Ryerson鈥檚 essential, on-campus workers step up in challenging time
From left: Achuthan Pillai (General Maintenance), Arpankumar Patel (Maintenance Mechanic) and Animesh Roy (Facilities Energy Engineer) work on maintaining the cooling towers at 350 Victoria St., which will improve the efficiency and reliability of the university鈥檚 main cooling system. All photos by Alyssa K. Faoro.
When the global pandemic hit, to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the majority of Ryerson faculty and staff began working remotely. But not everyone stayed home.
With projects to oversee, grounds to maintain, some students still on campus and essential services still operating, critical on-site responsibilities remained.
Countless people have stepped up.
In the photo essay below, Ryerson Today features some of the many essential workers who have continued to work on campus to help ensure the safe, ongoing operation of the university during this exceptional time.
In addition to those in the story below, the Ryerson community is thankful for the extraordinary efforts of all essential workers, including payroll, Bookstore staff, Housing and Residence Life, accounting, IT staff and others across the university.
To read more stories about Ryerson鈥檚 dedicated workers, check out our ongoing series in recognition of Ryerson staff.
Custodial and Grounds team
Caretaker Jennifer Bareng is one of many custodial and grounds crew members helping ensure Ryerson鈥檚 campus is safe and clean.
Number of staff on-site:
18 staff on-campus Monday-Friday
On-site duties:
Throughout the pandemic, groundskeepers have continued with their usual routine and responsibilities, which includes maintaining the grounds, cutting the grass and pruning trees.
Caretaking staff have also been cleaning all high-touch areas, ensuring sanitizers are stocked and that all areas of the campus are covered.
鈥榃e鈥檙e proud of how they鈥檝e responded to this challenge鈥�
Garth Poppleton, manager, Custodial and Groundskeeping Services, says he鈥檚 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥� of how his team has responded to the challenges facing them during this demanding time.
鈥淭hey all stepped forward, saying, 鈥榃e can cover more areas, and we can do this, and we can do that,鈥欌�� he continued. 鈥滻鈥檓 very proud to work with them. They鈥檙e a hardworking, dedicated team.鈥�
Maintenance and Operations team
Maintenance painter Naman Thamir helps prepare an office for Ryerson staff returning to work.
Number of staff on-site:
40 staff members
When the pandemic began, three workers came to campus each day. Today, 15-20 staff members work on-site, on a rotating basis.
On-site duties:
Comprised of plumbers, mechanics, painters, electricians, carpenters and more, this team鈥檚 responsibilities range from regular maintenance and repair of critical equipment and systems in campus buildings, to helping ensure infrastructure is safe and secure.
A top priority is ensuring air quality is up to standard in all buildings across campus.
As researchers are approved to return to their labs, maintenance and operations workers are called upon to ensure work spaces are safe. This involves making sure areas are clean, rooms have power, HVAC systems are checked and plumbing systems are operating properly.
鈥業t鈥檚 hard to find words to describe my feelings鈥�
鈥淔rom day one, I鈥檝e been so impressed by this team鈥檚 responsiveness and dedication. When you consider the challenges and uncertainties we鈥檝e faced, of having to do everything in a different way - their dedication is nothing short of impressive,鈥� said Ken Ozdemir, manager, Maintenance and Operations.
Pausing to reflect on his team鈥檚 accomplishments over the last few months, he says, 鈥淵ou know, it鈥檚 hard to find words to describe my feelings. They have a strong sense of ownership on campus. If something goes down, we take it personally, we fix it and start it up again.鈥�
One of the biggest challenges, he says, has been adapting to ongoing changes.
鈥淭his is new territory, and there are major expectations on my team. When it comes to reopening...it鈥檚 on us to make sure the campus is ready for returning students, staff and the faculty. That鈥檚 a lot of responsibility, but they鈥檝e been working above and beyond,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of this team.鈥�
Environmental Health and Safety Team
When the pandemic began, EHS technician Zahid Patel, left, and lab safety officer Eric Ambriose, right, immediately put their hands up to continue working on campus.
Number of staff on-site:
Two staff members are currently working on-site in alternating shifts, with five additional staff performing various duties remotely.
