General remarks regarding the custodians

1.     These remarks were written by a student who conducted several of the custodian interviews, Amira. She did a lovely job, and compiled a very thoughtful report. Here were her thoughts after concluding the interviews.

1.      I was surprised that none of the custodians mentioned anything about increasing their salaries even though I asked them indirectly about it several times.

2.      All the custodians really need to be treated with dignity. All they asked for was to be treated as human beings.  
3.      They were really happy with the project and each one of them individually told me that they hope that all the students at AUC can do this as well so that they get an idea of how hard their work is.  
4.      If we can’t get everyone at AUC to do a similar project they would appreciate it if we disseminate the video and they believe it would give staff an idea of how hard their work is and that we’re all the same.  
5.      They were extremely happy with the fact that we were wearing the uniform; because obviously that is the way many staff and faculty categorize them as inferior.
6.      The main requests of the custodians: equal treatment, their voices should be heard if they complaint about a supervisor or a team-leader, they should have the same rights as staff.

What do the custodians like about their work at AUC?

We interviewed various custodians about their work at AUC. We asked them what they liked, what they did not like, and what suggestions they have for improvement. Here are there answers about what they do like about their work. 

Things Custodians like about their work at AUC

1.      The team is supportive and understanding
2.      The team leaders are cooperative and treat them well
3.      The environment is good. They work in a nice place with decent people
4.      They are respected and they don’t have to deal with problems they face working in shops or restaurants such as harassment.
5.      Supervisors and Team Leaders take good care of them and especially their dignity; they take very seriously false accusations and reports of harassment.  They are allowed to call Mr. Mohamed Mostafa anytime if they face any problem and he works to get them out of it.
6.      Supervisors care about their health; they changed the floor mops to new ones that they don’t have to bend their backs while using.
7.      The English courses they are allowed to take is a great opportunity to all of them. The students that tutor them are great and bring them notebooks and pens. They also greet them whenever they meet even if it is outside campus. The students are very proud of how the custodians improve their language skills and treat them with respect. At the graduation, their supervisors attend as well as Dr. Brian and are usually really proud of them.
8.      The Labor Day party is great because they are allowed to bring their families and the university organizes a party for them. This isn’t done by many employers.
9.      The University gives then treats in Eid Al Fitr and Al Mawlad Al Nabwi which are the same for everyone staff and custodians.

What did we think we would learn from the Custodian Project?

As part of the Community Based Learning Project, my students and I sat down and reflected on what we might learn from the project, or what we expected to gain from it. These thoughts were recorded on June 27, 2011. 

(Amira ) 

I hope the project can make them even more proud of their work and
help diminish the  gap between students and faculty on on hand and the custodians 

on the other. It is important that we take the project seriously so that they don't get a
wrong image. I am really excited to be part of this project and I
believe it would be a wonderful experience on the personal and
professional levels.

(Heba)

In fact, I guess I’m going to learn a lot form experiencing this thing
as I’m going to put myself in their places and I will experience all
good and bad things that they are facing during one day. Also, I will
try to experience how to do things in the right way which I consider
very good thing to learn new thing that you never know. I used to tell
myself everyday is a new day with new challenges, so at least I should
learn something new that is going to add to my life.
  

(Mostafa)

I think this experience will be useful to both of student and workers themselves.
Where it will make them feel that how the students and teachers loves
and respect them and their appreciation for the work they do.

(Rabab)

Being in their situation is a great experience  indeed. It is like when you fast to feel of starvation or walk to feel the suffering of ones who don’t have cars. This experience will let
me  feel of their efforts. Also, to make sure that without them we are in
danger of fatal diseases.finally , I will learn to be satisfied by all  properties I have and always to say “ Al7amd le Alla7” thanks God for  everything you grant me.

(Dr. Warigia Bowman)

I think that I will learn a lot from the project. I anticipate
learning how hard their job is. I think I will learn that I would
have a hard time doing their job. I am a good cleaner, and I actually am
able to teach my nanny about cleaning and organizing, but I think
their work must be quite hard, especially when it is hot. I also
think I would like to learn what they think about students, professors and
staff. I hope we can get really honest answers about that from them.

(Ann)

 By our community based learning project, we might be able to show
 careless staff and students that these people do exist. Besides,
 without those custodians, performance of students in their learning
 environment or staff in their working environment would be affected
 negatively. Furthermore, our exercise will make the custodians feel
 that may be they could not get a prestigious job, but their job is a
 very important one in terms of affecting the performance of other
 people at the same work an study place.

 (Bernardete)

 I think that the custodians’ work is very important, and it is a kind
 of one important piece in the University’s puzzle. This means that
 they are extremely important to make us feel comfortable studying and
 teaching. Therefore, they should be treated as human and essential
 part to make the University run well. This could be my great
learning; to understand that they are important and should be treated
as human being.

(Carrie)

What I think I will learn: While I have no reservations to performing
an uncomfortable or difficult task, I have not made much time to
contribute to the community lately.  Thus, I think it will be a good
way for me to "serve" someone else; either the Custodians, but
sharing in their work, or possibly the greater AUC community, but
sharing with them the message that the hierarchy needs to be broken and people
are equals.