December 6, 2008
How do you get people to care about higher education? Kill off Santa Claus. Or the Baby Jesus.
Florida Gulf Coast University President Wilson Bradshaw found this out the hard way. On Nov. 20, he decreed that Christmas decorations would not be allowed on any common areas of the Fort Myers campus. No menorahs, either. Employees could decorate their desks, but not outside doors. A greeting card decorating contest was canceled. The "Giving Tree" that collected gifts for needy preschoolers was renamed the "Giving Garden." President Bradshaw said this was the best way "to observe the season in ways that honor and respect all traditions."
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