Keeping it clean, making it work

While walking to morning classes, Bruins often find that campus sidewalks have been washed, the grass has been mowed, and the flickering light in the lobby of their residence hall has been replaced. Facilities Management, a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week operation, is responsible for carrying out these early morning tasks.

This campus department is responsible for the maintenance, landscaping, and overall upkeep of UCLA. It is comprised of 920 employees and five different units, including campus maintenance, crafts and alterations, design and project management, energy services and utilities, and material management.

Each unit is responsible for specific organizational functions, and the department as a whole is geared toward supporting “UCLA’s mission by maintaining and enhancing buildings, grounds and infrastructure,” according to the Facilities Management Web site.

Ron Calloway, director of crafts and operations, also said Facilities Management works to support the greater mission of UCLA.

“There are a lot of folks who are dedicated to making UCLA a premiere institution,” he said.

Gail Cowling, executive officer of Facilities Management, said that in addition to their usual job descriptions, employees are also trained in emergency response.

“Our employees are trained so that they know what to do in the case of an earthquake. There are also specialists who determine whether or not buildings are seismically sound,” she said.

Campus maintenance, the largest unit, is staffed by grounds and custodial specialists.

“Every morning at 6 a.m. the day crew comes in and raises the flags and opens the buildings,” Cowling said of campus maintenance employees.

According to the department’s Web site, the unit is also responsible for campus recycling, setting up for events, pest control, minor maintenance and emergency response.

“Campus maintenance does the majority of cleaning during the evening shift when most students are off campus,” Cowling said.

Calloway said the crafts and alterations unit has two specific functions.

“We are responsible for maintaining the existing campus as well as tenant improvements and modifications,” he said.

The unit is staffed with both professional and non-professional tradespeople.

According to the department’s Web site, it is also responsible for the high voltage electrical distribution system, water mains, sewer and storm drains, the gas distribution system, sidewalks and roadways, and street and walk lights.

The design and project management unit works to find the most cost effective and timely way to fulfill long term projects, and also works with private customers.

UCLA has 270 elevators and disabled-accessible lifts on campus. According to the department’s Web site, the energy services and utilities unit is responsible for the maintenance of these elevators along with building chiller systems, building control systems, and campus pools and fountains.

This unit not only provides UCLA with energy resources, but also operates the campus Energy Systems Facility.

Both Cowling and Calloway acknowledged the numerous employees who are rarely seen or noticed by students and other campus members.

“I think we have both visible and invisible people. Some employees work during the hours that no one is on campus,” Cowling said.

But some students said they do appreciate Facilities Management.

“I love the landscape. Not only is it well kept, but it also provides a great atmosphere for relaxing or studying,” said Mariel Martinez, a first-year communication studies student.

Whether or not the work of Facilities Management employees goes unnoticed, Cowling said the work serves a valuable purpose.

“These people take their jobs seriously and work to support the academic mission of UCLA by maintaining the campus.”

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *