Giannini: City doesn't care about USM - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Nov 4, 2004

Giannini: City doesn't care about USM

Date: Nov 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20041104/localnews/1537469.html"

"iIt is disappointing that two other cities in this state saw fit to pass a $60 million and $100 million tourism tax and Hattiesburg failed in its $12 million request." Gannini was referring to bond issues in Jackson and on the Gulf Coast approved on Tuesday.

And just what athletic improvements will those two bond issues support? Nuff said

Date: Nov 4, 2004

Regarding the failure of the bond issue, perhaps the voters
in Hattiesburg read the NCAA report issued in 2003
which concluded (quoting from USA Today):

"Colleges see no return - financial or competitive - from
increased spending on athletics, according to an NCAA
report to be released today (8/14/03)...Increased
spending doesn't result in more victories or high-caliber
applicants for admission, the report says.

"for every additional dollar spent on daily operations in
football and men's basketball, schools typically realize
only an additional dollar in revenue

"Spending changes have no impact on win-loss records,
alumni donations or incoming students' academic standing."

So why is again that athletics is the number one priority at
USM?

(Oh, I forgot about economic development!)

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2003-08-14-ncaa-finances-study_x.htm

Date: Nov 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20041104/localnews/1537469.html"

"For University of Southern Mississippi director of athletics Richard Giannini the defeat of a $12 million bond issue to benefit the university sent a message that the city doesn't care about the future of the school and that if it is to thrive, it will have to rely on its own resources."

Somebody should explain to the athletic officials that the future of a university does not depend on athletics. Do folks over there really believe that a university campus lives and breathes football?

Date: Nov 4, 2004

"We're going to get the $12 million. It's really unfortunate that the people of Hattiesburg didn't participate. Financially, this community hasn't done anything for us since the early '50s."

What the @#$%? Think that'll get you that extra 13% next time, Ricky? I know a few folks in the community who would beg to differ with his estimations.

Date: Nov 4, 2004

"University officials hadn't decided Wednesday about their next step but were still considering challenging election results, pursuing unspecified action against the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association for false statements in campaign literature or putting the bond issue to a vote again within two years, he said."

Help! I did not see or hear what the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association said or wrote. about the bond issue. Can someone tell me what alleged "false statements" might be provoking this "unspecified action" against that association?

Date: Nov 4, 2004

Doesn't care about USM? Well, somebody must care. $7M more than the fund raising objective. Now there's a whopping 58% of the total amount asked for in the failed bond issue, and it doesn't have to be shared with anyone. Where oh where will USM spend this surplus?

"USM campaign passes fund raising goal
School raises $7M more than objective of $100M"

Date: Nov 4, 2004

But how much of that $107M is cash in hand? Isn't a lot of it pledges, life-insurance, and that sort of thing?

Date: Nov 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken Soup Lady
"But how much of that $107M is cash in hand? Isn't a lot of it pledges, life-insurance, and that sort of thing?"

......And those donated "patents" or whatever they are that sound like a total scam.

Date: Nov 4, 2004

And don't forget the goodwill. That's worth something. Or at least it used to be.

Date: Nov 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: spike
""We're going to get the $12 million. It's really unfortunate that the people of Hattiesburg didn't participate. Financially, this community hasn't done anything for us since the early '50s." What the @#$%? Think that'll get you that extra 13% next time, Ricky? I know a few folks in the community who would beg to differ with his estimations."

The community hasn't done anything for USM - what the, uh, many in the community attend USM events, including sports - wasn't there just a recent article in the HA where Gianinny or Thames or someone was pointing out that most fans came from this 100 mile radius?? And what about the community members who actually attend classes at USM? What's harder to believe is that in the article it mentions that this was a "prepared statement". Also, in the statement prior to this one was the veiled threat to get the attornies involved and protest the vote. Aren't those attornies busy enough as it is????

