I was visiting with my friend, Thelma, today and noticed that I had visited with her exactly one year ago.

Last Christmas, Thelma, had received a new iPad as a gift from her daughter and son-in-law, Margo and Jeff and I was assisting her in setting it up.

I did not realize how little that I knew about iPad’s…but we finally got the job done.

I first knew, Thelma and her sons, Brent and Bart, and her daughter, Margo…during the early 1970’s when we all attended a little church together.

I marveled today at how talking with Thelma was no different than when we visited over 40 years ago.

She is still the same, sweet and considerate person, that I knew as a mere lad.

While we were visiting today I reflected on the magic of the evaporation of time and how our friendship seems that it began just a few days ago.

I thought of the many good times that I enjoyed with her sons, Brent and Bart, and the kindness and warmth of her daughter Margo and Margo’s husband, Jeff.

When Margo and Jeff gave me their Senior Photos, upon their high school graduation, I kept them in my wallet for many years.

Brent and I aspired to become ministers…at one time.

Bart is one of the most pleasant and kind human beings that it has ever been my pleasure to know.

And, so this life rolls by so very quickly…and if we are not careful…we loose track of the people that our special to us.

I have often considered that we are an eternal soul living in a not-eternal body.

The relationships that we form and the passions that we have for life and love and truth…seem to be intended for a much longer time than we are afforded on Terra Firma.

Hold your loved ones close to you this Christmas…appreciate every moment…and take a lot of pictures….things change so quickly.

Mary Jane and I had a lovely dinner with our friends, Jim and Joan, last evening.

As we spoke of many things, both great and small, we talked of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities in Europe…and I plan on returning one day.

Today, I received an email from a shop in Edinburgh, that wished me a Happy Christmas and had a photo of a little Yarn Angel that the owner of the shop had picked up on a walk in Edinburgh.  A note on the Yarn Angel said that it was free for the taking.

Simply reading the email and seeing the angel…gave me a warm feeling and reminded me that Christmas is about the greatest of gifts and the simplest of gifts.

Of course the gift of the Christ Child is magnificent and Christmas Story engages both the wise men and the shepherds and the Star of Bethlehem.

All of this happens at the same time that there was no room for Mary and Joseph and the soon to be born, Jesus, in the inn…and so the ‘Desire of the Ages’ was born in a common manger in a stall that was for animals and the glory and the splendor of the birth was portrayed in the beauty of simplicity.

Each year I seek for a Christmas Moment…something that brings the meaning of the Season into my heart in a personal and significant manner.

I have had the good fortune to travel to many places in our world and enjoyed the experiences very much.

However, often the quietest of gestures and actions and gifts are where the real meaning of Christmas can be found.

I can vividly remember traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for Christmas on several occasions.  Our friends, Steve and Faye wold join us and we would rent a condo in the mountains.

I recall, just before midnight on Christmas, standing on the balcony of our condo and looking out at the mountains and the stars and moon shinning down…and knowing…Christmas.

There was a time, many years ago, when I attended the annual Christmas movie at the Orpheum Theatre in Eldorado, Illinois and the Lion’s Club gave each child a large Christmas basket filled with all types of delights.  I wondered why these people that I did not know…gave me such a wonderful gift?

For many years the Service Employees International Union #316 invited me to the annual Christmas Luncheon.  As I would walk from table to table greeting the Union Members and their families…I felt a warmth and genuineness of support that strengthened me long into the New Year.

When I see my son’s faces lit up with joy on Christmas morning and my Wife’s joy and delight in handing out the gifts…I think of how God has been gracious to us.

When we sing Silent Night and hold our candles in the darkened church…I pray for the greatest gift…Peace On Earth.

You know, Charlie Brown and Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang had the right idea regarding the Little Christmas Tree…all it needed was love.

‘Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

I was watching the television show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the other night and Larry David was admonishing an Airline Attendant that would not give him access to the plane he was running to catch, due to the door already being shut.

Larry asked if the Golden Rule did not supersede their Airport Rules?

The Attendant said that it did not.

I witnessed a troublesome problem at my beloved SIU, when I was employed there.

There seemed to be a large beautiful Campus that was full of hard working and dedicated faculty and staff…but they were housed in invisible Silos.

Simply put, if you were a member of the College of Liberal Arts…you really did not concern yourself with the College of Agriculture.

Or, if you were a member of Student Affairs…the condition of Administration…was little to none of your concern.

Sadly, our country has developed our own Silos that house us and shield us from those who may only be moderately different than we are.

