The Independent recently reported that rodents had made a home out of Hannah and Foster Hall. At first, I was surprised that the college hadn't told me. After thinking about it, however, I decided that I was glad no one was making a big deal out of it.
First of all, I am not afraid to admit that I find rats disgusting. They live in nests, they eat garbage, they smell bad and in the 1300's, they caused the deaths of nearly ¼ of the world's population! I do not want to be walking to class worried about catching “The Plague: Clark College Style.” I know that the Bubonic Plague isn't coming to our campus anytime soon, but the thought is still gross. I believe the Administration realized that I have better things to do than worry about animals that may, or may not live in my classrooms.
Second, I remember back in middle school, whenever something happened, people would begin to gossip and giggle. I believe that Clark would experience a similar occurrence if the general population knew that rats had moved in. First people would proclaim their disgust. Then I would be forced to hear all of the hair-brained theories and gossip, because when it comes to something like this, everybody is an expert. For me, their would be nothing more obnoxious than having Debbie in math tell me about her rat problems in the first grade or hearing Webster in journalism describe the migratory habits of the North American Rat.
When I called Plant Services, no one would give me any information, so I went and did a little digging. According to some of the faculty I talked to in Foster Hall, a memo was sent out and traps were placed under their desks. For me, that is all I need the college to do. I'm not going to demand that workers from Plant Services go sneaking around trying to catch these rodents. I already think that the college wastes enough time and money, more doesn't need to be spent chasing tiny rodents.
I also realized that it doesn't really matter. A substitute teacher was telling me that this sort of thing happens every year. He said that every winter when the temperature drops the rats move from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors. While this makes sense, it still falls under the hairbrained theories section for me, so I'm not going to put much stock in it.
So I guess im saying, “Thank you, Clark College, for keeping me in the dark about the rats.” I'm glad nobody brought the rats to my attention, because they are disgusting, disease ridden animals. Not to mention the chorus of morons I would have had to listen to if this had gotten out sooner. Clark College, this is what I am paying you for. Job well done.
