Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: News

Building service worker Tom Goddard takes garbage out of a room in the Doudna Fine Arts Center on Aug. 26. The BSWs agree that relationships with the students are important to make their job easier. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

Robert Black, weekend sub foreman, has worked for Eastern for more than 25 years with the building service worker team, and said he feels as if he is a grandfather to some of the students.

"You seem to be more like a father or mother to them, or as for me, a grandpa," he said. "We get a special deal because everyone can't do what we do."

Black said as a whole, he appreciates the interaction he has with students on a daily basis.

"Ninety percent of reaction from students are positive," he said.

BSWs are an important part of Eastern's campus community when it comes to providing a safe and clean living environment.

Because of their daily interaction with students, some BSWs believe it is important to develop a relationship with them in order to make their job easier and to better focus on students' needs.

Valerie Leonard, night supervisor for BSWs, has worked at Eastern for 23 years and has also felt as if she has become a parent to some of the students.

"It is a rewarding experience because it makes me feel good to be around the students," she said. "We listen to their problems. We wear many hats."

Leonard still stays in contact with students she has met in the past.

"I met some girls in Lawson and I still keep in contact with them all of these years," she said.

Leonard said she also feels as if BSWs are the eyes of the student community.

"They are aware of what's going on," she said. "If something is out of place, they can pretty much take care of it."

Steven Gilbert, custodial supervisor, said when there is not a relationship established between BSWs and students, it can make situations more difficult for both parties.

"If students would just talk to their BSWs on their floor, then the BSW can take care of it," he said. "We are not going to solve all the problems. There are always going to be problems out there all of the time."

Richard Smyser, overnight sub foreman, has worked at Eastern for 28 years and said if it were not for the students he would not be here.

"We are here for them," he said. "Only a few make it rough for us."

When it comes to the trash chutes, some BSWs have had to unclog them because of large items such as pizza boxes, furniture, carpets and cement blocks.

Leonard said sometimes it could take three to four hours to clean out the chutes.

"It does not take a rocket science to know that those large items won't go down and it'll get stuck," she said.

Kevin Larkin, supervisor for BSWs, said if students do not think something is up to their standards then they should talk to their BSW.

"You all are our job," he said. "You all are our customers and we try to make things better for your living."


Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.

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