Spotlight on the housekeeping staff at Oglethorpe University

Under dark or light skies, in cold, warm, or windy weather, 12 women arrive early at Oglethorpe University to clean classrooms and offices before the day starts for students, professors, and staff. 

This has been supervisor of housekeeping Enma Valadez’s schedule for the past 27 years at Oglethorpe. Another housekeeper who wished to remain anonymous has kept the same schedule for six years. Both women and their co-workers create a clean environment for the staff, students and faculty. 

Supervisor Valadez’s schedule that runs through a shift from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This means that most of the work she and her co-workers do is not seen.  According to Assistant Director of Facilities, Luetrell Langston, the supervisor makes a schedule based on “class schedules and office timing”."

Oglethorpe University encompasses 66 acres with 23 buildings. Each member of the housekeeper crew is assigned 2- 3 buildings, including the dorms, gyms, Philip Weltner Library, TLCC, and the buildings surrounding the quad. “The work of cleaning some of the buildings is shared based on the size of the classrooms and buildings," states Valadez.

A typical day at work

5 a.m. - 6 a.m.: Arrive on campus and get dropped to their assigned building since there is not enough space in the small golf carts for everyone. Next, receive and restock the cleaning supplies needed for each building that they are responsible for. 

6 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.:   Starting with locations where students and staff have not yet arrived, such as classes and offices, the cleaning begins. Then they move to locations where they can still work even though students and other members have arrived like the library and TLCC. 

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Lunch break in the buildings where they are located or in their facility.

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Finish up cleaning of spaces that they did not get to before their break. This includes going back to the library, vacuuming in front of the entrance, and finishing cleaning the bathrooms on the lower level.  

1:30 p.m.: Clock out. 

This is their schedule Mondays through Fridays, but the housekeeping staff occasionally work on weekends if the campus is hosting an event. 

2024 housekeeping staff receiving the Community Builders Award | Photo via The Source

After COVID-19, having the facilities cleaned has become even more important. “We make sure to incorporate disinfectant on a daily basis. We have training on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and certain safety protocols that are needed for our department," said Langston. She mentioned that they “make sure the staff has the proper supplies that they need to keep them safe.” The housekeeping staff takes the measures needed to create spaces that are safe for the Oglethorpe community. 

When asked about their work environment, Valadez and one of the housekeeping staff members agreed that they enjoyed their job. Neither of them mentioned issues with members of the Oglethorpe community. They noted that during Alumni weekend, alumni went to their facilities and greeted them. 

Iris French ’26, who has lived on campus through her four years at Oglethorpe, said, “I’ve never personally had any issues with housekeeping, nor have I heard of any issues with them.” Although she has “seen people be rude or ignore their presence,” she has decided to make sure to greet them despite the language barrier. 

Assistant Director of First Gen & Student Support Program, Raquel Manzo, has worked at Oglethorpe for almost two years. She said, “I communicate almost daily with staff by saying good morning, checking in. I speak mostly with them in Spanish as we are both native speakers!” She expressed how friendly and helpful she finds the housekeeping staff. 

The housekeeping staff at Oglethorpe University ensures residents, students, staff, and faulty a safe and clean campus. Their schedule is designed for minimum disruption to the community they serve. Langston said. “I’m very proud of our team”.