As the leaves begin to change from green to orange and the weather changes from hot to cool, the department at Eastern that cleans up fallen leaves is also metamorphosing.
On August 11, Carl Altomare was hired as executive director of campus services.
Donna Macintosh, head of campus services, took responsibility for overseeing plant operations throughout the summer.
Patience and understanding of certain roles were key to keeping the department running smoothly before Altomare arrived.
“The plant operations staff knows their respective responsibilities and work to achieve resolving the issues and needs of the campus community on a daily basis,” Macintosh said. “That and a lot of patience, cooperation and time allotment from the campus community and time and guidance from former [plant ops] director Rob Smith enabled the department to function and complete all necessary tasks throughout the summer.”
As for former director Rob Smith, Macintosh said that Smith was simply looking for a change.
He had spent the last 18 years at Eastern, before relocating to Richmond, Virginia, to join Media General as a project manager, according to Macintosh.
“I believe that Rob was looking for new challenges, personal growth, and for a warmer climate,” Macintosh said.
Currently, plant operations does not have a director of its own, but Altomare plans to change that very soon.
“One of my hopes for the near future is to hire a new plant operations director in order to get a good handle for the department,” he said.
Throughout August, Altomare was in charge of overseeing a plethora of repairs and projects on campus.
These projects included electrical work at the gym, power washing the top walls of McInnis, adding new rubber tread to the stairs in the back of McInnis, installing a new roof on Doane A and extensive tree trimming and air condit oning work.
Helping Altomare take care of the campus are 14 full-time and two part-time employees.
Also, according to Altomare, four to six student workers with Federal Work Study will be helping with the grounds department, snow removal, changing light bulbs and other minor labor tasks.
As for students who need work done in their rooms, Altomare suggests using a new process.
“Students should contact their RA, and then contact the RD, and they can then put in a web work request on the Internet,” Altomare said.
Altomare will have a role to play in relation to Sodexho. He will be responsible for the equipment and the Eastern Campus Employment budget for Sodexho.
Although he has only been here for a month and the work has been plentiful, Altomare has enjoyed his time at Eastern so far.
“I enjoy my job,” he said. “[Eastern] is such a beautiful campus and when the weather is nice, walking around is great. Everyone has also been very welcoming.”