlOdYD
With emphasis on OB-GYN because educational settlements are where families begin and grow among the young.
Many research universities have large medical research and clinical delivery enterprises that provide significant revenue. We periodically scan public consultations for literature that sets the standard of care for the facilities and technologies in these enterprises in education communities.
Famous People Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante
Periodic walk-through of Human Resource best practice catalog for labor markets generally; and units within the education facility industry specifically. We inform our discussion based upon today’s release on the Employment Situation Summary from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For an advance agenda send a request to bella@stanardsmichigan.com. Use the credentials at the upper right of our home page to log in.
Alone is where the magic happens…apparently although I got so bored. This 10 mile run was the first time I’ve ran double digits since October 2021! The last two miles felt dreadful however, it’s done. I’m now going to smash a 🍕 #ukrunchat#trainingpic.twitter.com/fUP43c5yGi
Illumination technologies have had a pattern of consuming about 35 percent of building electrical energy use. That number has been pressed downward with the expanded application of LED luminaires and occupant responsive controls; much of the transformation hastened by the IEEE, IES and ASHRAE best practice catalogs.
Today we run through the development status of these products with specific interest in exterior illumination best practice. This topic also is covered in the 4 time monthly meetings of the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee.
Today we explain our collaboration with other education settlements in the US and other nations. We conform to participation requirements set by ANSI US Technical Advisory Groups to the International Organization for Standardization but we also have liaison with other universities in the European Union who conform to the participation requirements of their own national standards bodies.
The ULS Kids Heart Challenge (K-4) and the American Heart Challenge (5-8) have officially kicked off! Our school is proud to support the American Heart Association and help kids with special hearts! Register today to participate. https://t.co/3N9M24IxlTpic.twitter.com/zTpgSQ7SOe
“Rare Old Stingo” 1910 | Thomas Benjamin Kennington (1856-1916), Stingo is a type of strong ale originating in the north of England, usually paired with game meats, beef or strong flavour food TGIFhttps://t.co/KXX0HYoacjpic.twitter.com/Qg1tHIPoRY
Overview of codes and standards relevant to the food service enterprises in K-12 schools, college and university student housing, athletic venues and university-affiliated healthcare systems.
No matter when you were last on the Hilltop, we bet you have an answer for this year’s Valentine’s Day poll: What experience did you ❤️ at St. George’s? pic.twitter.com/Ss0B5FGLCh
Remarkable. Higher birthrate = Higher Republican votes. Generous pro-family policies should be on the Democratic agenda from now on. pic.twitter.com/l9O8sDRqGS
Elon Musk: “The amount of indoctrination that’s happening in schools and universities is, I think, far beyond what parents realize.”pic.twitter.com/cNb3JESlTJ
Yes, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) maintains model (also called pro forma or standard) electric interconnection agreements as part of its regulations under the Federal Power Act. These serve as templates that FERC-jurisdictional transmission providers (e.g., utilities owning interstate transmission, RTOs/ISOs like PJM, MISO) must incorporate into their Open Access Transmission Tariffs (OATTs), with limited deviations allowed only if justified.These models primarily apply to generator interconnections (new generation resources connecting to the grid), not directly to large loads like data centers. Interconnection of large loads (e.g., gigawatt-scale data centers) is generally handled at the state level under local utility tariffs, though FERC has jurisdiction over wholesale aspects and is exploring reforms for large loads via recent DOE directives and proceedings.Key FERC Model/Pro Forma Interconnection AgreementsFERC has established standardized agreements through orders over the years (e.g., Order No. 2003 for large generators, Order No. 2006 for small, and major updates in Order No. 2023 and clarifications in 2023-A). The main ones are:
Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) — For generating facilities >20 MW. This is the pro forma LGIA (Standard Large Generator Interconnection Agreement), attached as Appendix 6 to the pro forma Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP). It covers terms for interconnection service, network upgrades, cost allocation, milestones, liability, termination, and more.
Current version reflects updates through Order No. 845-A (2019) and subsequent reforms in Order No. 2023 (2023).
Available on FERC’s website (e.g., as a PDF with revision history).
Small Generator Interconnection Agreement (SGIA) — For generating facilities ≤20 MW. This is the pro forma SGIA (Standard Small Generator Interconnection Agreement), used under the Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP). It includes provisions for parallel operation, inspection/testing, cost responsibility, termination, and disconnection.
Updated via orders like Order No. 828 (2016).
FERC provides the full text as a downloadable PDF.
These pro forma agreements are not one-size-fits-all “model” contracts for every scenario but standardized templates that transmission providers must adopt (or substantially follow) to ensure non-discriminatory, just, and reasonable interconnection processes. Transmission providers file compliance revisions to their tariffs incorporating these, and FERC approves or modifies them. Interconnection customers can negotiate specifics, but core terms remain standardized.Relevance to Large Loads/Data Centers
FERC’s models focus on generation (e.g., solar, wind, batteries interconnecting as resources).
For large loads like data centers, no dedicated FERC pro forma interconnection agreement exists yet. Load interconnections are typically state-regulated (e.g., via utility special contracts or tariffs, as in the DTE Saline case under Michigan PSC).
However, recent developments include:
DOE’s October 2025 directive to FERC to initiate rulemaking for accelerating large-load interconnections (e.g., joint load-generation requests, reduced study times).
