Hay

Was scanning the university website for updates on the Centennial celebration, and I found one of the most depressing holiday greetings ever (below). It attempts to be both optimistic and realistic, but the end result reeks of despair anyway. --- Christmas Message to the UP Community

Monday, December 17, 2007 UP President Emerlinda R. Roman

The run-up to our Centennial celebrations has given us the opportunity to re-examine our record for the past 100 years and to reflect on what we hope to achieve in the next 100. That there have been problems is undeniable. But surely these are outweighed by our accomplishments. Though the University might be flawed—given that it is a human institution—it remains steadfast in its chosen role in shaping young minds for service to the nation. Despite the perceived negative trends of recent years—a lowering of academic standards, deteriorating security conditions, a creeping apathy and cynicism—it holds firmly to the principle that ideas have the power to influence national development, and continues to provide the environment that will enable these to flourish. No other institution sets such high goals for itself or comes closer to actually achieving them. So there is little cause for discouragement, let alone despair. As 2007 draws to a close and we approach our centennial year, let us look to the future with confidence. We are unhampered by doubts about the importance of our mission or the honesty of our intentions. And we are rich in the most valuable of all resources: a high-powered, self-selected teaching faculty, composed of some of the country's most intelligent, imaginative, resourceful, and dedicated persons; a bright, curious, creative, immensely energetic, highly motivated studentry; and loyal, steady long-suffering support staff. This alone should propel us closer to our dream of what our University should be. I wish everyone a happy holiday season! --- What a downer. Someone who thinks the past year was actually fine would suddenly have the weight of all of UP's problems on them. Just saying there is "little cause for discouragement" brings forth feelings of discouragement. Never start what is supposed to be a positive message on a negative tone. It just runs on and covers the entire thing in disheartenment.