Here’s an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education that made me think about at least one building at EMU: “Survey Finds Cleanliness Is Key for Student Concentration.” Here’s a quote from the opening paragraphs:
Findings of a new nationwide survey show a connection between cleaner college facilities and academic achievement, according to the survey’s sponsors, with 88 percent of students saying they are distracted from learning in even casually or moderately messy environments. In addition, 84 percent of students surveyed said good learning environments should be spotless or very tidy.
Not surprisingly, the poll of 1,481 students was conducted by the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, whose members are educational-facilities managers, and the International Sanitary Supply Association, an organization of cleaning-product companies.
I have to say that grimy and kind of smelly buildings like Pray-Harrold hardly inspire good study habits. Still, the study does seem to be kind of bogus/rigged in an effort to hire more janitors, physical plant folks, etc. And some of the offices of my very studious colleagues are far from tidy and neat; fire hazards is more like it. And for that matter, the words “spotless” or “tidy” have never been used to describe my own school or home offices….
Somewhat related…
does anyone know why certain buildings have recycling programs and containers while other buildings do not?
Empty bottles seem to pile up in make shift boxes…or we see a lot of plastic just sitting in garbage cans. I asked a building janitor about it and he didn’t know much, except that he was told NOT to collect bottles on his own for some reason I can not fathom.