I am watching the joy that the Republican Party is having in the passing of their only piece of legislation in 2017.

The leaders exclaim that this is a tax cut for the middle class and that the rich will not benefit.

Senator Lindsey Graham said, prior to the Republican Tax Plan passing, that the donors to the Republican Congress had put them on notice that if they did not produce a new Tax Plan…that the Republican members of Congress need not come back to them for more money.

What?

There are millions of poor and working class and middle class Republicans in this Country.

If you are blessed to have financial resources then you probably feel good about the new Tax Plan…if you are struggling or just getting by…then you probably do not.

When I was a child…in the evening in warm weather…everyone sit out on their front porches…there was little air conditioning.

Neighbors knew each other and each other’s children and cared about them.

There were no smart phones to hide your face in and avoid talking with those sitting next to you.

And, what of our churches?

When someone enters that does not look exactly like the rest of the parishioners…do we stare at them and wonder why their clothes are tattered or perhaps they are gaunt or with the smell that comes from not having daily access to bathing facilities.

Or, do we think of the goodness of Jesus for us and our lovely homes and our full to the brim refrigerators and of the Holiday Revelry that we will partake of.

‘Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,’ said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit’s robe, ‘but I see something strange , and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts.  Is it a foot or a claw?’

‘It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it,’  was the Spirit’s sorrowful reply.  ‘Look here.’

‘From the foldings of the robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable.  They knelt down at its’ feet, and clung upon the outside of its’ garment.’

‘Oh, man.  Look here.  Look, look, down here.’  exclaimed the Ghost.

‘They were a boy and a girl.  Yellow, meagre, ragged scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility.  Where graceful youth should have filled their features out, and touched them with its’ freshest tints, a stale and shriveled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds.  Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing.  No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade, through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread.’

‘Scrooge started back, appalled.  Having them shown to him in this way, he tried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves, rather then be party to a lie of such enormous magnitude.’

‘Spirit.  are they yours?’  Scrooge could say no more.’

‘They are Man’s,’ said the Spirit, looking down upon them.’  And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers.  This boy is Ignorance.  This girl is Want.  Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy.  for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.  Deny it.’  cried the Spirit, stretching out its’ hand towards the city….’   A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Jonathon and I walked Campus Lake today and admired the annual tradition of placing Christmas Ornaments and even garland on the winter bare trees.

As we continued to walk along the pristine path we noticed that the decorations became more plentiful.

I reflected on the many years that I have been walking around Campus Lake.

There were years that I felt inadequate for the job that I had been asked to do.

There were years that I feared that my department would be contracted due to leadership not requiring our best housekeeping efforts from us.

Some Decembers, I wondered if I would be a part of the University Community…this time next year…and I knew that…so many people were counting on me.

And, there were many years that I walked around our beautiful Campus Lake…during the Christmas Season…with a song in my heart…because I knew that we were doing our best…and had wonderful leadership from the top of the organization.

And, so, Place, really does identify with a person…the longer that they have been a part of a geographical area.

You love the people and you identify with their concerns and their worries and their challenges.

Pastor Janice, told me this past Sunday, that she loved my writing…her words meant so much to me…

We really are players in and a part of a master plan…we must play our part well….as the old christian song says…’we will understand it better, by and by.’

Chancellor Montemagno, tweeted, that an anonymous person purchased his lunch yesterday at a local cafe.  He said, ‘that he loved being a part of this community.’

I agree with the Chancellor.  I can not think of anywhere, and I have been all over the world, that I would rather live than right here in Carbondale…in Southern Illinois!

I remember, so fondly, my long lost sister Tammy, contacting me in February of 2012.

I was going through my SIU Email Account, since I was an old retiree of 1 year and 1 month, and I thought that I would pursue it one last time before deleting the account, since is had, primarily, work related emails in it.

When, what did I come upon…but an email from Tamora Brooks and in the narrative she says that she and her brothers and sister are looking for their brother, Bradley Jay Brooks.  She had enclosed a photo of ‘Bradley’ when he was quite young…but the picture did not photocopy.

Tammy went on to say that her father was William Brooks.

I thought to myself that this sounded to good to be true and Mary Jane and I proceeded to the movies.  On the way to the theatre we stopped at our mailbox and retrieved a hard copy letter from Tamora and within the envelope was a photo…that I could not deny.

I telephoned Tammy the next day and we spoke for some time.  She told me that I had another sister, Jolene, and two brothers, Brock and Bill.

