I found a way to make this work. When yet another student shrieked and covered her face as I lifted my camera, I would stop and say, in a calm and authoritative voice, "This photo is not about you. It is about Yeshiva University. It is about the biology lab we are in right now." As soon as I depersonalized their role in the photograph, it was OK to proceed. It worked about half the time.
Even women faculty were a problem. One professor shouted when I entered the class, "Them, not me! My hair’s awful!" I sighed and replied, "I’m going to tell you what I tell your students. This isn’t about you." When I finished my spiel, she said, "Now you’ve made me feel guilty too. Good job."
I wore out my second 20-something guide today. As I bounded up the stairs two at a time, at the end of the day, she said, "You’re just showing off." It’s been way fun. I’m saying goodbye to Stern College for this round. Tomorrow I start on the men’s campus in Washington Heights.
Very interesting stories. Can't wait for the installments from the men's university.
Um, just in case you visit my blog and get the idea that I'm a sarcastic kind of guy, I am. But not about this.
Posted by: stephen connor | May 02, 2006 at 08:59 PM