Work chatter

[randy_byers]

The University of Washington has a new online degree program called Integrated Social Sciences. One of my jobs is to create major and degree codes, and so today the adviser of the program emailed me to ask if it was okay to use ISS for their major code, even if it might be confused with International Student Services. Here's what I said:

If you guys are okay with possible confusion with International Student Services, the International Space Station, and whatever else uses those initials that’s fine by me. You’re right that I can’t create a code until you’ve gotten FCAS approval, but in the meantime if the International Space Station asks me for a major code of ISS, I’ll tell them sorry, it’s already reserved.

And here was her reply:

You know, Randy, I wasn’t worried about the International Space Station … until now. The other day I drove past our local gravel yard. The reader board out front exhorted me: “Time to start thinking about drainage problems.” Before that I wasn’t really thinking about drainage problems. When the International Space Station makes a fiery re entry into the earth’s atmosphere, I’m hoping it lands on the gravel yard.

Thank you for preserving the ISS major code from territorial poachers from outer space.

Comments

[wrdnrd]

That's possibly the best campus email i've ever read.

I only wish someone had been there to offer guidance when comparative literature chose their code. The day Dana encountered that for the very 1st time, she handed the sheet to me and said, "Chris, i need to know what major this code is for, and i can't ask DD" (who was standing right there and, of course, worked in her office whereas i technically didn't). I managed to keep a straight face while i told her, but of course, DD was standing right there so decorum wasn't preserved for long.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Maybe at the time the curriculum abbreviation for Comparative Literature was coined the anatomical term wasn't so pervasive? It's hard to imagine it being allowed otherwise. I'm not sure when the Comparative Literature department was started here.

By the way, I've just popped something into campus mail for you.