CISE eatery cash flow problems - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 19, 2005

CISE eatery cash flow problems

Date: Jan 19, 2005

one of my children told me last week that they don't have their machines in yet so that students can use their meal plan cards. cash only, at least as of last week.

Date: Jan 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"one of my children told me last week that they don't have their machines in yet so that students can use their meal plan cards. cash only, at least as of last week."

This is true, I think, at the new library Starbucks and even at times the bookstore too. One of the problems, you won't believe this, is that USM's technology/software is too advanced for Barnes & Noble/Aramarck and they are having major problems interfacing with student records/accounts. But, hey, ain't privatization great?

Date: Jan 19, 2005

Aramark just got hit with a $60 million jury award in a New Jersey lawsuit for serving a drunk at Giants Stadium who was involved in a wreck that paralyzed a man. Let's hope that won't cause price increases.

Date: Jan 19, 2005

For those a little confused, I think "CISE" should be "CICE" in these posts. Thank you.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

I think one of the biggest problems is that SFT and Co. are duplicating services provided by existing businesses, and both students and faculty/staff are refusing to fall for his trick. Who needs Starbucks? We already have JavaWerks. Who needs a new sushi place? We already have Sakura. Who needs Einstein Brothers? We already have at least 16 other sandwich shops and one existing bagel store in town.

I, like many others, will refuse to spend one thin dime on campus to support the corrupt and idiotic system being enacted on USM's campus.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

"I, like many others, will refuse to spend one thin dime on campus to support the corrupt and idiotic system being enacted on USM's campus."

If the decision has been made to burn the village in order to save it, USM is in even more trouble than I thought

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: fatigued
" If the decision has been made to burn the village in order to save it, USM is in even more trouble than I thought"

I don't think Johnny has made the decision to burn the village; the village is already burning. Is Johnny adding fuel to the fire? I don't know.

Should one support Aramark, Barnes & Nobles, et al, as a way of supporting USM? If Starbucks is a big success, will SFT and Lassen not preen and accept congratulations? For that matter, should concerned parents ignore the Tier Fall and SACS probation? Would the decision to go elsewhere for an education also be viewed as burning the village?

What loyalty is owed to an institution that offers none?

Date: Jan 20, 2005

I love you ram. You're exactly right.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Johnny Cash (Flow)
"I, like many others, will refuse to spend one thin dime on campus to support the corrupt and idiotic system being enacted on USM's campus."

I also agree with Ram. And that is not all. I refuse to donate anything to USM. The system at USM is so bad in its treatment of its workers, staff and faculty, that it needs a total cleaning job. USM has been burning people at the stake for years…some of the latest being Stringer, and Glamser. If their burning people catches them on fire, it is not our fault.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

I've been eating every day at the eatery in the new CICE building, and I personally think it is wonderful!! The food is of high quality. The place is beautifully decorated, and I think it will be a draw for encouraging new faculty hires in CoAL. It has been packed the last 2 days, with people looking for seating at the noon hour. I think they need to fix some of the flow problems by opening up all 3 registers but other than that I am thrilled it is there. Ditto for Starbucks. It is a warm, inviting study space for students and faculty. I think in the long run it will encourage students to visit the library. I know it encourages me. It also is a high point on the campus for attracting faculty to come to USM. And so far I haven't seen that Java Werks' business has been affected. And frankly, let's get real folks: as much as I love the place, Java Werks has a serious service problem. I am always waiting in line for my drink which is more expensive than the one I get at Starbucks. And they don't clean the place often enough. The floor is always strewn with muffin bits and paper. Yes, the evil meeting of academics and commercialism is upon us. But that has been happening on university campuses in the last decade. And, quite frankly, we could always buy "decent" coffee on campus at the HUB. Now I get to go to Starbucks at the library. How thrilling!! While I have some concerns over spill issues in the library, I've noticed that so far students seem to be disposing of their drinks in the trash cans inside the Starbucks area. Hurray for progress!! I am trying to think positively about the USM I love. Just don't get me started on NCATE and SACS!

