Sound Familiar? Faculty Replaced At My School - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Sound Familiar? Faculty Replaced At My School

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Ah, the trolls (both those that can spell and those that cannot) are back. We must be doing something right, folks!

NO QUARTER!

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Blemished gold,

Who in the USM community has offered students extra credit for participating in anti-Thames demonstrations, or for writing letters to the editor opposing Thames?

I agree with you about not pulling students into university politics. (If the students are already concerned on their own--as many have been, under the Thames regime--that's different.)

But avoiding embarrassing your employer? At USM, under the present regime, that means one thing: not embarrassing Shelby Thames.

Are you counseling the remaining USM faculty to refrain from criticizing Thames in public?

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 18, 2004

What subject do you teach, little woman? We have a place for someone like you who understands the economics of the education bidness and is a team player!

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: SFT
"What subject do you teach, little woman? We have a place for someone like you who understands the economics of the education bidness and is a team player! "

Did I miss something, Papa Shelboo? How do you know that BG is a woman? Psychic powers? Email surveillance?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Blemished gold, Who in the USM community has offered students extra credit for participating in anti-Thames demonstrations, or for writing letters to the editor opposing Thames? I agree with you about not pulling students into university politics. (If the students are already concerned on their own--as many have been, under the Thames regime--that's different.) But avoiding embarrassing your employer? At USM, under the present regime, that means one thing: not embarrassing Shelby Thames. Are you counseling the remaining USM faculty to refrain from criticizing Thames in public? Robert Campbell "

Robert,

Don't you recall that back in the spring these were the accusations of the administration during the time of the student protest? I seem to recall that a history prof who had to go to court let his class out early. Someone told SFT he released his class so they could protest. The professor called SFT down on this accusation at a news conference with the TV present. I have a fond memory of Dr. Cynthia Moore in the background trying to drag Shelby away because it was becoming a PR nightmare for him. The prof demanded an apology, but never did get one of course.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Wasn't that Doug Chambers who was falsely accused by Shelby?

And didn't he end up being denied tenure?

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Wasn't that Doug Chambers who was falsely accused by Shelby? And didn't he end up being denied tenure? Robert Campbell"

It was Doug Chambers, but I don't know about him being denied tenure. Anyone else?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Apparently DC was recommended for tenure by his department and college advisory board, but his dean recommended he be denied tenure.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Blemished Gold
"We got a new vice president of academic instruction last year at the college where I teach. Within 6 months he demoted the chair of my department and made all 7 instructors reapply for their jobs the following semester. The Chair formed a partnership with the instructors to begin a campaign against the new VP. The instructors had encouraged their students to write letters to the local media and to the VP to get him to change his position about the faculty replacement. The result was that the Chair was fired from the college with 3 weeks left in the semester. Someone had to step in and finish his classes. Does any of that sound familiar? Well here is what will not sound familiar. Although the Chair contacted me and asked me for support, I declined. Even though I was forced to reapply for my job and was about to be out of work for the first time in a very long time, I did not believe I should take actions that would use students unethically or bring embarrassment to the college I was working for. Two of my students even sent me email at the end of the semester asking me what classes I was going to teach next semester because they wanted to register for my classes (a huge compliment). I did not make my problem their problem. I did not offer them extra credit or implore them to contact the VP or the local media. I did not encourage them or offer them extra credit to hold an impeachment rally outside his office after I made sure the local news media would be there. I did not publicly defame the school. Rather, I did the professional and ethical thing and simply told my students that the schedule guide had not come out yet and they should wait a few more weeks to see what classes I would be teaching. I believe employees, no matter how much they feel unappreciated or have been wronged, should not take actions that will undermine or embarrass their employer. I believe educators especially, no matter what preference they give to research over teaching, should never take vengeful actions that will cause their former students’ diploma to be cheapened and diminished in value. Long story short, I was the only instructor out of seven hired back. Sometimes leaving as a professional person pays off. I sleep good at night knowing that I did not sink to the level that so many of the USM community (used loosely) have fallen to. "

"Scuse me, but you are not particularly ethical or professional -- just sanctimonious and employed. Your point (as I read it) seems to be that by being quiet and not making waves one can protect one's own interests. Hey, sorry but that's not news. It's called capitulation. The Vichy government tried that in France sixty years ago. It only works for a little while.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: 1/USMTTT
"Apparently DC was recommended for tenure by his department and college advisory board, but his dean recommended he be denied tenure. "

In what department is DC?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

history

Date: Dec 18, 2004

RE: RE: RE: Sound Familiar? Faculty Replaced At My

Date: Dec 18, 2004

RE: RE: Sound Familiar? Faculty Replaced At My School

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Lamont Cranston
"I predicted it would be in that college. Same one where NP, GS, and FS had their appointments. COAL lost three valuable ones when it let those three get away. Why didn't their dean speak up? Is everything else topsy turvy and bassackwards in COAL "

Why didn't their dean speak up? At least in NP's case, the dean was the one actively trying to get rid of him! Remember the famous letter written by Pood effectively "firing" NP for not renewing his contract?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Oops! NP, GS, and FG.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Why didn't their dean speak up? At least in NP's case, the dean was the one actively trying to get rid of him! Remember the famous letter written by Pood effectively "firing" NP for not renewing his contract?"