Ongoing discussions in FERC proceedings (e.g., referencing Order No. 2023’s generator reforms as a model for potential load-side changes).
No finalized large-load-specific pro forma agreement as of February 2026.
If you’re asking in the context of a data center’s grid connection (e.g., the Saline project), the relevant agreement would likely be a state-level special contract or utility tariff, not a FERC pro forma LGIA/SGIA—unless the data center co-locates generation or involves wholesale market participation triggering FERC jurisdiction.FERC posts the current pro forma documents on its Generator Interconnection page, including PDFs of the LGIA and SGIA. Let me know if you’d like details on specific articles, recent updates, or how these might apply/analogize to large-load scenarios!
The primary NFPA standard that deals with data center fire safety is NFPA 75: Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment.
Current edition: 2024 (as of February 2026).
Scope: It covers the protection of information technology (IT) equipment and IT equipment areas (including data centers, server rooms, and computer facilities) from fire damage and associated effects such as smoke, corrosion, heat, and water.
Key requirements include:
Fire risk assessments to evaluate scenarios, probabilities, and consequences.
Building construction (e.g., fire-resistant separations with minimum 1-hour ratings, protected openings).
Location restrictions (away from hazardous processes, access controls).
Fire detection (e.g., early warning smoke detection compliant with NFPA 72).
Suppression systems (e.g., pre-action sprinklers, clean-agent gaseous systems like those in NFPA 2001 to minimize water damage to sensitive equipment).
Materials (e.g., flame-spread limits for cabling, raised floors, and enclosures).
Emergency procedures, signage, and maintenance.
It allows performance-based designs (in addition to prescriptive rules) for flexibility in modern data centers, especially with high-density AI/compute loads.
NFPA 75 is the minimum requirement referenced in many building and fire codes for data centers to achieve compliance, avoid penalties, and secure insurance/occupancy approvals. Local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) often enforce it by reference.Related Standard: NFPA 76
NFPA 76: Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities (also 2024 edition) provides similar but distinct requirements for facilities providing public telecommunications services (e.g., telephone, data/internet transmission, wireless, video to the public).
It overlaps with data centers that include telecom/public network elements (e.g., requiring Very Early Warning Fire Detection in larger areas).
Many hyperscale or colocation data centers reference both NFPA 75 and NFPA 76, depending on the mix of private IT vs. public telecom equipment.
In practice:
Pure private data centers (e.g., enterprise or cloud provider IT-focused) primarily follow NFPA 75.
Telecom-heavy or hybrid facilities incorporate NFPA 76 elements.
No single NFPA standard covers all aspects of data center safety exclusively (e.g., battery energy storage systems fall under NFPA 855, and general building life safety under NFPA 101), but NFPA 75 is the core one for IT equipment fire protection in data centers.
Recent discussions (e.g., in NFPA Journal articles) note that NFPA 75 has not fully kept pace with rapid changes in AI-driven hyperscale data centers (e.g., extreme densities, liquid cooling), leading to calls for updates, but it remains the governing standard. For the latest details or interpretations, check the official NFPA site or consult a fire protection engineer/AHJ, as compliance often ties into local codes and standards like TIA-942 for infrastructure.
“Prometheus creating Man in the presence of Athena” (1802) / Jean-Simon Berthélemy
Our periodic review of all consensus, consortia and open source codes, standards and regulations the set the standard of care for fire safety in education settlements.
Mason Hall South Entrance NOW | University of Michigan
Standards of beauty for building entrances in architecture emphasize creating a welcoming, harmonious, and memorable first impression. Core principles draw from timeless design tenets like proportion, scale, balance, and emphasis, ensuring the entrance feels appropriately sized relative to the overall structure and surroundings—neither overwhelming nor insignificant.
A beautiful entrance often features symmetry or thoughtful asymmetry for visual harmony, grand yet human-scaled elements like arches, columns, porticos, or recessed doorways that add depth and shelter. Materials matter: high-quality doors (glass for transparency, wood for warmth, or metal for modernity) combined with textures that complement the building’s style create tactile and visual appeal.
Ultimately, beauty arises from blending functionality (accessibility, security, weather protection) with emotional impact: an entrance that feels inviting, ordered, and reflective of the building’s purpose or cultural context.
Mason Hall South Entrance IMPROVED | University of Michigan
There are written fine arts standards that have been developed by various organizations and educational bodies. These standards provide a framework for what students should know and be able to do in the arts at different grade levels. Here are a few examples of fine arts standards:
National Core Arts Standards: The National Core Arts Standards were developed by the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards and outline what students should know and be able to do in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts at different grade levels.
State Fine Arts Standards: Many states have their own fine arts standards that are aligned with the National Core Arts Standards but may be tailored to reflect the unique needs and priorities of the state; e.g., State of Ohio Fine Art Standards
International Baccalaureate Arts Standards: The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers arts standards as part of their curriculum framework for the arts. These standards are designed to develop students’ creative and critical thinking skills in the arts.
Today at 15:00 UTC we drill into the technical specifics that contribute to the safety and sustainability of spaces used for the teaching, practice and
display of the fine arts. These occupancies are typically at greater risk than classrooms because they usually contain volatile fluids for artistic painting
or biologic specimen preservation, kilns for pottery, fabrics and related machinery for teaching fashion design and practice.
Good morning friends! Here’s a little painting I did that was inspired by my solo camping trips in Wyoming & Montana.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
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