What do you guys make of this? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 24, 2005

RE: What do you guys make of this?

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dr. Whom
"This isn't a "jumping on." I have heard that in another department, a line will be left unfilled because "none of the candidates have work experience", i.e., no industry experience. What I heard was that several candidates did have "work experience" and that one actually worked for Bellsouth for 10 years! What else do you make of this? I believe the area in question is the smallest in the b-school, and they can't hire? Again, I don't think this is simple neglect; I think it's part of a plan to get down to trade school status and make a money grab for some salary lines."

I am aware that B-school hires are being interfered with at the Provost level although I don't think Grimes is making the decisions. You misunderstood my post. I am all for exposing the plot against the business school. I was only cautioning not to "jump on" the unfounded story about a Mississippi State takeover, which I believe is someone playing games and doing so to divert attention and effort from more pressing concerns like the very one that you and WorldWide raised. I also understand that patience is tough when the frustrations mount and other opportunities arise. As for 6 7/8's last post, even redundant quality will beat one of a kind trash!

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: 6 & 7/8s
"It won't be if it takes over USM

For that matter, there isn't enough demand for higher education in Mississippi (population-wise) to merit 8 universities. Since JSU, MVSU, DSU, ASU & MUW alumni demonstrated conclusively that they will not tolerate consolidation or closure, the only honorable thing for USM alumni to as taxpayers is to demand the immediate consolidation and/or closure of the University of Southern Mississippi.

It's simple economics.

Mississippi cannot afford all this wasteful duplication. It is quite obvious that the only meritorious & productive program at USM is polymer science & it could be rather painlessly transferred to the engineering school at State.
"

You are ignoring the importance of geography. USM is the only comprehensive university in the populous southern part of the state. Basic undergraduate programs like business, education, nursing, and arts and sciences must be available to people who can not afford to move to Oxford or Starkville, especially transfers from the many junior colleges south of I-20. Such programs are not duplications for people who do not have access to the northern campuses, and they are critical to the economic progress of the state.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Curmudgeon
"You are ignoring the importance of geography. USM is the only comprehensive university in the populous southern part of the state. Basic undergraduate programs like business, education, nursing, and arts and sciences must be available to people who can not afford to move to Oxford or Starkville, especially transfers from the many junior colleges south of I-20. Such programs are not duplications for people who do not have access to the northern campuses, and they are critical to the economic progress of the state."

I thought 6.875 was trying to be sarcastic. Maybe not.

You are correct, Curmudgeon. USM's the only "upper division" game in town south of I-20 & east of I-55. But location never factored into the state's decision for many, many years to have only two universities, one is Oxford & one in Starkville. In those days, there were no 4-lane highways & rail travel was the main mode of transportation. It didn't bother anybody in Jackson back then.

The truly cynical side of me wants to say that viewing South Mississippi as integral to the economic progress of the state has never been a major factor in the thinking of the North Mississippi political power elite. In case you haven't noticed, North Mississippi still manages to run the state in spite of where the population base lies.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

I'm very, very suspicious of the post which started this thread. A person working in the Dome, entrusted with setting up an important conference call, blabs this information to her friend who then posts to this board? Does the friend want to get her informant fired?

Most good administrative assistants or secretaries I have ever known are discreet about their boss's activities. This rumor may be true, but I wouldn't bank on it.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

csl--thank you. i've had the same feeling since i first saw the thread. some of these threads remind me of rumor transmission studies.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

Not so fast. Dr. Freedman was just seen walking around campus with some suits. I was skeptical of this whole rumor, but I'm not so sure now.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken Soup Lady
"I'm very, very suspicious of the post which started this thread. A person working in the Dome, entrusted with setting up an important conference call, blabs this information to her friend who then posts to this board? Does the friend want to get her informant fired? Most good administrative assistants or secretaries I have ever known are discreet about their boss's activities. This rumor may be true, but I wouldn't bank on it."

I agree - and if it IS true, the "friend" that posted it has surely put the dome staffer in jeopardy - it would be more than easy for Thames to identify the staffer since that person was supposedly entrusted with setting up this call. Etihter way, rumor or true, it's not good.

NO QUARTER!

