The office will hold tabling sessions next week to highlight its 200-plus employees, its services, and the importance of keeping the University’s campus and buildings clean.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Environmental Services (EVS) team will step into the spotlight March 23-27 during International Cleaning Week, which provides EVS staffers the chance to introduce themselves and advocate for the importance of keeping UMB’s campus and buildings clean.
As part of the celebration, EVS will hold tabling sessions in campus buildings Monday through Thursday, March 23-26 (see schedule below), and encourages members of the UMB community to stop by, say hello, ask questions, and learn more about the office and its services, as well as find out how students, staff, and faculty can do their part to help to keep the campus clean.
EVS is one of five offices within Facilities and Operations, which is a division of UMB’s Administration and Finance (A&F) department. The four units within EVS are Custodial Services; Moving, Recycling, and Special Events; Clean Campus Ambassadors; and Pest Control.
“You might be most familiar with the staff in Custodial Services, the largest unit within EVS, who are responsible for cleaning internal spaces at the University,” said Denise Meyer, director of EVS. “But the other three units within EVS also work daily to keep our campus environment clean and healthy.
“Creating a clean, healthy, and safe environment at UMB is not just about appearance — it’s also about protecting the well-being of every student, patient, faculty, and staff member, and visitor who walks through our doors,” she added. “During International Cleaning Week 2026, we proudly recognize the dedication of our EVS team, whose work is essential, impactful, and often unseen.”
The Moving, Recycling, and Special Events team transports recycling from UMB’s buildings and hauls bulk trash to keep the buildings clear of surplus property. The Pest Control team uses trapping, sanitation, and preventive measures to address pest issues. Finally, the Clean Campus Ambassadors work to keep nearly 10 acres of outdoor spaces clean and vibrant through litter pickup and trash removal.
(Photo: Members of the Clean Campus Ambassadors team in 2024)
EVS was launched in 2019 when it was split off from A&F’s Operations and Maintenance group, where it was referred to as the Housekeeping Department. The EVS team quickly made its mark, providing critical cleaning and disinfecting services under new protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those efforts were recognized in UMB’s 2020-2021 “On the Front Lines: Champions of Excellence” campaign, which honored essential employees and front-line workers who kept the University’s functions and operations running during the crisis. And, since 2021, five EVS employees — Meyer, Miranda Young, Debra Ruffin, Darlene Watkins, and Priti Wakefield — have been recognized with UMB’s Employee of the Month Award.
In 2023, EVS hired a new, 12-person group of Clean Campus Ambassadors. The team’s service area originally included all of the outdoor areas of UMB but has expanded to include the campus-adjacent areas of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from Saratoga to Pratt streets, the median strip running through it, areas on both sides of the street, and the 500 block of W. Lexington St. where vendors are set up.
The Clean Campus Ambassadors have bridged gaps between students and the community, enhanced UMB’s relationship with Lexington Market, and helped the University connect with the vendors on West Lexington Street and the community at-large.
In 2024, EVS teamed with the Office of Sustainability to complete a self-service waste project, rolling out double and triple waste-collection stations across campus to replace individual desk-side cans, which was projected to save more than 775,000 individual can liners each year.
“Behind every clean and safe space at UMB is a dedicated EVS team member who takes pride in what they do,” Meyer said. “I’m continually inspired by their work ethic and their commitment to others. International Cleaning Week 2026 is a meaningful opportunity to say thank you for all they do — seen and unseen.”
During International Cleaning Week, each of the 200-plus EVS employees will receive departmental swag in appreciation of their efforts and dedication. Also, members of EVS will be manning tables throughout the week at these times and locations:
|
Date |
Building |
Site |
Time |
|
March 23 |
School of Dentistry Building |
First-Floor Lobby |
10 to 11 a.m. |
|
|
SMC Campus Center |
First-Floor Lobby |
10:30 a.m. to Noon |
|
|
Health Sciences Research Facility I |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. |
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March 24 |
Health Sciences and Human Services Library |
First Foor (Behind Security) |
10 to 11 a.m. |
|
|
School of Law Building |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
1 to 2 p.m. |
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March 25 |
School of Social Work Building |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
10 to 11 a.m. |
|
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Saratoga Building |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |
|
|
School of Nursing Building |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. |
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March 26 |
Health Sciences Research Facility II |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
10 to 11 a.m. |
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Lexington Building |
Main-Entrance Lobby |
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |