My First Open Letter Since Starting My New Job
Dear Students at MSU,
I recognize the excitement you must feel these days, with classes starting, the Spartans picking up their first Big Ten win over Indiana at home the other night, a brand new Associate Registrar to look out for your academic certification and eligibility needs, and temperatures somewhere between 15 and 20 degrees above normal. Enjoy this brief respite from Winter's harsh environs. Celebrate that the rain is not snow. I, too, share your excitement.
However, dear students, please use the brains endowed to you by your creator, and which got you into this fine public institution of higher education. When the temperatures are hovering in the low 40's and are forecast to drop into the mid-30's and lower overnight, and a steady rain is falling, perhaps those conditions call for something I like to refer to as "a coat," or "an umbrella," or even "shoes." Far be it from me to direct you to cover your bare arms, shield your head, and enclose your toes in material to protect them from the elements, but I felt that as an administrator at this, the premier land grant university, I would be remiss if I didn't suggest it.
Thank you for your consideration of my suggestions. I hope that you will not be too troubled by them.
Sincerely,
Doug McKenna
Associate Registrar for Certification Services
Michigan State University
I recognize the excitement you must feel these days, with classes starting, the Spartans picking up their first Big Ten win over Indiana at home the other night, a brand new Associate Registrar to look out for your academic certification and eligibility needs, and temperatures somewhere between 15 and 20 degrees above normal. Enjoy this brief respite from Winter's harsh environs. Celebrate that the rain is not snow. I, too, share your excitement.
However, dear students, please use the brains endowed to you by your creator, and which got you into this fine public institution of higher education. When the temperatures are hovering in the low 40's and are forecast to drop into the mid-30's and lower overnight, and a steady rain is falling, perhaps those conditions call for something I like to refer to as "a coat," or "an umbrella," or even "shoes." Far be it from me to direct you to cover your bare arms, shield your head, and enclose your toes in material to protect them from the elements, but I felt that as an administrator at this, the premier land grant university, I would be remiss if I didn't suggest it.
Thank you for your consideration of my suggestions. I hope that you will not be too troubled by them.
Sincerely,
Doug McKenna
Associate Registrar for Certification Services
Michigan State University