SAN MARCOS \u2014 Since the onset of COVID-19 in March, the Facilities team at Palomar College has overcome unique challenges to maintain a mostly empty campus while meeting new sanitization and social distancing requirements.<\/p>\n
Some of the staff are working remotely, while many remain on campus fulfilling essential duties. In early July, the Facilities Department was asked to move a library book drop to the main parking lot so that students can return books without coming onto campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to make it easy for people to just come in and out,\u201d explained Jeff Bennett, Supervisor of Building Services.<\/p>\n
The one thing the book box lacked was a shelf to provide sanitizing wipes for anyone touching the handle. Enter Palomar\u2019s in-house welder and fabricator, James Davis, who is known by many on campus as \u201cDavey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDavey got some material out and made one,\u201d said Bennett, Davis\u2019 supervisor. \u201cWe bolted the bucket down, and you can pull the cover off and replace the towels.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unprompted innovation might seem like a small gesture, but it represents many unseen efforts by the Facilities team to meet the unique challenges of COVID-19, said Interim Superintendent\/President Dr. Jack Kahn.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hard-working Facilities staff have been instrumental in keeping essential functions on track during the COVID-19 health crisis,\u201d said Dr. Kahn. \u201cWe really appreciate their dedication and commitment to keeping our students and employees healthy and safe, and for being a dependable presence on campus during these trying times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bennett said the book drop bracket became the prototype for the 30 or so that he estimates Davis will ultimately fabricate to place in facilities that remain in use during the health crisis. So far, there are 15 of the units placed around campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve bolted them on to walls and metal studs in the buildings,\u201d said Bennett. \u201cEverybody needs those wipes now for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mounts are made out of aluminum and hold a refillable bucket of sanitizing towelettes, which Bennett said saves the college money because the smaller disposable packages of wipes are more expensive.<\/p>\n
Overall, Bennett said, COVID-19 has drastically changed how the team operates: \u201cWe have to work individually now to make sure we\u2019re distancing. I think we\u2019ve all adjusted pretty well to this. There\u2019s so much work at the college, it\u2019s never-ending.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"