Where is your happy place at Notre Dame? Where do you go when the weight of the world is bringing you down and you need to get back up — whether itâs from the literal 25 pound chemistry book in your backpack or the burden of pre-career fair woes? Some of us might find sanctuary in the rippled reflection of St. Josephâs Lake, or in that one comfy chair in the dorm hallway, or even at the Huddle candy wall with all of its sugary glory. My happy place? North Dining Hall, of course.
But, even happier than I am on wing night (if possible), are the people you see when you first step foot through NDHâs doors. These are the smiling faces of NDHâs âMonitors,â better known as our beloved card-swipers.  These are the human beings that donât just let us into the dining hall and clean up our spilled stir-fry, but who also offer a genuine welcome every time our crew rolls in for some grub.Theyâre real, theyâre cool, and they love their ND students as much as we love them. Today, I stopped in to talk to Janice H. (pictured in middle) about what itâs really like to swipe those cards!
So, tell me. Whatâs your typical work like at the DH?
I was hired as a monitor, so weâre those people who see the students when they first come in to eat. But I also work the cashier in here, and Iâll do special things on Sundays like stocking the grab ânâ go sections. I like to keep busy!
Whatâs the best part about your job?
I think most of us really enjoy most the interaction we have with students, swiping them in and seeing them every day. Theyâre like my kids, almost, now that my real kids are all grown up.
Janice also mentioned that her daughter, who lived in Cavanaugh Hall (go Chaos!) and recently graduated in 2011, married a nice Notre Dame boy and now has 4 kids of her own. Itâs no wonder, then, that sheâs got a soft spot for the student connections she makes. Â
You can get into conversations with them. A lot of people will go through, but some will stop to talk and youâll get to know their name, their background, what theyâre studying. Sometimes the guys will introduce you to their girlfriends, or youâll banter back and forth a little. Sometimes they’ll just go on, but other times they’ll stop for 10 minutes to chat. Itâs a neat experience.
Any specific moments youâve got in mind?
This one student came in and I got on him because he didnât introduce me to his girlfriend. Heâd been talking to her and about her for 2 or 3 months, so I asked, how come you didnât introduce me?â Heâd also been deciding whether or not to take a job, so I gave him some advice on that. Itâs a chance to interact and see what these kids really have going on in their lives.
Do you ever keep up relationships with DH regulars?
Sure. One student who Iâd always talk with went abroad, so I hadnât seen him for nine months. Then he came back, and I was able to ask him questions all about it, like âhow were your travels?”
What do you think about the battle between NDH and SDH?
Youâll find that the kids who come to the North Dining Hall like the North Dining Hall, the kids have an allegiance. I think itâs kind of funny, and itâs fun! People who havenât been over here⊠I tell them theyâve gotta come to North, but Iâve worked with the really nice ladies over at the South Dining Hall, too. Of course, youâve gotta stick up for your location.Whatâs your go-to dining hall meal?
Me, myself, I stick to the chicken and the veggies.
If you had to pick one special food to haveâŠ
Oh, my favorite is when they have something special for the desserts; Iâm a dessert person. It just depends if the âspecialâ meals fall on the specific days that youâre working, so youâll maybe get one or two a year. Christmas and Thanksgiving when they have the nice big sugar cookies⊠those are good days! They have to be the shaped ones with icing on them, though.
Agreed on the cookies, 100 percent. Thanks so much for the interview and all of your smiles, Janice, and weâll see you at dinner!
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