Although students had a day off Tuesday, Ball State University staff wasn't so lucky. Classes were canceled due to hazardous weather - but Ball State staff didn't get the day off.
University staff accomplish many necessary tasks each day to keep campus running smoothly. Dining staff makes sure customers on campus get food, office staff makes sure e-mail inboxes don't overflow and custodial staff makes sure the buildings on campus are kept presentable and neat.
Tuesday, grounds staff was also out in full force. Battling the blizzard that bombarded campus all day ensured that as much snow as possible could be moved so people could travel on campus.
While most students slept in, caught up on homework or went sledding down McKinley Avenue, university staff didn't get the day off. In fact, if any staff member wanted to be paid for the work today but couldn't make it in due to the weather, they had to use vacation time. This could have cut into some people's plans for Spring Break or other times.
On a typical day, students can forget how necessary university staff is in keeping the university operating. On a snow day, it would be nearly impossible for anything to get done without dedicated university staff.
If everyone had been given the day off, students would have gone without necessities. On-campus eateries would have been shut down and students would have had to fend for themselves. Maintenance personnel wouldn't have been available to fix any emergencies in the residence halls. Office secretaries wouldn't have been there to ensure students were informed about various cancellations on campus.
However, reluctant university staff came in and accomplished their daily tasks - they didn't have the luxury of doing nothing all day like students did.
Days like Tuesday remind us how much we should appreciate all of the university employees and staff in particular. All the work that goes on behind the scenes often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
Do the staff a favor today. Give someone in the dining courts a valentine. Thank the cleaning staff for keeping everything nice. Tell the grounds keepers how much you appreciate their hard work.
Their efforts are helping make your college experience much more enjoyable.
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