By Rebecca Arrington A workforce of some 1,600 strong keeps the University's fires burning and minds turning from dusk 'til dawn. Among the staff are nurses, librarians, mechanics, lab technicians, housekeepers and telephone operators. Here's what several had to say about working the evening or night shifts, which for all is their preferred time to work. Jennifer Sorensen, the night supervisor at Clemons Library stays busy. But there is a pleasant aspect to working the evening hours.
Patrons seem a bit more relaxed and conversational.
People come into the building in gorilla suits and robot costumes. I've seen the P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society award a pumpkin to a student, and the IMPs retrieve one of their new initiates. The night view of University Hospital is what greets some 1,350 Medical Center employees who work during the evening or night shifts. Sorensen has worked at U.Va. since 1994, first as a student employee at Alderman Library , then becoming a full-time staff member in 1998. Shirley Raines has been answering telephone calls as a U.Va. operator for 12 years.