We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Respect ought to be returned when it is received, but in the University environment, it often feels like respect is only given when it is demanded.
In my two years at the University, I have noticed a trend worthy of concern: Students are more likely to treat persons who hold direct authority over them (resident advisors, teaching assistants, professors, etc.) with respect than those who do not. This category includes not only other students, but also other University employees -- most notably the University dining staff and housekeeping staff.
Each day, thousands of students flock to University dining facilities for their meals. The dining services staff is responsible not only for providing meals but also cleaning the dining halls. The dining facilities are anything but full-service restaurants -- students are expected to pick up after themselves as much as they can. Yet, I've witnessed numerous students casually leaving their trays on the tables at Newcomb Hall or walking past something that they have dropped in the middle of the floor -- leaving it for somebody else to pick up.
I've observed similar behavior in first-year dorms and bathrooms. It's almost as if we don't clean up after ourselves because we subconsciously know that somebody else will do it for us.
Perhaps this behavior is a phenomenon that occurs only among college students. Although we are preparing to become part of the real world, attending the University can separate us from reality if we are not careful. It is ironic that such active, intelligent, civic-minded students can fall into this trap. We tend to isolate ourselves from the Charlottesville community at large by confining ourselves to an academic bubble.
But what kind of way is this for a University student to treat those who keep our school running? While we may be in a position of privilege while we receive our educations, it does not mean that we should take advantage of those helping us along the way. After all, they are employees of the University, not our personal servants. It is important to recognize just how much we rely on them, and in turn show them that we appreciate their hard work.
An article in this year's April Fools' edition of The Declaration, another student publication here at the University, jabbed at this issue lightheartedly, comically reporting a fictional incident in which a student smiled at a janitorial worker in Cabell Hall after much deliberation. The truth of the matter is that there is a lot of distance that is unnecessarily maintained between students and employees. This could surely be remedied if we took a bit more responsibility for our own conduct.
So what's the best way for a first year (or anyone, for that matter) to avoid falling into this trap? For starters, make sure you participate in the community-wide service day during orientation week. More than anything, it will help you become acquainted with the Charlottesville community and make you feel more like a resident than a temporary visitor. Second, try to stay involved in the community, whether it be through Madison House initiatives, workers' campaigns or in other ways. This should help everybody to remain grounded firmly in this "real world" of which we're readying to become a part.
If all else fails, fall back on the Golden Rule. Think about how much you'd like it if you had to clean up after other people just because they didn't care enough to do it themselves. Don't disrespect University employees by treating them this way -- they don't deserve it.
Todd Rosenbaum is a Cavalier Daily columnist. He can be reached at trosenbaum@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 3 days agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | 4 days agoAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
YOUNIS: Why every U.Va. student should say yes to English
By Ayat Younis | January 9, 2025Every student at the University, regardless of their primary field of study, can professionally and academically benefit from engaging with the English department.
