Merry Christmas.....NOT!
 

From:
Date: Sun, Nov 30, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Subject: Fostering a welcoming environment during holiday season
To: Multiple recipients

To the Virginia Tech Community:

As we approach the season in which many individuals celebrate religious holidays, we would like to remind you of the breadth of diversity of members of our Virginia Tech community and the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

While some people enjoy holiday decorations, music, and other expressions of holiday sentiment, there are many others for whom such activities create a sense of exclusion. We would like to encourage an awareness and sensitivity to the needs of all members of our diverse populations.

In planning activities related to holidays, it is considerate to develop those that create a sense of welcome for everyone. We invite you to reflect on the great variety of beliefs represented at Virginia Tech, now and throughout the year, and consider ways to help all members of our community feel honored and valued.

Sincerely,

Kevin G. McDonald
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion

Mark G. McNamee
Senior Vice President and Provost

Edward F. D. Spencer
Vice President for Student Affairs

Sherwood G. Wilson
Vice President for Administrative Services

UNC libraries to forgo Christmas trees
Chapel Hill library chief says staffers complained about the display.
By Eric Ferreri
eric.ferreri@newsobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Dec. 05, 2008


CHAPEL HILL For as long as anyone can remember, Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments have greeted holiday season visitors to UNC Chapel Hill's two main libraries.

Not this year.

The trees, which have stood in the lobby areas of Wilson and Davis libraries each December, were kept in storage this year at the behest of Sarah Michalak, the associate provost for university libraries.

Michalak's decision followed several years of queries and complaints from library employees and patrons bothered by the Christian display, Michalak said this week.

Michalak said that banishing the Christmas displays was not an easy decision but that she asked around to library colleagues at Duke, N.C. State and elsewhere and found no other one where Christmas trees were displayed.

Aside from the fact that a UNC Chapel Hill library is a public facility, Michalak said, libraries are places where information from all corners of the world and all belief systems is offered without judgment. Displaying one particular religion's symbols is antithetical to that philosophy, she said.

“We strive in our collection to have a wide variety of ideas,” she said. “It doesn't seem right to celebrate one particular set of customs.”

Michalak, chief librarian for four years, said at least a dozen library employees have complained over the last few years about the display. She hasn't heard similar criticism from students, though they may have voiced concerns to other library staff.

Public libraries generally shy away from creating displays promoting any single religion, said Catherine Mau, deputy director of the Durham County library system, where poinsettias provided by a library booster group provide holiday cheer.

I am reminded of a line in a song that goes, "Slippin into darkness.."

:D :D

This political correctness and sensitivity horse product is getting old.
Who's country is this? Looks like the minority has firmly established
priority. Merry Christmas!

Bah! Humbug!
:(
Merry Christmas Mr Scrooge.