Date: Nov 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Emma
"The community hasn't done anything for USM - what the, uh, many in the community attend USM events, including sports - wasn't there just a recent article in the HA where Gianinny or Thames or someone was pointing out that most fans came from this 100 mile radius?? And what about the community members who actually attend classes at USM? What's harder to believe is that in the article it mentions that this was a "prepared statement". Also, in the statement prior to this one was the veiled threat to get the attornies involved and protest the vote. Aren't those attornies busy enough as it is????"

May God bless you, each and every one.

Date: Nov 5, 2004

You're obviously not in the English Dept.

Date: Nov 5, 2004

The real issue is not whether or not the community has ever been supportive of USM, but rather, is it a good idea to say that they have not. Unlike Oxford and Starkville, Hattiesburg has lots of people who are not alumni of the local university. Their goodwill is not a sure thing.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Missed the fine print
""University officials hadn't decided Wednesday about their next step but were still considering challenging election results, pursuing unspecified action against the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association for false statements in campaign literature or putting the bond issue to a vote again within two years, he said."
Help! I did not see or hear what the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association said or wrote. about the bond issue. Can someone tell me what alleged "false statements" might be provoking this "unspecified action" against that association? "

Read this:

Say what? Fliers fail truth test
Hattiesburg American Staff
November 1, 2004

Persuading 60 percent of voters to approve a bond issue is tough enough.

But it's even tougher when you've got to combat inaccurate and misleading information - especially when said information is distributed only days before the election.

Such is the case with the University of Southern Mississippi's $12 million bond issue.

Late last week, a political action committee created by the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association - an organization that opposes the bond referendum - mailed thousands of fliers to Hattiesburg residents.

The problem?

Three of the four main points contained in the fliers are false.

Among other things, the glossy fliers stated that:

*"The $12 million price tag could GROW. These taxpayer funded projects usually go over their budgets, so taxpayers could pay even more."

Wrong. The $12 million price tag for the bond issue was fixed by the Mississippi Legislature when it approved the measure earlier this year. If the bond referendum passes on Tuesday, the additional 1 percent sales tax on hotels/motels and restaurants that will be created to fund the $12 million will cease.

*"USM can make do with their own money without taxing us for fancy, unnecessary skyboxes."

Say what?

Yes, the $12 million would be used to fund improvements at eight of Southern Miss' athletic venues and Bennett Auditorium. But the money would not be used for skyboxes.

*"Local families will be forced to pay more to feed their children - is that fair?"

This statement implies that all food sold in Hattiesburg will be subject to an additional 1 percent sales tax. Wrong again. Only restaurants and eateries - along with hotels and motels - are subject to the proposed tax increase.

And the last time we checked, "eating out" was still considered an option.

To his credit, Mike Cashion, the head of the restaurant association, wrote a letter of apology (which was printed in the Hattiesburg American on Saturday).

The letter said, in part: "At this point I would like to sincerely apologize for the inaccurate comments made in the mail piece. While I did not create the piece and was unaware of its content, I must take full responsibility for it and the controversy it caused. I should have reviewed its content before it was mailed. Additionally, I have asked the campaign manager to pull all subsequent advertising and automated phone banks."

The Hattiesburg American Editorial Board has endorsed the USM bond referendum. We believe the bond issue provides Hattiesburg residents with a golden opportunity to support the university - our university.

But when you step in the voting booth on Tuesday, be sure you know the real issues.

Don't cast a ballot based on inaccurate and misleading information.

USM bond issue

When you step in the voting booth Tuesday to cast a ballot on the University of Southern Mississippi's $12 million bond issue, be sure you know the facts. Don't cast a ballot based on inaccurate and misleading information.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

Legal reminder: according to copyright, you're not supposed to post full articles from other publications on this board. You can quote parts or them, or supply a link.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

Say what, Mr. Giannini, the Hattiesburg Community doesn’t care about USM or support it financially?

