Issue date: 9/15/04 Section: News

By ANDREW BURLESON

Mary Richardson, a custodian at Texas A&M, doesn't make plans in life. Although she and her husband travel frequently, they have never planned a trip before leaving.

"We just get up and do it," Richardson said. "A lot of times when you make a plan, something else comes up."

Richardson received the surprise yesterday of being named A&M Custodial Employee of the Year at a ceremony held in Rudder Theater.

"Ms. Richardson is a shy, serious and kind person," said Doris Woods, custodial supervisor for Crew P. "I nominated her (for this award) for her professionalism and fairness. She is a good worker and gets to work 30 minutes early every day."

Richardson has been employed at the A&M Physical Plant Department as a custodial worker since February 1992. She was chosen from four other candidates in different custodial crews all nominated by their supervisors.

To receive the award, the employee must be working full-time for at least 12 months. Recipients are then chosen by their supervisor based on a point system in which they are awarded for qualities such as cooperation, adaptability, care of equipment, appearance of area and self-motivation.

Richardson began cleaning the John B. Connally Building in 1992 and now oversees the cleaning of 30 buildings on campus.

"These folks don't get enough recognition," said Mary Miller, assistant vice president of administration. "(The custodians) start working before the crack of down to make (A&M) ready for those coming in."

The ceremony was held yesterday as part of International Housekeepers Week. Richardson and 15 other custodial workers were recognized as being outstanding crew members. In addition, safety awards were given to crews having two or fewer accidents in the previous year.

A&M employs 330 custodial workers, which are separated into 16 crews. Together, they clean 340 buildings totaling 12.2 million square feet, according to University Relations.

"Without these guys we couldn't go to class or to work each day," said Chuck Sippial, vice president of administration. "They are among the lowest paid, but the most valuable because they build our reputation. It is their efforts that visitors see when they come to our campus."

Financial constraints have made the custodial job at A&M even more difficult. The University has 100 fewer custodians than it had at this time last year, Miller said. As a result each employee is responsible for 32,000 square feet while at other major institutions, custodians average 25,000-26,000 square feet, Sippial said.

In addition, new buildings such as the Chemical Engineering Building and the changes made at Cain Hall have spread the custodial staff more thinly.

"Deans and faculty adopt these folks who clean their offices and buildings," Sippial said. "I get calls all the time when we have to move them around because they become part of their family. We encourage that, but we have to tell them we're just doing our job."

During the ceremony, it was also announced that the Employee Advisory Committee has been expanded and three members of the custodial staff have been added to provide better representation.

"(The custodial staff) is a big, productive and effective team," Miller said. "I'm honored to be a part of that team. I hope people all week celebrate and thank them."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools