A Few Days Away From A New Semester

We are just a few days away from a new year and most colleges and universities are already gearing up for the return of students. It is important to keep a few things in mind as we prepare our campuses for the return of students. For some freshmen who will begin college in the spring semester, this will be the opportunity their chosen college or university will have to confirm in their minds the fact that they have chosen their school wisely. For returning students it will be the chance the university or college has to prove that they listen to suggestions, complaints and grievances of their students, faculty and staff.

You have a chance to impress them all over again with the start of each new semester. You can impress the students that come to your campus by repairing that nagging door that will not close properly or by cleaning up around the gates to your campus. A clean well maintained campus will help foster a image of your campus that is positive. A few new landscaping elements or new lighting might be just the ticket for showing that you care about the area that your students inhabit.

As you are taking stock of your surroundings, take a look at your vehicles. I know of one situation where the maintenance supervisor told the president of the college that he was going to put the name of the college on the truck they used and park it in a very conspicuous place if it was not replaced soon. The rusting spots on the body, the smoke belching from the exhaust, the loose steering, the bad brakes.... You get the picture... Was not enough to get the administration to replace the truck. However, the threat of a little embarrassment worked like a charm. Over the summer the truck quietly disappeared bringing the paltry price of scrap metal. Yes, the car crusher was all it was worth. Yet it had been used on the campus for years in that condition.

Take a look at your every day items. Tools, vehicles, buildings, gates and other publicly visible items. They all make a statement about your campus. If your campus looks like it isn't cared for it invites crime to your campus. It is more than a cosmetic appearance