Student rewards: Employment with Facilities Management pays off

By Jennifer M. Fitzenberger
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 26, 1996

Experiments for biology and papers for English class are not the only matters students have been perfecting on the UA campus.

For a handful of students involved with the Facilities Management Division, perfection also means sculpting the University of Arizona grounds and renovating university buildings.

At a recognition luncheon Friday, graduate student Shawn Radziminski was recognized as the Facilities Management Division's student of the quarter for her work in Custodial/Recycling Services.

Albert D. Tarcola, director of Facilities Management, wrote in a memo to Radziminski that there were numerous reasons for her award.

"Predominantly I want to mention your positive attitude, professionalism and customer service orientation which led you to coordinate and oversee the Outreach Program in your supervisor's absence," Tarcola wrote.

Radziminski volunteers each month at the Tucson Clean & Beautiful Sponsored Recycling Outreach Program at El Con Mall, and was appointed as head of Education By Example, a student government-sponsored environmental program.

Radziminski, who says her job is physically demanding, feels that she works hard and learns valuable skills.

"It is good to get first-hand experience in the recycling field, because I eventually plan to go into Solid Waste Management," she said.

Tarcola also wrote that a good attendance record and a conscientious effort to complete assigned tasks makes Radziminski an asset to the UA.

Facilities Management is a campus division that employs 45 student assistants who work in the Management and Information Services area, the engineering department, various business services, and custodial services, as well as on the UA grounds and in the UA's motor pool and maintenance shops.

These students keep the university running by maintaining everything from the thousands of fluorescent lights in rooms across campus to computer and office work, said Gloria Alvillar, assistant director of human resources.

"Facilities Management is an incredible operation that works with instruction and research on lab resources, such as hot and cold water, and also plays a major part in the renovations happening all over campus," explained Alvillar.

Students have been applying for jobs at Facilities Management for years - and with good reason. Students working in the division are given many opportunities for advancement.

"Employee Kevin Reeves started as a 'lamper,' which is the person who is called on scene when any one of the university's many fluorescent lights burn out. He is now a student assistant in the MIS area, installing computer software, and fixing stuck computers," Alvillar said.

There are many benefits to working in Facilities Management. Students encounter real-life experiences and learn a lot about the university, while supervisors often serve as academic advisers and give r­sum­-building recommendations, Alvillar said.

"We provide jobs that know the price of education. By knowing the needs of the students, we're able to take into consideration students' busy schedules, such as finals," she said.

For those who have a green thumb or are interested in the maintenance of the university, information on positions with Facilities Management can be obtained by checking the bulletin board located in its central office, 1301 E. Fifth St.


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