My family has lived in the Hattiesburg for the past 27 years. We have attended countless events (although not many football games!); have had some member of the family taking classes at USM for at least 15 of those years (as paying customers, not on scholarship); are life members of the USM Alumni Association; and most importantly paid a significant amount in state taxes in Mississippi which support all the Institutions of Higher Education. I am offended by Mr. Giannini’s remarks, we do support USM financially.

In my opinion, the “real reasons”, in addition to the common wisdom that it was the exclusion of east Hattiesburg improvements, that the USM Bond Issue was not supported by Hattiesburg residents are the following:

All of us have long memories of the turmoil, chaos and destruction of USM by the Thames administration and chose not to support the bond issue as long as Shelby Thames is the President.

A similar hospitality tax was imposed to build (and now repair the Hattiesburg Convention Center. When the tax was imposed, there was a promise to remove the tax when the Convention Center was built and paid for. I remind everyone that the tax is still there with no signs of it ever going away.

We are all tired of Mr. Giannini pointing his finger at us and telling us what to do. I remember within a few weeks of his assuming the AD position at USM, he pointed his finger at us on WDAM and told us he was going to MAKE us attend USM football games. He also informed us before the bond issue that we WERE going to vote for it. Well, that form of intimidation rarely works with voters.

The Hattiesburg area has not passed many bond issues since I have been here. Bond issues for Lamar County Schools, Forrest County Schools, and Hattiesburg Public Schools have all failed. Many residents feel that there are too many school systems in the area (5 in all) with duplicative administrations, buildings, etc. This is also true of the Institutions of Higher Education (8 in all). Until some consolidation occurs, taxpayers are unwilling to take on what they consider “frills’, e. g., building high school football stadiums and embellishing athletic facilities.

There was also the “smoke and mirrors” aspect of the bond issue that it wasn’t going to be used for sky boxes but rather other improvements. I would like to point out that the money for sky boxes could be used for these other improvements. When you point out to the powers that be at USM that funds could be used to improve academics rather than building more buildings or enhancing athletic facilities, they always say that it comes from a “different pot of money.” In my mind that is just bean counting. Use the alumni money to enhance the athletic facilities or better yet to improve academics, not to build skyboxes that will at most be used 4-5 times a year.

That’s my take on the failure of the USM Bond Issue.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

The phrase "the city doesn't care" is a euphemism for "the blacks don't care". Looking at the breakdown of the bond voting by ward, its apparent that the "white" wards voted for the bond issue (Thames 1557-743; USM Golf Course 180-83 for example), while the minority wards voted overwhelmingly against the issue (Rowan School 226-959; Eaton School 127-544 for example). Giannini knows that the bond results were racially divided and his comments were aimed at a specific part of the electorate

It is unfortuneate that RG and SFT have injected race into the relationship between the university and the city. Shelboo's mean-spirited demeanor has been largely kept within the ivy walls for the past two years. His treatment of faculty and staff has been ignored by most non-university people. Now, however, his actions have begun to poison the community as well as the university. Maybe the citizens of Hattiesburg (all of them) can join together to help us save this once-viable solidly tier three school.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

Gianninny should be fired for being EXACTLY the 180 degree diametric opposite of what a good sportsman is supposed to be.

He lost. He should accept it that he didn't work hard enough, or that his opponent had a stronger game plan.

Instead he whines.

I will argue that what's happening right now at M.M. Roberts Stadium is a pure reflection of kids picking up on this negativity. They freakin' don't care about winning, because their bossman has told 'em that the City doesn't care.

Bah.

Gianinny should be fired on Monday. Sent packing. Until he responded to the vote, I thought he was a pretty shrewd AD. Now, I think he is just another idot.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

Talk about poor form...the football stadium crowd boo'd when the Mayor was introduced...embarrassing. That's the way the game started.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: A Good Example Starts At The Top
"Talk about poor form...the football stadium crowd boo'd when the Mayor was introduced...embarrassing. That's the way the game started."

