We’re Still Here

When the University went to remote instruction in March 2020 because of COVID-19, many employees began working from home. But not all jobs can be done at home or over Zoom. In “We’re Still Here,” The Well catches up with employees who have been working on campus all along to help the University fulfill its mission.

  • Neil McKeeman (left) and Keith Makuck work in the operations center housed at the ITS Manning building. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

    We’re still here: Keeping Carolina connected

    Since March of last year, certain ITS teams have remained on campus to make sure that Carolina employees both on and off campus stayed connected no matter where they were working.

  • Ryan Talley dumps a load of mulch around a cherry tree near by Manning Hall. Talley and three other groundskeepers have worked in the historic area of campus throughout the pandemic. “To say that I enjoyed it would be wrong,” Talley said. “I wish the Coronavirus had never happened, but it was nice at times to do my own thing. I had Polk Place, and that’s enough to do there with maintenance and upkeep.”

    We’re still here: Keeping Carolina beautiful

    Throughout the pandemic, Grounds Services workers stayed on the job to make sure the outdoor areas of historic campus remained clean and picturesque. A year later, they’re still at it.

  • We’re still here: Keeping Carolina clean

    Each weeknight at 11 p.m., the Facilities Services housekeepers of Zone 215 report to the Adams School of Dentistry to clean it so dentists and hygienists can treat patients at clinics during the day. They’re one of many employee teams working on campus since the pandemic began.

  • Female police officer wearing a covid mask.

    We’re still here: Keeping Carolina safe

    UNC Police show up every day — and every night — to serve the Carolina community.

  • Occupational health nurse Jeanne Brueggemann treats an employee during a visit to the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

    We’re still here: Keeping Carolina healthy

    When most Carolina faculty and staff went remote last spring, many employees at the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic and Campus Health strapped on masks and came to campus to provide health care to Carolina employees and students. A year later, they’re still at it.