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: 6 & 7/8s
"It won't be if it takes over USM

(Merely repeating something stated by someone else on this board & I stand corrected.)

I will also completely alter my position. If Mississippi has three AACSB accredited b-schools, then Klumb & Ross are entirely correct: there is too much duplication of effort. USM's b-school shouldn't be crippled. It should just be shut down to save taxpayer money. There simply isn't enough business in Mississippi (or at least business beyond the mom-and-pop level) to merit three fully accredited business schools.

For that matter, there isn't enough demand for higher education in Mississippi (population-wise) to merit 8 universities. Since JSU, MVSU, DSU, ASU & MUW alumni demonstrated conclusively that they will not tolerate consolidation or closure, the only honorable thing for USM alumni to as taxpayers is to demand the immediate consolidation and/or closure of the University of Southern Mississippi.

It's simple economics.

Mississippi cannot afford all this wasteful duplication. It is quite obvious that the only meritorious & productive program at USM is polymer science & it could be rather painlessly transferred to the engineering school at State.
"

If Mississippi has overcapcity in higher education (a dubious proposition), IHL should look north of I-20 for cuts. USM serves the fasted growing region of the state.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: asdf
" If Mississippi has overcapcity in higher education (a dubious proposition), IHL should look north of I-20 for cuts. USM serves the fasted growing region of the state. "

But what the IHL should do and what they will do are two different things. Who has the least vocal and least politically connected constituency?

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
"But what the IHL should do and what they will do are two different things. Who has the least vocal and least politically connected constituency?"

Bingo!

As I said earlier, I think "6 & 7/8s" was being sarcastic. But you are correct, ram -- USM has never enjoyed much "political clout". This is why the IHL board was able to appoint SFT to begin with -- all he had to do was woo a hand full of people & he had it sewed up.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

I also heard that Dean Freedman was in town today. I'm not sure what any of this means, but I will say that people who are so incredulous about certain things should look at a list of things that have happened since May 2002 and ask what isn't freaky weird that has happened under SFT's boot.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

Maybe she was invited to see what a wurl' class b-school looks like...it smells, leaks, has no technology, is either too hot or cold, the faculty are all leaving if they can...yet it still claims to be Mississippi's b-school...well, could be MS State's soon? This would be totally idiotic...who knows why she was in town?

Date: Jan 24, 2005

Aren't the business faculty supportive of this idea? Shelby hates a few of those guys --- I heard him talk about it one day. I bet they would love to be Bulldogs.

Date: Jan 24, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Long Ranger
"It's not a hoax. SFT will create a quasi-business program. I've heard some names are already being trial ballooned, such as "College of Economic Development and Free Enterprise," that will float business degrees under USM's banner. They've easily got 10-15 faculty they could insert (if you count some people at the coast), and then make a rush to hire, possibly starting with adjuncts. Klumb is all over this one --- tells GL and SFT it's another brilliant move. "

The beauty to SFT et al of the new business college SFT would create is all of the MURA companies he could run through and wrap around there, everything from Noetic, to Southern Diversified, etc.

Date: Jan 25, 2005

Too bad, if Susan, Bud Ginn's sidekick, would keep her mouth shut and not leak information SFT could get away with more. Good for us bad for SFT.

Date: Jan 25, 2005

If this is true, Ross and Klumb will be in for a good deal of trouble.

As members of a state commission/board (IHL), members are not allowed to discuss the commission's business outside of open meetings, which must be advertised in advance.

Conference calls are considered meetings. They can be nailed for this. If this is true, someone needs to report them for violating "sunshine laws."

Date: Jan 26, 2005

It should just be shut down to save taxpayer money. There simply isn't enough business in Mississippi (or at least business beyond the mom-and-pop level) to merit three fully accredited business schools.

There are four, JSU, MSU, UM and USM

Date: Jan 26, 2005

kick

Date: Jan 26, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: 6 & 7/8s
"It won't be if it takes over USM

(There simply isn't enough business in Mississippi (or at least business beyond the mom-and-pop level) to merit three fully accredited business schools.

"

This may come as a shock, but universities educate people to work in states other than Misissippi.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

You mean people actually work outside of Mississippi that have grown up here and have gone to school here? That's ridiculous! Next thing you'll say is that the world is round!