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Originally posted by: Anne Wallace
"Angeline, you implicitly set up a choice between resistance/speaking out and "self-preservation." As LVN points out, that is a necessary choice for many who have less protection (though I'm pretty sure that academic reputation is no protection here!), who have families to support, who have children in MS colleges, etc. But I've acted as I have because, to some extent, I think that choice is a false one. What is it that we want to protect--our jobs? And what are those jobs? At what point does our work become meaningless or trivial because the principles that protected our free speech and thought have been gutted? Then it's not a job we're protecting, it's a paycheck. I'm not discounting the importance of a paycheck, or meaning any disrespect to those who need to protect their livelihood. I've said from the beginning of this thing that those of us who feel we can speak should stand up in front of those who feel they can't. Those of us who have some modicum of safety must act to protect others. But I am saying that it's possible to be ready to leave USM without being ready to leave the resistance. What we're defending here is not only USM, but the principles of academe, the highest values that we aspire to (and, alas, too often fall short of!): free speech, free thought, civil discourse, reasoned persuasion, collegial labor, open inquiry, the democracy of the intellect. If we don't work to preserve these values where we stand, then how can we expect to find them to find them anywhere? As for myself, I'll still be talking if/when I walk through that open door. NO QUARTER--not here, not anywhere. Anne Wallace "

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Anne, I agree with you - don't forget that refusing to participate in any more Administration shenanigans is a form of resistance.  There are many ways to resist and I think that most faculty and staff are trying to do it by doing only the minimum that their job requires and no more.  Obviously, if I can't stomach being in the same room with those people I am not going to assist them as they destroy the university.  But I have seen enough through the Glamser/Stringer ordeal, the targeting of other fine faculty and staff people, and the irresponsibility of the IHL Board to know that my (real) voice means little to the people who could actually bring about change.  When I start feeling as though my input counts for something then I will offer it to the Administration.  Until then they don't deserve my input/help as they struggle through their own ineptitude.