Ryerson’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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.
‘We’re proud of how they’ve responded to this challenge’
Garth Poppleton, manager, Custodial and Groundskeeping Services, says he’s “extremely proud” of how his team has responded to the challenges facing them during this demanding time.
“They all stepped forward, saying, ‘We can cover more areas, and we can do this, and we can do that,’” he continued. ”I’m very proud to work with them. They’re a hardworking, dedicated team.”
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’s 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.
‘It’s hard to find words to describe my feelings’
“From day one, I’ve been so impressed by this team’s responsiveness and dedication. When you consider the challenges and uncertainties we’ve faced, of having to do everything in a different way - their dedication is nothing short of impressive,” said Ken Ozdemir, manager, Maintenance and Operations.
Pausing to reflect on his team’s accomplishments over the last few months, he says, “You know, it’s 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.”
One of the biggest challenges, he says, has been adapting to ongoing changes.
“This is new territory, and there are major expectations on my team. When it comes to reopening...it’s on us to make sure the campus is ready for returning students, staff and the faculty. That’s a lot of responsibility, but they’ve been working above and beyond,” he said. “I’m so proud of this team.”
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.
‘They did not hesitate from the first day’
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.
“Public health authorities might give certain advice on one day, but then two or three days later, there’s a change. Monitoring has been crucial,” 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.
“They did not hesitate from the first day. They immediately stepped up to ensure the critical operations of the university could continue,” she said, noting that, similar to many staff working on campus, they’ve also had to balance major changes at home with work responsibilities.
“Their support to be on campus for us, it’s been amazing,” 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: ‘The biggest challenge for us was to pivot’
One of Food Services’ key features had to immediately change: the buffet in student residence dining halls.
“Our model is all-you-can-eat, which is open buffet,” said Marwan El Chafei, associate director of Food Services. “Obviously, the biggest challenge for us was to pivot from this open style.”
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.
“It’s definitely been a busy time,” 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.
“Now there is a table on the floor dedicated to meal pick-up for those students,” 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’s “so proud” of his team.
“In the beginning, especially, we didn’t 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’t thank them enough.”
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.
‘I’m proud of the attitude of my staff to find creative ways to move forward’
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.
“Construction 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,” 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.
“I’m proud of the attitude of my staff to find creative ways to move forward,” Dettweiler said, also acknowledging contractors “who’ve had to go the extra mile.”
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’ve continued to provide access to spaces on campus related to research.
‘We are grateful for and proud of each member of our team’
Gillian D’Agostino, associate director, Security and Emergency Services, Community Safety and Security, says she’s “especially proud” of team members who have remained on-campus to support the Ryerson community.
“They 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,” she said.
D’Agostino says the team’s extraordinary commitment throughout the pandemic can be seen in their ability to adapt to the many changes and new expectations of their roles.
“We’re so grateful for their efforts, and moreover, for the character and resilience they bring to work everyday,” 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’s 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.
‘Without any issue … they were here’
Vincenzo Carinci, director, Strategic Procurement and Payment Services, says that when the pandemic hit, ensuring staff safety was a top priority.
“We hadn’t done this before, so that was a challenge,” he said, noting that the team adjusted schedules and staffing to meet physical distancing protocols.
Since the pandemic began, he’s been so impressed with the dedication of his team.
“They were unfazed,” he said. “Throughout 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.”
Carinci also says if there is “one true all-star”, it’s Howard O. Allen, supervisor of the Shipping, Receiving and Mail Services team.
“Howard has gone above and beyond,” 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.
“It’s pretty amazing. The commitment and passion of this entire team - it’s impressed me beyond words,” 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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