In the waning minutes of the work year, the university about to shut down until Jan. 3, and with but a few souls still slaving away, I embark on my favorite holiday office tradition: Dozens of e-mails, memos in inboxes and phone messages for absent colleagues, sent after 4:30: “Urgent -- HUGE problem, it’s really hitting the fan; need to meet ASAP 1/3, better clear your January calendar. BTW, is your resume updated?”