On Monday, March 8, I was notified that there was a vandalism in one of the showers in Co-Ed. Someone chose to write in permanent marker, “(Name) and (Name), get a real job,” directing this message at the building’s custodians. Even worse, this vandalism took place during Custodial Appreciation Week. Thanks to the permanent marker, a team of five Gustavus students (myself included) and the Co-Ed custodians this student targeted were unable to remove the message.

The custodians of Gustavus do much more than what we give them credit. If there is trash in your dorm hallway, or you puke in the bathroom, they are the ones that have to clean it up. These people remain faceless to some and nameless to many, yet they do an invaluable job to keep the dorms and academic buildings clean and enjoyable for everyone.

If this person was serious about their comment, imagine if GAC removed all of its custodians from the college. There would no longer be anyone to clean out that puke in the sink. The trash that someone “hilariously” spilled in the hallway stays there for days. Do you think students will clean that up? I doubt we would.

Anonymous Gustavus student, you took the custodians’ work for granted. However, I’m willing to bet that you’re not the only one. I know I’m guilty of this. Therefore, I propose that the next time any of us run into the custodians, say hi to them. Give them a smile and learn their names. Let them know that we appreciate their hard, often unpraised work.

I have one last thing to say. Anonymous student, whoever you are, I’m disheartened to know that you were immature enough to think that the custodians are not needed on this campus.

Andrew Bryz-Gornia ‘11