Monday, August 17, 2020

Monica Marcelo, Assistant Director Residence Education, responded to our May newsletter article “Working for the University During a Crisis” with a wonderful story about how co-workers in the Residence Education Department volunteered to make masks for the remaining Housing and Dining residents and then went above and beyond the original ask.

“The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our traditional Housing and Dining operations and resulted in reducing our on-campus student body and student staff to around 100 individuals. Student Health was able to provide our residents with resources to stay healthy – thermometer and hand sanitizer; however, they asked if we could procure cotton/reusable masks to reduce pressure on medical supplies. The Director of Residence Education, Greg Thompson, asked our team, “If anyone has friends or family that are making cloth masks, we are looking to procure enough to give to the residents that are staying with us as student health has to preserve their supplies […] so I thought I would see if anyone had any connections.” Three Residence Education staff, Tammy, Kelley, and Abigail, went above and beyond by offering to make masks for not only our residents, but also Resident Assistants, Desk Clerks, and Residence Education Professional Staff. Within two days we had more than enough masks to serve our housing community.

I am truly inspired and grateful to work with leaders that embody the core values of the Division of Student Life in working together, and investing time and energy, in supporting student success.”