We say hi to friends. We say hi to some professors. We even say hi to our boss. When we don’t say hi, we simply just smile to make the atmosphere less awkward. Unfortunately, though, we never say hi to one of the most important people here on campus: the facility workers.  

Facility workers have a major impact on Iona. They ensure that the places we go and hang out with friends, whether its Murphy Green, the Academic Quad, or Ryan Library, are clean. I can’t talk much about what they do for the people who live on campus, but I do think they go to the dorms when there’s a problem.  Many may say, “But that’s their job. We don’t know them, why would we say hi.” Well, I just think it’s the humanly thing to do.  

They’re people who earn their living by cleaning up after others who don’t. The people who don’t clean up after themselves have gotten used to others cleaning after them, which is a characteristic that I personally hate in a person. So please, clean up after yourself. 

Now, there are some eyebrows raised when people speak about their wages. If what I’ve heard is correct, then the current wages of the facility workers aren’t proportionate to the physical labor required of them daily. It is important Iona clarify and address these concerns. Should these concerns be genuine– we must be the voice of change. 

In my education class, my professor mentioned how one of the facilities workers was happy that a student said hi. It completely made his day. Which is why I’m suggesting that we should acknowledge them with a hi. I’m not saying we have a full-on conversation with them, that may seem a bit peculiar. However, I do think we should at least acknowledge them. You never know what they may be going through, or how they may feel having students look down on them for what they do. Saying a simple hi can brighten their day and make them feel like a “Gael” which is something the majority of us emphasize so much. 

I just think acknowledging these workers can go a long way. They’re the ones working behind the scenes from setting up event tables to making sure the space is clean for our events, to watering and planting flowers on the lawn. Acknowledging them not only demonstrates how much we recognize their presence, but it also shows our appreciation and respect for them.  

So, say hi next time!