Sept. 23, 2011 I The Clarion
Page 3
Show some respect for this institution
By Maddy Brodsky
Contributing writer
I’m sure all of you have seen this at least
once during your time on campus: broken
windows, busted ceiling tiles, graffiti, tom-up
furniture—the list goes on. Most of us just
walk past these signs of vandalism, shaking
our heads or ignoring it all together and
accepting it as part of “college life.” But why
is it happening in the first place?
Brevard College employs enough staff
for housekeeping and grounds keeping;
but just four men in Maintenance who are
responsible for keeping this campus in
working condition.
In an informal survey of over 50 students,
less than half even knew of Maintenance’s
existence, and even fewer knew who they
were or what their job entails.
Maintenance’s job description includes
keeping the plumbing, electricity, and heat/
AC running on campus, as well as repairing
almost anything that breaks in any of the
buildings. However, they find themselves
spending a majority of their time cleaning up
after students who are maliciously vandalizing
dorms and academic buildings.
“It makes our job a lot more strenuous
when we have to go back and fix things that
shouldn’t have to be fixed, but nevertheless,
that is what we are here for,” said Maintenance
Supervisor, Donnie McCall.
Why do students exhibit such a blatant
lack of respect for their campus? For most
of us, this is our home-away-from-home. I
highly doubt that anyone would treat their
parent’s house in such a way. A few things
that students don’t stop, and think about is
that someone has to take the time to repair
whatever gets broken. It also costs the school
quite a bit of money when it is happening so
frequently.
Whatever sense of entitlement you might
have, thinking “Hey, someone gets paid to
pick up my trash/clean this bathroom/fix
that broken window,” needs to stop. You’re
in college; this is a time to grow, leam, and
enjoy yourself; but it should not be at the
expense of others.
“People need to take responsibility for their
actions,” demanded Oliver, a Maintenance
staff member This could not be truer; we
are all adults, and while it may be acceptable
for a child to break things out of anger or
just for fun with friends, it is completely
unacceptable now.
So what can we do to help prevent this from
continuing? For starters, get to know that guy
who comes by your room to unclog your sink,
or replace that broken desk drawer You’ 11 find
that Maintenance is a group of normal guys,
with lives outside of work. They have a great
sense of humor, and are more than willing to
help out when they can.
Mark, who has been working at Brevard
College for seven years, closed our interview
with, “We’re here for the students.” These
guys take a lot of pride in our school, and
students should too. Do your part to help out
by cleaning up after yourself, being respectful
of the campus, and its staff, and taking
responsibility for how you choose to act.
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