Keep It Clean: UWM's Environmental Services Essential Work
Dublin Core
Title
Keep It Clean: UWM's Environmental Services Essential Work
Description
During the COVID-19 pandemic the phase “essential work(s)” has entered the mainstream dialect. It can be heard on the nightly news, seen on yard signs, proudly displayed on shirts, and discussed on social media. Traditionally (pre-COVID-19), people may have considered nurses, doctors, and emergency personnel to make up the vast majority of the small cohort considered essential. However, it has become apparent to many that grocery store employees, package delivery workers, and many other laborer’s that are not able to stay at home while successfully conducted their work are essential to keeping COVID-19 at a distance for others. One profession that seems to have missed the spotlight in the current group of essential workers are environmental services (ES) professionals. Custodians and other ES professionals are vital in providing a safe space for essential and non-essential workers to perform their daily tasks. The focus of this collection will be to highlight the underrepresented and vital work of UWM’s ES staff as well as the ES staff’s expectations of all campus users to keep buildings safe from the virus.
In order to allow staff, faculty, and students to safely work and learn on campus, UWM campus buildings must be maintained and cleaned to the highest standards. This collection contains both images and stories from ES staff as well as images and documents that describe the expectations of campus users in the effort to keep everyone safe. ES staff recognize the importance of their work as well as the need to have users of campus facilities share in the overwhelming effort. The goal of this collection if to highlight these efforts and make sure custodians and other ES professionals receive the recognition they deserve in the fight against COVID-19.
In order to allow staff, faculty, and students to safely work and learn on campus, UWM campus buildings must be maintained and cleaned to the highest standards. This collection contains both images and stories from ES staff as well as images and documents that describe the expectations of campus users in the effort to keep everyone safe. ES staff recognize the importance of their work as well as the need to have users of campus facilities share in the overwhelming effort. The goal of this collection if to highlight these efforts and make sure custodians and other ES professionals receive the recognition they deserve in the fight against COVID-19.
Creator
Larry A. Kilmer, II
Date
May 1, 2021
Contributor
Larry Kilmer
Collection Items
Weekly Environmental Services Supervisor Meeting
This is a screenshot from a UWM Environmental Services supervisor meeting held on April 23, 2021. The meeting is held weekly and generally run by the Environmental Services Superintendent. The meeting allows supervisors from multiple shifts to…
UWM Custodian
This is an image of a UWM Environmental Services custodian. She is responsible for keeping spaces in the Architecture and Urban Planning building safe and clean. Her cart contains all the cleaning supplies she uses throughout the day. The cleaning…
UWM Environmental Services Supervisor
This is an image of a UWM Environmental Services supervisor in his office. He is responsible for overseeing cleaning operations of four buildings on the main UWM campus as well as multiple buildings off-campus. Much of his day is spent in his…
Sanitizing Sprayer
This is an image of an Electrostatic sprayer the Environmental Services staff at UWM purchased once the pandemic started. The bottle next to the sprayer is a highly effective sanitizing solution that is placed in the front section of the sprayer. …
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UWM Facility Cleaning
An email was sent to all UWM employees from University Relations & Communications on November 11, 2020 providing a “COVID-19 Update.” Towards the end of the email a link was provided titled “Enhanced cleaning measures.” The link takes the user to…
UWM On-site Employee Cleaning Expectations
An email was sent to all UWM employees from University Relations & Communications on September 17, 2020 titled “COVID-19 Update: UWM Employee Case Reporting.” Towards the end of the email a link was provided titled “COVID-19 On-Site Employee Work…
Student Union Clean and Disinfect Sign
This was one of the first images you see in the UWM Student Union when entering the building from the east on the “Campus Level” near Burger King. If someone was unaware of cleaning protocols for UWM, this might be the first indication that patrons…
Student Union Sanitizing Wipe Dispenser 1
This sanitizing wipes container was found on the “Campus Level” of the UWM Student Union. It’s located at a highly utilized intersection between the main staircase and elevator that takes visitors from the “Street Level” to the building’s main…
Student Union Sanitizing Wipe Dispenser 2
This sanitizing wipes container was found on the “Campus Level” of the UWM Student Union. It’s located at a highly utilized intersection between the main staircase and elevator that takes visitors from the “Street Level” to the building’s main…
School of Architecture and Urban Planning Clean Surfaces You Touch Sign
This sign was found in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) building, just inside the southeast entrance. It shows a series of images, mostly about protecting a person’s physical body including masking, washing hands, avoiding…