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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Controversial Conversation?
Can I shake things up a little in here? 
Thoughts on the new statement released by the U of MN? The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action just released new guidelines. They're now recommending you not even call the office parties "holiday parties." Instead they should be "Winter celebrations." No Santa even, just snowflakes and skiing.
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cla/now/
(It's the second post.)
Re: Controversial Conversation?
My Cooking Blog
This really shouldn't be a controversial topic. How can it be controversial to respect other people? Like it or not, Christianity isn't the end all and be all. It's time we get over being self-centered and move on to more important things (not talking about your post, talking about people who get all pissy about the topic).
Calling it a winter celebration or even holiday party isn't fooling anyone but it is at least showing sensitivity to other cultures and religions. Being that the U is a government run school - and the Constitution calls for separation of church and state - I think that's the right move. From a business standpoint, I think it's a smart employee relations move. You don't want to show favoritism or alienate your employees. The new guidelines seem like a happy medium - allow people to have their parties while respecting differences.
Out of all of those guidelines, I think the ones that talk about being mindful of other religious and cultural holidays and being flexible with scheduling for people of other faiths are the most important. I have cousins who are Muslim and many of my clients are non-Christians. They are respectful of my holidays and I show the same respect towards their holidays. That's just common courtesy.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Well said.
Photo taken at 16 months old
I think it's rediculously overboard! There's a difference between tolerance, acceptance, and mockery.
The constitution also guarantees Freedom OF Religion. The government entity is not endorsing of any religion in this case (separation of church/state) even if Christmas/Hannukah/Holliday/Kwanza/Solstice/etc. were acceptable technical terminology, however, by their actions they are endorsing an athiest religion thus doing the very thing they claim to not be doing. Eventually it all colapses on itself. Given the theology of all of this, then December 24/25 should be mandatory work days for all employees (though this year both being on a weekend is a mute point)...
I don't think this word means what you think it does...
My Cooking Blog
Ha!
Thank you for the oh-so-insightful response... try again?
I'm confused though... who said everyone is Christian? And, actually, while the site only applies to one college at the U, the 'recommendations' came from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action... and was released as guidelines for the entire University.
Eat.Drink.BeMarried. Blog.
I originally saw this on KSTP/KARE (I don't remember which one.) and they linked back to the CLA blog. I haven't been able to find this anywhere else.
While I fully agree with the notion that we should respect all religions and allowing people to express their beliefs (or respecting their decision to NOT celebrate), I think this is a little overboard. I think departments on campus should incorporate any and all religions of their employees. However, do we not all recognize the New Year? That's a 'holiday' in itself, so I think it's a little ridiculous to ban even the word "holiday" from celebrations. In fact, assigning religious connotations to the word 'holiday' could be considered just as... offensive... could it not?
Although I don't agree with the rest of the sentiment, I had to nod about PP's comment on paid holidays. If the U really wants to go all out, they probably shouldn't give paid holiday for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Not saying they should. Just that this whole set of guidelines seems rather like an... empty gesture?)
FWIW, I graduated from the U and worked for a large department. Even 7 years ago they called it a "winter celebration", now that I think about it.
mfindlay- sadly, no booze allowed on campus. We just had cheapass pizza and pop in the gameroom on campus. Free bowling though! haha
Eat.Drink.BeMarried. Blog.
LOL! Love this.
Oh good grief. For real?
And lol at "mute" point.
Booze is allowed on campus, in certain situations. I think you have to get some kind of special permission, but it's allowed. There are facilities on campus that host weddings and banquets all the time (McNamara, TCF Stadium Club Room, etc.) and they can serve alcohol at those events. Heck, there's even a big wine tasting event at the TCF Stadium each fall. I work at the U, and we have alcohol at our department party (which is held on campus).
As for the rest of the issue ... I understand the sentiment behind the recommendations. When it comes to university-sponsored parties or celebrations, I think they need to remain neutral. I agree that a culture of inclusiveness is ideal. I also think it's hard to make everyone feel included by completely stripping them from expressing their religious and cultural traditions. I think individuals should be able to celebrate their religious and cultural traditions, regardless of what those traditions are, within their own space, as long as they aren't disturbing others and are respectful. I don't think that's asking too much. As Americans, we have the freedom of religion, not the freedom from religion.
Mr. Sammy Dog
I completely agree with the bolded part.
As far the alcohol. Yes, it's technically allowed, but it's such a completely PITA to actually get it, if it's not a space specifically designed for weddings/banquets. (I work at the U... in events.) I'm assuming you work with athletics? You guys get your own whole separate set of rules anyway
Our 'winter celebration' is at Goldy's Gameroom. Free bowling and UDS pizza! woohoo! haha.
Eat.Drink.BeMarried. Blog.