Northeastern’s General Maintenance Team: Filling Gaps and Supporting Trades 

By Michael Earls with the Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub 

As thousands of students migrate from building to building on Northeastern’s sprawling urban campus, it is easy to take for granted the many skilled teams who ensure the chaotic harmony of university life continues smoothly—among them are the highly skilled tradespeople, who form a crucial part of campus operations.  

From carpentry to plumbing to electrical, Northeastern’s tradespeople ensure that the campus remains a safe and accessible place for the entire community. However, hiring new trade workers, particularly in the HVAC field, has been increasingly difficult due to licensing requirements and competition from the service industry. In response, Meaghan Healey, AVP of Facilities Operations, crafted an innovative solution: the General Maintenance Team. 

Formed this summer, the team tackles tasks that do not require specialized licenses, allowing licensed workers to focus on more complex work. The team’s flexibility allows them to respond rapidly to the most urgent needs across campus, creating a dynamic support system for the entire community.  

The newly available support has delighted Healey, who has worked closely with Northeastern’s trade workers as they have labored in the heat: 

“I’m just happy to see them get a little bit of relief because they do so much for the university,” she said. “They are here for move in, they are here for shutdowns, they are here repairing equipment on roofs when it’s 97 degrees for weeks at a time.” 

In just a few short weeks, the General Maintenance Team has become an integral part of campus life. They completed preventative maintenance for two major buildings in just two weeks, with much of their work centered around fan coil units in dormitories, ensuring they were ready for students’ return to campus. The team’s efforts allow the HVAC technicians to concentrate on more urgent tasks, such as addressing emergencies in classroom buildings. 

Image provided by Geoff Delaney. A member of the General Maintenance Team works on preparing the dorms, including maintenance of essential systems like fan coil units and air filters.  

But it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about expanding possibilities and creating potential. Veteran plumber Geoff Delaney, with 26 years of NU experience, recently stepped into the role of foreperson for the General Maintenance Team. Though the promotion came with its challenges, Delaney has grown to appreciate his new responsibilities “I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the computer work, paperwork, and phone calls, but I actually really like it. It’s a completely different role for me,” he said. 

Under Delaney’s leadership, the team has not only handled maintenance in dormitories but also tackled a wide range of tasks around campus, from painting staircases to replacing air handler filters in Ryder and Dodge Halls. In less than three weeks, the team has completed 187 work orders. 

Image provided by Meaghan Healey. Members of the General Maintenance Team posing together.  

This level of productivity highlights how quickly the General Maintenance Team has adapted to meet the demands of campus. Their success is even more impressive considering the diverse backgrounds of the new hires, ranging from hotel maintenance to those with minimal mechanical experience.  

As Delaney has begun supervising, he has been impressed by their work ethic and adaptability: 

“These guys have never really done this kind of work before, but they’ve taken to it,” he said. “You show them what to do, and they just go for it.” 

As the team continues to grow, Healey remains optimistic about its evolving role at Northeastern. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for it to grow,” she said. Already, other trade departments on campus are beginning to see the value the team brings by taking on smaller tasks and freeing up tradespeople to focus on more technical and demanding work. 

The General Maintenance Team is poised to become an indispensable part of Northeastern’s operations. As the demand for skilled tradespeople rises, the team will be crucial in ensuring the campus remains efficient and well-maintained. 

“It’s still new, but it’s been really wonderful to watch this team grow,” Healey said. “They’re already making a big difference, and I can’t wait to see how much more they’ll accomplish

Written By Michael Earls. September 5th, 2024