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I shuddered as I opened an e-mail from my division dean, notifying my officemate Juliana Cardenas and me that our shared
space was on the remodeling list for December. Fear and terror were evoked by the horror, delays, and emotional stress I
experienced during a remodel at my house a few years ago.
I looked around my office. Clearly, little work had been done to the interior for forty some years. The renovation
was much needed; however, I was reluctant like the reclusive Miss Havisham of Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, who
did not want to see the sun. I felt unready for the commotion, the physical work, the interruption, and most importantly,
the change to my work environment.
In a blink of an eye, it was mid-November, and there was an e-mail from Bob Herald, coordinator of the project. He gave us
a list, with deadlines for packing and moving out, and plenty of boxes, labels and instructions on just about everything,
including how to turn off the phone before unplugging it.
Through these difficulties, Bob Herald was like a commander-in-chief, making sure everything and everyone kept moving along
with the schedule. Herald and his team – furniture coordinator Walter Sachau, electricians Doug Platt and Rico Galicia, and
fixtures installer James Rectenwald – began to frequent our offices several times a week. Julie and I started to throw out
unwanted items and began the arduous work of packing.
During finals week, the English faculty offices inside the north 500 building turned into a war zone of boxes and valued
possessions to take home. Despite all the work in progress, Bob helped me load boxes in my car. We were relieved when
Christmas break started and we did not have to look at the mess.
The teal-uniformed Trojans from the Maintenance Department, Electrical and Electronic Departments, and District’s Information
Systems worked on. No matter what odd time I would visit, whether it was at 7 a.m. or at 3 p.m, there was some one or the
other working diligently.
The renovation was finished one week earlier than scheduled. It was a surrealistic experience. Now, the office looks like a
brand new place with fresh white paint, wall to wall carpet, and new lights, ceiling tiles, new shelves and baseboards. The
office brings to mind John Ruskin’s The Stones of Venice in which he eloquently states: “We require from buildings as
from men, two kinds of goodness. First, doing their practical duty well; then, that they be graceful as they age and
pleasing in doing it.” I got this strange but positive feeling that this job, well done, was going to survive till the end
of my tenure at Grossmont College.
There was a whole different human aspect. This project brought my officemate and me closer together. We spent quality time
together packing, unpacking, and re-organizing our books and other belongings. We designed the layout, picked out furniture,
and coordinated the décor. I got to know most of the people from the Maintenance and Electrical Departments. They were not
mere men in uniform, but individuals with work ethics, and many commonalities with my own beliefs and values. Most
importantly, through their talents, they have turned my office into a “practical” and “graceful” place to work.
My office is now like an extension of my house. I love spending time in my office and my students enjoy visiting me during
my office hours. The remodeled offices are a win-win situation for faculty and students.
It is important to note that our office was only a drop in the bucket. “Fifty-four faculty offices have been remodeled in the
last three years,” said Tim Flood, director of Campus Facilities and Operations. “I believe that the college and the district
are committed to going through every faculty office to create a comfortable environment.”
Many unsung heroes deserve recognition and thanks. They are the entire Maintenance Department. Kudos to all of you!
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