Facilities teams in higher education are being asked to do more than ever: control costs, modernize infrastructure, elevate the student experience, and advance sustainability, often with limited resources.

These challenges may feel daunting, but they also open the door to smarter, more strategic approaches. Here are four interconnected goals shaping facilities strategy for campuses in 2025.

1. Maximizing Tight Budgets

Operations and maintenance are the second-largest expense after salaries. To make every dollar count, institutions are turning to tools like digital twins, predictive analytics, and integrated work order systems. These approaches help teams prioritize repairs, extend asset life, and plan capital projects more strategically.

2. Optimizing Energy Costs

U.S. campuses spend more than $6 billion annually on energy, one of their most controllable costs. Variations are enormous: a research lab may use nearly twice the energy of academic offices. Submeters, building automation, and energy management platforms provide the granular insight leaders need to cut waste, manage costs, and support decarbonization goals.

3. Elevating the Student Experience

Students view themselves as customers, and facilities are central to their perception of value. Comfort, safety, and modern design all matter. Tech-forward upgrades can strengthen recruitment and retention, provided they’re implemented thoughtfully, with minimal disruption to daily life.

4. Meeting Sustainability Goals

Sustainability has become a defining part of institutional identity. Visible progress: solar canopies, real-time energy dashboards, and low-carbon renovations build trust among students, alumni, and funders. It’s no longer enough to set goals; campuses must show tangible results that align with their values.

The New Role of Facilities Leaders

When budgets, energy, experience, and sustainability align, the impact is powerful. Efficiency unlocks savings. Sustainability enhances reputation. Technology extends asset life. Together, these factors make facilities a lever for resilience and competitiveness, not just maintenance.

Facilities leaders are not just keeping operations afloat; they are shaping their institutions' long-term value and credibility.

We can show you how to turn goals like these into action – Download the full white paper today to translate your institution’s energy efficiency into cost savings, operational reliability, and a stronger institutional future.