Mints on the pillows may be the only thing missing from the tender loving care that housekeepers and custodians heap upon Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students, faculty and staff in the college’s residence halls and academic buildings.

After all, where else are the bed sheets changed and neatly folded weekly in each residence hall room? How about the laminated newspaper clippings that are kept of student accomplishments? Or, how about all the caring smiles, the hugs and best wishes that answer life’s troubles?

“The students are pampered here because they deserve it,” concedes substitute housekeeper Rosemary Reberger. “The students work so hard and they’re under so much pressure. I want to help, in any small way, to make their time here as relaxing and carefree as possible.”

She isn’t alone.

Custodian Neil Davis states, “You love the students like your own sons, daughters and best friends. It’s easy to get attached to them.”

Shirley Laughrey, a housekeeper, affectionately referred to the students living in Skinner residence hall as “My Boys.” She now works in the Hulman Union, where she estimates getting “four or five hugs a day” from students.

“They’re all my buddies,” adds Jerry Dupin, a member of the residence hall maintenance staff for 27 years. “Within a few days of the start of school, I can identify some of the freshmen by name, and they know me by my first name. It’s more than a friendship. There’s respect.”

Richard Mott, custodian for Olin Hall, concedes that the “best part of my job is getting to know the students . . . and the worst part of my job is when they graduate. I miss them.”

During commencement, several of the housekeepers and custodians stand near Baur-Sames-Bogart residence hall to salute the seniors as they take their ceremonial final stroll through campus. It’s their way of saying “Goodbye.”

“It’s a sad day,” states Pat Fields, a housekeeper for 22 years who received the President’s Outstanding Service Award in 1996. “You hope that you have helped make Rose-Hulman feel like ‘home’ during their time on campus.”

The effort hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rose-Hulman students gave the college the nation’s top mark for the friendliness of residence hall staff and cleanliness of residence halls in the 2003 residence hall life survey of 218 U.S. colleges, conducted by the Association of College and University Housing Officers. Rose-Hulman received a 6.60 rating (out of 7.0) on the attitude of the housekeeping staff.

When answering another survey, a student wrote: “I have a feeling that if I left water, flour and sugar on my dresser, there would be a cake in my room when I got back from class.”

Another student proudly stated, “I’m treated better here than at home, but don’t tell my mom!”

Last year, residents of Deming Hall showed their affection for custodian David Hamenstafer by drawing a caricature of a caribou on the wall outside the office of the avid hunter. It was a surprise gift for a staff member who is affectionately known as “Deming Dave” by students, faculty and staff.

The duties of housekeepers and custodians go well beyond changing linen, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping carpets or disposing trash cans, according to supervisors Pete Gustafson, vice president of student affairs, and Elaine Lee-Price, manager of academic custodial services. Taking care of students and their physical and mental wellbeing is the first priority.

“Being there to talk to the students and showing that they care is far more important than keeping the restrooms spic-and-span,” Gustafson says. “Dr. Hulbert refers to the college as a ‘warm and fuzzy place.’ That’s partially due to our great residence hall and custodial staffs.”

Lee-Price points out that one of custodian Mary Ann Wood’s assets is finding a quiet place for a student to study before taking a test. She is also known as “The Candy Lady” for delivering special treats to students.

Mott, custodian for Olin Hall, takes time to laminate newspaper clippings about student achievements and sports reports, items that become special mementos for the students and their parents. Clippings covered one entire wall in an apartment rented by former Rose-Hulman basketball player Ryan Harris.

“I enjoy doing it,” says Mott, a 22-year employee. “The students don’t know how special they really are and how precious this time is in their lives. The four years seem to go by so quickly . . . I also know that the students’ parents would appreciate seeing the clippings.”

Two years ago, custodian Frances Gordon went out of her way to give a visiting high school senior 50 cents to purchase a soft drink during Rose-Hulman’s Operation Catapult summer program.

“The boy didn’t have the money at the time, and I did. It was the right thing to do,” recalls Frances, a 16-year Rose-Hulman employee.

This fall, the teenager, now a freshman on campus, repaid the debt, along with a hardy “Thank You.” The prospective student, and his parents, remembered the show of generosity when deciding to attend the college.

Staff members are invited to department Christmas parties, weddings and other special events. Then, there are all of the gift certificates, fruit baskets, Christmas cards and other gifts that are presented to staff members by students and academic departments each holiday season.

Other gestures don’t have a price tag. Towanda Graham, housekeeper in Deming Hall, recalls the time a student pulled his bed away from the wall and moved his mattress so that it was easily accessible for changing the sheets and making the bed. Nearby was a note: “You’re My Favorite Person.”

“The students appreciate you for doing the kindest of things,” said Graham, smiling while remembering the incident.

Custodian Jim Snow receives occasional e-mail greetings from an exchange student in Germany who he met while working late nights on campus. Several alumni take time to introduce housekeepers and custodians to family members during homecoming.

“It’s like we’re a member of the family,” says custodian Harry Gordon, an 18-year Rose-Hulman employee. “It’s something that we appreciate and don’t take for granted. It’s nice knowing that we’re part of what makes Rose-Hulman such a special place.”