Rethinking the Ad - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 29, 2004

Rethinking the Ad

Date: Dec 29, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken Soup Lady
"We have talked a good deal about placing a large newspaper ad -- in fact, a good bit of money has already been pledged. In light of the grevious situation in Asia, should we consider donating our money to relief instead? I would rather send $100 to Doctors without Borders or Oxfam instead, but how does the rest of the board feel?"

I don't think it's an either/or situation. Many of us have our favorite charities, and many will decide to donate to disaster relief funds. Whether or not to take out an ad presenting a position on university issues is not related to our charitable giving.

Date: Dec 29, 2004

I just raised the issue because a couple of pledges are pretty large, and at least one is sacrificial.

Date: Dec 29, 2004

Flash, I should have said "thank you" for your response -- if it's a lame idea, I want to know.

Date: Dec 29, 2004

To be honest, I would be willing to pass the torch onto someone else regarding the ad. I seem to have become the default contact person, but I'm finding it difficult to make it happen. I would be happy to turn over the reins to someone who is local. I know that I became the default contact person because I'm one of the few who can put their contact info out there for people, but we need to find someone else to take over.

Any suggestions?

Date: Dec 29, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken Soup Lady
"Flash, I should have said "thank you" for your response -- if it's a lame idea, I want to know."

I don't think your post is lame. I can see where someone who initially made a big commitment to the ad might want the back off a bit to make a donation to disaster relief in light of recent events. That should not be a problem. The whole project is in flux right now over the holidays. Sometime next week we can get going on this as soon as someone local volunteers to be the contact person.

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Within the next few weeks I may be able to become a local volunteer with no USM connections. I am waiting until I can completely break all ties. If people are still willing to pledge $ and write the ad, I can be the one to actually place the ad. Let me know if y'all still want this to happen and soon I will post my contact info.

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Any ad headline should be short and sweet, suggestions?

A Failed Presidency?

SACS Probation, the Last Straw

Fiasco After Fiasco

Three Years of Problems

How Much Is Enough?

Time to Cut Bait on This Pres!

What's the Value of Your USM Stock?

Amnesty For Former Thames Supporters

If USM Were A Business, Heads Would Roll

All Academic Indicators Down

What's Happened to Your Educational Investment?

Can USM Afford Shelby Thames?

Window of Opportunity for the IHL

Tired of Reading About USM's Woes?

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Time to Clean Up the Southern Mess

(thanks to the poster who goes by that name)

Date: Dec 30, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: shamed eagle
"Within the next few weeks I may be able to become a local volunteer with no USM connections. I am waiting until I can completely break all ties. If people are still willing to pledge $ and write the ad, I can be the one to actually place the ad. Let me know if y'all still want this to happen and soon I will post my contact info."

Shamed Eagle, you can contact me at: truth@FireThames.com and we can talk. I am still willing to help coordinate (to serve as a "conduit" for people who want to help, but wish to remain anonymous), I just can't be in charge of it.

Thanks for stepping up to the plate (do I know you in real life??)

Truth (aka Andrea Hewitt)

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Corporate Conscience offered an excellent title on another thread, and this might be a bit of a paraphrase.

IHL: Turn this Business Back Into A University

Date: Dec 30, 2004

A one-page ad may be a little superfluous right now given the abundance of free press this issue is getting with great letters, editorials, cartoons and today's copy of the Independent. So sorry that those of you at a distance can't see for yourselves.

Headline: 2004 The Year in Review

"Campus unrest. Turmoil. Student demonstrations. The faculty up in arms. And the President of the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Shelby Thames called before the state's College Board and told to 'fix the problem.' 'The problem,' which stretched across the months of 2004, still hasn't gone away, still hasn't been fixed."

Photo of the Year: Tempers flared on the Southern Miss Campus in 2004

Almost 5 full pages in a month by month accounting of the year in review, the university mentioned repeatedly.

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Is there any phone number given for the Independent (so a person far away could call and pay for a copy to be mailed)?

Date: Dec 30, 2004

Excerpts don't do this justice...

January: "USM Chapter of AAUP, striking the first blow on the campus of USM in what would become a year-long battleground, challenged the credentials of Angie Dvorak, vice president for research and economic development."

March: "...Professors contended that a 'reign of terror' was sweeping over the campus, triggered by President Shelby Thame' suspension and demand for resignation of two tenured professors..."

April: "In the continuing turmoil on the USM campus, the 18-member Graduate Council rescinded Dr. Dvorak's Graduate Faculty Status, which removed her ability to teach at the graduate level."

Date: Dec 30, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: educator
"Is there any phone number given for the Independent (so a person far away could call and pay for a copy to be mailed)?"

1-601-296-1872

Date: Dec 30, 2004

May: "Dr. Shelby Thames was called before the College Board for a discussion of the turmoil and unrest on the USM campus. In that meeting, the USM President promised to restore order to the campus."

June: "ADP rejected an offer from Dr. Thames that USM would pay half the salary if the Partnership would add Dr. Dvorak to the staff as director of the proposed Innovation Park.

July: "Retired Professor John Owers, who moved to Hattiesburg from the University of South Carolin, in a national publiction advised college and university professors to avoid Mississippi in their search for employment. 'Tenured professors,' said Owers, have little protection in Mississippi. His comments to a national audience grew out of the conflict at USM."

Date: Dec 30, 2004

September: "The University of Southern Mississippi dropped a notch in its standing in the annual evaluation of institutions of higher learning by U.S. News and World Report. USM dropped from the third to the fourth tier among colleges and universities. And USM professors were distressed at the decline in the university's rankings.

December: "SACS announced that USM has been placed on probation for one year... The probation resulted in the College Board having another meeting in Jackson with Dr. Thames and an obvious split in the Board as to actions to be taken..."

Date: Jan 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Stretch the media dollars
"
Photo of the Year: Tempers flared on the Southern Miss Campus in 2004
Almost 5 full pages in a month by month accounting of the year in review, the university mentioned repeatedly."

Which photo is it? The student protests? More info please!

Date: Jan 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Arnold
" Which photo is it? The student protests? More info please!"

The photo measures 8" x 6" and takes up about half the space above the fold on the front page. It appears to be from the protest rally although it is not dated. The photo is credited to Jim Coll and the caption reads: "Tempers flared on the Southern Miss campus in 2004. Many students objected to the dismissal of two professors by President Shelby Thames. From left, students Shandi Shiver and Robin Sprehe protest outside the school's administration building." Parts of three posters show. The one in the forefront is a big yellow poster that says: "Every Child Left Behind!!!" (the "No" is crossed out).