Oakland University’s Oakland Center (OC) is full of helpful resources all students have access to. From the OU Bookstore to the Pioneer Food Court, there is something for everyone, starting right when students walk through the front doors.
The OC’s help desk is run by students, helping visitors find specific rooms, answering questions and setting up rooms for events. Madeline Kraemer, a student who has worked at the OC front desk since 2022, explains her experiences and more about her position.
“I mostly do a lot of directing people and answering questions about the OC,” Kraemer said. “There are so many events in this building. It’s something like 8,000 or 9,000 events a year happening just in the OC, and I direct people and oversee what’s happening and make sure nothing’s on fire.
“I also direct people to where they need to go and answer any questions about the OC or about Oakland in general. I mostly do a lot of directing people and answering questions about the OC.”
With students, staff and faculty constantly walking throughout the OC, students are bound to walk over and ask the help desk questions. Kraemer talks about how many visitors come up to her each day.
“I’m here from 12 to 5, so I probably get 100 questions if it’s really busy,” Kraemer said. “It gets really busy during lunchtime, so I’d say a fair amount, especially if there’s like a really big event going on.”
Whether it’s human interaction or keeping individuals informed about campus happenings, working the front desk can be a gratifying experience. Kraemer explains her favorite aspects of working at the help desk.
“I love knowing what’s going on,” Kraemer said. That’s without a doubt my favorite thing about working here, and it has definitely made my entire experience at OU better just because I’m overly involved in all of the events that are happening every single day on campus.”
While Kraemer works the day shift, Tyler Liberty sheds some light on his duties involving the night shift.
“At the end of the night, I just ensure that everyone’s out when I lock up the building,” Liberty said. “Sometimes I’ll do some extra cleaning before and after big events like Casino Night. Casino Night is such a big night for us because we do, like, so much cleaning after and we do table arrangements. Sometimes, I’ll help the custodians set up rooms with tables and chairs and stuff like that.”
Liberty explains that he gets asked questions less during the evening, while also talking about his most asked questions.
“Per day, I probably get about 50 [questions],” Liberty said. “I often get asked where the Rec Center is and how to get to the Rec Center from here.”
Liberty also divulges what their favorite part about working the help desk is.
“It’s just so relaxed and still professional,” Liberty said. “Everyone’s very friendly to each other. There has never been any drama between employees. We have the same employees as we had for the last three years, so everyone is super chill.”
For more information on the OC’s help desk, call the desk’s phone at (248) 370-3245, or visit the OC website.
