The snow fell on Cairn University as students and professors hurried to get home before the roads became impassable. On that stormy Thursday, I went out to get a friend from Dunkin so she would not have to walk back to campus in such abhorrent conditions, but I did not get far. Before even getting out of the parking lot, my vehicle began sliding sideways and ran into the curb while I had my foot on the brake and tried to turn the other direction. My wheels were not even turning, but I kept moving and sliding, hitting curbs and trying to stay out of other people’s ways. I finally got my vehicle to stop on the side of one of the drives. Two men from campus services, who were helping the plow truck clear the roadways on campus, came up and helped me get to a parking space. They had to push my vehicle most of the way and directed me to a place where I could park, out of the way of other people.

Campus Services worked hard that day, as well as all the other snow days we have had in the past, to make sure everyone can get around campus safely and easily. They shovel and salt our walkways, plow roadways and parking lots, clean off our cars, all while they could be enjoying a day off like the rest of campus. But their services do not end with shoveling snow. Campus Services does so much around Cairn to make sure that the buildings and people can function well. All the trash cans are emptied in the public areas, the leaves are cleaned up, event set-ups are complete, lights are fixed, broken doors are put back together, bathrooms are cleaned, windows washed, heating units fixed, dryer vents fixed so that dryer lint stops blowing all over the lounge, whatever goes on around campus that needs to be fixed, cleaned, or moved, Campus Services makes it happen. If you need something done quickly, like new sealer on your shower door, you can call Campus Services and someone will try to come out that day or the next. If there is something less time sensitive, you can fill out a form online and they will be there within the week. These men and women work very hard to keep this place running and clean.

Next time you see someone who works for campus services, thank them. And help out whenever you can by cleaning up any messes you make or picking up any trash you see lying around. Remember how much these men and women do for the campus and thank them.