Christmas Tree Back Up at Missouri State

KSPR, ABC ^ | 29NOV07 | Matt Petcoff

[familyop]

Missouri State University is once again featuring a Christmas tree in strong hall.

The tree was put up the day before thanksgiving, but then taken down on Monday. School officials say they did it because there was a need for discussion regarding holiday symbols. Everyone we talked to on campus today said putting the tree back up was the right decision. But, this story is about more than just a Christmas tree. Celebrating Christmas with a tree was not the beginning of concern surrounding religion at Missouri State.

"Issues have been raised over the years and this was probably the most minor,” says Jewish professor Mark Rushefsky.

Rushefsky says university events have been held on Jewish holidays, including a recruiting event, therefore not giving prospective Jewish students a chance to attend.

"I think it was a lack of concern not knowing Jewish holidays so things were scheduled on this day,” says Rushefsky.

With the help of a diversity committee, these concerns took hold this year with the Christmas tree in Strong Hall.

"I think there was a communication gap between that discussion and things going up at that time,” says Missouri State University Provost Belinda McCarthy.

So, the decision was made amongst university leaders to take down the tree.

"There was the feeling that we better wait until these discussions concluded before we keep the tree up, so we took it down,” says McCarthy.

Rushefsky says he's not worried that the tree is going back up.

"Even taking down the tree, rightly or wrongly, indicates something is being communicated,” Rushefsky says. "If there was an effort to be better in sync, now we've achieved that and have conveyed that very effectively,” adds McCarthy.

A Menorah, a Jewish symbol, now accompanies the Christmas tree. University leaders also say a display showcasing the history of different religious traditions is also being assembled. It will be showcased on the second floor of Strong Hall.

[familyop]

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt said, "The historical underpinnings and meaning of Christmas cannot be ignored because some university office received a complaint." ("Gov. Blunt 'deeply troubled' by Christmas tree takedown," Springfield News-Leader, Missouri, 29NOV07).

[rockabyebaby]

With the help of a diversity committee

You've GOT to be kidding......

[never4get]

This college is without a doubt not a institution of higher learning. More like an institution of p.c. moonbat idiots. Oh my, I can only imagine who makes up the diversity committee.

[xtinct]

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

"Issues have been raised over the years and this was probably the most minor,” says Jewish professor Mark Rushefsky.

Let me guess. The Jewish complainer???

[kathsua]

A victory for Christmas.

[madprof98]

With the help of a diversity committee,. . .

Must be a euphemism for something really vulgar.

[RightWingConspirator]

Unfortunately this is typical of what today passes for institutions of higher education. We will not be seeing any improvement until the now-tenured 1960-1975 hippie professors, who hid out in colleges and universities avoiding the draft while getting PhDs, are gone.