The Old Woman in the Shoe and Housekeeping
What Do These Have in Common?
Remember the childhood rhyme, "There was an old woman who livedin a shoe. She had so many children, she didn't know what todo."?
Custodian Shawn Adams could relate, with all of her students totend to.
Adams has worked for Ball State's housekeeping for 24 years.Since 1988, she has cleaned and taken out the trash in the loungeand common areas of the Noyer Complex.
Although 10 staff people are available in the building, Adamsworks alone and takes care of entrances, lounges and computerrooms
"This is not a glamorous job," Adams said, "but it has been arewarding one, and I have never wanted to work anywhere else."
Adams began her career as a part-time employee in diningservices. She also drove a bus part time.
"I really preferred to work in housekeeping," Adams said. "Andwhen a position came available, I jumped on it."
Adams said she enjoys the students as she watches them matureduring college. She said she feels that her position establishesfriendships with students, who might see her as parent figure.
Adams said she has a great deal of admiration for students whoare physically challenged.
"Seeing students with disabilities succeed is especiallyrewarding," she said. "Some of them overcome so many challengesthat most of us never even think about."
The facets of Adam's job cover a variety of responsibilities,including lost and found. While working, she finds all sorts ofpersonal belongings left behind.
"I have found wallets, jewelry, keys, credit cards, back packsand lots of other things I won't mention," Adams said.
She also found keys on the first day of school thissemester.
"Property damage can also be a big problem in the residencehalls," Adams said.
Although students can be pretty messy, the rules regardingproperty damage are explicit. Anyone who damages property is heldresponsible for the replacement costs.
"Students throw items down stairwells, and I have sometimes seenfurniture tossed onto the lawn," she said. "But students are heldaccountable for their actions."
Adams, however, said she believes students are more respectfulof property than they were in the past. She believes the positiveleadership in the residence halls led to the change.
The directors and resident assistants do a great job educatingthe students about rules in the residence halls, she said, and itmakes her job easier.
Adams enjoys working with her colleagues, many of whom have beenin the housekeeping department for many years.
"People seem to really like the job and stay for quite a fewyears," Adams said.
Nannette Bell, the custodial group leader, is responsible forseveral other residence halls in addition to Noyer and is Adam'ssupervisor. Bell praised the efforts of Adams and hercolleagues.
"Organizing the summer use of the residence halls is a hugejob," she said. "We have many groups and conferences in the summer,and there are lots of responsibilites associated with them.
Bell said she feels she is fortunate to have Adams, who is adedicated and reliable employee, she said.
Adams said she believes the students appreciate herservices.
"Taking care of all these students is a big job," Adams said. "Ifeel I am performing a very important service, and I love what Ido."
Students don't live in a shoe, but quite a number of them livein residence halls, and unlike the old woman, Adams and the rest ofthe staff know what to do.
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