UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 29, Page 11
April 30, 1992
Enrichment day special for housing custodial staff

     Some 70 custodial staff in the Office of Housing and Residence
Life took part in an innovative enrichment day-the first of its kind
at the University and possibly in the region on April 6.
     At the one-day conference, employees attended workshops about
benefits, health issues, working relationships, humor in the
workplace, career development, ACCESS services, the chemistry of
cleaning and other topics, with breaks for informal socializing.
     The idea for the enrichment day grew out of a discussion between
Barbara Graham and Catherine Skelley, both assistant directors of
housing and residence life, after they returned from a conference of
housing professionals.
     "After meeting and interacting with others in our field,
attending talks and workshops, we came back to our jobs refreshed,
with renewed enthusiasm and new ideas and outlooks," Graham said. "We
thought our custodial staff would profit from a similar experience."
     Staff members were polled about topics that would interest them,
and housing and residence life staff and others volunteered to run the
workshops.
     Each participant was able to attend four sessions out of 16
offered, and they received caps from ARA and other small gifts from
vendors.
     In addition to providing information, Graham said the conference
gave the custodial staff, which is spread across the campus, something
more-a chance to get together and discuss mutual concerns. The
response was enthusiastic, she said.
     -Sue Swyers Moncure