Campus workers keep the lights on

Correction: 8/23/2024 5:16 p.m. A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Alvin Manalo was unwilling to give his last name durring his interview and that Manalo has been working at UAA for the past 16 years. Manalo is going on 16 years at UAA.

When students are busy rushing to class in the Eugene Short Hall or grabbing a coffee in the Social Sciences Building, a dedicated force of custodial and maintenance workers labor behind the scenes to ensure the university continues to function properly. 

In 2022, the University of Alaska Anchorage, employed over 400 tradespeople, providing a wide range of services for the campus including plumbing repairs, electrical maintenance, custodial services and many other essential tasks. 

The Northern Light interviewed Alvin Manalo, a maintenance worker who has worked at UAA going on 16 years, about the maintenance team's role on campus.

Manalo and a colleague were in the process of repairing a light fixture in the Social Sciences Building as he explained the maintenance team does everything within their power to ensure the campus is functioning optimally.

Manalo said their primary objective is to ensure the students and faculty receive the best service possible but then reflected on challenges maintenance workers face.

“We do everything we can — as much as possible. Sometimes there are budget issues,” said Manalo. 

Regular care of campus facilities also has an impact on students' ability to learn, according to a study conducted by the International Sanitary Supply Association and APPA, a facilities standards organization. The study reported that 88% of students said a lack of cleanliness in their learning environment led to distractions.

At UAA, custodial services are taken care of by individuals who ensure the environment remains clean for students.

The Northern Light interviewed Lynn — a custodial worker at the university for nearly a year — about her experience at UAA and her interactions with students around campus. She declined to give her last name during the interview.

Lynn said students typically don't interact with her on campus, but sometimes they will say hello or ask questions. 

“It's been a pretty good experience,” said Lynn.

Lynn also said there is a common misconception that campus workers are not formally educated, but instead, many of them choose work in facilities and services by preference.

UAA electrician Sam Smith spoke with The Northern Light about his experience working for the university.

“So far, so good. I’ve been here for almost two years now,” said Smith.

Smith said interactions with students and faculty are not frequent but happen on occasion, sometimes when workers have to access certain areas on campus.

“We don’t interact much, but they'll thank us when we help,” said Smith. 

Smith also spoke about the university’s acknowledgment of workers. "The facilities and maintenance department does a great job at it," he said. “They’ll do stuff around Christmas for us and things like that.”

The Northern Light also spoke with Eva Tupper, an undergraduate student in the psychology program, to get a student's perspective of workers on campus.

Tupper said students are generally appreciative of the workers, but also said there are times when students lack appreciation of their efforts. 

“Occasionally there are the few that will make a mess and leave it there,” said Tupper.

Tupper also said that one custodial worker, who listens to music while working, is very nice and will occasionally greet students, but they generally appear to remain in the background. 

College campuses are highly complex social environments where human relationships within the campus community are interconnected. This social connection highlights the importance of acknowledging all contributions to the functioning of the university.