The Wrong Target

Last week, we saw the latest of a number of vocal protests of the layoffs of workers, but this time they had a new message. Through their actions and words, union activists argued that sanitation standards have suffered because fewer janitors now clean Harvard in less time due to layoffs and cuts in working hours. The new tactic rings false, as it flies in the face of Harvard’s actions to promote cleanliness over the first few weeks of school.

It is admittedly difficult to tell whether Harvard has become more or less clean since the janitor cuts; there have not been any reliable metrics or significant outcry about this issue.  However, Harvard maintains that it is doing everything it can to keep the campus clean, especially with the threat of swine flu this fall, and its actions thus far have been impressive.

Through countless hand sanitizers, instructions on keeping clean, and other proactive measures, the university has been making a concerted and visible effort to keep students and the campus clean over the first few weeks of school.  These efforts are necessary and will hopefully pay dividends if flu affects a large swath of campus later this fall. When labor groups attacks the university for its hygiene standards, they are making the mistake of criticizing a program that is both comprehensive and wise.

In addition, the most important measures to avoid a massive disease outbreak this fall arguably won’t be janitorial measures, but rather decisions on personal hygiene and behavior. Washing hands before and after meals, keeping rooms clean, and doing laundry frequently will all help prevent a flu outbreak, as will healthful meals and proper amounts of sleep. The cleanliness of buildings is certainly important, but if students absolutely don’t want their peers to get sick this fall, they should encourage them to lead healthful and clean lifestyles.
 
Harvard’s janitors are a valuable part of the university community, but Harvard’s decision to let some people go to manage costs during tough times was understandable and necessary. The efforts of those janitors remaining are admirable, and we encourage the union not to disparage both their efforts and those of the university as a whole by associating layoffs with decreased cleanliness. Harvard is making an earnest and thorough effort to keep students clean and healthy this fall, and, inevitably, much of the responsibility for the health of the College will fall to the students themselves.

Correction included: A previous version of the article above incorrectly cited the Student Labor Action Movement as having organized and led the protest. In fact, it was put on by union officials. The Crimson regrets the error.