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Editorial: Appreciation for BSWs' work
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Opinions
We see them every day.
It's impossible to miss them; everywhere you go, from resident halls to classrooms, they are there every day working hard to give Eastern the image of the clean, pristine institution it should be.
They are the building service workers and they deserve students' respect.
To some students in resident halls and the academic buildings across campus, BSWs are just nameless faces that come along daily to clean up the messes left by students and faculty.
It could be shyness, or a student could tell one's self, "I don't want to interrupt their work," but cheap excuses don't stop the fact that there is someone there every day who cleans up the filth left behind and works hard to maintain properly functioning utilities.
And let's face it: The state of some floors of resident halls can be atrocious, sometimes stomach-turning.
From clogged, overflowing toilets to showers covered in a thick layer of what was probably once shampoo, soap or a mixture of both, BSWs take care of it all.
Classrooms, as well, are not always in the best condition when BSWs arrive.
We've all seen the water bottles and papers left behind from someone in an early class, and yet those items stay on the floor.
Despite this, some students won't even give the BSWs a simple hello in the morning.
It's disgusting how self-absorbed some students appear to be. Are students afraid acknowledging a BSW is social suicide?
Or is it the BSW never makes an effort to tell you "good morning" or "have a nice day"?
Why should they make the effort?
Don't they do enough for students by showing up five days a week to clean up after them?
Isn't it enough for them to provide a clean floor?
BSWs make the first effort toward connection with a student by providing a sort of welfare for them.
The least students could do is offer a simple "hello" just to show their appreciation.
Or even better, pick up after themselves.
Don't make excuses and come down from your pedestals.
Make sure BSWs know you appreciate their work.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
It's impossible to miss them; everywhere you go, from resident halls to classrooms, they are there every day working hard to give Eastern the image of the clean, pristine institution it should be.
They are the building service workers and they deserve students' respect.
To some students in resident halls and the academic buildings across campus, BSWs are just nameless faces that come along daily to clean up the messes left by students and faculty.
It could be shyness, or a student could tell one's self, "I don't want to interrupt their work," but cheap excuses don't stop the fact that there is someone there every day who cleans up the filth left behind and works hard to maintain properly functioning utilities.
And let's face it: The state of some floors of resident halls can be atrocious, sometimes stomach-turning.
From clogged, overflowing toilets to showers covered in a thick layer of what was probably once shampoo, soap or a mixture of both, BSWs take care of it all.
Classrooms, as well, are not always in the best condition when BSWs arrive.
We've all seen the water bottles and papers left behind from someone in an early class, and yet those items stay on the floor.
Despite this, some students won't even give the BSWs a simple hello in the morning.
It's disgusting how self-absorbed some students appear to be. Are students afraid acknowledging a BSW is social suicide?
Or is it the BSW never makes an effort to tell you "good morning" or "have a nice day"?
Why should they make the effort?
Don't they do enough for students by showing up five days a week to clean up after them?
Isn't it enough for them to provide a clean floor?
BSWs make the first effort toward connection with a student by providing a sort of welfare for them.
The least students could do is offer a simple "hello" just to show their appreciation.
Or even better, pick up after themselves.
Don't make excuses and come down from your pedestals.
Make sure BSWs know you appreciate their work.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
J
posted 2/18/09 @ 11:48 PM CST
If students decided to take your advice and pick up after themselves everyone would be saying goodbye to BSW's rather than hello.
They don't pick up after students out of the kindness of their hearts, they do it because they get paid to do it. (Continued…)
Marco Santana, DEN EIC Fall '07
posted 2/19/09 @ 10:48 AM CST
J,
Really?? You are advocating a stance of just throwing trash wherever because the BSW's get paid to clean up after you? Or are you objecting to the editorial's call to occasionally say "hello" to them? Either way, your motivation for commenting is starting to get cloudy. (Continued…)
J
posted 2/19/09 @ 11:18 PM CST
Really?? Yeah, pretty much.
I'm not suggesting anyone dump their trash all over and treat these people with contempt, it's just nonsensical and pollyannaish to write an article like this. (Continued…)
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