Dean Tuttle's Trinitoninan Columns

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Jan. 25, 2008

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Take on me

Question If you could (and I hope you will) name one valuable skill that seems to be lacking in the college students of today, what would you say it was?

Answer

I don’t know about a skill. How about a characteristic? Last month I was at my 11-year-old’s school Christmas concert. She and I made eye contact and were making hilarious faces at each other. I was pretty pleased with myself that even though she is in sixth grade, old Dad can still crack her up. Afterwards I told her it was fun making faces. She gave me a quizzical look and said “you were making faces?” She thought a second and then said, “Oh, my friend Hannah was standing at the back wall and I was making faces with her.” So it reminded me that is important to always stay humble.

Usually humility will be thrust upon you anyways, but I think this quality would serve students, (and everyone else) well. Humility is something I totally excel at.

Question

Tuttle

Would you ever consider apologizing for the comments that you made about Greeks?

Pat Henry

Answer

Henry,

I spoke to some Greek students I know well and I could tell my comments hurt them, so I do apologize for that. I never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. I did qualify my remarks saying I thought there were positive things being done by some in the Greek community. I apologize for saying the administration is not anti-Greek and then saying the Greeks create headaches, because that is a bit contradictory. It totally makes sense. (See, there I go again.) Anyway, as Dean of Students, I try not to alienate students as much as possible, so that is regrettable. I want to be seen as a positive resource for our students no matter the circumstances.

Question

It really DOES smell like maple syrup in the stretch from Marrs-McLean to the Chapman on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (See November 30 Trinitonian.) This has been confirmed by 8 people including myself. What is going on with that?

Darsh

Answer

This is shocking Darsh. You have eight friends? The syrup issue just won’t go away. I actually blocked my calendar this week to go sniff out this troubling campus issue.  I came up with nothing, though I have some theories. There is something called the University Club in the basement of Chapman. I am not a member, but faculty and staff can pay dues to belong and then eat way more than they pay for. I went in, covertly, and found nothing in the syrup realm, though they have flavored creams for coffee. I did smell something reminiscent of Krispy Kreme when I passed Security at Cobb-Racy. Hmmm.  

Question

I was pleased to see that the university is finally cracking down on student parties and was especially grateful for the $100 dollar fines that you have just added as additional punishment to first time offenders of the alcohol policy. I think we can both agree that these kinds of people do not belong at Trinity. What other policies do you think we should implement to stop students from having this kind of "fun" on campus?

Samuel Johnson

Answer

Samuel,

I think anyone with brains and a little effort belongs at Trinity. People make mistakes and push the envelope and I get that. Students should have lots of fun. Our policies are about as minimal and lenient as policies anywhere and they still serve the needs of the campus community. They are well-considered and offer reasoning. Student input has been considered along the way and no decisions on policy or general sanctions are made by any one person. I would encourage students to check out the on-line student handbooks of other universities. I have, and you won’t find any fun-lovin’er place than TU. As always, students who don’t like the consequences or sanctions for violations could just follow the rules. They should be more like you!

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