Western's Guardians

First of all, let's get an appropriate definition out on the table:

So say Oxford Scholars in their little publication, the OED, a compilation that has become the recognized authority in qualifying the English language. Contrary to what seems to be a long-standing assumption that a clean living environment just happens, or that those who provide such an environment are isolated individuals resigned to a position of serving others, Western's Academic Custodial Services (ACS) is a body of men and women who truly care about campus health and all-community well-being. They operate strategically and in concert. They are guardians, and they work hard to provide excellence in care and protection for the campus on a daily basis through a commitment to sustainable operations.

Photo Source: Facilities Management

"We do a lot of excellent things" said Facilities Management Director John Furman, "it is just that that excellence is what you've come to expect so it seems commonplace."

Part of this commitment to exceptional standards is reflected in the custodial staff's Team Cleaning approach, a nationally recognized strategy that allows custodians to work in each building on campus through a systematic rotation of duties and responsibilities. Team cleaning provides each custodian with an opportunity to take personal ownership of the campus as a whole rather than minimizing their expertise to a single building or cleaning procedure.

Secondly, it's time to retire any deep-rooted assumptions that cleaning staff arm themselves with myriad buckets and bottles of mysterious cleaning solvents. The ACS has initiated a gradual transition from chemical solutions to pure, ionized water as the base cleaning agent. That's right, water. Every surface, every fixture, every component of indoor common areas, even carpet, is scrubbed down with 100 percent H2O.

"Extensive in-house testing has verified that this cleaning approach provides comparable sanitation to green certified chemicals" noted Bill Managan, Assistant Manager of Operations, in a recent interview with University Communications.

The change didn't happen overnight, but it didn't happen this morning either. In 2009 Western's ACS received the national championship Green Cleaning Award, a competitively-sought recognition organized by the Green Cleaning Network and the Healthy Schools Campaign. By implementing these concepts and integrating Green Cleaning technology, ACS has successfully eliminated 75 hazardous and residue-producing cleaning agents from Western's inventory. And they aren't stopping there.

"We are gradually incorporating Green Cleaning equipment into our sustainability strategies by researching and testing different products to see if they are functional in our particular working environments" said Don Bakkensen, Manager of Building Services, "We are choosing products that balance economic feasibility with neutral environmental impacts."

So, when you see a member of ACS today, thank them for diligent service to you, our university, and our community's well-being. They are our guardians.