Volunteers trickled in slowly for the DASB senate’s Winter Campus Cleanup March 13.

Students tackled the area that needed help, like the Hinson Campus Center, the L Quad, and the Main Quad. They also visited smoking areas to pick up the cigarette butts and litter left behind.

A total of 12 trash bags were collected and then separated for recycling.

This event was made to help keep De Anza College clean; especially since the budget cuts had reduced custodial positions.

There is one custodian for every 1,000 students; there are currently 22 custodians and only four groundskeepers who have the job of keeping the campus clean, according to DASB senate Tatyana Grinenko.

Sociology major Maylea Saito said the low turnout was probably due to the change of location.

Originally, the meeting spot was in conference rooms A and B in the Hinson Center, but later changed to the main quad.

There was a higher rate of student participation last fall, with about 40 students showing up. Saito pointed out that the timing of the event did conflict with registration for many students, leaving students to choose class registration first.

Despite the low turnout in the morning, more students and club members came during the afternoon to help out.

“The event was a success,” said DASB senator Ryan Royster. “It just got off to a slow start.”

Royster said most of the campus is kept cleaned, but that the bathrooms need the most attention. Most bathrooms are left with scattered paper towels, graffiti, wet counters, and unflushed toilets.

The DASB senate is currently working on signs for the bathrooms explaining the low number of custodians, according to Saito. The senate hopes it will make students appreciative and mindful of the custodians and that they will start to pick up after themselves.