Heavy breathing
Just when you thought the seriousness of midterms was draining all the fun out of your life, there shines a beacon of shameless humor in the distance.
This guiding light comes from the glare of the computer screen, and more specifically - from the Groaning for Graduates Web site (www.geocities.com/hot_uva_tas).
The site bears an uncanny resemblance to the Web site promoting the Seven Society's graduate fellowship for superb teaching.
Like the Seven Society, the Groaning for Graduates remain anonymous.
Only instead of "superb" teaching, Groaning For Graduates (in)appropriately doles out its honors based on "sexy" teaching.
The nomination process requires almost as little brain power as the teaching assistant who is nominated.
In fact, according to the Web site, brain power is not to be considered in the nomination. Instead, only a description of how the T.A. did or does "excite you" is required.
With a deadline of April 1, students still have plenty of time to write in favor of their candidate, but it remains to be seen how many students will respond.
"This is for real?" second-year College student Melika Greer asked upon viewing the Web site.
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"I just don't know if people would do it," second-year College student Farrell Scifres said. "I don't think I would."
Second-year College student Will Winters also said he would refrain from responding.
"Personally I think it would be a waste of time," he said. "It seems really shallow and superficial to award T.A.s based on looks."
In addition to this, Winters added, "I also don't think of my T.A.s in that way."
Dave Boardman, a third-year College student, found the award amusing.
Yet he wondered about the propriety of nominating the person responsible for your grades for such an "honor."
But Greer thought the award seemed harmless enough.
"I think it's cute. It goes back to the high school most popular awards," she said.
However, that doesn't mean she would nominate any of her T.A.s.
"Oh, God no. None of mine," she said. "They have no sex appeal."
And for Greer, a T.A.'s sex appeal isn't the most important characteristic, anyway.
"I think just my main concern for any T.A. is personal hygiene," she said. "Other than that, I really don't care."
Compiled by Catherine Dunn
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