On-site duties:
Staff inventory hazardous materials on a regular basis, and ensure that any hazardous waste removals are managed and coordinated. The team has also been responsible for the initial delivery of face masks, gloves and other protective equipment to many essential workers on campus.
Staff have also supported EHS managers for any on-campus needs, including responding to client requests and investigating on-site incidents or emergencies. A top priority is conducting risk assessments of the activities and work spaces set to reopen in the fall.
鈥楾hey did not hesitate from the first day鈥�
Throughout the pandemic, Tanya Vlaskalin, manager of Biological, Chemical and Radiological Risk, says one of the most difficult aspects has been staying on top of shifting health and safety guidelines.
鈥淧ublic health authorities might give certain advice on one day, but then two or three days later, there鈥檚 a change. Monitoring has been crucial,鈥� she said.
She also says she and the entire EHS team are particularly proud of staff members Eric Ambriose, a lab safety officer, and Zahid Patel, an EHS technician.
鈥淭hey did not hesitate from the first day. They immediately stepped up to ensure the critical operations of the university could continue,鈥� she said, noting that, similar to many staff working on campus, they鈥檝e also had to balance major changes at home with work responsibilities.
鈥淭heir support to be on campus for us, it鈥檚 been amazing,鈥� Vlaskalin said.
Food Services
Food Services team member Carol King prepares a pre-packaged meal at the International Living and Learning Centre - a new model of service offered since the pandemic began.
Number of staff on site:
16 staff work at various food service locations and the campus bookstore on a rotating basis, with four scheduled at the International Living and Learning Centre.
On-site duties:
Various responsibilities carried out by cashiers, front of house staff, chefs, cooks, dishwashers, supervisors, managers.
Operations:
When the pandemic began, Food Services reduced its operations, closing the Hub and various retail outlets across campus. Dining services in Pitman Hall and the International Living and Learning Centre (ILC) remained open.
Buffet predicament: 鈥楾he biggest challenge for us was to pivot鈥�
One of Food Services鈥� key features had to immediately change: the buffet in student residence dining halls.
鈥淥ur model is all-you-can-eat, which is open buffet,鈥� said Marwan El Chafei, associate director of Food Services. 鈥淥bviously, the biggest challenge for us was to pivot from this open style.鈥�
When classes moved online, most students moved off-campus - but some, including many international students, stayed. And, not just for the remainder of the spring semester - some stayed right through the summer months, when Food Services normally shuts down.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely been a busy time,鈥� said El Chafei.
Suddenly, the team had to shift to pre-packaged meals for dine-in or pick-up - while still providing quality food, top value for students, and ensuring all health and safety guidelines were met.
Delivering to students in self-isolation
Adding to the challenge, they had to find a way to deliver food safely to students who were self-isolating, either due to potential COVID-19 exposure, or those who may have recently travelled, such as a newly arrived international student.
鈥淣ow there is a table on the floor dedicated to meal pick-up for those students,鈥� explained Malcolm Alphonso, residence food service manager.
Food Services also launched a program to support students living with food insecurity. As part of the program, Food Services delivers groceries to those who need it most.
El Chafei says he鈥檚 鈥渟o proud鈥� of his team.
鈥淚n the beginning, especially, we didn鈥檛 know that much about the virus and how it spreads. There was a risk in every step, and everyone still showed up to work and they were so committed. I can鈥檛 thank them enough.鈥�
Construction Project Managers
Project coordinator Victoria Lee, above, has continued to oversee projects on-campus throughout the pandemic. Lee is part of the Project Management Office team within Facilities Management and Development.
Number of staff on-site:
20 construction project managers and project coordinators on-site as needed
On-site duties:
Project managers have been supervising the campus core revitalization project, the law school project (Podium building), fire alarm upgrades, emergency generators, maintenance projects, interior alterations, upgrades in office spaces and the Chang School entrance, to name a few ongoing projects.
鈥業鈥檓 proud of the attitude of my staff to find creative ways to move forward鈥�
Mark Dettweiler, executive director, Campus Development, says the biggest challenge facing the team has been adapting to the many ongoing changes. He says, for example, with supply chains severely impacted by the pandemic, construction timelines have been affected too.
