Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Cornell's Winter Holiday Regulations

Hat tip Campus Reform



Trees and snowflakes are Consistent with Cornell's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness

 Angels, mistletoe, stars on trees, crosses, or Stars of David are not Consistent with Cornell's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness


For years, I have labeled the University of California at Santa Cruz as "America's Wackiest University". However, given numerous events at Cornell this year, UCSC's title may be in jeopardy. Campus Reform came across this notice from Cornell as part of their Fire Safety Guidelines for Holiday Decorations. Aside from fire issues, the guidelines become ludicrous when it comes to "being inclusive".

https://sp.ehs.cornell.edu/fps/fire-code-compliance/Documents/FCC_Fire_Safety_Guidelines_for_Holidays_Decorations.pdf

GUIDELINES FOR INCLUSIVE SEASONAL DISPLAYS Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are Consistent with Cornell’s Commitment to Diversity and the University Assembly Guidelines:  Snowflakes  Trees (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines) decorated with snowflakes and other non-religious symbols Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are Consistent with University Assembly Guidelines But Should be Basis of Dialogue Within Unit or Living Area  Trees decorated with bows, garland and lights (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines)  Wreaths with bows (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines)  Combination of snowflakes, (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines), Santa Claus figure, and dreidel 

Holly Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are NOT Consistent with Either University Assembly Guidelines or the University’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness  Nativity scene  Menorah  Angels  Mistletoe  Stars at the top of trees  Crosses  Star of David
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First of all, somebody needs to inform Cornell of just what we are celebrating this winter and which holidays we are celebrating (Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years last I checked). We are not celebrating or having holidays because it is winter and/or snowing. 

But it is truly heartening to know that it is OK to display a snowflake at Cornell.


Is Frosty the Snowman OK?
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3 comments:

  1. Siarlys JenkinsDecember 23, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    Gary, you seem to have missed a few things:


    GUIDELINES FOR DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS
    Individuals may privately display symbols in their work areas or living quarters.
    Areas that would give the impression that the symbol is associated with the university, particularly the external surfaces of buildings may not be used for displays of religious symbols.
    The university administration shall not sponsor nor provide direct financial support for the display of religious symbols.
    Campus groups desiring to sponsor celebrative and/or educational displays utilizing religious symbols shall have full access to appropriate campus display areas, subject to regular administrative procedures governing the use of these areas.
    Any display areas that normally are available to all campus groups shall also be available for the display of religious symbols, subject to regular administrative procedures

    Of course they could have said all this in far fewer words.

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  2. Gary FouseDecember 23, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    Siarlys,

    As usual, the pin heads at Cornell made fools of themselves.

    I mean really- snowflakes?

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  3. Siarlys JenkinsDecember 27, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    Bureaucrats are bureaucrats, Gary. They devote much more verbiage to a subject than it requires, and end up looking foolish as a result. Ideology doesn't seem to have anything to do with it.

    ReplyDelete