War on Christmas histrionics aside, UT’s pronouncement on holiday parties was undeniably tone deaf. On the website for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, administrators advised members of campus to forego Christmas regalia:
“Holiday parties and celebrations should celebrate and build upon workplace relationships and team morale with no emphasis on religion or culture. Ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise. Consider having a New Year’s party and include décor and food from multiple religions and cultures. Use it as an opportunity to reinvigorate individuals for the New Year’s goals and priorities.”
The guidance discouraged the use of Secret Santas, dreidels, and other culture-specific revelry. I presume trees, colored lights, and candy canes were also verboten.
Administrators never intended their directions to be mandatory, and for good reason: public universities can’t actually restrict the rights of students and faculty to engage in expression—whether said expression is festive, offensive, or both. But members of campus were confused by the instructions, to say the least.
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