WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE UI?
I am a building service worker supervisor. I oversee the cleaning of all Champaign residence halls (Barton, Forbes, Garner, Hopkins, Lundgren, Nugent, Scott, Snyder, Taft, Van Doren and Weston halls) and the Student Dining and Residential Programs building in Ikenberry Commons. I make sure the building service workers are maintaining a clean, safe, sanitized environment for students. We also set up bunk beds in the residence hall rooms. We do all the cleaning throughout the building, which includes restrooms, halls and lounges. We also clean all dorm rooms throughout the summer.
DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT DO MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE BUILDINGS?
No, that’s another department.
HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU OVERSEE? WHAT ARE YOUR MANAGEMENT DUTIES?
In this zone, I oversee 62 employees and I currently have four foremen. Basically we make sure all our daily cleaning rounds are covered. They collect trash and recyclable items. Any area that is open to all students is our responsibility. If a foreman is having trouble covering something because of a lack of manpower, I help figure out how to handle that or get someone from across campus to help. I check the building to make sure everything is in order. If an employee isn’t working up to par, we work with them to make sure they get up to our expectations. I also train new employees.
We get work orders, called TMAs, for tasks that include bunking or de-bunking residence hall room beds. If there’s a mess to clean up in the hallway or stairwell, we take care of it through a work order.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?
To me, handling employee disciplinary matters is the most challenging. We do have to discipline workers on occasion. I truly believe in the discipline process we have, which is called the Performance Partnership Program, which helps employees understand the expectations we have for them. Often, just talking with the employee helps them to understand what they should be doing. Other times, they don’t change, and that’s a harder situation to deal with. I know there’s a need for it. I won’t back down from my responsibility as a manager to discipline employees, but I also try not to jump to conclusions. I understand there could be other circumstances outside work that could cause difficulties on the job. The PPP helps us work with them, and it allows us to give them complimentary letters to thank them for their hard work.
WHEN DID YOU START AT THE UI? HOW DID YOU WORK YOUR WAY UP TO YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
I started at the Mailing Center in 1989. I worked there for six years and then came over to Housing in ’95. I was a building service worker for six years. I moved to a foreman position at the Illini Union for five years. I’ve been in this position since 2000.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU CAME TO CAMPUS?
I was a licensed hairdresser from 1977 to 1989, but I needed a job with insurance, so I was extremely lucky to get hired on here. I count my blessings every day.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
I’m working on my associate’s degree in business through an online degree program. I’m raising my 12-year-old twin grandsons. So with their sports and activities, I’ve had to prioritize my time, but I plan to get back to my classes soon. I always look forward to the course work. I had a good grade-point average, and I need to get back to it.
WHAT ARE YOU PROUD OF IN YOUR JOB?
I still consider myself a building service worker. I am still a building service worker. I take pride in making students feel at home. For most of them it’s the first time away from home. They need to have some kind of regular contact with someone because their parents aren’t here. I think that’s part of what makes us special.
I’m also proud of my team. Without the building service workers, I would not be able to do my job. I feel that we are very much a family. I’d do anything for them and I’d say they’d do anything for me. They make my job 99 percent easier than it could be. I am very grateful for the people who work for me.
DO YOU WORK WITH ANY STUDENTS OR STILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH FORMER ONES?
As a BSW, I had several students I was extremely close to. I’ve been invited to weddings and baby showers. Many stay in contact. I feel privileged they took time out of their day to check on me and vice versa.
SUE SANDERS FAST FACTS
Family: husband, Wayne; grown daughters Jodi and Jenni; 12-year-old twin grandsons, Tommy and Tyler. The family lives in Gibson City.
Favorite meals to cook: Italian food. Her specialty is spaghetti sauce; another family favorite is lasagna.
Favorite books: mysteries; books by James Patterson, Iris Johansen and Tami Hoag.
Favorite TV shows: “Hell’s Kitchen,” “American Idol.”
A favorite place: Lake Wisconsin, to go fishing.