I was overjoyed!

Tammy and I even spoke regarding that there were two more daughters from another mother, Billie and Amber.

I immediately was transformed from an only child to having six siblings.

I was beside myself!

Tammy has been doing some genealogical research into our Dad’s Family Tree.  She has been talking with our cousin, Karl, and he has sent her some fascinating photos.

‘This is Dad’s grandparents and girls are his aunts.  The baby boy is Dad’s father.’

‘Dad’s youngest sister, Neoma, who is still alive.’

‘This is Thomas Smothers..Great great grandfather…Our grandmother Verna’s Dad and Effie, her mama (our great great grandmother).’

Tammy is a wonder!

When she sets her mind to investigate, she produces the goods!

I am going to meet her in 2018…no matter what!

My brother Brock and his wonderful family have visited with us a few times and we have joined them in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last April.

They are wonderful people…and it seems that we have grown up together.

I certainly hope that this coming year will be the time for me, the oldest brother, and all of my brothers and sisters…to meet and enjoy each others company…and talk about our heritage.

Have you ever talked with someone or met someone…and seen yourself in their eyes and manner?

When you talk with or meet adult siblings that you have never met…it is a spiritual and ethereal experience to see the resemblance and speech patterns and similar ideas and mirror images of personalities…that are present in long lost sisters and brothers.

Our Dad had three sisters…this is one of them…Cousin Karl’s mother…Doris Janie.

My mom and dad divorced when I was five years old.  Dad has been a spectral image for me.  A few memories…as if from a dream…

My brother Brock and his wife Marcy.

Springfield, Ohio “69”

Our Dad and my sister, Tammy.

Seven years ago, yesterday, was the last day that I worked at Southern Illinois University.

My Director, Phil Gatton, had asked me on numerous occasions if I wanted a retirement reception and I had responded that I, did not.

I told Phil that when I was hired, 32 years and 2 months and 3 weeks ago, no one knew me and my entrance to the University was in no way of note to the institution.  I went on to remark that I thought that it would be appropriate for me to leave in the same manner that I arrived…and that to have a retirement reception…could be embarrassing…when no one attends.

Phil, finally convinced me when he mentioned that Elizabeth Cheek would be very hurt if I did not submit to a reception…as she had asked him repeatedly if he was going to have one for me.

I was humbled and honored when several members of the University Community attended the event.

Often, when I am walking Campus, I walk through the Student Center, for warmth in the winter and cool air in the summer, and I pass the Old Main Lounge, where the reception occurred…and I relive the event.

You probably have not noticed…but SIU is a Big Deal to me!

When I was asked to make a few remarks at the reception…I could not… due to the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes.

Suddenly it became real to me…that 32 years had gone by…like the blink of an eye.

My, deceased friend, Moses Lestz, told me that when he heard that I had retired…he wept…because it seemed my career had transpired to quickly and he recalled how happy that he was for me when I first was hired at the University.

As I was listening to Phil’s kind remarks and the woman that was replacing me, Kathy’s, great comments, and finally President Poshard’s lovely thoughts regarding our working together and what he felt that I had accomplished…I knew that my time on the Stage had ended and I wondered if I had done enough?

When I left…SIU’s enrollment was thousands more than it is now.

Building Services had many more employees that it does currently.

So many good and great things that have happened in my life and the betterment of my family is the direct result of my association with SIU.

I have watched the, painful, identity crisis that has occurred over the many people that have held the office of chancellor.

SIU must settle on its’ direction and proceed on that agreed path…unwaveringly…and now!

All progress in incremental.

All progress takes time and dogged dedication.

Delyte Morris was President of Southern Illinois University for over 23 years.

The miracle of SIU Normal’s transformation…did not occur overnight.

When I became the Superintendent of Building Services the Dean of CASA telephoned me and said that she had never seen her custodial staff so happy and in unison regarding their support for my being named their manager.

The Dean of the College of Education called me with a request and then told me later that day, that he wished that I would tell him my secret for getting my staff to accomplish what I asked them so expeditiously?

My supervisor, at the time of my being named Superintendent, told me that, ‘my people loved me!’

For years I had the support of virtually the entire department…and we were able to accomplish many good endeavors for our… SIU.

All my success was directly attributable to the wonderful professionals that supported me and gave me strength in the difficult times.

The University Community must decide that they are going to support a leader that will turn the Great Ship around…and steer it towards calm waters.

