Regarding my “Guardians of Bobcatland” proposal presented to Student Senate Wednesday evening, I need to apologize for not making it clearer that “costumes are optional.” Being a “superhero” is really a mindset.
Certainly, I didn’t imagine students to be wandering around town or attending classes as caped crusaders (the dry-cleaning costs would be prohibitive.) As with any other organization on campus, T-shirts would probably be the wardrobe of choice for students who are proud members of The Guardians.
However, I did see the “superhero” imagery useful for posters, flyers, (as seen at http://45701.com/clean/guardians/) and possibly as real-world characters in homecoming parades and at football games. Any venue where Rufus the Bobcat appears might also be suitable for a couple of Guardians to appear in costume.
The suggestions for costumes and songs were meant as nothing more than examples of building “brand mythology” for the organization.
Many organizations have a “creation story” (Apple Computer; Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and many organizations have their own collection of songs, including the Army, the Marines, fraternities, sororities and even Ohio University. (See http://www.thelocalgirls.com/ohio-cd/)
In hopes that it will not be obscured by billowing capes, and for those who missed it, here’s the core of my presentation:
“When you leave this campus, the value of your Ohio University degree will fluctuate, much like the listings on the stock market. From year to year, the value of your degree will no longer be determined by you, but instead by the students who are currently enrolled each year at Ohio University. In a sense, each graduating class is at the mercy of the following classes to maintain the value and the integrity of their degrees ... The problem is, after you leave campus, who will remain to serve as your proxy to protect and preserve the value of your degree?”
I proposed The Guardians as an ongoing student organization that could, year after year, work to protect the beauty of Athens and the integrity and the reputation of OU long after the current students leave campus.
While I explained to reporter Joe Fox that, if asked, I would serve as a consultant or adviser to such a group if it were formed, I thought it best for me not to be involved because I think such an organization should be developed and shaped entirely by current students and fear they might defer to my suggestions simply because it was my idea. But yes, certainly, if called on, I would be happy to help.
Meanwhile, with or without a sexy costume, and with or without an official organization, anyone can be a Guardian of OU and a Guardian of Bobcatland.
Jim Murray resides in Athens.
