Blowers and vacuums have become ubiquitous in the equipment sheds of most university campuses today. We see these pieces of equipment in use for seasonal leaf, bloom, and seed clean up in spring and fall as well as litter clean up throughout the year and following events. They are often used for the seasonal chores to productively clean up sports field turf as well as the pedestrian and parking areas throughout the campus, to keep them looking their best. We're rounded up top productivity tips to consider when buying blowers and vacs.

Snow removal on a college campus is not just about clearing roads. It’s about protecting people, preserving infrastructure, managing budgets, and maintaining the reputation of the institution. In many ways, a campus’s snow removal plan is one of the clearest examples of how well outdoor environments are managed under pressure. The best programs are proactive rather than reactive, flexible rather than rigid, and rooted in both technology and experience.

On a college campus, the landscape speaks long before anyone does. Before a prospective student steps inside a residence hall, before parents sit down with admissions, and before alumni gather for homecoming, the lawns, walkways, and green spaces are already telling a story. That story reflects care, investment, and pride—and for private universities, it matters more than ever.

Winter brings demanding conditions that can quickly slow down operations on many college campuses, or in some cases bring things to a screeching halt. Worse, it can cause hazardous conditions for campus residents and commuters. Now is the time to get ahead of the snow by evaluating your campus equipment, investing in the tools you need, and planning ahead to avoid problems before freezing temperatures arrive.

When University of Hartford alumnus Kevin Grant, ’82, and his family decided to make a significant contribution to his alma mater, Kevin looked to his own lifelong passion: running.

Across the nation’s private colleges and universities, landscaping has evolved into both an art and a strategic investment—one that shapes student experience, recruitment, and retention. From immersive arboretums to biophilic learning landscapes, campuses are increasingly designed to blend architecture, sustainability, and wellness, creating environments that feel less like schools, and more like sanctuaries for the mind and body.