With professional conferences gradually returning as in-person events in the Not-Yet-Post-COVID Era, adjustments are being made. For example, in November the American Evaluation Association will use “a coding system for badges to share social distancing and interaction preferences with other attendees (i.e., one color to signify you are ok with shaking hands, one color to request social distance, etc.).”
This strategy is now being adopted by a number of colleges and universities across the country as the fall semester is about to begin. Leading the way, by a wide margin, is the University of Kentucky, where faculty will be able to affix a variety of colored ribbons to their shirts, blouses, and blazers to communicate crucial information.
Here are their current choices, with more to come:
RED: If you touch me, I will hurt you.
BURNT ORANGE: Don’t breathe on me.
DARK OLIVE: I refuse to teach online courses.
NAVY BLUE: I have never eaten lunch in the faculty dining room, and I have no intention of ever doing so. Don’t invite me.
ORANGE: Student evaluations of my courses are invalid.
INDIGO: The terms “intersectionality” and “lived experience” are my personal triggers.
EBONY: I consume a lot of grilled red meat, and it’s okay if you’re not okay with that.
MAROON: My pronoun preferences are “zephron,” “flasen,” and “snisk.”
GREEN: I believe the Big 10 conference should only contain 10 schools.
TEAL: Masks are required in my classes, but underwear is optional.
BLUE: In my 15 years on the T & P Committee, I have never voted in favor of a candidate’s promotion to full professor.
GRAY: I think monkeypox should be called “monkeypox.”
MAGENTA: I don’t floss.
PURPLE: Not sure how I feel about reparations.
TURQIOISE: I’ve never met a dean or provost I liked.
The impact of the ribbon system on campus climate will be assessed by a task force of the University of Kentucky Faculty Senate at the end of the semester.