an issue of respect

As I walked down the hallway of the ed school I greeted one of the custodians with a "good morning," as I usually do. She acknowledged me with a shy smile, eyes downward. A couple weeks ago I came up to work in the library on the weekend and as I got in the elevator one of the maintenance workers held the door for me saying, "I didn't know anyone worked on the weekends." When I told him I was going to the library to work on my dissertation he replied, "I'm just a plumber. I can't spell dissertation, let alone know what one is." I told him that he was much smarter and skilled than I was in certain areas. We talked about a few household quick fixes as the elevator ascended. As I stepped of the elevator I thanked him for his tips and he said, "Well even a dummy knows some things." The door closed before I could respond.

I wonder how the custodial, maintenance, and Grounds staff feel working among the students, faculty and staff at Mr. Jefferson's University. Do they feel inferior, that their job is somehow less important than the work of others around them? Do they ever feel angry? Do they see how they contribute to the day-to-day operation and ultimate success of the University?

A few years ago when I worked in Admissions the support staff of the University went on strike. The Student Affairs administrators divided up much of the work amongst the unit, some of us delivering mail, emptying trash, even cleaning bathrooms in the residence halls. As you might imagine, we were incredibly thankful when the strike ended. But the culture of that institution was decidedly working class and I don't believe any of us thought twice about supporting our co-workers in the strike or pitching in to make sure necessities were taken care of no matter how far from our job description it was.

I've never though of a college education as an entitlement. It is a priviledge that people earn. And respect needs to be shown for all those who make the education possible. The custodians, maintenance and grounds workers are as responsible for education as the president or the professor. Their work is often invisible, but never expendable.