11.16.2009

Implications of Two Lost Dogs

My heart broke in two when I read that email from Dean Roellke the other day. I can't imagine losing two, or even one, of my pets. I am a huge animal lover and I can't imagine how scared I would be if one of my pets from home ran away. Where are they? What's happened to them? Has someone else taken them? Oh my gosh. How awful.

I think everyone on campus (well, I hope) wants to see the return of Roellke's smaller dog. But from conversation with my friends, some people are questioning the use of the campus-wide email for a personal affair. I, personally, don't mind. After that email came out, I kept an eye out for any stranded-looking dogs. But should the power to reach the entire campus really be used for looking for two dogs? Is it really appropriate? I think it was basically an electronic version of a poster stapled to a lamp post. Its function became much more popularized and got out to a lot more people. Is this right? I'm conflicted. I think for the circumstances of two lost dogs, it's reasonable. But it could be viewed as taking advantage of some power.

My biggest question is this: if I, say, lost my rabbit, could I get a campus-wide email sent out? Are we going to make a hierarchy of pet-worth? Is this type of email unprecedented because not many students have cats or dogs that get lost? Also, in the most technical and literal terms, a computer is worth more than a pet. Yet I doubt administration would let us use a mass-email to tell everyone that we lost our computer. Or a camera..or car keys..or anything else really valuable. But maybe the Dean's email will change things. Maybe the Vassar community will realize the worth of sending campus-wide emails for urgent means. As long as our inboxes don't get too flooded...hmm. Either way, I hope Dean Roellke finds Gullaby!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dean Roellke and his family are members of the Vassar community. And personally, I feel like most people consider their pets to be a member of their family—as a "huge animal lover," I'm sure you could understand that. So sending out two e-mails about lost dogs is a lot different than, say, forwarding a chain letter to the student body so he can win a free iPod.

For the same reason, I'd also say a missing pet warrants a misuse of the listserv in ways that a missing computer or missing car keys do not. If I lost my computer, I'd be pretty bummed, but I don't think it'd affect my life too negatively; I could always just go to the library until I could replace it. If I lost my doggies, though, I'd be totally devastated—they aren't so replaceable, and its a life I feel responsible for. Anyone who can't see that seems kind of heartless to me.

All of the people complaining about this "abuse of power" come off as whiny, scrooge assholes. It's amazing that so many will gripe over two short, polite (Roellke even apologized for improper use of his e-mails) and to the point e-mails that they could easily delete, but won't say shit when it comes to really important matters. Way to prioritize, Vassar.

Anonymous said...

is it impossible for people to voice their opinions at this school without insulting those who diasgree with them? ugh i hate vassar