I'm a college student at VCU studying for my Bio-Ed degree, and I encountered something that pushed me to tears. I'm taking Biol-152 in one lab that has a rescued ball python. I think the world of people who rescue these beautiful animals from certain death. I do. He's still go scarring from whatever he'd encountered before he was rescued. Poor guy. Anyways, last thursday was my first day of that class and I saw him in his tank. It was covered in feces and old shed. Okay. So, maybe he just pooped, right? I get into class today, and again. Feces and shed. They have a HEAT ROCK in there, no thermometer, no uth, no heat lamp. Fifty gallon tank. -Murmurs.- I went and spoke to the woman who supposedly took care of him. "We've had that heat rock in there for four years, and he has a better amount of room to feed." "That tank's too big." "No. He's fine." "Is that heat rock all he has for heat?" "Of course." -Rolls eyes.- "I want to volunteer to help." "The Bio department says you'll be a liability. You might get hurt." "I won't sue. I'll sign a waver. I'll do everything in my power to take care of him and give him a proper enclosure." "He's fine." I walked away, with tears in my eyes. Anyone with half a brain can google a caresheet. I'm going to be e-mailing the dean with my request and I will sign a waver to help him.

I just can't believe that a group of trained biologists who claim to be so intelligent could be so negligent with such a beautiful animal. I mentioned BP.Net, and she rolled her eyes. I briefly mentioned my hour long conversation with Adam and she blew it off.

What to do? I'd really appreciate suggestions for how to be diplomatic in my e-mail to the dean. HELP!