Unsung campus heroes: appreciating the CSB+SJU staff that keep us running

A 2023 study by market researcher Wakefield found that 2/3 of employed Americans feel they are not always appreciated in their work.

Ensuring that our campus staff are not included in this 67% who feel undervalued is incredibly important — and it starts with awareness and small acts of gratitude.

Think back to some of the almost unbearable winter mornings from the past few weeks.

Maybe you had an 8 a.m. class or were late for work and had to rush for the next available bus.

You may not have noticed the custodial staff already hard at work ensuring hallways were spotless or the physical plant team clearing the last remnants of snow.

These everyday efforts, though often taken for granted, are the foundation of our campus life.

Every day, dedicated individuals work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep CSB+SJU running smoothly. Custodial staff, dining hall workers, physical plant staff, Link bus drivers and countless others deserve recognition for their essential contributions to our campus experience.

Throughout the winter, the Physical Plant, Life Safety and Campus Security staff worked hard to ensure that pathways remained clear and safe.

Long before students woke up for morning classes, these workers were out in the dark, shoveling snow, salting walkways and making sure the campus remained accessible.

Dining hall workers also play a crucial role in student life, preparing and serving meals that fuel long study sessions and busy schedules.

Whether working the grill, replenishing food stations, tidying up tables and booths or cleaning up after the rush, they ensure that students are well-fed.

The custodial staff, often the first in and last out of buildings, keep our academic and residential spaces healthy and comfortable for use.

Their hard work maintains the hygiene and upkeep of classrooms, dorms and common areas, tasks that go unnoticed until something is out of place.

These efforts directly impact the well-being and daily experience of every student, faculty member and visitor on campus. The Link bus drivers provide a crucial service that connects the two campuses, including driving through challenging weather conditions to keep students on schedule.

Their reliability and commitment make academic and extracurricular activities more accessible for everyone.

At a college in Minnesota, driving students back and forth between campuses is not always easy in the ice and snow. Despite the conditions, the bus drivers consistently ensure every student arrives to their classes and extracurriculars safely.

More commendable still are the late-night bus drivers on weekends who allow students to enjoy their social lives outside of class.

Link bus drivers and bus security staff have seen it all — and some stay up nearly all night to ensure that weekends are safe and fun for students.

This same study by Wakefield also found that employees who describe themselves as appreciated for their efforts are four times more likely to feel that everyone at their company is “fully engaged” in their work.

Another study from the University of Oxford in 2019 found that workers are 13% more productive when happy and working in environments with high morale and positive culture.

These results demonstrate that it’s in the employer’s best interests to ensure their employees feel valued and like they are contributing positively to their work culture and community.

Appreciating these individuals is proven to increase productivity and engagement, leading to better outcomes for everyone — including the people their work serves.

At CSB+SJU, we all benefit from the dedication and productivity of service employees on campus.

Their hard work allows us to focus on our classes and social lives – so we should work just as hard to make sure they know how much we appreciate it.

Beyond the fact that appreciation can result in these workers being even more motivated, we should also make the people around us feel valued because it is the right and Benedictine thing to do.

As the weather starts to warm up and campus life becomes more vibrant, now is a perfect time to show appreciation for those who have worked through the harsh winter months to support our community.

A simple “thank you,” a smile or even a note of gratitude can go a long way in recognizing not only their hard work, but that they are people too.

These individuals are the backbone of CSB+SJU, and our campus thrives because of their unwavering commitment.

We should all take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate these individuals every day.

To our unsung heroes on this campus: thank you.