As is seen all too often, custodial and maintenance budgets are the first things administrators look toward when trying to cut costs and balance books.

 

What they fail to realize, however, is that these individuals are crucial to the health and well-being of students and staff, and just because the positions are seen as "disposable" does not mean they should be first to the chopping block.

 

The better management of resources by administrators and politicians on all levels could cure these ailing problems — but that only seems logical.

 

I wish any facility or organization looking to scale back cleaning would read the study Cleanliness and Learning in Higher Education.