FROM FACULTY SENTAE'S LISTSERV:

Mike Fitzgerald sent me the unedited version of the
HA letter to the editor.  He is miffed about what was edited out.  It appears in its entirety below.

 11/19/2004 
Letter to the Editor 
Hattiesburg American 
 
Dear Editor: 
 
Nobody whines like a USM Administrator! During  USM's 
Glamser/Stringer debacle, Hattiesburgians were constantly bombarded with letters decrying the "whining faculty." "Get over it," they said; "Get  behind President Thames." But, the defeat of the USM bond issue shows who  the real "whiners" are.  There is much hand-wringing, wailing and gnashing  of teeth, by USM's Athletic Director, Gianinni, and a coterie of USM Alumni football fans. 

One would think the sole purpose of University education
is football entertainment, or offering ersatz courses on "wealth creation" and "entrepreneurship." USM Administrators assume: what is good for USM's  athletic department, is good for Hattiesburg and other University departments. But, USM won't pave streets in East Hattiesburg, and regressive taxes affect all Hattiesburgians-not just tourists.

This is a State University, not just a Hattiesburg University. NO athletic money coming into the University ever goes to support other departments.  Besides, currently there is NO money in USM's budget to buy library books this year (Hattiesburg American, 13 November). Buying books for its library ought to 
be a prime concern for a "world class" University!

Slobbering mayoral candidates want to turn the defeated USM bond issue into a political referendum on Mayor Johnny Dupree. Lee J. Davis claims that Mayor Dupree and East Hattiesburg citizens "have betrayed USM." But, USM's mission ought to 
be to provide quality education to Hattiesburg, not football games or a paint factory. 

USM Administrators, get over it!  Stop whining, and become
a part of the great city you occupy.  It is simply immoral for you to sacrifice city needs for your own vision of "wealth creation."  Get some "civic moral values," and get behind our Mayor! 
 
Michael J. Fitzgerald, Ph. D.