By Erika Estrada, Staff Writer
Last semester, I had a conversation with my friend Corbin while we were picking up after a Sloppy Joes party. We talked about how cleaning up after oneself is not a hard task and about how many people have become ill-mannered and either never clean up after themselves or say a simple “thank you” to the people who clean after them.
This got me thinking, and throughout this semester, I started to take note of the unsung staff members here at Newman. This includes custodians, members of the lunch crew, dishwashers, security staff and many more. I also started to notice people saying “It’s their job” when these staffers took care of things that keep Newman running. But that phrase really enables people's disrespect towards these workers.
Yes, they are in fact getting paid to wash the dishes we use or to serve us the food we decide to eat in the dining hall. But they are also people, just like we are. For example, I can be picky with my food at times, and I will only eat fries for lunch or dinner. You might call me strange, but Stewart Smith, the man behind the grill in Newman’s cafeteria, never judges my food choices, and he will even try to get me to try other things at times. It’s a small act of kindness, but it’s sometimes the best thing about my day.
I’m also thankful for the staff we don't see who are behind the scenes washing dishes. They make sure to properly scrub off the mess left after our meals so we don't become ill. A simple “thank you” would probably make their day, and it doesn't take much energy to say two words.
Another member of the Newman staff I have big respect for is the custodian of the dorms, Celina Marchetti. She is probably one of the sweetest people I’ve met, and she’s pretty interesting. If we bump into each other, depending on how busy we are, we will have a conversation, and it is always such a pleasure to hear her stories.
But I don’t think others see this. I live in Carrocci Hall, and even though there are signs everywhere stating that trash must be taken to a dumpster and not left outside in the hallways, many residents ignore it. Marchetti is there to clean up and keep the place tidy, not to be a maid. She is also the custodian for Fugate and Beata, so those who leave their messes around and wait for her to clean them up are making her job so much more difficult. She tries her best to keep our halls clean, but some are abusing her time.
These seemingly small acts of consideration, like cleaning up after oneself or expressing gratitude, have a significant impact on the often-overlooked staff who contribute so much to the Newman community. These individuals, from the dining hall staff who offer a friendly face and patient service to the custodians who maintain a clean and healthy environment, are not simply performing a job; They are valuable members of the community whose efforts deserve recognition and respect.
Let us remember that kindness and consideration are not burdens but rather opportunities to build a stronger and more compassionate community.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
