Each day, Harvard students rely on the school’s vast support resources to help them navigate campus life. Without the employees behind programs like Securitas, Harvard Yard Operations, and Harvard University Information Technology, this school, quite literally, would not operate. Harvard University Dining Services keeps us fed, the Harvard University Police Department protects our safety, and the Facility Maintenance Operations ensures that we have working lights and outlets. Amidst the endless problem sets and papers, it is easy for Harvard students to forget to appreciate the individuals who do so much for them. After speaking with a few of these employees, we learned about the work and perspectives of staff so crucial to Harvard life.
Wallace de Oliveira—Custodian at Smith Campus Center
Originally from Brazil, Wallace De Oliveira has worked as a custodian at the Smith Campus Center for just under a year. De Oliveira’s job at Smith entails picking up trash, mopping and drying the floors, wiping down the windows, and cleaning the bathrooms. “Everything has to be spotless,” he said. Prior to working at Harvard, de Oliveira attended medical school for seven years in Bolivia. He plans to go back to Brazil to pursue medicine eventually.
In response to being asked about whether he thinks custodial staff are appreciated by Harvard students, de Oliviera replied “I believe, as I was a student before, sometimes we don’t give much appreciation for people that do that.”
“If somebody goes by and says ‘thank you,’ it makes your day better. It makes you feel, you know, appreciated. It’s small gestures. ‘Thank you,’ a smile, you know, we’re not asking for much,” de Oliviera added. He commented on the effects of his work, stating, “Any person on the team has his function. Can you imagine if I stopped doing this for a week? How much trash would be outside?” He views the relationship between students and custodial staff to be symbiotic: “You as the students are important for us because without you guys, we don’t have work. And, we’re important for you because we maintain the building.”
Andrew Silva—Main Yard Electrician for the Facility Maintenance Operations
Andrew Silva is from Billerica, Massachusetts and has worked for Harvard’s Facility Maintenance Operators (FMO) for six months. “I’m a main yard electrician, so we’ll fix lights, plugs, do some little projects, and various other things.” The FMO, along with the Engineering & Utilities Department, is responsible for maintaining Harvard’s energy supply and performing engineering and technical services. Commenting on his experience working at Harvard, Silva stated “Being here six months, I feel pretty appreciated.”
Ana Rodriguez—Quincy House Dining Hall Staff Member
Ana Rodriguez has worked at the University for 36 years. Initially from El Salvador, she currently works in the Quincy House Dining Hall. “I swipe IDs. I make sure that everybody has their own IDs and swipes in. I clean tables, I cut dessert, and I fill the napkins,” Rodriguez said. A vital part of student life, Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) is the body responsible for Harvard’s numerous dining halls and cafes and serves a lofty 22,000 meals a day during the academic year. “I love HUDS [and its] great benefits. What’s not to love?”
Karen Johnson —Annenberg Dining Hall Staff Member
HUDS Employee Karen Johnson started working at Harvard 11 years ago after hearing positive reviews. “I serve students, prepare and set up everything for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Johnson said. She enjoys working for HUDS due to the favorable hours and the opportunity to be part of students’ lives.
Robert James—Annenberg Dining Hall Staff Member
Annenberg employee Robert James began working for Harvard nineteen years ago, after moving from Maine. “It is a pretty good job: pay scale, benefits, and so forth,” James said, explaining why he came to work for Harvard. He works in general services, meaning that he covers a wide range of duties to ensure Annenberg runs smoothly.
James has found a strong sense of community at HUDS. “The guy at the checkout desk is my best friend,” he stated. He considers the opportunity to work with his incredible colleagues as one of the main reasons why he has been here for so long. Since HUDS plays such a significant role in all students’ lives, James suggests that students should show their appreciation for its employees. “Get to know the person at the front desk, the people who put the food out, and thank the cooks.”
Sal Uccelol—Annenberg Dining Hall Staff Member
Originally from Sicily, Sal Uccelol has worked at Harvard for 18 years, but has been at Annenberg for two. Last year, Uccelol was a checker, swiping IDs for students entering the dining hall. He now floats around and “helps everybody out.” Before his new position, he served as a cook for almost 13 years. According to him, feeding so many people is both a hard and rewarding task. Describing his work at HUDS, Uccelol stated, “[I am] trying to make sure that you guys have enough food and feel comfortable, that’s my job.”
Javonni Malcolm—Employee at the Harvard Yard Mail Center
From Atlanta, Javonni Malcolm works at the Harvard Yard Mail Center, where first-year students pick up their packages. “Basically, I just help students locate their package, and if they don’t know their mailbox number, I also give it to them. [Also], I just scan all packages for students,” Malcolm explained.
He added “I love Harvard. It’s such a great community. Everybody’s nice. You know, there’s a nice building, and everybody just has great vibes. Go Harvard!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As seamless as Harvard’s centers, programs, and resources appear, there are many moving parts that keep campus functioning. As students who rely on these facilities every day, it is important that we acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of the people who are behind them. As noted by Smith Center Custodian de Oliveira, “Little things make all the difference.”
Sophie Dauer ’27 (sophiedauer@college.harvard.edu) frequently locks herself out of her dorm. Nina Berkman ’27 (ninaberkman@college.harvard.edu) needed help swiping in at Berg at the beginning of the semester.