Letter to the Editor

Dear Chips,

As a former female worker for grounds crew, I believe the writer of the article of last week’s issue titled “Gender roles on grounds crew questioned” handled the issue well. She introduced a line of thought that exists within the crew – “It’s just the way things are” – and followed with a great analysis of this statement by Kim Larson about what this says about our society.

The writer was diplomatic, but as a former worker in this department, I find this representation of the student workers’ opinions to be lacking.

I came into the job my sophomore year ripe from a summer working forty hour weeks operating large riding lawn mowers, push mowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers.

I was the first girl to ever work with them: two middle-aged men, two older college guys and I just back from my freshman year. I went in with no experience. I had to learn to start a weed whacker. I had to figure out ways to do things to compensate for my lack of muscle and then gained some in the process.

On campus I had seen some people (boys of course) weed whacking and decided I missed it and wanted to join the fun (It’s my favorite part of outdoor work!).

I sent in an application detailing my experience and including the contact information of my boss back home and received word that I got the job for just a few hours a week. My first day I walked down the hill to the commotion that happens at every change of shift – starting motors, clanking, some shouting. I asked around to find my new boss and after a bit of standing around staring at my shoes was introduced to Perry Halse and given a tour of the job. I was told that I would be in charge of the flowerbeds along with the other girl at my shift. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Perry is an excellent boss and I wouldn’t take back any time I’ve worked with him. Like the quoted worker said, I too enjoyed the variety of work. I loved contributing to the beauty of campus whether I was weeding or painting benches or signs.

Helping things grow is a beautiful thing in itself. But I was bothered by the segregation.

In childhood I was never told I was incapable of anything because of my gender. My mother was the one climbing ladders to clean out the gutter, driving the van and shoveling the snow.

I was upset, but at the same time loved my job. I too went through a process of anger at the segregated role I was placed in, but I grew to love the job and didn’t want to risk losing it.

I remember a co-worker who had been there longer than me once telling me she had confronted the boss about letting her mow, but was met with a wave of “oh, but you wouldn’t want to really want to. It’s hard work!” They had eventually gotten to push mow, but this did not last.

I have had so many conversations with fellow workers about gender segregation, but they never ended with enough conviction to make change, but something needs to change about the way students are judged on the grounds crew. I am proof that previous experience is ignored at least in the case of girls who are hired.

Yes, cost effectiveness is key to an institution, but isn’t this school about more than that? Wouldn’t it be valuable to try and change these social norms? Give a girl a power tool. Tell her how to use it. Why is there an assumption that girls are not as capable? The continuance of systems like the grounds crew contributes to these gender assumptions. I for one would love to see my school and my investment, go toward change in society.

Sincerely,

Brenna ‘Gator Girl’ Everson (‘12)