The event is held every year during the second week of September. This year, university employees and students will have the opportunity to work alongside a staff member in housekeeping, groundskeeping or sustainability Monday, Sept. 12 – Wednesday, Sept. 14. Volunteer shifts are an hour and a half in length and may include anything from trash pickup to landscaping, recycling and cleaning in residence halls and other buildings across campus. This marks the first time shadowing opportunities are available since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Vice President for Operations Brandi Jacobs-Jones says the event is especially important because the entire Marshall community benefits from the efforts of the workers who will be honored.
“We recognize this event every year because we truly have ‘Unsung Heroes’ who keep our campus clean, beautiful and moving forward in sustainability efforts,” said Jacobs-Jones. “It’s important for us all to join together to honor those who work hard year-round to make our campus shine.”
President Brad D. Smith will also join in the efforts on campus, by volunteering his time with housekeeping in residence halls on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, from 12 – 2 p.m., all housekeeping, grounds crew and sustainability staff, as well as volunteers, are invited to enjoy a free lunch with music, games and giveaways in the Memorial Student Center, room BE5. Staff members being honored will also receive a gift bag as well as free tickets to an upcoming Marshall University home football game.
For more information on International Housekeepers and Environmental Services Week, visit https://www.marshall.edu/operations/ihesw.