Campus to lose another custodian

By Barb Stephens · The Mainstream
Published November 3, 2009

The college is coming up short on custodial staff due to several employees retiring and others changing jobs. The former staff of 15 now includes only nine full time employees and one part time. Rulon Groo, the part time custodian, will also be leaving soon.

As employees left over the years, their positions were left vacant.

Currently, larger UCC buildings, such as the Student Center and Whipple Fine Arts, are cleaned each night by one custodian in one shift. The remaining eight custodial staff cover the rest of the campus.

Buchko assures students that the custodial and security teams are working diligently to keep the UCC campus safe and clean. “There are nine custodians working at UCC, and there is a surprisingly low turnover rate because the employees enjoy the atmosphere at UCC,” said Bucko.

Custodial workers were instructed by Buchko to concentrate on the tables, chairs and floors so that all buildings could be covered in an eight-hour shift with the reduced staff, although they do try to also include the chalkboards to help the instructors. The college has purchased stronger disinfectant and placed hand sanitizer in every building. Security lends a hand with the restrooms and classrooms, disinfecting light switches and door knobs. During special events, the security team is still responsible for maintaining campus safety but they also assist with campus health.

Janitors are using a long wand which they dip in disinfectant to clean classroom table surfaces or desktops.

“During the day, security teams frequently check the garbage cans around campus as well. The security team was responsible for security-related duties as well as custodial before the UCC population grew to the size it is now,” said Buchko.

According to Nancy Nowak, the president of the faculty union, “Umpqua Community College received a special recommendation for grounds and maintenance in 2005 which earned the college a commendation which stated that, ‘UCC has done a remarkable job of maintaining the beauty and functionality of the campus reflecting the great pride of staff and the wise use of limited funds.’” Nowak went on to say, “After forty years, the original campus facilities continue to be a great asset to the community. The college has maintained its beauty after all these years.”