You know you’re in trouble when you encounter a sentence like this in a paper for an ethics class:

After reading both Powell’s and Zwolinski’s articles, there are definitely pros and cons of sweatshops.

The hyper-conscientiousness of having read “both articles” is laudable. Trouble is, Powell and Zwolinski are the co-authors of a single article.

P.S. Harry Frankfurt’s “On Bullshit” is the last reading of the course.

Unfortunately, the formatting dropped out, but the original says:

Presented to: Irfan Khawaja

for the successful completion of: Drug Free Workplace Program

course completed on: October 15, 2015

The original document can be inspected at the Bureau internationale des poids et mesures, Sevres, France.

For my next project, I’ll be pursuing yet another certification, Preventing Discrimination and Sexual Violence: [Compliance with] Title IX, VAWA and the Clery Act. And then it’s back to the old grind–perusing Jobs for Preventers of Discrimination and Sexual Violence,  sending the old portfolios out there, attending the APDSVA smoker, etc. etc.

I am very happy to report that my institution’s bid for university status has been successful. Though there are still some bureaucratic hoops to jump through before we can start acting like a university, we are now officially Felician University, not Felician College.

Our acronymic predicament reminds me of a really stupid rhyme once recited to me by my graduate school buddy Michael Byron, who despite being a really good philosopher, recited it as a joke intended to elicit laughter. “Ever hear the Norfolk University cheerleaders’ cheer?”–Norfolk U being a well-known women’s university.

We are the girls of Norfolk U

We don’t smoke, and we don’t chew

Norfolk U, Norfolk U

We all laughed when he recited that. We were in our 20s.

It’s been a long week. Really long. It’s Friday evening, and I’m going home before I do any more damage here.

Actual snippet of conversation with a nursing student in the college parking lot:

Khawaja: So have you decided on a specialization in nursing?

Student: Oh, anesthesiology, definitely. Starting salary is $160K. Cannot wait to make that much.

Khawaja: So you’re in it for the money?

Student (earnestly): No! No! I mean, right now my residency is in Trauma. Would I go into Trauma if I was just after money? I go into it because I love it. I love Trauma. Like, half the time I’m covered in blood. It’s awesome.

Khawaja: You like being covered in blood?

Student (puzzled): Well, yeah. Except maternal blood, like during a C-Section. Eww.

She’s a former student of mine. Ethics.