Get to know UTRGV building attendants
On campus, some workers may go unnoticed. Behind the scenes, there are people in charge of maintaining the university facilities for students and staff to step into their everyday routine.
Within the Campus Facilities Operations crew, the building attendant staff makes up an important role for the university community, standing second in line as one of the essential positions on campus, said Alejandra Esteves, building attendant supervisor for the Brownsville, South Padre Island, Port Isabel and Harlingen campuses.
“We take care of the sanitation, trash around campus; we keep our classrooms clean and available for students on a daily basis,” Esteves said. “We are also part of the first responder team when something happens around campus.”
She said students tend to form a familiarity with the staff members who are recognized by their approachability.
“Whenever [students] need something, they can ask,” Esteves said. “So, in a way, our department is recognized individually by whoever is in the building.”
The attendant supervisor said students can request services by calling the phone number available on every bathroom door on campus, adding these services are not restricted only for bathrooms but also other facilities around campus.
Recognizing the department by simply waving can serve as an encouragement to continue their workday with enthusiasm, as the staff is around campus, Esteves said. Faculty are also welcome to approach them for any help they may need.
Nancy Guajardo, a building attendant on the Brownsville campus, said work can be a fun place to be.
Guajardo said she started working at UTRGV five years ago, when a neighbor told her there were positions available. She began on the night shift and transitioned two years ago to the day shift.
The building attendant said her favorite part about the job is interacting with students and coworkers.
On the other hand, Guajardo said her not so favorite part of the job is people may become impatient when they are maintaining the restrooms clean.
“Respecting our time, because sometimes students come in a hurry and move our carts to the side,” she said, adding she overall enjoys her time at work.
Guajardo said one of her favorite memories working on campus was with her coworkers during a night shift.
“During my night shift, a lot of things would happen,” she said. “Sometimes, we were on break. There were three of us, and we would sit for a while on the Main Building on Brownsville campus. And 15 minutes later, we saw a shooting star. We would always say that we wanted to see one.”
Guajardo added she would like for students to know that, even though they may believe waking up early or staying the night up studying can be difficult, they should remember all hard work comes with a reward.
Karla Hernandez/THE RIDER
Leticia Rivera, building attendant on the Brownsville campus, said being a student at UTRGV can bring a lot of pride as her daughter is soon to graduate with a master’s degree in mathematics.
Rivera said her job at UTRGV started five years ago, when an ex-coworker helped her apply for the position. She mentioned her favorite memory while working on campus is spending time doing her job with her coworkers and sharing conversations with them in El Comedor.
“Keep on pursuing your education; it’s the best thing you have,” she replied, when asked what she would like to share with the Vaquero community. “School is good for you. I see you all the students every day and think what a good choice for them.”
