Tonya Sell leaves UNC, creating another gap in the Facilities Services department

Tonya Sell, the embattled former assistant director of housekeeping, is no longer employed by the University, intensifying the troubled department’s lack of leadership.

Sell, who has been the focus of impassioned criticism from members of the department for more than a year, left UNC Dec. 19, according to an email from University spokeswoman Karen Moon.

Discussion at Wednesday’s meeting of the Employee Forum highlighted Sell’s absence.

Her departure came on the heels of a petition from some housekeepers to have her reassigned, said Jackie Overton, chairwoman of the forum. The petition stated Sell threatened employees and practiced verbal abuse, among other issues.

Sell ranked 97th on a list of America’s worst bosses of 2011 in December by ebosswatch.com — a list members cited at the forum.

Assistant director of housekeeping isn’t the only position left vacant. There is no director of housekeeping or permanent director of Facilities Services, which oversees housekeeping services.

Bill Burston, former director of housekeeping, left the University Sept. 28, Moon said.

Overton said the search committee assigned to hire a director of housekeeping has narrowed the pool of candidates from 109 to six.
“We are looking for more people-minded candidates that know how to work with and respect people,” Overton said.

The committee plans to bring two or three final candidates to campus and ultimately hire one by April 1, Overton said.

Gena Carter, senior director for employment management and relations, said the department is making progress in reform.

“Members have been elected to the advisory committee and had a kickoff meeting, as well as scheduling biweekly meetings through the end of 2012,” Carter said.

Jill Crowder, a member of the forum who works in Facilities Services, said the departure of the department’s former director Van Dobson, who left Dec. 16, could also provide an opportunity for rebuilding.

The department appointed Ray DuBose, long-time employee of the Energy Services department, as the interim director in Dobson’s place.

“He’s been part of facilities, worked with facilities, knows how things operate and has a management background,” Overton said.

Overton said she and Chancellor Holden Thorp conducted a “listening tour” of the housekeeping department last year, encouraging employees to voice their discontent on issues within the department.

“A theme that emerged was poor management,” Overton said.
Upon complaints of poor management, discrimination and harassment in the housekeeping department, the PRM Consulting Group evaluated the department and provided 45 recommendations for change.

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