You're in line for lunch. The line stretches back to the beginning of the Cooper Music Center, although, thankfully, no longer around it.

        (Kudos to the Dining Hall management! Now just raise those stupid limits!)

        As you're waiting, one of your teachers just decides to bypass the line entirely and head right in. Don't you feel special?

        It is a frequent occurrence in the Dining Hall line that a member of staff, administration or faculty goes right up to the door and gets immediately in. They head to the left of the cashier, while the rest of us poor schmoes have to wait to enter to the right.

        Ignoring the rampant Biblical symbolism of that for a second, I have to ask the question: why?

        I understand that you're busy, and your schedule really doesn't facilitate a wait in line. Sorry, but neither do ours.

        If I present some kind of proof that I only have half an hour or so to eat, should I get to cut in line? Or is it a clause on the Ph.D. degree that I haven't seen yet?

        This isn't a food thing, it's a respect thing. It's about people showing, through their actions, that they consider themselves superior to me and everyone else in that line. And I don't think anyone in that line should stand for that.

        I've long since been disabused of any notion that little old me has any hope of affecting any kind official change around here, but I would like to challenge the members of our staff, administration and faculty. Don't take the easy way in. Get in line with the rest of us. Some of you already do, and thank you for that. Trust me, the students will notice and respect you a lot more than those who just cruise by.