From the friendly Larry James of Food Court to the janitors of Facilities, Operations and Management who clean up vomit-soaked toilets, College staff members assist students every day at Dartmouth. To encourage students to thank staff, Palaeopitus senior society is hosting a variety of functions to recognize the sometimes unsung employees of the College.
"They cook your omelets, keep your halls clean, respond to blue lights, register you for classes and make the Green green," said Serena Chang '05 in a BlitzMail message circulated by Palaeopitus members.
Events started on Monday with a barbecue for Safety and Security officers at The Tabard coed fraternity and continued Tuesday with a morning breakfast for custodial staff.
The Aires a cappella group will sing to administrative assistants and librarians Wednesday and there will be another breakfast for FO&M staff tomorrow.
The week will conclude with Palaeopitus bringing home-baked goodies to Dartmouth Dining Services staff during their breaks.
"They make this campus run," said Matt Oppenheimer '05, a member of Palaeopitus. "We need to show our appreciation."
The celebration began last year, when the members of the Class of 2004 in Palaeopitus wanted to have some sort of recognition of staff, especially in the wake of union strikes at Yale University.
Oppenheimer, however, emphasized that staff appreciation week was just as large a focus for the senior society this year.
"We pride ourselves on reinventing the wheel each year," Oppenheimer said.
In addition to these events, Palaeopitus has ordered about 750 16-ounce glass mugs with specialized logos, which will be distributed to all staff earning an hourly salary.
Palaeopitus member Alexis Ettinger '05 said she also hoped that these events would encourage students to thank staff on their own.
"We start at the larger level and motivate students to thank staff for the little things," said Ettinger.
Large thank-you cards will also be available for students to sign in Thayer Dining Hall during lunch Wednesday.
Palaeopitus is a senior society charged with representing the student body to the administration. This celebration, however, goes beyond the organization's normal role of facilitating communication between students, faculty and administrators.
Ettinger said she considers this week as the organization's biggest programming event. Palaeopitus also sponsors Party at Parkhurst as well as Coffee Talks.
Funding for staff appreciation week came from the Office of Student Life.
