A clean space to learn is a safe place to learn. Research shows a cleaner environment boosts academic performance, engagement and motivation. This year, Michigan State University’s (MSU) Residential Education and Housing Services (REHS) department earned the prestigious Cleaning Industry Management Standard-Green Building (CIMS-GB) certification with honors, recognizing its commitment to sustainability. The certification shows REHS has met or exceeds the industry standard set by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) in areas such as business, professionalism, customer service and green-cleaning programs.

MSU applies for CIMS recertification every two years to maintain its GB with honors status. The CIMS-GB symbolizes achieving a greener clean while earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) points. The higher its LEED-EBOM rating, the higher the building’s score, reflecting its environmental impact.   

Sustainable Steps

CIMS-GB Assessor and Consultant Erik Raper conducted his first reassessment at MSU this year. Raper conducted an onsite assessment of REHS’ practices, interviewed staff and reviewed the CIMS material. He interviewed and conducted focus groups with the environmental management team, multiple facilities managers, assistant directors, Director Helena Gardner and Associate Vice President Ray Gasser.

Raper toured campus, visiting Brody, Mayo, McDonnel, Owen, Akers, Hubbard, Holmes and Snyder/Phillips halls. He reviewed documents detailing paper and plastic use, cleaning chemicals and recycling efforts across the university.

REHS fosters community engagement and environmental sustainability through facilities and recycling team collaboration around move outs and holidays. The team collects and donates items to the MSU Surplus Center and across the Lansing community.

Maintenance and custodial staff also work to reduce chemical usage, substituting salt and water to clean and disinfect surfaces. Each year, the team evaluates products to find safe, more sustainable alternatives.  

After completing the CIMS-GB assessment, REHS was awarded the certification with honors and multiple complimentary comments about the department’s dedication to quality service.

“Thank you for this opportunity,” said Raper. “It is always a pleasure to work with such dedicated professional people. It’s organizations like REHS that make my job so pleasurable.”

Learning and Growing

Raper praised REHS’ commitment to professional growth and internal promotions. Facilities Manager Emily Scott’s journey is a testament to REHS’ dedication to employee development. Scott started as a building service worker in 2016, then became a facilities supervisor in 2021, managing Mason/Abbot and Snyder/Phillips halls and assisting with CIMS reassessments.

During Scott’s time with REHS, she’s gotten to know the majority of the REHS and Facilities team members and has been inspired by growing with them over the years. She attributes her loyalty to the REHS community, culture and opportunities for provisional development, growth and movement.

“I’ve been on campus for eight and a half years, starting out as a frontline employee,” said Scott. “Employees have been with us for so long, they truly care about our residents and our mission.”

REHS provides its employees with ongoing professional development opportunities through a variety of classes organized by SLE trainers. These courses are available year-round to help staff expand their skill sets. Recently, REHS offered a new Invest in Success course, in which attendees received a certification upon completion.

“I’ve grown to learn how incredible it is to be part of the recertification process, especially impressing someone unfamiliar with campus by everything we do,” said Scott. “I thoroughly enjoyed my first recertification. It was really awesome meeting the accessor and getting to know him and the other places he’s visited.”

Raising the Bar

Looking ahead, Raper recommended REHS update their Safety Data Sheets for chemicals across campus. These sheets list chemical makeups, hazards (environmental, flammable, combustible, corrosive, etc.) and safety protocols. REHS plans to remove outdated materials, relabel documents alphabetically and create compact versions for campus buildings.

REHS is also focused on improving training and staying up to date with certification requirements. Each year the department reviews employee and compliance training, continuously looking to improve and refine practices. The team will continue to enhance professional development and incorporate sustainable products and automated cleaning machines to allow staff to focus on other critical tasks.

The CIMS-GB with honors accreditation not only sets a standard for REHS and the quality they provide residents but also makes them more environmentally conscious, driving their commitment to provide a safe, clean and sustainable living experience for students.

“I think this is incredible, it’s a reflection of our sanitation workers in residence halls and amazing supervisors,” said Dr. Gasser. “I’m incredibly proud of them for continuing to raise the bar and be able to work alongside them.”

Learn more about REHS at ombud.msu.edu/resources-self-help/REHS or liveon.msu.edu.

Author: Olivia Williams, student communications assistant