Operations
2025-2026 Program Review

Campus Operations serves as a critical support division that ensures American River College’s physical environment remains safe, clean, and well maintained so that students can focus on their academic goals. We act as a liaison between the District’s Facilities Management Services and the Los Rios Police Department, working collaboratively to provide comprehensive operational support for the campus. Our team handles minor building maintenance, including repairing classroom fixtures and addressing routine facility needs. We also oversee custodial services to ensure that classrooms, restrooms, hallways, and study areas remain clean and comfortable. In addition, we manage campus printing services and sign shop services, supporting the production of instructional materials, campus signage, and other essential print resources. Campus Operations further supports campus safety by assisting with building access, maintaining emergency equipment, and coordinating with partners during drills or incidents. Finally, we manage essential logistics such as receiving and distributing deliveries, setting up campus events, and supporting construction and renovation projects. Together, these services ensure that American River College operates smoothly and remains an environment where learning can thrive.

Although Campus Operations is one of the most diverse divisions at American River College, certain groups within the department still experience disproportionate impacts due to the physically demanding nature of operational work and historical inequities in facilities-related fields. Staff in custodial and maintenance roles willingly accept these positions with a clear understanding of the job expectations outlined in the job descriptions; however, the physical strain, non-traditional schedules, and limited mobility pathways associated with these roles can still affect some employees more than others. These impacts are tied to the nature of the work rather than the commitment or capability of the staff. Recognizing this helps the division strengthen equity-minded practices, ensure safe working conditions, and support the long-term well-being and professional growth of all Campus Operations employees.

The division has enhanced equitable hiring practices by broadening outreach to diverse applicant pools and ensuring interview committees reflect the diversity of the department. Supervisors, a Head, and Lead staff have engaged in equity-focused professional development, including training on cultural competency, inclusive communication, and strategies for supporting multilingual employees. To improve access to essential information and training, the division has expanded the availability of safety materials. Campus Operations has strengthened support for the swing shift by improving communication, increasing supervisory presence, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Additionally, the division has added operations office staff to better distribute administrative responsibilities and improve service to employees and the campus community. 

The unit will continue to strengthen equitable hiring practices by ensuring diverse applicant pools, representative interview committees, and transparent advancement pathways. To address disparities related to job demands—including the additional challenges faced by staff assigned to work at off-campus centers—we will ensure that all shifts, including swing, receive equitable supervisory support, consistent communication, and full access to professional development opportunities. Campus Operations will also continue to refine workload distribution to minimize physical strain and promote fairness across teams. This includes strategically shifting staff to different locations so they gain experience cleaning multiple areas, which supports cross-training, increases operational flexibility, and contributes to more equitable shift assignments. In addition, the division will enhance staff support by increasing administrative capacity within the operations office, improving internal communication systems, and creating structured opportunities for employee feedback. These strategies collectively advance the division’s goal of fostering an equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive.

Campus Operations needs additional institutional support to reduce disproportionate impacts, including increased staffing across all shifts, a Lead position at the Natomas Center, and an Event Coordinator Lead to manage weekend events and ensure spaces are ready for instruction on Monday. Maintenance requires administrative funding for summer HVAC coverage, safer tools, and a functioning copier. The division also needs expanded multilingual and cross-training resources, continued refinement of workload distribution through staff rotation, and a consultant to conduct an objective custodial workload analysis.

Several additional issues and concerns continue to affect the unit and are important to highlight. Custodial staff need additional designated computer stations to complete required check-ins, as well as expanded IT training and support. The custodial field is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly technical with the introduction of AI-driven tools and robotics, which are emerging in response to ongoing staffing shortages; staff will require ongoing training and institutional support to adapt to these changes. Updated radios and phones with texting capability are also needed to improve communication across teams, including for external event services. Operational challenges are further intensified by the physical distance between departments, which are spread across campus, making it more difficult to respond quickly and efficiently to service needs. Looking ahead, the location of future facilities will be critical: a centrally located operations building is essential for timely service delivery, whereas placing the unit at the edge of campus makes it significantly harder to reach outer areas when needed. Addressing these concerns will be key to improving efficiency, supporting staff, and ensuring high-quality service to the institution.