But even if more groups were participating, the program would still be a stopgap.

Among the long-term remedies being considered are a wage hike and even an increase in professional cleaning staff, a solution that would have to be approved by the Faculty, Sunderson says.

In Kirkland House, he notes, about half of the House is cleaned by custodians.

"We may do that in a few other places," Sunderson says.

Homer would like to see Dorm Crew's early fall clean-up receive as much publicity as the Freshman Arts Program or the Freshman Outdoors Program.

"The best way to attract people is to get a group of people out there saying, 'This is not bad work," Homer says.

Dorm Crew needs to sell itself not just as way to earn money, but as a pleasant job and even a resume enhancer, she says.

"There is good management career potential there," Homer says. "If you can get your classmates to clean bathrooms, when you graduate you can probably get anybody to do just about anything."