I remember, fondly, being invited to our good friends Jim and Laura’s house, on my retirement eve.  Two of their lovely daughters, Sarah and Jamie, worked with me in my Campus office over the years.  They are such a great family and it was the perfect way to end my last day…at SIU.

For those of you that follow Advent..you know that the baby Jesus has not arrived yet.

One of the joyful elements of the Christmas Season is the more pleasant interactions we have with those we meet.  There is a feeling, in the air, of excitement and expectation and renewal…that makes our steps lighter and our hearts brighter.

The Salvation Army is out at most every store and the cheering peel of the bell ringers illuminates to us…that this is a special time.

In a world of darkness…Light is coming.

We think of the homeless…we think of those who are in need…we wonder why we are so uptight…when the gift of life is burning bright in our bosoms and…really… we have much more to be thankful for than to be sorry for.

‘And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus  that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.’   Luke 2:1-7  KJV

And, so Jesus was born to this world in a nondescript and lowly manner.

We, the lonely and the homeless and the unwanted and the shunned…know that we have a place with Jesus…and that we are welcome and wanted.

There is a reason that our sorrowful and needy and suffering human family waits expectantly for the birth of he who has a place at his table for all of us!

As Pastor Janice, asked this morning in church, why does this joyful and expectant feeling end so abruptly in January?

Christ has come and the homeless and the suffering and the lonely and those who are not wanted…are still with us.

”Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, you king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’   Zechariah 9:9   ESV

A week from today we will attend Christmas Eve Service.  This is one of my favorite events of the entire Holiday Season.

One of the most poignant components of the special service….that causes my heart to be full of the meaning of Christmas and all that it stands for is the singing of Silent Night at the conclusion of the evening…and the flickering of the candles, that each of us are holding,..and the knowledge that our world can be better…but it is up to us to make it so.

‘And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David.  And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’  And he said, ‘I am your servant.’  And the king said, ‘Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?’  Ziba,  said to the king, ‘there is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.’  II Samuel 9:1-3

‘And David said, ‘Mephiboseth!’  And he answered, ‘Behold I am your servant.’  And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

So, we are all lame in our feet…and we have neither powerful advocate nor friend…but our gift of Christ from his lowly birth in the manger…until now…is a place for us at his table and we are welcome and we can be fed..and we can experience the joy of Christmas throughout the year.

I was just reflecting, today, on what I was doing this time last year.

I remember, fondly, visiting with my friend, Thelma, who I had not had the opportunity to visit with for many years.

My European Buddies, Jeff and Margo, had asked me if I could help Margo’s mother, Thelma, to set up an iPad that they were going to purchase for her for Christmas.  I told them that I would be very pleased to do so.

Jeff, first contacted me while Mary Jane and I were at an Art Show in St. Louis, Missouri..and I was reminded of the wonderful time that we had with them in our tour of the United Kingdom,just, that past August.

When I was a mere lad…and Thelma was just a little older…I spent many enjoyable meals at her table and was struck with her kindness to me.  She caused me to feel as if I was a member of her family.

This time, last December, is the anniversary of Mary Jane and I falling on some ice as we were leaving our lovely niece’s birthday celebration.

When we entered the Winery where the festivities were taking place, the sidewalks and roadways were clear and when we exited there had fallen a nice sheet of ice.

After my fall…I noticed that it was very difficult for me to breath for several minutes…but I was certain that I merely was bruised.

No need for a Doctor.

After a day and night of constant pain and muscles spasms that occurred every minute or two…I decided a Doctor’s visit would be in order.

Three fractured ribs, later, and some good drugs for pain and muscle relaxants, I survived…but there is not a day that I am not aware of my old ribs Christmas Injury.

Jonathon and I walked the SIU Campus earlier today.

I remembered Christmas Seasons from many years gone by on Campus.

Former Campus President, John Guyon and his wife, Joyce, had a Madrigal Christmas Dinner and commensurate celebration for many years at the Student Center.

I recall, with a tinge of nostalgia, my old friend Jo Ann’s Christmas Luncheon that she had for all of the University Community…the Christmas that she was Chancellor.

I recall the renewed hope and excitement that we all felt for our great Learning Institution.

I remember when the University began the policy of closing between the Christmas Holiday and the New Year Holiday and staff received six to seven days of Holiday’s and the Pay to accompany them.  This is still the practice of the Campus and it is a wonderful time to rest and rejuvenate and recharge for the upcoming year.

I was amazed and so very impressed when, Vice President Clarence ‘Doc’ Dougherty, came to Building Services little Christmas Dinner and took the time to shake hands and speak with every Building Service Worker and Building Custodian and Foreman in the room.

