OVCAS Basic Custodial Service Levels FAQ

General questions:

What is the expected current level of custodial service?
Services and cleaning frequencies for academic and administrative facilities are listed on the OVCAS website. These serve as a starting point to determine staffing requirements. Customized cleaning schedules and frequencies are informed by building occupancy and utilization balanced with available staffing.

Will certain buildings and spaces have different levels of service?
Yes. Auxiliary Services, mixed-use, University of Illinois Foundation-owned, and self-supporting spaces and facilities pay for their desired service level. Units in academic and administrative facilities may request and pay for a higher level of service based on their specific needs.

Will staffing be consistent or should we expect a rotating crew?
The staffing is intended to be consistent. However, crew substitutions will be required to accommodate the use of benefit time.

Regarding high and low dusting in public areas:

Does this include walls, baseboards, hallway storage lockers, inside elevators and office/lab doors?
Yes. High/low dusting of these areas will be done monthly. Any glaring deficiencies will receive immediate attention.

Who determines what qualifies as “as needed” in public areas?
A supervisor will be assigned to monitor the cleaning quality.

Could I request these services to be done every two weeks or once a month?
Yes. However, any cleaning upgrade must be requested with a billable work order.

Would wiping down dirty doors, baseboards, etc., with some type of cleaner be considered an extra billable service?
Yes and No. Doors will be spot cleaned monthly, but a billable work order will be required for more frequent or additional cleaning.

Will custodial staff:

Put down salt and shovel snow at each entrance when needed?
Yes. Building service workers will be responsible for these tasks within 10 feet of facility entrances. FM Grounds will take care of additional tasks.

Will break rooms and kitchenettes—including sinks—be cleaned daily? 
Yes, if a billable work order is submitted. However, appliances like microwaves and refrigerators will not be cleaned and are the responsibility of the unit/college/department.

Am I required to empty my own trash?
Yes. Personal trash and recycling materials should be sorted and taken to the designated location in your space.

In the event of a flood, can custodial staff assist immediately with water clean-up if asked or would they need to wait for the work order to get approved and their supervisor’s permission before they could help?
They will assist immediately.  Facilities Management will call in additional support as needed.

Would cleaning autoclave rooms be included in the service – sweeping, mopping, wiping down counters and sinks, walls and built-in equipment?
Yes. They will be cleaned weekly.

Can I hire my own supplemental janitorial service?
No. This can only be done if delegated to do so by the vice chancellor of administrative services and only under special circumstances.

I am getting complaints from students. How should those be handled?
If the complaint is about cleanliness, please contact FM Deputy Director Larry Battle.  If it is about a building emergency, contact Deputy Director of Zone Managers Jessica Gallo. In either case, they will escalate a response.

How do I submit a request for a billable service?
Please use FMweb to submit a work order or obtain an estimate for additional or specialized service.