The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted “Thirty Minutes of Thanks” on Monday, during which students could express their appreciation to Hopkins staff for their efforts in accommodating students during Baltimore’s record snowstorm..
At the Milton S. Eisenhower (MSE) Library, SGA members handed out cards and candy for students to give to staff around campus. Students could also write thank-you messages on a poster on MSE’s Q level.
For those students who were present on campus during the blizzard that stretched from Friday afternoon through Saturday night, custodians, grounds crews, security guards and dining staff made sure that students had access to dining services and that residential areas were maintained.
Staff stayed at Hopkins throughout the storm as they couldn’t go home due to the road conditions. Overnight accommodations were provided in hotels around campus, paid for by the University.
Joanne Rosen, wife of University President Ronald J. Daniels, was present at the event. Freshman Class Senator Jennifer Baron commented on her presence.
“They really appreciated her being there because it showed them how much everyone really appreciates their work,” she said.
Monaul Campbell, a custodian, was impressed by how many students attended.
“We couldn’t believe it because we never were recognized before. They hugged us and gave us a lot of candy,” Campbell said. “The president’s wife, she only wanted to see the custodians because she was so proud of us. It was so beautiful. We never had that before. We appreciate that you recognize our hard work.”
The staff that remained during the storm slept in cots in various buildings, such as the AMR TV rooms. Many worked through morning hours to shovel pathways. Various responsibilities were shared.
“I slept in the TV room, we had cots. We have to do what we have to do,” Campbell said. “I went home yesterday evening and I had to go right to bed because I was so tired. My dog missed me, my son kissed me. I was gone for four days and some were gone for five or six days.”
The event’s participants presented the posters to a group of staff who stood outside of the library. Some stopped ground crews busy snowplowing to give the cards and candy. Some students who did not participate in the continuation of the event around campus still chose to show thanks to staff members.
SGA Executive President Jack Bartholet commented on what the event meant to staff members.
“Staff members were crying,” Bartholet said. “It really warms your heart... We want to show them that we appreciate them more often.”
Executive Vice President Charlie Green also commented on how impressed she was with the variety of student groups present.
Senior Bea So shared her view on the event.
“I thought it was a great idea for an event, but I didn’t like that we were just handing out the same small piece of paper with the same words to the same people,” So wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Also — with the candy — it felt like some weird trick-or-treating event but the people we were thanking did not even have anything to hold the candy and papers with.”
Though So found some flaws with the event, she praised its overarching goal, referencing her criticism.
“That’s not the point of the event and was overall just a small part of it,” she wrote. “I enjoyed being able to thank all of the people in person and getting to talk to them.”
