a good idea? really?

I've said it before and I know I'll say it again.... my students continually crack me up and they are seriously the best part of my job. Sadly, I have to play the role of the "fun-stealer" sometimes when the brilliant brainstorm turns into something that is too high risk or puts too much liability on the university. I try very hard not to say "no" to students, but rather get them to make solid (and responsible) choices on their own.

So, the latest brainstorm from some students is to do a "Fear Factor" event. They approached me about how to make this work and what they could do for it. I entertained most of their ideas and made some suggestions on how they could actually make this event happen. I must say, it felt like they might have listened to the suggestions, but didn't actually HEAR what I had to say.

The big idea for the finale of this event? [You sitting down?] Get this - they thought it would be great if they could "get the fire department to bring over those safety nets that they use to rescue people out of burning buildings. Then we could have students jump from the top floor of one of the residence halls onto the net as the last challenge in the WU Fear Factor game."

Seriously? Seriously.

My educational hat flew right out the window and I couldn't help but laugh out loud before I said "No way. That is not going to happen. There is absolutely no way that our insurance company or risk managers will ever let you do that. In fact, I can't even imagine that the fire department would be willing to come over and do that. It's too much liability and risk. Those things are safe enough if your options are that or burning in the building, but they are not foolproof or safe."

The students just sort of nodded and said they'd get back to me with some other ideas.

Today I got a phone call from another staff member inquiring about my conversation with them. She asked me if I had, in fact, said that this stunt would be possible if they just got the fire department to come over and run it.

WHAT? No. That is not at all what we discussed.

Needless to say, I clarified what had happened in the initial conversation. According to this staff member, the students hadn't believed me and decided to call the fire department to see if it was possible. SFD said that it was "too high risk and too much of a liability." Shocking.

So... I think the students are back at square one. If you have any "Fear Factor" ideas for them, I'd value some creative input here.