More Than a Job- The Janitors of the University of Lynchburg  

Long before the day's first class begins, the janitors at the University of Lynchburg are already busy making the campus feel like home. A dedicated team of custodians cleans classrooms, wipes down tables, and ensures that the campus is ready for another beautiful day. For many of the janitors, the job is more than just keeping things tidy; it is about the relationships they’ve built with students.

​

“One of the things I really enjoy about my job is the interaction(s) with the people I run into,” says Carroll, who has worked as a janitor at the university for 10 years. “It’s a real cool thing when people come on campus, and you can tell it’s a family touring. I’ll go outside and clean glass or sweep the entrance and either they’ll ask me or I’ll say ‘Can I help you?’ ”

 

Unlike in some workplaces where the janitorial staff may go unnoticed, the janitors at Lynchburg say they feel a true sense of community on the campus. Whether it is a quick conversation in the hallway or a familiar student stopping in to say hello, these moments make the job special. 

​

While many aspects of the job are rewarding, there are also challenges, especially when it comes to respect for communal spaces. In some freshman dorms, where students are adjusting to living on their own for the very first time, respect is not always evident. Janitors say that while they feel connected to students, the lack of cleanliness is frustrating. 

​

“They have burnt up so many burners,” says Sheila, a custodian working in one of the freshman dorms on campus. “Other students tell me they can’t use the kitchens because other people are congregated in them.” She explains that beyond the space being crowded, the mess being left behind is a constant issue. 

​

Despite this, the janitors continue to show up with the same dedication, knowing that their presence helps students feel more comfortable in their home away from home here at The University of Lynchburg.  

​

​