You just got out of class.
Even though your appetite is almost diminished from dodging spittle from your professor in the “splash zone” area of the classroom, you make your way to Vaughn Center to tame the beast that is roaring in your stomach.
You start to walk and see a flash in the corner of your eye. You look around to see if anyone else saw but it doesn’t seem like it.
Okay. You continue along.
You hear a step — there it is again
Okay, you know something’s up. You start to walk faster, but you feel a tingling on the back of your neck — the sensation you only get when there’s someone or something watching you.
Beads of sweat start to form on your forehead as your pace quickens still. Although your muscles have stiffened, you force your head to turn and seek what might be behind you.
Something is definitely looking back at you. Something freaky, something vicious and terrifying is glaring back at you from behind the fence with menacing eyes. The blood drains from your face, your heart stops and — hold up.
Is that a rabbit?
Does this story sound familiar?
Perhaps that was a slight embellishment on what students around campus have been experiencing the last couple of weeks, but while the notion of a mysterious rabbit running around can be funny for some, it can also be emotionally damaging for others.
No matter what your feelings might be, most have come with the same question: what is this all about?
Here are some theories:
UT is changing its mascot to raise student morale:
The “street cred.” a cute white bunny-rabbit will earn us will be staggering. School spirit is sure to sky rocket. Can’t you see our opponents quivering in their cleats with cries of “GO BUNNY. GO!” bearing down on them from the stands?
There is a serial killer loose on campus: What better disguise is there than a seemingly harmless rabbit?
Trix are for kids, right? Just follow the Trix cereal to the bunny’s white van parked in that dark corner in Thomas Parking Garage.
No one will see you, let alone hear your screams.
The otherwise reclusive President Vaughn has finally found a way to spy on students:
Is Big Brother watching? Yes, he is. He’s eavesdropping on students around campus. Watch what you say, kiddies.
This is how they make homeless students pay for housing these days:
Give the Rabbit some respect. Give him a hug even!
This poor student drew the short straw and has to become a mascot to earn housing. This may suck, but it sure beats homelessness.
Actually this “Rabbit Phenomenon” is dining services’ clever way of unveiling a Battle of the Bands contest that could land a lucky student or band a trip to L.A. and a record deal. And that’s just one element of the surprises the rabbit has in store.
Although different from what we’re used to, this bunny might be a good thing after all.
It definitely is one of the crazier things to be seen around campus.
If it doesn’t end up giving anyone a heart attack, “Trix Rabbit” might become a regular visitor to us here on campus.
I’ll keep my distance for now, but be sure to keep an eye on the bunny (as strange as that sounds).
From what I hear there are more shenanigans to come.
Nicole Robinson can be reached at nrobinson@spartans.ut.edu.