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Most often, it takes a lot for me to correct myself. We all have pride, what can I say? However the men of our university’s Physical Plant went about my past comments the right way, and here it is.
As an opinion columnist, I have a choice to write on any subject – facts or no facts to back it up. And I have to admit, the week I wrote about this campus needing a makeover, was a week of frustration with U of L. I pay good money to go here and I have every right to nit pick (and no, with 8 classes left I have no time to transfer). This isn’t about me though.
Mr. Lucian Young and his staff invited me to a weekly safety meeting this past Friday to listen, learn, and discuss my unpopular, yet tolerated article. I must say it was relieving to see a copy of my article neatly pinned on the bulletin board and not on a dartboard. The men at the meeting were great guys. By the end of the discussion there were a few grins and laughs, but at the beginning these guys weren’t cracking smiles. And now I understand why.
The Physical Plant crew has got their job down. They’re highly qualified for dozens of tasks on campus. They take pride in what they do because it isn’t easy. They’re accommodating 22,000 students, hours before we even think about leaving for class and countless hours after we finally fall to sleep.
Mr. Young informed me that last year, 5,000,000 pounds of trash were taken from campus. 1,000,000 pounds were able to be recycled. Recently, schedules and agendas have been re-arranged for even more productivity than the Physical Plant crew so professionally presents us. Matters involving the parking garage have been moved up and an outside contractor has been brought in to help with the pigeons. If you remember, I made a comment about the mess the pigeons leave and how noticeable it is. One member of the meeting I attended explained to me that there are chemicals that can be used to solve numerous problems, including the pigeons, but out of respect and safety to endangered animals in the campus area, they choose not to use them.
I would imagine, that if students and faculty threw out every piece of trash that they had, then the physical plant crew wouldn’t have to appear as if they are not doing their job. And in turn, a public writer like myself would not insult them for something they’ve already done for the day – twice.
I would also imagine that if students and faculty chose not to cut sidewalk corners once in a while, then I wouldn’t hold the crew responsible for lack of green grass.
But hey – I’m not blaming anything on anyone but I will say one thing. I respect the guys at the Physical Plant for inviting me to their meeting and setting things straight with facts. I hope they respect me for coming and letting me explain the positives and negatives of my job.
I have more trust in the well being of our campus after meeting them and I hope that students who read this will offer them a nod of thanks on the way to their next class.
Nicole DeMouth is a
senior humanities major and columnist for The Cardinal. nicole_demouth@
louisvillecardinal.com
