The following statement was originally posted in the year of Our Lord 2003 by the Office of Affirmative Action at Central Michigan University (my alma mater), at http://www.cmich.edu/aaeo/christmas-warning.htm, but was removed due to unfavorable publicity and a torrent of criticism. Since the statement is in danger of disappearing from cyberspace, I've decided to preserve this shameful exhibit of political correctness here as a historical curiosity. Would that the name of the original author were available, so that "he/she" could be exposed to the public humiliation and ridicule "he/she" so richly deserves! I've corrected a few obvious typographical errors, but otherwise the stupefying bureaucratese shines through in all its pristine folly. Connoisseurs of officialese -- note especially the truly elegant second sentence and the carefully phrased "snowpeople" instead of the verboten "snowmen".
During the December Holiday season it is important to realize what may be offensive to others within a place of employment. During the Christmas season there are many other holidays celebrated around then and not all people celebrate Christmas. It is inappropriate to decorate things with Santa Claus or reindeer or other “Christmas” decorations. Good ideas for decorations during this time are snowflakes, snowpeople and poinsettias to give a feeling of the winter. Please be respectful to others and do not put up specific holiday decorations.
Teaching about or discussing religious holidays (e.g. Christmas, Hanukkah) from a cultural, historical, social perspective is permissible; celebrating religious holidays is not. Activities in this area should be educational in nature, objective and sensitive, neither promoting nor inhibiting a particular religious perspective. A primary goal should be to foster understanding and mutual respect for difference in belief, custom or tradition.
The use and display of religious symbols, provided they are used only as examples of cultural or religious heritage, is permissible to the extent these are used as teaching aids or resources. While students may choose to create artwork with religious symbols or themes, instructors should not assign or suggest such creations.
The use of religious music is permissible when it is part of the academic study of music and/or when it is included among a variety of selections in concerts programs. Seasonal concerts would be included in this category.
An employee’s immediate workspace (e.g. desk area, individual office space) may be decorated with seasonal “knick-knacks,” desktop displays, and greeting cards.
Employees working in more public/common areas (e.g., cashier, reception, bookstore, service counters, etc) are encouraged to exercise reasonableness and discretion in decorating their immediate workspace with season “knick-knacks,” desktop displays, and greeting cards.
In public/common areas (e.g., cafeterias, student centers, bookstores, common areas in residence halls, etc.), seasonal decorations and displays, including Christmas trees, are limited to those sponsored and maintained by a recognized student organization (e.g., student senate) or a recognized employee group.
Mounting of displays in the designated common/public areas must be:
Additional Considerations
Individuals and groups – Consider incorporating other elements into your display or decoration that depict other cultural or religious beliefs, customs, and traditions for the holiday season.
Groups – Employee and student groups on a campus should consider collaborating with each other to decorate and/or mount a display in a common/public area on campus.
Students in Residences – It is permissible for students living in college-operated residence halls to display seasonal/holiday-related items in their rooms. Sensitivity and discretion, however, are warranted in situations where the living space is shared.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion – In keeping with the practice of promoting diversity and inclusion, it is encouraged to devise seasonal activities that serve an educational purpose for all, do not promote one tradition at the exclusion of another, and which make all students and employees feel included.