Housekeeping staff recognized

One of them was a petite, shy woman who cleaned the halls of Brandt’s first and third floors. She cleaned the halls using ammonia and other products, while she was pregnant.

She and the others are often secluded.

Quietly they come in, and then they go out.

They break where we cannot see them, often seated in back places such as floor lounges and makeshift storage closet spaces.

They commune together while we learn, and they work tediously while some study and others sleep.

These are the 30 on-staff housekeeping workers.

A typical day begins for many at 7 a.m. and ends for the rest around 2:30 a.m.

Housekeeping wakes up to the overflow of waste and vomit when returning to dorms after the students’ eventful weekend of activities. Housekeeping not only have the daily responsibility of cleaning all three dormitories, but cleaning the majority of the buildings and facilities the University utilizes.

The staff covers the campus, splitting the crew from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. day shift to 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m night shift.

While few will complain, a lack of consideration exists between the University and this staff of hardworking individuals.

Many don’t speak English, but if a student were to pass by the staff will force a smile or say “hello” before taking on the arduous task of cleaning up our messes.

There are, nonetheless, friendly and committed in their work ethic.

They rarely take breaks, but when seen taking a moment to themselves, they act as though they shouldn’t.

They respond to last minute and immediate requests, and are usually the last to be informed.

Halerie Gonzalez, account manager for housekeeping, said while many students are friendly to the staff and communicate despite the language barrier, there is a portion of population less respectful.

Other lists of complaints were the uncontrolled results of drunkenness, leaving alcoholic beverages and its aftermath everywhere (disgusting vomit, for lack of better words) and continued use of a malfunctioning toilet.

“It’s the little things,” she said.

People leave out dishes for them to clean and leave trash in the lounge. Scattered and haphazardly spread across the floors, as if they were hired specifically for residents.

Bottom line: No one really likes to clean up after someone else. Simple things we can easily do ourselves, and should do out of respect for those who clean the facilities are left for “the help.”

Are not we our brother’s keeper?

There’s more to a person than what they do.

Their humble and meek demeanor should not be interpreted as intimidation or fear.

They work hard for long hours with very little pay. We all have a job and no one should make the other’s more difficult or unpleasurable.

In the University’s mission statement, the University “affirms a philosophy of life that actively supports the health of the planet and its people.”

“The University, therefore, encourages students to become reflective about personal, professional, and societal values in the light of this affirmation.”

How different should we value the treatment and welfare of our very own?

Partly the responsibility of the University is to ensure a sustainable community of individuals respecting the condition of our world and the people in it.

We must put the ideals of the University into practice.

In order to be a truly diversified campus and place important to possessing a standard of ethics and values, we should first practice them.

To enrich our lives and the live of others, we must make what we value of important.

While seeking to achieve higher education, students should seek to better the human condition.