Another day, another dollar: A tribute to the staff of Fanshawe
Though I have only a few months of experience here, I've got nothing but good things to say about Fanshawe and the majority of people that attend this fine institute of learning. I've met quite a few people, the pool tables here are some of the finest I've seen, and I even enjoy humiliating myself before the sympathetic staff of the Out Back Shack as they send me staggering into the night.
I was inspired after a few sleepless nights spent isolated in one of the many homework labs hammering at an essay — usually due in only a few hours — until my fingers bleed. Whether it be the custodial staff or security, secretaries or clerks; they are a part of the systemic foundation that makes this school what it is.
First of all, the school itself looks quite nice a lot of the time. I've concluded that we, the students, are not to thank for this. To put it bluntly: we're slobs. Those that stand out in the cold inhaling traffic fumes to keep the building as strong as visually attractive as it can be. And don't disregard the custodial staff. Always there to pick up after the infinite collection of pop cans and pizza boxes and sweep away the sea of cigarette butts piled on the edges of every path as if swept up by a tide. I like to think of them as our Knights Templar in the Crusade against litter.
The security staff also deserves a pat on the back (I'm referring to a metaphorical one, but no one's stopping you from trying). This goes out especially to the night staff. At around four in the morning I can't imagine there being much to do or many people to keep them amused (besides insomniacs hiding in homework labs working on articles for the paper). I'm sure it'd be easy for someone not with such a job to write it off as a breeze, but standing around for hours can't be a very stimulating experience. It isn't like their job isn't necessary, either. In order for the school to be open as late as it is, there has to be someone watching to make sure there are no crazy shenanigans afoot (and lets face it, shenanigans would certainly be afoot, were the security personnel not present).
Another noteworthy group is the clerks manning the register during my early morning orange juice jones. I'm pretty sure every time I try to use a vending machine there's someone watching me on camera getting a good laugh at what a dunce I am for trying so hard. The fact that there are variety stores right inside the campus doors is something I think we take for granted.
The administrative staff isn't without their place, either. There have been several times while in the application process of waves upon waves of documentation that I just wanted to sit in a dark corner and weep. These are the people who end up pointing out the obvious formula of filling out forms or directing us to the correct office or person with any sort of question or problem.
This is a list that could go on and on for pages, and I'm sorry for those that I may have left out (i.e. teaching staff, but if there is someone out there that isn't thankful to them than there isn't much hope for you). So, for of those out there reading this who happens to work for the school — and through working for the school, making things better for all us students — I'd just like to extend a sincere and very appreciative thank you. Your work certainly does not go unnoticed.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I was inspired after a few sleepless nights spent isolated in one of the many homework labs hammering at an essay — usually due in only a few hours — until my fingers bleed. Whether it be the custodial staff or security, secretaries or clerks; they are a part of the systemic foundation that makes this school what it is.
First of all, the school itself looks quite nice a lot of the time. I've concluded that we, the students, are not to thank for this. To put it bluntly: we're slobs. Those that stand out in the cold inhaling traffic fumes to keep the building as strong as visually attractive as it can be. And don't disregard the custodial staff. Always there to pick up after the infinite collection of pop cans and pizza boxes and sweep away the sea of cigarette butts piled on the edges of every path as if swept up by a tide. I like to think of them as our Knights Templar in the Crusade against litter.
The security staff also deserves a pat on the back (I'm referring to a metaphorical one, but no one's stopping you from trying). This goes out especially to the night staff. At around four in the morning I can't imagine there being much to do or many people to keep them amused (besides insomniacs hiding in homework labs working on articles for the paper). I'm sure it'd be easy for someone not with such a job to write it off as a breeze, but standing around for hours can't be a very stimulating experience. It isn't like their job isn't necessary, either. In order for the school to be open as late as it is, there has to be someone watching to make sure there are no crazy shenanigans afoot (and lets face it, shenanigans would certainly be afoot, were the security personnel not present).
Another noteworthy group is the clerks manning the register during my early morning orange juice jones. I'm pretty sure every time I try to use a vending machine there's someone watching me on camera getting a good laugh at what a dunce I am for trying so hard. The fact that there are variety stores right inside the campus doors is something I think we take for granted.
The administrative staff isn't without their place, either. There have been several times while in the application process of waves upon waves of documentation that I just wanted to sit in a dark corner and weep. These are the people who end up pointing out the obvious formula of filling out forms or directing us to the correct office or person with any sort of question or problem.
This is a list that could go on and on for pages, and I'm sorry for those that I may have left out (i.e. teaching staff, but if there is someone out there that isn't thankful to them than there isn't much hope for you). So, for of those out there reading this who happens to work for the school — and through working for the school, making things better for all us students — I'd just like to extend a sincere and very appreciative thank you. Your work certainly does not go unnoticed.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