"Southern Miss" football fans better relish this season, because things are about to "go south" (as the Yankees are wont to say) pretty quick.

Gianninny is an idot. And he sets a damned bad example.

Needless to say, Shelby will not punish him. I expect he'll get a mid-year raise...

Date: Nov 6, 2004

Did Giannini or the Athletic Department express their views or otherwise participate during that attempt to terminate two of your tenured professors?

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Deja Vu
"Did Giannini or the Athletic Department express their views or otherwise participate during that attempt to terminate two of your tenured professors?"

Yes.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

As odd as it might seem, the verbal assault against the voting Hattiesburg community might very well backfire for USM athletics. If I were a talented athlete from Hattiesburg I would give pause to enrolling at USM after reading those comments in the paper this morning. At the very least, it would increase the likelihood that I would give Ole Miss and Mississippi State more serious consideration. Another foot slips into another mouth.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

I am white, and I voted against the bond. Two relatives, also white, also voted against it but live in a majority black precinct. Other people I know voted against it, in effect, by not bothering to vote on it at all. We can't make absolute racial judgments. However, I am mortified that our mayor was booed at a USM game. I am mortified that Richard G. presumes to speak for USM and agree that he should be packing now.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Odd Man Out
"Another foot slips into another mouth. "

My Mama used to call this putting shoe polish on your tonsils.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

It appears to me that the wur'l class war in Hattiesburg continues to rage. A war against the faculty. Against academic freedom. Against tenure. Against shared governance. Against due process. Against AAUP. Against traditional academic values. And now it appears to me that the wur'l class war zone has been expanded to include the surrounding community at large. Against the Hattiesburg voters. Against the Hattiesburg mayor. How bad does it have to get?

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Lessons from Mama
"My Mama used to call this putting shoe polish on your tonsils."

Hoof in mouth disease.

Date: Nov 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Mash Tent
"It appears to me that the wur'l class war in Hattiesburg continues to rage. A war against the faculty. Against academic freedom. Against tenure. Against shared governance. Against due process. Against AAUP. Against traditional academic values. And now it appears to me that the wur'l class war zone has been expanded to include the surrounding community at large. Against the Hattiesburg voters. Against the Hattiesburg mayor. How bad does it have to get? "

I agree we have a new war going. In addition, there has always been an academic civil war in this state. Each institution has its own power base. The minority institutions have the Ayers(Sp?) Case, State has agriculture& engineering, Ole Miss has medicine & law, USM has population location, and the community colleges have the market for all the poorly prepared high school students, as well as, an excellent economic bargain. There are too many academic institutions fighting a civil war for resources in a zero sum game.

And now, thanks to USM's administration, the war has been expanded to a new front outside of academics. The "academic gold mine" has spread the war to the community.

Date: Nov 7, 2004

Does USM care about Hattiesburg? Does Hattiesburg care about USM? It seems to me that both of these are rhetorical questions, made to make a point, not to receive an answer.

There can be little doubt that the university contributes to the local economy, but that contribution is a by-product of the function and success of the university. There is no benefit that USM bestows on Hattiesburg that is intentional, that in any way requires sacrifice on the part of the university.

No one at the university thinks that sporting events are held so that visitors will stay in Hattiesburg hotels or eat at Hattiesburg restaurants. Those benefits are incidental to the primary purpose of holding the event.

Similarly, increases in faculty, staff and student numbers may result in improvement to the local housing market; but, if so, it is not because the university grows in order to help Hattiesburg. The university grows for reasons of its own; again, any benefit to the local economy is incidental.

By distinction, the recent bond issue was a call for Hattieburg taxpayers and voters to make an intentional sacrifice that would certainly benefit USM directly, and that might indirectly -- as a by-product -- benefit the city as a whole. In this case, the individuals who were called to sacrifice decided they would receive no benefit, so they declined to participate.

It's another example of Southern Miss freeing the power of the individual.