Rouages: "Managing the supply and set-up of equipment at events".
Pascale Hugonnet-Susini is team leader for logistics and events in the logistics department. Conferences, exhibitions, ceremonies, vehicle loans, lost and found... Discover all her missions in the Rouages video series produced by the University of Montpellier.
We always have people dropping in," says a delighted Pascale Hugonnet-Susini, " whether it's bosses saying hello or colleagues. We'll talk about the current state of work, and then have a few laughs - we always have a few laughs around here. On the first floor of Building 7, just before the coffee machines on the right at the end of the corridor, is the logistics and events support department. Behind the doors, everyone is busy with their tasks in an atmosphere of good humor. " There are 27 of us in this department, but the Logistics Division has three departments spread over several sites. In all, there are more than 60 agents," explains the logistics and events team leader.
Highlights of the year
At the very top of the list of its many missions is the monitoring and management of events. The President's New Year's Eve in January, Open Day in February, Staff Day in June, two-day welcome days for new students at the Jardin des Plantes in September, Children's Christmas in December... All year round, Pascale Hugonnet-Susini and her team work hard behind the scenes to make possible the major convivial events that shape everyone's sense of belonging to the University of Montpellier. " An event like the President's New Year's ceremony, which takes place between midday and midnight, means a whole day's work for us, from setting up to dismantling the equipment," she explains.
Alongside these highlights, the logistics and events support department is also involved on a day-to-day basis in the organization of conferences, exhibitions, congresses... ". In most cases, this involves managing the supply and installation of equipment, i.e. tables, chairs, fences, but also marquees, a stage that can be used, signage, etc., for UM events. We work with all departments, from HR to the accounting agency for small items, and more regularly with the Campus Life and Communications departments.
Vehicles and lost and found
For many University staff used to travelling by car, Pascale Hugonnet-Susini is also the keeper of the keys to the dozen or so loaner vehicles that the UM makes available to its departments. " I manage reservations and arrange appointments with garages for vehicle maintenance and follow-up ", she explains.
To discover her latest mission, we follow her into a small room adjoining the logistics and events department. " This is Ali-Baba's cavern," she declares as she opens the doors of a cupboard containing the university's lost and found: glasses, headphones, gloves, pouches, bags, but also clothes and even a few bicycles... "I've never found anything very unusual, apart from a few forgotten items of underwear," adds Pascale Hugonnet-Susini. I've never found anything very unusual, apart from a few forgotten items of underwear," adds Pascale Hugonnet-Susini.
From cleaning to logistics
Having joined the university 16 years ago as a maintenance worker at the IUT, it was " the good atmosphere in logistics " that made her take the plunge and swap the cleaning trolley for the hand truck and pallet truck. While she readily admits that the job can sometimes be physically demanding and requires a high level of availability, " as you may have to work late evenings and weekends ", the team leader asserts, "it's a job I enjoy! You've got your hands in everything, and there's never a dull moment. On the other hand, you have to be diplomatic to try and please everyone, but you feel really useful." And the best reward for Pascale Hugonnet-Susini comes every year at the end of the year: " It's Christmas for the children of UM staff! It's a heavy, tiring day, but seeing all those little kids running around, shouting and playing is just great!
