Has He/She/It Gone Too Far? A Rose by Any Other Name Smells as Sweet!

This past month the University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill has deemed, in their infinite politically correct wisdom, that the term "freshman" is now banned from use on their campus.  All staff at UNC-CH are now required to use the term "first year student."  I think they've taken one step too far and crossed the proverbial line.

The term "freshman," used since 1590, was never intended to be used in a derogatory way, nor was it intended to be used to reflect gender-bias.  No one should take offense over the word used for centuries to describe a novice or beginning student.  Historically, mostly men attended university at one time, but don't modern day women realize they are equal, and can do whatever they wish, without all the hub bub?

People who have nothing better to do with their time but look for and create problems where none exist need to be sent to soup kitchens to work or should volunteer at such places like hospitals, schools, and community organizations so they can better use their time to be productive and help others in need.  If you find the word "freshman" so demeaning, you are appalled and offended, you have issues, and frankly, I'm tired of your whining over such trivial matters.  Get over it.

Perhaps we should use the term "freshwomanman" so it includes both sexes?  No?  You think it should be "freshmanwoman" as woman is the main word and you want to split hairs over who goes first?    Maybe we should just refer to them as "freshes."  As in grammar, we use the masculine form as it's simply easier than being so wordy with the whole he/she thing each time a writer uses the third person singular.

Why then don't you call these beginning students "novices" as that is one of the definitions for the word?  No, it sounds feminine and reminds you of a nunnery?  Oh, dear.  Since they are rather young students, should we call them "puppies"?  No, you don't like calling someone a dog?  Then how about a "luck," as a beginning student needs lots of luck to finish?  No, it's not luck but hard work and determination that makes a difference?

Okay, Okay, I've got it.  Let's simply call a first year student by the more modern term "noob"?   Or better yet, what about "abtaq"?  What?  That doesn't make sense?  Well, neither does all the complaining over a word that simply describes a beginning student, no matter what their sex is.