Whether you are an orientation leader or an incoming first year student, the Natter Intermediary Committee to Konstrain Exclusive Language, (NICKEL), passed a list of words that are no longer appropriate for use during Orientation Week. The driving force behind the updated list is that administration strives to make everyone feel welcome and excited to be a part of this school.
Previously, words such as “Frosh,” “lame,” etc., were excluded, as learned by many students during their Orientation Leader Training. In the letter sent Monday, some additional words were banned, including “dirty,” “sunshine,” “puppies,” “kittens,” and “friendly.” The rationale for each can be explained below.
The word “dirty” has been banned because the NICKEL felt like “dirty” had some sexual connotation. “Dirty,” as seen by the NICKEL, was rarely used in a productive or constructive fashion, and therefore would more likely offend incoming students if allowed. When asked about why “dirty” had been banned, the NICKEL chair John Johnson said “…stop being a…dirty…NICKEL…”
“Sunshine” was taken off the list of acceptable words because recent studies have shown that too much sunlight is correlated with skin cancer. The NICKEL stated in the press conference that skin cancer is not something the entire university community promotes.
The NICKEL felt that the words “puppies” and “kittens” were too local to be allowed during the Orientation Week. Students coming into campus may not have had puppies or kittens and, as such, will feel excluded if that type of language is being used. “Friendly” has become a word that has been associated with sexual or abusive language in the local community, and as such, is something that is to be avoided.
A second reminder email will be sent out to all incoming students and leaders the week before Orientation in order to remind students of the rules they need to follow. In the meantime, all leaders have the Call to Action to avoid using the words mentioned above, or any other words, so that all incoming students feel welcomed and loved when they arrive on campus.