Citrus College has a total of 12 groundskeepers that maintain the campus. Despite the absence of students in the past year, they showed up to do their jobs.
Due to COVID-19, the campus was shut down four weeks into the spring 2020 semester and all classes were moved online, but the empty campus still needed to be maintained.
Citrus College Grounds Supervisor Randy Cable shared his experience of how COVID-19 impacted groundskeeping on campus and what changes had to be made because of the virus.
“Our goal is to give our students the best campus we can,” Cable said. “We strive to keep the grounds well maintained, clean, safe and inviting so students can focus on their studies.”
Last year, groundskeeping wasn’t the same, Cable said.
“Without our students the grounds seem lonely,” Cable said. “We are very happy to see some have returned and we look forward to the time when COVID will be over and we can get back to normal.”
The college normally has 14 groundskeepers, however, there are currently 12.
“That number fluctuates for retirements and various other reasons,” Cable said. “Three positions are currently being advertised.”
New protocols have been implemented to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and mask wearing, Cable said. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout campus.
Like all other employees and students on campus, groundskeepers have to adhere to mandatory COVID-19 testing and daily pre-screening.
With minimal students and staff around, animals have moved onto the campus.
“A lot of rodents and small animals, such as skunks, coyotes, possums, [and] squirrels have moved in.” Cable said.
More students and staff are present on the campus now, although during the pandemic “many homeless folks have left messes on campus that we clean up,” Cable said.
Besides the lack of people on campus, Cable said groundskeeping hasn’t changed too much.
“The trash collection is very minimal but for the most part the work maintaining the grounds is the same whether or not students are on campus,” Cable said.
He mentioned that the groundskeepers miss interacting with staff and students and welcome friendly interaction in passing.
