Over its 50-year history, the Student Dorm Crew has relied on above-average pay and generous incentives to encourage students to roll up their sleeves and scrub bathroom sinks. But when students found more money in their pockets after the University's much-touted increase in financial aid last fall, the Dorm Crew program was left to develop new strategies to encourage students to work.

Many agree that crew administrators have made what is possibly the least glamorous job on campus significantly more attractive with a generous pay structure and flexibility beyond that available in most other jobs.

But the unexpected snag last semester has forced its leaders to work on incentive programs now.

Financial Aid... A Drain on Workers

In the move heralded by many as bringing Harvard's financial aid program up to par with those of rival universities, the University's October announcement provided $2,000 of extra financial aid money to students who received financial assistance from the College.

But the decision, which greatly benefited students, was a smudge on the mirror of Dorm Crew, as students had the option of reducing loans, working less, or doing some of both options.

About 3,000 of the 4,000 undergraduates on financial aid benefited from the self-help policy," according to John C. Santry, staff assistant at the financial aid office.

Although Dorm Crew is not a workstudy job, 50 percent of the students chose to apply the financial aid increase to their loans. Dorm Crew leaders say it is because of students' reduced financial obligations that they have seen a significant decrease in the group's work force.

Dahni-EI Y. Giles '99, a Dorm Crew captain, says he understands why students are choosing not to work. "At Harvard the most valuable thing here is blocks of time. If [students] have the chance to put more time into their schedules, they'll do it," he says.

And though most would consider toiling over toilets unappealing, some Dorm Crew workers say it can be addictive. Many begin as workers during their first year and progress to become captains, then work during spring clean-up and Commencement.

"You get invested in it," says Pforzheimer House Captain Beth M. Holt '00. "It's a little bizarre." Although she did not quit after the recent financial aid windfall, she admits, "I don't know who would want to keep cleaning bathrooms if you don't have to."

Some Dorm Crew workers chose to reduce the number of hours they worked each week. Others stopped working, while some would-be workers never began the job.

Michael J. Schultz '02, another beneficiary of the aid boost, chose to apply the extra financial aid money to his loan. "I was able to do more public service and take an extra class," he said. "If I were working, I hardly would have been able to do any extracurriculars."

While the financial aid initiative caused a large drop in workers, Dorm Crew managers have learned to expect random fluctuations.

Clean-up Captain Elizabeth D. Wilcox '01 said she attributes the dropout rate to these fluctuations, not to the financial aid change. Students like having spending money, and are just finding alternatives to Dorm Crew says Wilcox.