Persuasive Message

Name 100 XYZ Avenue

Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 123-4567

[email protected] January 1st, 2019 John Skyberg, Sr. Director Maintenance & Operations San José University One Washington Square San Jose, CA 95192 [email protected] Dear Mr. Skyberg: San José State University has a well-maintained campus. Even with ongoing construction work, facilities are generally well-kept. As a senior student and proud Spartan, I appreciate the work you and your staff do. However, I would like to highlight the issue of restroom facilities, particularly in the BBC (Boccardo Business Center). Many of my classes are in this building and I have frequently encountered unsanitary restroom conditions. This issue has been consistent Monday through Thursday afternoons, and poses a health risk to many individuals. Some examples I (as well as others) have experienced include the overflow of trash, lack of paper towels, and problems with leakage. Though I am aware of the general nature of public restrooms, I believe there are certain actions that can be taken to address the problem. With respect, I would like to discuss this issue further, and offer some suggestions.

As a recognizable institution within Silicon Valley, SJSU is as much a symbol for innovation and professionalism as the area’s high tech companies. In a recent issue of College Planning & Management, Kris Alderson reported that “in a 2015 survey by Cascades Tissue Group, 65 percent of respondents said that restrooms influenced their impression of the school they attended and 60 percent would recommend that prospective students check out a school’s restrooms before enrolling.”1 Not only do restroom conditions affect regular users on campus, they affect visitor impressions. SJSU visitors can range from prospective students to parents,

1 Alderson, K. (2018, April). New Design Strategies for a Reputable Restroom.

College Planning & Management. Retrieved from https://webcpm.com/Articles/2018/04/01/Restroom.aspx?Page=1

guest speakers, industry leaders, and so on. The appearance and conditions of the campus, including its restrooms, can have a lasting impression on visitor opinions.

Furthermore, the BBC houses the business program where students are undergoing training to become professionals. In certain business classes, students are instructed to dress professionally for presentations. This level of formality enhances our studies, but imagine walking into a dirty restroom while wearing your best suit. Imagine wiping your hands on the only suit you’ve owned as a student because there were no paper towels, and the drier has been broken for weeks. Again, I am aware of the nature of public restrooms, and believe your staff works hard to maintain all facilities across campus. Could I offer some suggestions, however?

While school is in session, I have observed multiple Facilities members maintaining the grounds. I can usually spot someone working outside if not in the building. Still, I have yet to see staff maintaining the restrooms regularly. Assigning Facilities staff to check up on restrooms periodically would be a viable solution since these employees are on duty and nearby. The large volume of students and faculty inside the BBC requires access to sanitary restrooms. Periodic check-ups would minimize or eliminate less-than-desirable conditions, especially by afternoons. In addition, signs could serve as reminders to use restrooms in consideration of others. Campus visitors would also see, if not follow these signs as evidence of your staff’s efforts. This last suggestion could be supplementary to the periodic restroom checkups. As the senior director of your department, I hope you will consider my concern and suggestions to remedy the issue. I look forward to a response. Please let me know if there is anyone else I should contact as well. With respect,

Name