The Time for Stupidity - Again

In August it was the dog ban, about which there are rumored changes but no clarification on the rumors or policy. Friday afternoon (last day of classes), a colleague who teaches military history received an email. Now, the thing is that he doesn't ever use email or even know how to turn on a computer and has no interest in learning same. So somebody called the AA and told her to check it, print it out and give it to him.

It was from the Dean's office, and in very formal and official language, told him to remove all the antique (and disabled) guns in his office immediately. Failure to do so would result in immediate termination for violation of campus firearms rules. He complied, and the security people came up to verify and help him move them to his car. The cop said 'this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.'

Because, you see, it is stupid. These firearms were ancient, decorative and all rendered dysfunctional. They were teaching tools that he used every term. They had been in his office for 27 years. His office was a campus sight, as it had guns, hatchets, knives, a bayonet, all this stuff hanging from the ceiling. It was cool, the students loved it and we faculty found it a delightful illustration of why RNU is different. They didn't make him get rid of the bayonet, knives, hatchets, etc. Just the safe stuff. We've been through 3 deans, 3 VPAAs and three presidents in the past 10 years, and all knew about his office, all enjoyed it, nobody until now has ever had a problem with it. No student, no admin, no VP, Dean, faculty, staff. Until Friday. When they threaten immediate termination if he doesn't get 'em out before Friday.

Yes, they were guns. They were props, much in the same way that theatre departments might have prop weapons in the storeroom.

I'm cynical and suspicious. Nobody ever had a problem with the dogs. Nobody had a problem with the prop guns... until this year. What changed? ARC went downstairs as the interim associate dean. His old office (now temporarily closed as he wants to keep it) is right next door to Military Guy. He comes up daily to demonstrate to us how important he now is, so it's not like he's out of our hair. I think he's using his interim position to complain about things he doesn't like, and getting them 'fixed.' I'm waiting for the edict that I have to get rid of my stuff (I have various animal toys and decorations in my office). 

Is it worth fighting? It's stupid, petty and dumb, so no. But... here's the thing. What we all liked was that RNU treated us adults and the dogs and decorations were nice little eccentricities that made RNU different and quirky and fun.  

It's not now.