I agree with you wholeheartedly.  Working in a public institution myself,
and as a non-Christian, I don't like the fact that the Christmas tree
is put up every year.  Granted, we're in rural Ohio, where the vast
majority of folks are Christians of European descent.  However, for
me to even suggest losing the tree would be ugly.  Thus, instead of
fighting off one religious sect's symbols, I'm taking it upon myself
to bring in the Menorah, as well as other non-Christian winter-time
religious symbols, to try and balance things out.

Beyond the religious implications of decorating one's institution for
the holidays, let us remember that there are many, many folks out there
for whom the holidays only mean sadness (from the loss of a loved on,
or just holiday blues).  I would love to see a public institution
provide a refuge from the holiday madness some would rather just avoid.

-Andrew Richmond