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: shesays
"I've been eating every day at the eatery in the new CICE building, and I personally think it is wonderful!! The food is of high quality. The place is beautifully decorated, and I think it will be a draw for encouraging new faculty hires in CoAL. It has been packed the last 2 days, with people looking for seating at the noon hour. I think they need to fix some of the flow problems by opening up all 3 registers but other than that I am thrilled it is there. Ditto for Starbucks. It is a warm, inviting study space for students and faculty. I think in the long run it will encourage students to visit the library. I know it encourages me. It also is a high point on the campus for attracting faculty to come to USM. And so far I haven't seen that Java Werks' business has been affected. And frankly, let's get real folks: as much as I love the place, Java Werks has a serious service problem. I am always waiting in line for my drink which is more expensive than the one I get at Starbucks. And they don't clean the place often enough. The floor is always strewn with muffin bits and paper. Yes, the evil meeting of academics and commercialism is upon us. But that has been happening on university campuses in the last decade. And, quite frankly, we could always buy "decent" coffee on campus at the HUB. Now I get to go to Starbucks at the library. How thrilling!! While I have some concerns over spill issues in the library, I've noticed that so far students seem to be disposing of their drinks in the trash cans inside the Starbucks area. Hurray for progress!! I am trying to think positively about the USM I love. Just don't get me started on NCATE and SACS!"

Thanks for the encouraging words, Dana -

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Anonymouse
" Thanks for the encouraging words, Dana - "

Dang it, how did you know it was me?

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Never Will
" USM has been burning people at the stake for years…"

Amen brother. Burning at the stake or walking the plank. This system of managing people here has finally been brought to the surface.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: shesays
"Yes, the evil meeting of academics and commercialism is upon us"

The evil meeting of academics and commercialism. My, you do turn a phrase. I recall the meeting between commercialism and those two professors back in the Spring. But it was not the academics that was evil - it was the crass commercialism.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: shesays
"I've been eating every day at the eatery in the new CICE building, and I personally think it is wonderful!! The food is of high quality. The place is beautifully decorated, and I think it will be a draw for encouraging new faculty hires in CoAL. It has been packed the last 2 days, with people looking for seating at the noon hour. I think they need to fix some of the flow problems by opening up all 3 registers but other than that I am thrilled it is there. Ditto for Starbucks. It is a warm, inviting study space for students and faculty. I think in the long run it will encourage students to visit the library. I know it encourages me. It also is a high point on the campus for attracting faculty to come to USM. And so far I haven't seen that Java Werks' business has been affected. And frankly, let's get real folks: as much as I love the place, Java Werks has a serious service problem. I am always waiting in line for my drink which is more expensive than the one I get at Starbucks. And they don't clean the place often enough. The floor is always strewn with muffin bits and paper. Yes, the evil meeting of academics and commercialism is upon us. But that has been happening on university campuses in the last decade. And, quite frankly, we could always buy "decent" coffee on campus at the HUB. Now I get to go to Starbucks at the library. How thrilling!! While I have some concerns over spill issues in the library, I've noticed that so far students seem to be disposing of their drinks in the trash cans inside the Starbucks area. Hurray for progress!! I am trying to think positively about the USM I love. Just don't get me started on NCATE and SACS!"

my, my a while back it was a university with a football team that attacked students ....now its a eatery in a building bringing in new faculty

what a wonderful world we live

Date: Jan 20, 2005

My oh my, aren't we bein' uppity! I'll have you know that I've received every possible merit raise since my very smart daddy took over, and it is no coicidence I beat out many others for the Midas Award -- since my daddy has the most perfectly wonderful since of me being the professional educator of all. Forgit about the silly articles and that stuff. I can right and . . . and I teach reading. Oh yes, I DO. Uncle Thad has haelped me on many different times to make sure that people know that. My daddy knows it. Why don't the rest of y'all?

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: sunnie

Do not confuse this interloper called sunnie former frequent poster called Sonny. The only thing we seem to have in common is that our names sound alike when spoken.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Prima Dana
"My oh my, aren't we bein' uppity! I'll have you know that I've received every possible merit raise since my very smart daddy took over, and it is no coicidence I beat out many others for the Midas Award -- since my daddy has the most perfectly wonderful since of me being the professional educator of all. Forgit about the silly articles and that stuff. I can right and . . . and I teach reading. Oh yes, I DO. Uncle Thad has haelped me on many different times to make sure that people know that. My daddy knows it. Why don't the rest of y'all?"

Dana, allow me to introduce you to Lisa. I believe the two of you share a fondness for the same Tennessee sour mash whiskey. In fact I suspect you've already had a few toots tonight. Keep up the good work, and be sure to say hello to Big Daddy for us.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

One of the things I've noticed on this message board of late is a lot of negativity from faculty posters who have already left USM. I suppose if I left I would want to move on and not look back.

