Breeze Perspectives: Three cheers for JMU labor
Commemorating Labor Day, even while in class
by Mason Miller, contributing writer
Posted on September 5, 2006

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day “constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” Well, JMU apparently didn’t get the memo, because the only thing I hear when mentioning Labor Day around campus is the firm reminder that “classes will be held!” Getting the day off from classes is no big deal for me, as I don’t have class on Mondays anyway. However, I do work on Mondays. But I’m not complaining about that either, as I need the money. But it is the principle that counts; JMU is what it is because of the hard work and dedication of its employees. If they all disappeared, we’d be left living in Harrisonburg with nothing to do — scary, right? So why, then, does the university not celebrate the day like the rest of the nation? Is it because we’ve only been back to school for a week, and they don’t want to give us a day off? Or is it, dare I say, because the university is lacking in its American pride? Whatever the reason, it’s a travesty.

Being Labor Day, it’s probably too late to make T-shirts and organize a protest on the Quad. Still, there are things us students can do today, and realistically should do every day, to show appreciation for the men and women who keep the quality of our higher education high. Let’s start with Parking Services, everyone’s favorite campus service. The main thing to remember here is that when you get mad at a parking person, you’re really displacing your anger. The system may suck, but the dude who wakes up at 6 a.m. to enforce it is probably cool. And here’s a thought: why don’t we all park where we’re supposed to? Would that be too preposterous? Or walk or ride bikes to school. I hear people do that frequently in other countries.

Next, there’s the Carrier Library staff. I love the library, because though I rarely use it for real academic reasons, I can go into the periodicals room and read the latest sports magazines and newspapers (you’ve got to love newspapers). There are two ways to help the Library staff. First, try finding what you need before asking. Chances are you’re smart enough to locate the third floor. Second, if you’re not sure where the Fabio romance novel you accidentally took from the stacks goes, don’t try to put it back yourself. I do not like being denied good literature because nobody knows where it is.

Lastly, I want to talk about a service that is near and dear to my heart: Dining Services. Most people do not understand the crap the employees go through, from burning themselves producing your delectable meals to discarding the potpourri of mashed and mangled food you send down the tray return. D-hall is an all-you-can-eat buffet, not a see-how-much-food-you-can-drop-on-the-floor game. Last time I checked, french fries lack the central nervous system necessary to relocate from the pan to your plate by themselves. They want a home in your mouth, but that can’t happen when they’re left stranded on the counter — stranded starch sulking silently. Just bring your plate to the food, instead of trying to balance tongs full of deliciousness as you carry it those few feet to your tray. The floor has no mouth, so don’t tease it by dropping food on it.

There are countless other employees I haven’t mentioned, from housekeeping to the UREC staff. And let’s not forget about the professors (maybe humor them today and answer a question in class). Labor Day is about showing appreciation for those who make your life easier. The respect you show campus employees today should continue throughout the rest of the year, permeating campus like the aromas of our fine dining facilities.

Mason Miller is a senior SMAD major.