Sara Rodriguez works through the night. She washes windows. She vacuums carpets. Sometimes students are locked out of a building or leave an item in a locked room, and she has the opportunity to assist them.

Although the job is not an easy one, ACU janitors like Sara say they are pleased with the respect they receive from those on campus.

It is no simple task ridding the campus of all 4,800 students’ crumpled-up gum wrappers, leftover pizza boxes and other items tossed in places besides designated trash bins. Each day and night, custodians scour the campus doing just that, allowing ACU to maintain a healthy and clean environment.

A career in the janitorial industry may not sound appealing to some because of the hours and responsibilities, but those employed by ACU appear satisfied thanks to students and staff who take the time to acknowledge their outstanding efforts.

Val Mascari, director of services for Witt, Fiala, Flannery and Associates Facility Services, ACU’s contracted housekeepers, said he could not ask for a more exceptional janitorial staff. The impact students and ACU staff have on a custodian’s life can be positive or negative. Mascari said ACU has had a positive effect on those working to keep our campus clean through small, but meaningful acts of appreciation.

“A girl called in and asked if she could do something special for the workers in Barret Hall for Valentine’s Day,” Mascari said. “Little things like that show our workers they are appreciated.”

For Thanksgiving, Nancy Coburn, director of the Volunteer Service-Learning Center, and the Service Action Leadership Team gave Wal-Mart gift cards to each custodian as a thank you for all their hard work.

Participation like this from all departments and student groups could continue the positive relationship between all campus workers and students.

The present relationship between janitors and students, faculty and staff may be altered by intentional disrespect of the campus grounds. When someone commits an act of vandalism, he or she does it to a person, not only the campus. If keeping the campus clean is not enough motivation in and of itself, think of people like Sara.

Common courtesy should dictate respectful treatment. Staff members at a Christian university should be offered that much at the least.