As we return from March Break and begin a new term, the patches of snow still alongside our paths and walkways are a reminder that "sand season" is not quite behind us – and with it, the hours of vacuuming, mopping, and resetting spaces that define the daily work of our Housekeeping Team. There is no better time to pause and recognize them.
The floors are clean, the bathrooms are wiped down, and the trash and recycling are emptied well before most of our community rolls out of bed. The Dining Hall that greets our students and professional community each morning and the dormitory common rooms that welcome them back each afternoon don't maintain themselves, and the consistency with which it all gets done makes it easy, at times, to take the work of our Housekeeping Team for granted.
Impressive as their work during the school year is, follow the team through a vacation or summer month, and you begin to understand the full scope of what they take on. When students move out of dorm rooms on Commencement weekend, the team has less than a week to clean all 19 dorms from top to bottom before Alumni Reunion Weekend – and then roughly the same amount of time to turn each one over into a hotel-like atmosphere for Gordon Research Conference attendees.
Having lived in two dormitory spaces on campus, I have had the chance to watch this team at work up close. They learn names. They find creative ways to encourage students to do their part, post reminders, and take action on spaces that need attention – submitting work orders for urgent repairs and the less urgent touch-up painting that makes a real difference to the students and dorm parents who live there. Many of these moments are not on any checklist or formal job description, and yet they are part of what defines this team. Students absorb these lessons in caring for a shared community, and it shows up when they pause to write notes of gratitude at different points throughout the year.
If you see members of our Housekeeping Team around campus, stop and say hello. Do your part by picking up after yourself and respecting the beautiful spaces we share – and get to know a bit better some of the members of this team in the profiles below! Thank you to Director of Housekeeping Cindy Merritt, Housekeeping Manager Josie O'Connell, and the entire Housekeeping Team for work that is so essential but too often less visible.
Meet the Housekeeping Team
How long have you been at Proctor?
Candi Adams: This is my twenty-sixth year.
Jane Walker: 45 years as of June 1
Pam Brown: Off & on since 2002, full time since 2019
Josie O'Connell: 3 years at the end of March
Seval Vincevic: 4 years
Rebecca Tacy: 6 months
Norma Haley: 6 months
What's your favorite space or part of campus to work in or be in, and why?
Candi Adams: "I enjoy working in Fowler Learning Center, Ives, Rulon, and in the Coffee House. I love the feeling of the old buildings and their connection to history and my grandparents."
Jane Walker: "The Brown Dining Commons and dorms."
Pam Brown: "Farrell Field House— lots of energy and activity, and a fantastic facility to keep at its best!"
Josie O'Connell: "My favorite space to work in would have to be the Proctor Ski Area! The view from Yarrow's Lodge is amazing and I love being up there when it's snowing. The ski crew is also wonderful to work with. I appreciate them so much!"
Norma Haley: "The dorms."
What's a part of your work that you take particular pride in?
Candi Adams: "I like taking care of people by making their rooms clean and cozy. My goal is for students and faculty to feel a homey comfort. This is dependent on students generally maintaining responsibility for the spaces and each other. Maturing teenagers, I believe, should experience general expectations of good hygiene and respect for one another as well as respect for our campus. Noting progress by acknowledging efforts is fun, rewarding, and makes my day!
"I love being a part of the big Proctor family. I am eager every day to put the work into making things better for my community, even in little humble ways."
Jane Walker: "Keeping things looking clean and picked up as much as possible."
Pam Brown: "Positive connections with people while being 'invisible.'"
Josie O'Connell: "I take immense pride in my team. The hard work they put into keeping campus clean and welcoming is not an easy feat but they show up every day ready to give it their all."
Seval Vincevic: "My work is also my great activity. I like to see everything clean and talking with people and students."
Norma Haley: "Detail work."
What's something about your work that people might not realize?
Candi Adams: "Recycling is my passion. It is always appreciated when a student or teacher takes the time to empty their aluminum can. ('Good to the last drop.') Wet recycling and garbage may hurt our effort."
Pam Brown: "In sand season, I vacuum 4-5 hours/day."
Josie O'Connell: "Cleaning is not the same as disinfecting! Just because something is clean doesn't mean it's disinfected. That's why it's important we do both when the situation calls for it."
Norma Haley: "How many germs are in a bathroom."
If you could go back to high school and participate in one of Proctor's programs, what would you choose?
Jane Walker: "Wood shop/forge classes."
Pam Brown: "I would take whatever class would help me learn to draw and paint."
Josie O'Connell: "I'd sign up for Global Art Classroom in a heartbeat!"
Norma Haley: "Finance or computer science."
What's one fun fact or hidden talent you have?
Jane Walker: "I'm the Sexton at my church."
Pam Brown: "I teach private piano and guitar lessons in my home studio on weekday afternoons."
Josie O'Connell: "I have two cats that are both polydactyl."
Norma Haley: "Working outside with flowers."
What is one way the community can support the Housekeeping Team?
Jane Walker: "By monitoring the dining hall at night, there is always a lot of food etc. left at night in plates etc."
Pam Brown: "Look beyond the tasks we're doing; see us as community members. Engage with us as you walk by."
Josie O'Connell: "Say hello and learn the name of the housekeeper who is cleaning your space or dorm! It makes a world of difference to us."
Norma Haley: "Clean feet before coming in, the best they can."
Read more profiles on our community members here!
- Faculty/Staff