I like frank discussion and criticism when warranted but can't anyone be positive about anything on this campus without being treated roughly by you all? I happen to be staying at USM. I am not ashamed to say it. At the same time I also happen to dislike many of the policies of the Shelby Thames regime. I participated in the vote of no-confidence. I think his treatment of Stringer and Glamser was despicable. I signed the petition for his removal. I wrote a letter to the IHL board also asking them for his immediate removal. Last spring I participated in the protests. But I LOVE MY JOB. It is not perfect. And I am hoping for change in the near future. Discussion of eateries on campus is so trivial comparatively speaking. If these changes on campus make for happier and healthier food choices and environment for some of us, so be it. Rather than chicken fingers you can get sushi. I personally think that's progress. Yes, it's expensive and a luxury. But we all have the choice to eat there or not. I choose to do so. You may not. Do my eating preferences warrant your venom?

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: shesays
" Discussion of eateries on campus is so trivial comparatively speaking. If these changes on campus make for happier and healthier food choices and environment for some of us, so be it. Rather than chicken fingers you can get sushi. I personally think that's progress. Yes, it's expensive and a luxury. But we all have the choice to eat there or not. I choose to do so. You may not. Do my eating preferences warrant your venom?"

I'll respond from deep under cover, so as not to incur the wrath of which you speak. You make many good points. I've had the opportunity to visit several major universities in the past few months, and sub-contracted eateries on campus are very common, including within libraries. If anything, USM is behind the curve here. I don't fully understand all of the objections, other than the perception that their very presence is an extension of the evil Thames regime. I'm sure there are other issues. I just haven't heard them articulated, here or anywhere else.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: PseudoNym
"I'll respond from deep under cover, so as not to incur the wrath of which you speak. You make many good points. I've had the opportunity to visit several major universities in the past few months, and sub-contracted eateries on campus are very common, including within libraries. If anything, USM is behind the curve here. I don't fully understand all of the objections, other than the perception that their very presence is an extension of the evil Thames regime. I'm sure there are other issues. I just haven't heard them articulated, here or anywhere else. "

At times it isn't venom - it's humor that comes out of frustration. I was really with you in this post in many ways until that last sentence. You've never heard of any of the other issues? Where have you been living? Under the Rock? Trolls often live under rocks I've heard, hope you aren't one of them.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

shesays,

Here's the problem most posters are having with your opinion and actions: they are supporting Shelby Thames. Whether you know it or not, he has pervaded every facet of the campus, and the only way to break his hold is to totally drop support of his programs. By way of explanation, let me explicitly state the chain that ties you as a supporter of the food services to Shelby:

You buy food (or goods or services) on campus. Money is transferred from you to the food provider. The food provider kicks back (through contract fees, or whatever you want to call it) money to the administration. That money flows into one of the many accounts that are directly controlled or are snatched by the administration.

Ask yourself these questions: Is there another bagel sandwich shoppe in Hattiesburg? There is. Is there another coffee shop in Hattiesburg? There is. Is there another sushi restaurant in Hattiesburg? There is.

In the case of the aforementioned JavaWerks and Sakura, they exist only yards from campus and have served and supported the university community for some time. How are they repaid for their good citizenship? The same way that SFT repays anyone who does not play the game his way. Remember that bond issue? I wonder why no locally-owned restaurants got a chance to get in the library or the international building? The last time I looked, state-funded competition generally isn't viewed as a good thing for small businesses. Do I have proof that he's getting kickback? No. The only person who has the direct authority to do so is the state auditor, and he's not touching USM with a 10-foot pole. Probably because this mess all happened on his watch.

I, for one, will not spend a penny on campus for a Coke, a blue book, a textbook, or a cup of coffee as long as I know that the current administration is profiting from it. Your sushi money is paying for the corrupt, nepotic raise system. Your bagel money is keeping certain administrators in style. Your coffee money is helping build an organizational chart that looks like a Rorschach test.

Starbucks is trendy. It's new. I know a guy who thinks Starbucks is better because they have Starbucks in big cities, and he thinks it's a sign that Hattiesburg is progressing. Same for Einstein Brothers.

I think it's a sign that it's business as usual and that the university administration doesn't care one bit about anything but who and what can benefit it (and not necessarily the university or the community) the most.