I remember driving our brand new Ford LTD, 2 door sedan, to my mother and stepfather’s and we had nice gifts for them and I had a good job as a new Building Service Worker I in 1978.

Before that Mary Jane and I had struggled financially and at one point in our new marriage I had been out of work altogether.  What a Christmas Blessing SIU was to us!

I had a two year tradition of visiting my friend and the Chancellor of SIUC on the last day of work prior to Christmas.  In the afternoon I would go to Anthony Hall and visit Dr. Beggs in his offices at Anthony.

I would find the Chancellor at the receptionist desk…answering the telephone…because he had sent all of his staff home for the Holidays.

On the second year of the two year tradition…Dr. Margaret Winters and her husband Geoff Nathan came in to wish the Chancellor Christmas happiness.

Chancellor Beggs introduced me to both of them and then told them that he and I had a tradition of getting together on the last work day of the year and talking about the past year.

Chancellor Beggs and his wonderful wife, Shirley, made me feel like I was as important as anyone on the Campus.

These photos are of a painting that Chancellor Beggs and Shirley gave me before they left the Campus at the conclusion his two year appointment as Chancellor.

The painting was originally commissioned for Dr. Beggs father and hung in the Credit Union that he managed, for many years.

It later hung in Dr. Beggs College of Education Dean’s Office for the entire time that he was the Dean and then in his Anthony Hall office for the two years that he was the Chancellor of the Campus.

I was humbled and gratified when he and Shirley gave the painting to me.

My home away from home, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, is currently struggling with the idea of massive, structural change to its’ Academic Programs.

Let me be crystal clear…SIU is a majestic and renowned University with a history that is the envy of elite schools across our nation.

The resources and the professors and the national programs are unique and to be desired.

Yet, the enrollment of the School’s Flagship Campus, at Carbondale, has been falling, precipitously, for 20 years.

During my time at Southern I witnessed our wonderful Campus experience almost 25 thousand students.

Now it is slightly above 14 thousand and forecast for another enrollment drop next fall semester.

It goes without saying that something must be done…now!

In the mid 1990’s, my friend Dr. Don Beggs, was named Chancellor for two years.

At the time of Chancellor Beggs tenure as Chancellor there were over 22 thousand students.

Dr. Beggs was admired on Campus and successful in slowly turning around the enrollment during his short window as the leader of our School.

I personally pleaded with, then University President Ted Sanders, to name Chancellor Beggs our permanent Chancellor.

President Sanders assured me and another member of the Chancellor Search Committee that he would do so if there was a grassroots outcry that Dr. Beggs be named the permanent Chancellor.

There was a massive grassroots outcry…and President Sanders did not keep his word.

Our University was fortunate to name Dr. Jo Ann Argersinger as Dr. Beggs replacement.

Chancellor Argersinger was loved by the students and faculty and staff…and there was an exuberance and vitality breathed into our, enrollment troubled Campus, like I had not seen during my career.

Chancellor Argersinger was terminated, ten months into her tenure…for, as Seinfeld would say,…Spite.

Now we have a Chancellor who is seeking a change in the Academic Structure of our Campus.

These are, ‘Just the Facts’ as Sergeant Joe Friday often said to witnesses to a crime on the popular television show, Dragnet.

We have to stop the decline in enrollment or we will no longer possess the wonderful Jewel that is SIU.

Surveys and public and private comments revealed that the University Community was desirous of change.

Chancellor Montemagno was chosen to be a ‘Change Agent.’

There is a vast wealth of knowledge and productive ideas that could benefit our great Campus within the University Community…and with our New Chancellor’s proposal for a New Academic Structure…there has occurred a lively conversation among all members of the Academy…like has not been in many years!

I have friends, whose opinion I value, that have told me that their interaction with our New Chancellor is refreshing and that he is down to earth and accessible and that he has a great affinity for the working people on Campus.

These markers of a great leader…excite and inspire me as they remind me of past University Leaders that had similar characteristics.

Then, I read where others say that the New Chancellor is inaccessible and not willing to inculcate ideas of members of the Community.

I have never met the New Chancellor…but I do know that he must have a chance to exhibit the positive change, needed, as concerning our paramount problem…which is enrollment.

Chancellor Beggs was well on the way to turning around our enrollment problem…when it was not as dire as it is now.

Two years…was not enough time!

Chancellor Argersinger was demonstrating the ability to unify the Campus Community…in and extraordinary manner.

