University of Virginia Library

Ralph Main Nominated
To Receive 'The Bird'

By Donn Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Ralph Main, University Director of
Housing, was nominated Thursday for
the "Order of the Bird," the highest
award given by the National Association
of Professional Bureaucrats.

According to James Boren, President
of NATAPROBU, Mr. Main was
nominated by students for the "artistry
of his finger tapping and his forthright
'twiddlisms' " in connection with the
removal of a bathtub from Courtney
dormitory last month.

Mr. Boren added that Mr. Main has
proven himself "dedicated to the
maintenance of the status quo through rigid
enforcement of the rules and regulations."

"Safety Hazard"

Mr. Main's nomination comes from his
ordering for removal of a bathtub in Courtney
that was being used as a piece of furniture. He
was quoted in The Cavalier Daily as saying that
the bathtub was a "safety hazard."

According to Mike Finn, one of the students
using the bathtub, Mr. Main had told him that
the "tub was an appliance and that it had to be
removed."

"After I had convinced Mr. Main that it
was not an appliance," he continued, "he
decided that it was a health hazard and had to
be removed on the basis that it was an
inappropriate piece of furniture."

The bathtub was finally removed on
November 23 after the students were
threatened with a $20 fine by the Housing
Office.

Mr. Boren stated that students in Courtney
had sent an explanation of the "bathtub plot"
to NATAPROBU and had recommended Mr.
Main for the award for his "dynamic
inactivism."

Mr. Boren commented that "anyone who
could find so many different reasons for
removing the bathtub seems qualified for the
nomination."

NATAPROBU

NATAPROBU, according to its president, is
dedicated to those "finger tappers of the world
who keep things from happening to protect the
rest of us from doing things wrong."

Although Mr. Main has been nominated, Mr.
Boren explained that he has not yet been
assured of final approval. The president of
NATAPROBU stated that the organization had
to receive a "sufficient number of seconding
letters from anyone associated with Mr. Main"
before the bird could be given.

Mr. Boren stated that the quality of the
letters would also be taken into account by the
nine co-ordinating committees that have to
make the final decision.

Mr. Main stated yesterday that he has not
yet received any letter informing him of his
nomination. When told of the meaning of the
award, he had no comment.

Letters seconding Mr. Main's nomination
may be sent to NATAPROBU, 908 National
Press Building, Washington, D.C.