Working Through
A PANDEMIC ❖
They feed our students, keep the campus clean and maintained, and monitor security: For many of Haverford’s essential workers, doing their jobs remotely isn’t an option. BY BRIAN GLASER
AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SENT STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF home from Haverford, there were approximately 130 international students and others who couldn’t easily leave their campus housing. The College quickly put together a plan to continue housing this group of students, which included providing essential services like dining, maintenance, housekeeping, and security—all while keeping the students and those essential workers safe and healthy. “It’s been a complete change in how we operate,” says Director of Facilities Don Campbell, who oversees Haverford’s maintenance, housekeeping, and grounds operations. “Pretty much all of our work takes place on campus, so my housekeepers and groundskeepers can’t work from home.” Campbell took some key actions right from the start: making sure every member of his staff was trained to sanitize spaces and equipment, instituting strict face-covering and social-distancing rules, and working with his staff to map out the things that needed to be done and the things that could be set aside. Perhaps more important, he worked with senior staff to reduce hours while still keeping everyone on the payroll. “We just limit who goes in DINING SERVICES every single day, and we desGeneral Manager ignate different people on difTom Mitchell in the ferent days,” he says. Dining Center, which Reimagining shifts and provided takeout meals schedules to allow for minto the 130 students who imal physical interaction remained on campus. while also providing necessary services in a safe man-
26
Haverford Magazine
PHOTOS: PATRICK MONTERO
❖