Ten months…was not enough time!

I suggest that all members of the Campus Community and the wider Southern Illinois Community…come together and bring all good will and all good ideas and seek to build on the many strengths of Southern Illinois University in a Collegial manner…which is as it should be at a renowned University?

I have never seen anything positive accomplished by a pubic flogging and embarrassment and a public rebuke of a leader….in the presence of the Community that he has been asked to lead.

A great leader has to have humility and be able to forgive and be able to listen…much more than he speaks.

Indeed, we do not have time to contemplate the minutiae of ever ending philosophical and esoteric arguments.

Indeed, we must have time to fully and freely participate in needed positive change that will directly support increased enrollment at our beloved alma matter!

I love literature and philosophy and political science and history…and this is what University is to me.  Along with inclusiveness and acceptance and spreading a table for all humanity and all ethnicities and all faiths or of no faith…to come together and agree on the supreme desire of advancing the family of humanity.

Good University Governance is a mixture of the dreams of humanity and the practicality of what is needed in the time that we live in…to produce a vibrant School that has the ability to cater to both the English Major and the Scientist…the study of Africana history and the training of Law Enforcement.

Great leaders always are the product of collaboration.

When the members of the University Community are part of the decision making and ‘own the end result’…they will work tirelessly to ensure that the outcome of the ‘Change’ is successful!

I was chatting with my good friend, Jim, earlier today and reflecting on what it takes to produce a professional custodial technician.

Many years ago I was having breakfast at a church convention and one of the ministers, at the church that the convention was being held at, asked me if I had thought of obtaining the needed education to obtain a Professional Housekeeping Certificate?

I noted his kind admonishment and, considered that I already believed that I was a professional housekeeper…in many ways.

I am a full believer that custodial staff, as with any craft, can never have to much training and that certificates verifying that training are important.  However, for a person to become a professional in any field, first, requires a mindset that seeks to improve in all aspects of the discipline.

Having attended the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, week long seminars on four different occasions, I can attest that inspection of what you expect in cleanliness of a facility is vital to the success of the cleaning operation.

Also, facilities management and custodial operations have to agree on the recognized and measurable standard of custodial services that they are expecting.

It is imperative that custodial craftsman has cutting edge technology and are trained in best practices of Housekeeping Operations.

Also, and of extreme importance, is the development of the human being and dedicated career employee, that is fulfilling the indispensable service of building services maintenance.

So often, I have witnessed managers and administrators and University Leaders, treat custodial staff with a gratuitous or condescending manner.

The, common feeling, that anyone can clean, or that there must, obviously be little training or measurement in the work of…the old…or the uneducated or those lacking in motivation…and that ‘our cleaning person is…quaint… and colorful… and skilled in the art of getting out of work’…is sadly still the norm for relations with the community that is served by the skillful custodial employee.

I often pointed out that many of our staff held Bachelor’s Degrees and several Master’s Degrees.

I have admonished both Chancellors and University President’s that they did not fully realize the depth of education and ability that was at their disposal in the Building Services ranks…and that all they needed to do…was think outside the box…a little…to obtain assistance that would be vital to the recruitment and retention of our wonderful students.

For the over 25 years that I served as manager in the Building Services Department at Southern Illinois University I noted, on every occasion that was afforded to me, that the University was fortunate to have the most professional Housekeeping Staff in the State of Illinois and across the nation.

SIU’s Building Services Staff are career employees.  I have witnessed their dedication on numerous occasions, when the custodial budget was cut…as much as a million dollars, that they would not let slip the cleanliness of their University.

I know of many Building Services Staff that skipped their breaks and lunch to ensure that the University Buildings that they were responsible for…remained highly above average in cleanliness…for the students that they loved and respected.

Housekeeping is so often, a seemingly easy cut, for administration, as they attest that they must hold harmless the ‘Academic Mission’ of the University.

The custodial professionals, that it was my high honor to work with for over thirty-two years…accepted the need for budget reductions…but their importance to the ‘Academic Mission’ of the University was paramount.

Housekeeping  Professionalism is a mindset and it’s importance to the mission of the institution that it serves is as important as any component of the facility.

Something that is lost on many administrators is that Building Services Staff are so dedicated to the Community that they serve…that they will subsequently struggle to achieve a high standard of cleanliness even when they are told by management to not do so.

I saw many work slow downs during budget cuts…but the custodial staff…would not take part…because of their professional career dedication to the University and it’ s ‘Academic Mission.’

Cherish your dedicated Professional Building Services Staff!