I would like to add my own comments to letters in recent weeks regarding respect to Buildings ‘ Grounds and dining hall employees. My assertion is that the few nasty apples in the Boston University barrel are making the rest of the student population appear as slovenly, inconsiderate slobs.

Case in point – the other night in the Warren Towers dining hall, two men (childish boys, perhaps?) were discussing how one of them hated the cheese on his Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Rather than discreetly disposing of it (say, in a napkin on his tray), one of them ripped off the offending cheese and left it on the counter of the pasta line – right in front of the two employees who would then have to clean it up. I don’t know about you guys, but I think the last time I threw food off my plate and left it for someone else to clean up, I was sitting in a highchair. If that isn’t a blatant demonstration of disrespect, I don’t know what is.

Another incident that came to my attention was the genius who decided to empty an entire salt shaker on the table and write in the pile: “BU sucks [drawing of male anatomical part].” No, Mr. Salt Shaker, it’s not BU that sucks [insert obscene picture]. But maybe you could use a bit more class. And if you have a beef with BU, there’s a whole organization devoted to your cause: I believe it’s called Displeased Students of Boston University, though I’d be shocked if they wanted such an immature and destructive person to join their group.

There’s one more appalling habit of some students that I’d also like to mention. What part of the sign “Please bring your trays to the dish room” means “Please leave your trays sitting on the table?” It’s disgusting to see the picked-over lunches from six hours earlier occupying perfectly good space because people are unwilling to clear the table after themselves. I overheard one unfortunate employee once comment: “This place isn’t a restaurant. If I have to bus tables, they’d better start leaving tips!” You know what? She’s right. And furthermore, if this is how you treated your mother/maid/nanny at home, it’s no wonder you were sent away to school.

So please, to those few students who make the dining hall a disgusting place to visit and go out of their way to disrespect the employees, develop a little bit more class. Or at least common sense. And while we’re down to the end of the semester, at least we can set a better example for next year. And just think – if you start practicing over the summer, your mother would be so proud.

Kara Coffey CAS ’05