The NP fiasco was unbelievably bad. But I didn't hear the COAL administration speak up when GS and FG were assaulted. Did I miss something?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Dr. Chambers has been asked to apply for a prestigous position at Brown University. Isn't it ironc that the ones Thames gets rid of in one way or another actually end up better off? Dr. Chambers stated that when one door closes another one opens. He will be missed by many students.

~NO QUARTER~

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Blemished Gold
"We got a new vice president of academic instruction last year at the college where I teach. Within 6 months he demoted the chair of my department and made all 7 instructors reapply for their jobs the following semester.

The Chair formed a partnership with the instructors to begin a campaign against the new VP. The instructors had encouraged their students to write letters to the local media and to the VP to get him to change his position about the faculty replacement. The result was that the Chair was fired from the college with 3 weeks left in the semester. Someone had to step in and finish his classes.

Does any of that sound familiar?

"

Yes. It sounds like you are a suck up and you work at a chessy school that fires people summarily with no due process. Aren't you lucky?

Date: Dec 18, 2004

And yes folks, it's time again for our favorite poem:

First they came for the communists . . .
Then they came for the . . . .

They'll come for you eventually, so you might as well speak up.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"And yes folks, it's time again for our favorite poem: First they came for the communists . . . Then they came for the . . . . They'll come for you eventually, so you might as well speak up. "

foot soldier - Yes, it is once again time to be reminded. We can't be reminded often enough:

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Whiting turned YALE down to go to Ark !!!! We haven't lost losers.

Date: Dec 18, 2004

Calm down! It's not personal, even though it might hurt.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

We can't help but wonder if the action you took was done so for the benefit of the students or for your own benefit.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
""Scuse me, but you are not particularly ethical or professional -- just sanctimonious and employed. Your point (as I read it) seems to be that by being quiet and not making waves one can protect one's own interests. Hey, sorry but that's not news. It's called capitulation. The Vichy government tried that in France sixty years ago. It only works for a little while."

Great reply!

Date: Mar 11, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Blemished Gold
"We got a new vice president of academic instruction last year at the college where I teach. Within 6 months he demoted the chair of my department and made all 7 instructors reapply for their jobs the following semester. The Chair formed a partnership with the instructors to begin a campaign against the new VP. The instructors had encouraged their students to write letters to the local media and to the VP to get him to change his position about the faculty replacement. The result was that the Chair was fired from the college with 3 weeks left in the semester. Someone had to step in and finish his classes. Does any of that sound familiar? Well here is what will not sound familiar. Although the Chair contacted me and asked me for support, I declined. Even though I was forced to reapply for my job and was about to be out of work for the first time in a very long time, I did not believe I should take actions that would use students unethically or bring embarrassment to the college I was working for. Two of my students even sent me email at the end of the semester asking me what classes I was going to teach next semester because they wanted to register for my classes (a huge compliment). I did not make my problem their problem. I did not offer them extra credit or implore them to contact the VP or the local media. I did not encourage them or offer them extra credit to hold an impeachment rally outside his office after I made sure the local news media would be there. I did not publicly defame the school. Rather, I did the professional and ethical thing and simply told my students that the schedule guide had not come out yet and they should wait a few more weeks to see what classes I would be teaching. I believe employees, no matter how much they feel unappreciated or have been wronged, should not take actions that will undermine or embarrass their employer. I believe educators especially, no matter what preference they give to research over teaching, should never take vengeful actions that will cause their former students’ diploma to be cheapened and diminished in value. Long story short, I was the only instructor out of seven hired back. Sometimes leaving as a professional person pays off. I sleep good at night knowing that I did not sink to the level that so many of the USM community (used loosely) have fallen to. "

Hmmm. Let me try to get this straight. VPAA got rid of chair and had all 7 instructors reapply for the jobs. Chair contacted you and asked for you help in some manner. You declined. VPAA required all 7 instructors in your department reapply for their jobs. You were the only one of the 7 to get a job back. If that is true I wouldn't think that ram's reply to your posting, and also USM Sympathizer's response, should come as a surprise.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

Who in the USM community has offered students extra credit for participating in anti-Thames demonstrations, or for writing letters to the editor opposing Thames?

OR: How about just their grade on a project?

Perhaps Dr. DePree can enlighten you on some assignments he required his students to do.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

I've tried never to call names on this board, but here is one exception. How can I put this? Dr. D is not representative of any faculty member anywhere in the civilized world. Nothing he does can fairly be used as an example of "normal" behavior. The man shoots other people's dogs, for god's sake.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

You either don't know Dr. DePree or you have some axe to grind. In either case, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Dr. DePree was the best teacher I ever had at USM. In addition to being very smart with a great sense of humor, he is a good man who cares about his students and the University. I don't believe he would hurt anyone or anything unless he was placed in danger. If you knew Dr. DePree you would know how stupid your statement is.

Date: Mar 11, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by: Blemished Gold
Two of my students even sent me email at the end of the semester asking me what classes I was going to teach next semester because they wanted to register for my classes (a huge compliment).

Hmmm. If ever I finish up a semester during which only two students are asking for more, I might consider changing professions.

I believe educators especially, no matter what preference they give to research over teaching, should never take vengeful actions that will cause their former students’ diploma to be cheapened and diminished in value.

And what about appropriate actions that reduce the chances that those students' diplomas will be cheapened and diminished in value.

I sleep good at night ... .

Too bad you weren't the recipient of a solid liberal arts-based education. Perhaps then you would sleep WELL at night.