Lehigh University

For example, renovation projects, such as the ongoing revitalization of the Clayton University Center (CUC), underscore Lehigh’s commitment to enhancing student experiences and facilities. The student-focused center is slated to open for the Fall 2025 semester and is a fantastic renovation that will create a dynamic new environment for students. The CUC renovation, along with the many other changes coming to the university, is part of a larger 10-year strategic plan focusing on innovation, risk-taking, addressing important intellectual and societal challenges, and cultivating collaborations and partnerships that amplify Lehigh’s global and regional impact. “We’re still gathering information about how we’re going to prioritize strategic initiatives, but we have highly capable teams working on that and are pulling in subject matter experts to figure out how we’re going to implement those [changes] across campus,” says Director of Purchasing Services Jane Altemose. CAMPUS PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION Lehigh’s procurement practices revolve around a decentralized operating model. The university empowers departments with buying authority while providing guidance, tools, and technology for efficient procurement. However,a decentralized procurement model requires a high degree of collaboration and organization between both the university’s departments and its suppliers to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. According to Altemose, Lehigh’s Purchasing Services department has “a clearly defined business plan with goals and objectives that align to the university’s educational mission and strategic initiatives.” The university creates that alignment via open lines of communication and inclusion for stakeholders through meetings, campus updates, focus groups, and ongoing programmatic discussions. Partnerships with vendors are carefully cultivated, 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03