Custodians at Washburn University play a very important role on campus. Keeping the university clean can be tough and sometimes very dirty, but they do it with a smile and are kind to the people on campus. The custodians on campus have recognized how much they love their career choice and how much Washburn depends on them. Recently, there has been a shortage of custodians and their pay has been a problem.

Deandre Harvey, sophomore integrated studies major, has taken it upon himself to start a petition to raise the pay wage for WU’s custodial workers. After talking to a custodian, Harvey realized there was a need for change.

“I was talking to one of the facility workers, and they told me how much they are making,” Harvey said. “They are only making $13 an hour. So I thought it was a low-pay wage. Then I was talking to some members from BSU [Black Student Union]. I was talking to them about trying to get this petition started to try to get them a higher pay wage.”

Alumna Anna-Marie Lauppe was a student worker here at Washburn and is now a psychology professor. She believes that it is unfair how custodians’ pay almost amounts to student workers’ pay.

“To say that they’re making the same amount as a 19, 20-year-old college student in a student position, I feel like that’s just an insult to what they do,” Lauppe said. “Whenever I was in a student job here, one of the reasons why they said they couldn’t pay us more is because we were making as much or if not slightly more than some of the custodial staff.”

Over the summer, former Washburn Student Government Association President Shayden Hanes and Vice President Quinn Leffingwell were able to raise student pay. It changed from $7.85 to $10 an hour and is now $10 to $12.

“Like, one of our student workers said, ‘I make $12 an hour so maybe it is time to reevaluate those people who do more for us than someone else,’” said Carly Nunez, executive assistant for strategic enrollment management and student success.

The custodians agree a change needs to happen. They feel they aren’t getting paid enough compared to the amount of work they do for the Washburn campus.

“When you got grounds and custodians are underpaid, and we bust our butts around here to make this place look nice and clean, we don’t get recognition for it, or recognized for what we do. Only ones that see us is the students,” an anonymous custodian said.

Leslie Williams, senior custodian, shares these same feelings. While she works hard, picks up extra tasks and brings her best every day, she’s finding it hard to live comfortably and provide for her family.

“I’m at the point where I either put gas in my car or buy sweet potatoes to take down to Thanksgiving,” Williams said.

While their productivity is high, unfortunately, their pay is low, causing them to seek out another source of income.

“That’s forcing some of our facility workers to have to go out and get second jobs, because doing the stuff that they do here on campus, you can’t live off $13 an hour. Even McDonald’s employees get paid more than $13 an hour. Why can’t our facility workers here at Washburn University get paid $15 to $17 an hour for the stuff they do?” Harvey said.

The cost of living in Topeka can be expensive with a family, rent, insurance, a car, bills and much more. Custodians have to work more than 40 hours a week to provide for themselves and their families if they have one. Nunez feels strongly about this.

“They have families, many dependents, some of them pick up lots of overtime just to provide for themselves and for the individuals that they have to provide for, so $12 and $13 an hour may not amount to enough and then once you amount for taxes and having to work all those extra hours for insurance and insurance for their spouses, if they have any, there isn’t always a lot after the fact,” Nunez said.

Although some of Washburn’s custodial staff has sought out other sources of income, it doesn’t compare to the realities of inflation. Prices continue to rise, and so do custodians’ concerns.

“There is so many things going up that we can’t really live off of what we’re making. Some of us have to work two jobs,” an anonymous custodian said.

Lauppe recognizes how custodians treat her and recognizes they aren’t in the spotlight for the work they do. She feels they still should be paid a liveable wage simply because they are people providing a campus service that is much needed.

“It’s more than just doing their job. It’s the impact as well and a lot of times, they’re just kind of behind-the-scenes players and I feel like they should get more credit for what they do,” Lauppe said.

Harvey is trying to rally as many signatures as possible for his petition, with hopes to take it to higher-ups and see change.

“I’m hoping to increase their pay wage so this doesn’t happen in the near future so we can get more custodians and facility workers here on campus,” Harvey said.

This petition has the potential to help the custodial staff make liveable wages and continue doing their job without seeking other employment.

“I like what I do. I enjoy my job, but something has to be done,“ an anonymous custodian said.

For those who feel strongly about this concern and would like to sign the petition, contact [email protected] or fill out this form.

Comment your thoughts on Washburn’s wages for custodians.

Edited by Jeremy Ford and Jayme Thompson