Custodial Services and Housekeeping teams support campuswide operations

Have you ever noticed a freshly cleaned floor in an academic building or watched as a handrail was sanitized? Students, employees, and visitors to the Blacksburg campus benefit from these services and so many more through the efforts of Division of Facilities' Custodial Services and Student Affairs' Housekeeping employees.

These teams work around the clock, providing top-notch service to Virginia Tech’s facilities. 

"The Custodial Services team’s continuous commitment to 'Care and Serve' is essential to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment across Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus,” said Dwyn Taylor, vice president for facilities. “Whether responding to urgent needs or working behind the scenes every day, they tirelessly contribute to the beautiful and well-maintained campus that Hokies enjoy every day."

From addressing spills in between classes, keeping entrances free of debris and snow, and performing floor restoration overnight, these teams are often the unseen heroes of all university operations. 

Comprehensive cleaning 

Industrywide, the biggest challenge facing custodians and housekeepers is the overall demand to maintain a sanitary environment.

“With flu season approaching, our team recognizes the importance sanitization plays in helping to mitigate the spread of unwanted germs,” said Greg Canaday, director of Custodial Services. “Our scope of services includes cleaning and disinfecting public spaces during the day, as well as cleaning and disinfecting high touch points and surfaces in general assignment classrooms overnight.”Additionally, the Custodial Services team maintains nearly 700 hand sanitizing stations within educational and general use buildings. 

“It’s a great feeling to know you are helping to create a healthy and safe environment for a beautiful campus that so many call home,” said Jessi Sanders, assistant manager of Custodial Services. “Cleaning is so relaxing, and you could be the reason for the sparkle to someone’s day.” 

Requests can range from cleaning up water leaks to helping clear snow from entryways in the winter. When a beverage is spilled during an important university event, employees in Custodial Services are there to respond and assist in maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Virginia Tech's custodians and housekeepers work around the clock — including outside of standard business hours — to maintain high cleanliness standards campuswide.  

Supporting student life

While custodians in the Division of Facilities service academic and administrative spaces across campus, housekeepers in the Student Affairs division serve in residence halls, dining centers, and student centers. These Student Affairs housekeepers care for the buildings that students call home while living on campus.

“With over 10,000 residents and thousands of conference guests in the summer, our housekeepers are constantly addressing routine matters throughout the day and evening as well as responding to unexpected events at all hours. But their impact goes beyond their daily duties — they form meaningful connections with residents and truly become part of the community they serve,” said Ken Belcher, director for facilities and operations. “Our students notice when a housekeeper moves to another area or is out for an extended time. I love seeing thank you notes and cards taped to the housekeeper’s door.” 

“Housekeepers play a crucial role in maintaining the spaces that our students call home,” said Frances Keene, vice president for Student Affairs. “Their daily efforts ensure that our residence halls, dining centers, and student centers remain clean, safe, and welcoming. Beyond their essential work, they become an integral part of the vibrant community we foster here at Virginia Tech.”

A custodian's responsibilities

Custodial Services employees and housekeepers must learn multiple standard operating procedures as well as how to care for the different floor types in each building. Employees are trained in required equipment and applications in order to meet the university’s dynamic needs.

In addition, custodial activities don't ease up outside of the academic year. “This past summer was one of the busiest that I can recall,” said Canaday. "We had the opportunity to complete multiple cleaning projects and perform floor care on approximately 500,000 square feet of classrooms and public spaces.” 

This summer, the Custodial Services team also completed work on a number of exterior enhancement projects around public spaces on campus. The planter area near Torgersen Hall and across from the War Memorial Chapel, benches near Newman Library, and the roundabout near McComas Hall all benefited from the team’s efforts.

The public’s view on custodial services as a profession has also shifted. “It is considered a professional career,” said Robbie Santolla, manager of custodial services. “The perception has greatly changed as more people recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy, sanitary environment.” 

No small task

Maintaining the Blacksburg campus is no small task. Celebrating and recognizing the work that goes into both small and large projects is an important part of supporting the housekeepers and custodians that serve the place that Hokies call home. 

“A simple thank you and acknowledgment for a job well done goes a long way,” said Justin Hurt, quality control and floor care manager.