Look for me at JavaWerks, Subway, Sakura, Villie's, Chesterfield's, or Steak Out. I'll be the one wearing the hairnet.

LL

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Emma
"You've never heard of any of the other issues? Where have you been living? Under the Rock? Trolls often live under rocks I've heard, hope you aren't one of them. "

Aww come on now Emma. One can respectfully disagree without being a "troll," don't you think? I don't care for Starbuck's coffee for a variety of reasons, both economic and philosophical, none of which have anything to do with Thames or USM, but I do not assail those who patronize that establishment. We all protest in different ways. In defense of "Shesays," whom I do not know, I thought she did a fine job of presenting her own perspective of the eatery issue. She sounds like the sort of positive thinking individual that USM should strive to recruit and retain. For my part, perhaps I wasn't sufficiently precise with my last sentence. When I said that I hadn't heard other issues articulated, I was speaking only in reference to Thames and his role, whatever it may have been, in bringing Starbucks et al on campus. That's all. And no, I haven't been living under The Rock, although there have been times of late when I felt I was being stuffed under there. Enough of this discord. Let's resume the merriment which characterizes this board. Could you top off my wine please.....

Date: Jan 20, 2005

Words of wisdom from this FS/AAUP message board old-timer:

If you can't stand the heat, get off the message board. Sorry to be blunt, but we've all experienced the heat here in one form or another over the past year. I've experienced it myself many times (and I'm one of the few posters who has the luxury/responsibility of being "out," so people who give me grief know my real name!). The cantakerous nature of this board is what I love about it...true, it gets tough at times, but it generally settles back down to a dull roar eventually.

PS: I agree w/Lunch Lady. If I was still working at USM, I'd have a hard time justifying spending my dollars on campus if it meant supporting SFT.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Words of wisdom from this FS/AAUP message board old-timer: If you can't stand the heat, get off the message board. Sorry to be blunt, but we've all experienced the heat here in one form or another over the past year. I've experienced it myself many times (and I'm one of the few posters who has the luxury/responsibility of being "out," so people who give me grief know my real name!). The cantakerous nature of this board is what I love about it...true, it gets tough at times, but it generally settles back down to a dull roar eventually. "

Are you talkin' to me? ARE YOU TALKIN' TO ME? (In my best Robert DeNiro voice)....It's too late for your words of wisdom, old timer. I'm deeply hurt, cut to the quick, injured beyond measure. In fact, I'm taking all my toys and going home....it's time for my Metamucil anyway. Good night kids.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

I love it. You vote with your feet and take a hike. Then you get on the message board of the USM (AAUP thereof) you left and have a problem with those who are sticking it out. Why not just go on and benefit the university (or Pizza Hut) to which you fled and leave us poor shmucks to deal with what is left? Work hard, educate, write and hush up.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

Providing students and faculty with a more convenient, luxiourious, or more economical environment to sip their banana-flavored cherry-dipped cimmanon-sprinkled Latte is not really an important issue. These are, however, at least two important issues:

1. The total lack of broad faculty and staff inolvement in the decision to privitize food services.

2. The sudden removal of large numbers of faithful employees from state empoyee status (along with its benefits) to the private sector.

Those two matters are of legitimate concern to faculty and staff.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

i hate to get involved in this, but as many of you know i am glutton for punishment. as a geezer, my culinary habits are too much driven by doctors and common sense rather than my campus politics. however, i weary of thinking that my frequenting (or not) of starbucks, the new campus restaurant, or the bookstore are going to make much of a difference in what happens to this university, particularly in the areas that matter. i remember the issue of boycotting a particular restaurant in town last spring. if it accomplished something, i don't see it. as a side note, my children enjoy the new restaurant, but are still loyal to javawerks. i guess that's a case of divided loyalties.

Date: Jan 20, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Short-order cook
"Providing students and faculty with a more convenient, luxiourious, or more economical environment to sip their banana-flavored cherry-dipped cimmanon-sprinkled Latte is not really an important issue. These are, however, at least two important issues: 1. The total lack of broad faculty and staff inolvement in the decision to privitize food services. 2. The sudden removal of large numbers of faithful employees from state empoyee status (along with its benefits) to the private sector. Those two matters are of legitimate concern to faculty and staff. "

Right on, Short-order cook. The two issues you mention are important ones and they are directly related to what I consider to be the overall mission of this message board.