鈥淐onstruction was also shut down for a period of four or five weeks, so we lost that time. Then contractors had to introduce COVID protocols, including physical distancing, handwashing facilities, not having everyone start at the same time or take their breaks at the same time, it goes on,鈥� he said, noting that having contingency plans for scenarios A, B, C and D has been key.
Still, amid the challenges, the law school project is near completion, he says, and other projects, such as the campus core revitalization project, have progressed.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the attitude of my staff to find creative ways to move forward,鈥� Dettweiler said, also acknowledging contractors 鈥渨ho鈥檝e had to go the extra mile.鈥�
Community Safety and Security
Community Safety and Security shift supervisor Alex Williams on patrol in July 2020.
Number of staff on-site:
62 uniformed Gardaworld staff on-site
21 additional staff predominantly working remotely
On-campus duties:
When Ryerson moved to an essential services model, team members increased their visibility and patrols within buildings. They have continued to work with community partners, such as Covenant House and Toronto Public Health, to help ensure members of the Ryerson community are supported.
Community Safety has continued to support guests and contractors who are working on various projects. They have also been serving residence staff, shipping and receiving personnel, and they鈥檝e continued to provide access to spaces on campus related to research.
鈥榃e are grateful for and proud of each member of our team鈥�
Gillian D鈥橝gostino, associate director, Security and Emergency Services, Community Safety and Security, says she鈥檚 鈥渆specially proud鈥� of team members who have remained on-campus to support the Ryerson community.
鈥淭hey continue to provide emergency medical response to those in need, engage with the public when called upon and ensure that Ryerson remains safe and secure,鈥� she said.
D鈥橝gostino says the team鈥檚 extraordinary commitment throughout the pandemic can be seen in their ability to adapt to the many changes and new expectations of their roles.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so grateful for their efforts, and moreover, for the character and resilience they bring to work everyday,鈥� she said.
Shipping and Receiving
Howard O. Allen, supervisor, Shipping, Receiving and Mail Services, stands amid one of the large shipments of sanitizer wipes that he鈥檚 helped coordinate.
Number of staff on-site:
When the pandemic began, there were two staff per shift Monday to Friday. Currently, four staff members work each shift. One team member is now assisting at the Bookstore each day until mid-September.
On-site duties:
Shipping and Receiving has maintained its entire operation throughout the pandemic. This has included logging, tracking, sorting and distributing thousands of deliveries from Canada Post, courier services such as Fed Ex, and large packages and shipments from various vendors.
While much of the work has involved regular shipments, the pandemic also generated unique projects - such as shipping Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that had been created by staff in various Ryerson faculties, coordinating the delivery of computers for staff transitioning to remote work, and coordinating the mail-out of 7,700 graduate award documents.
鈥榃ithout any issue 鈥� they were here鈥�
Vincenzo Carinci, director, Strategic Procurement and Payment Services, says that when the pandemic hit, ensuring staff safety was a top priority.
鈥淲e hadn鈥檛 done this before, so that was a challenge,鈥� he said, noting that the team adjusted schedules and staffing to meet physical distancing protocols.
Since the pandemic began, he鈥檚 been so impressed with the dedication of his team.
鈥淭hey were unfazed,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hroughout the entire pandemic, they were willing to come in. They wanted to make sure the people who relied on our services were getting the service they needed.鈥�
Carinci also says if there is 鈥渙ne true all-star鈥�, it鈥檚 Howard O. Allen, supervisor of the Shipping, Receiving and Mail Services team.
鈥淗oward has gone above and beyond,鈥� Carinci said. For example, with hand-sanitizing stations being installed across campus, it was impossible to accept all of the shipments in one day, so Allen worked with the vendor to arrange daily deliveries to be distributed around campus as efficiently as possible.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty amazing. The commitment and passion of this entire team - it鈥檚 impressed me beyond words,鈥� Carinci said.
This is one story in a series about how Ryerson University departments have successfully faced the challenges presented by COVID-19. Watch for more stories about other teams such as Housing and Residence Life in the coming weeks. Is there a team you think deserves recognition? Email us at ryersontoday@torontomu.ca.
Read more stories recognizing outstanding Ryerson teams.
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