Enrollment News is Out! - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 27, 2005

RE: RE: Enrollment News is Out!

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Well chosen words
"
"Dr. Joe Paul, vice president for student affairs, said he was 'pleased but not surprised' with continued student growth at Southern Miss."
I don't see that this statement particularly stands out. Lots of experience is fine, unless it is the same old experience time and time again.
"

The quote in question is right below that one.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: The Shadow
" The quote in question is right below that one."

"The increased enrollment this spring is a reflection of the quality of our faculty and academic programs as well as our unique ability at Southern Miss to focus on the needs of the individual student," Paul said.

Unique? Oh yes, unique. One of a kind. Unparalled. Without equal. Number Uno. Nobody can do it like we can. Only we focus on individual student needs. We hold that well kept secret. Unique.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Well chosen words
"I don't see that this statement particularly stands out. Lots of experience is fine, unless it is the same old experience time and time again.
"

The Shadow is right. The quote I was referring to immediately follows the one you noted.

"The increased enrollment this spring is a reflection of the quality of our faculty and academic programs as well as our unique ability at Southern Miss to focus on the needs of the individual student," Paul said.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

Lord, I thought I was cynical.

Maybe someone should have said, "Honestly, this enrollment increase is a bolt out of the blue. Our best faculty have been leaving in droves & most of what's left is what we could hire after PRCC, Jones & Gulf Coast had their pick; our programs are just a faint shadow of what they were 15 years ago, instruction is a joke & nobody around here gives a **** about students, except whether their checks clear the bank."

Joe Paul gave credit where credit was due. Compared with the other quotes, his was the best. That doesn't mean it should go into a textbook on educational philosophy or anything.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Lord, I thought I was cynical. Maybe someone should have said, "Honestly, this enrollment increase is a bolt out of the blue. Our best faculty have been leaving in droves & most of what's left is what we could hire after PRCC, Jones & Gulf Coast had their pick; our programs are just a faint shadow of what they were 15 years ago, instruction is a joke & nobody around here gives a **** about students, except whether their checks clear the bank." Joe Paul gave credit where credit was due. Compared with the other quotes, his was the best. That doesn't mean it should go into a textbook on educational philosophy or anything."

Invictus - Joe Paul's comment was the best of the statements in the press release, no doubt about that. At least there was no reference to "customers" or to our "product." He does cite "quality of faculty" and that is refreshing. And he is, as you say, the most experienced.

Date: Jan 27, 2005

WDAM reported at 6PM that USM enrollment grew by 92 students

or 3 percent. If 92 equals 3% of X, then X equals 3066 students.

Is USM down to 3066 students or do our WDAM reporters not know

how to calculate percentage change?

If in fact the enrollment is 12,374 in Hattiesburg (the implication

when WDAM does not elaborate on the fact that GP and HB are

different), then the change in Hattiesburg is +62 from a base of

12,374 or a .5 percent (yes, less than 1 percent) increase.

Certainly worth covering if you are a SFT supporter I suppose.

Reinforces the fact that you should learn to think for yourself and not

automatically trust anything you read or hear.

pirate

Date: Jan 27, 2005

This is sort of off-thread, but what has Susan Siltanen's role been this year with graduate studies given her involvement in the enrollment scandal last year? I know she resigned at that point, but I thought I'd heard she'd taken another position in the graduate school. Could someone clarify?

Thanks, Andy

Date: Jan 27, 2005

http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=2867664&nav=1Pw1VgzK

May need a hotlink

Date: Jan 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: WDAM link to 3% growth
http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=2867664&nav=1Pw1VgzK

USM credits an intense recruiting effort with an emphasis on customer service.
"You provide a quality academic product" . . . Paul says.

Oops . . . those words again . . . "customer" & "product." Must be something in the water.

Date: Jan 28, 2005

http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/naee/positions.htm

"University of Southern Mississippi Center Director
The Department of Economic and Workforce Development at The University of Southern Mississippi invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in economic and workforce development, at its Hattiesburg Campus, beginning in August 2005. All ranks will be considered. This person will also serve as Director for the Center for Economic Education. This center is part of a network of 200 university based centers of the National Council on Economic Education. The mission of the center is to train K-12 educators on basic economic and finance principles so that they can teach their students. Candidates must have earned a PhD in Economics or closely related discipline. Candidates should also be interested in teaching, research, and community service related to economic development. Preferred research concentrations include technology-based economic development and education and workforce policy as it relates to economic development. Candidates interested in a balance among teaching, research, and service are encouraged to apply. The University of Southern Mississippi is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive and Four-Year Class 1 Southern Regional Education Board institution with an enrollment of 16,500. The Hattiesburg Metropolitan Statistical Area is the southern Mississippi regional center for educational, medical, and retail needs. Additionally, the regional campus on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has more than 1,500 students, of which 450 are in business disciplines. The Gulf Coast is a major tourism center and a hub of economic activity with a population of more than 500,000. Applicants should send a vita to Dr. Judson Edwards, Search Chair, Department of Economic and Workforce Development, 118 College Drive #5022, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5022. Applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. AA/EOE/ADAI "

Whomever wrote this apparently thought that USM has 16,500 students!

Date: Jan 28, 2005

The mission of the center is to train K-12 educators on basic economic and finance principles so that they can teach their students.

THIS is the center's "mission"??? WTF??? To me, there is something really sick about a kindergarten teacher spending part of the day with students teaching them basic economic and finance principles. That is ridiculous. But, wait - who on campus is considered the leader in K - 12 education??

Why are these jerks so obviously obvious??

Date: Jan 28, 2005

The way that USM PR presented the enrollment numbers is very misleading, and the word that comes to my mind is "liars". It appears that they are always talking about unduplicated numbers but they aren't. We need to look long and hard at the actual data, especially given the enrollment fiasco of last year. What astounds me is the fact that PR can release these misleading figures (sometimes unduplicated, sometimes duplicated counts) given that USM needs to be very careful about integrity. At best, we have an increase less than one percent, which in my mind is just statistical noise. That we would get these press statements about the confidence students have is absurd.

NO CONFIDENCE!

Amy Young

Date: Jan 28, 2005

Who approved that ad?

16,500 students?

Search committee chaired by a visiting assistant professor?

Date: Jan 28, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Amy Young
"The way that USM PR presented the enrollment numbers is very misleading, and the word that comes to my mind is "liars". . . . At best, we have an increase less than one percent, . . .. "

quote:
Originally posted by: WDAM link to 3% growth
"http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=2867664&nav=1Pw1VgzK "

quote:
Originally posted by: palindrome
" There appears to be Mader math going on here. I missed the algebra class that showed 92 = 418+62"

I was baffled by the WDAM report that included the peculiar conclusion that an increase of 92 students represented a 3% increase over the previous enrollment of 14,099. The only thing I can figure is that WDAM took the 418 (increase at Gulf Park) added it to 62 (increase at Hburg) for a total of 480 and divided that by either 14099 (total enrollment last year) or 14080 (last year's enrollment at coast and in the Burg), for an increase of 3.4%.

Assuming that the statistics are correct, if there was an increase of 480 at coast and Burg combined, there must have been a drop of 388 somewhere other than those two locations (480 - 388 = 92). Any ideas where that might have been or how else the numbers might add up?

Date: Jan 28, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Emma
"The mission of the center is to train K-12 educators on basic economic and finance principles so that they can teach their students. THIS is the center's "mission"??? WTF??? To me, there is something really sick about a kindergarten teacher spending part of the day with students teaching them basic economic and finance principles. That is ridiculous. But, wait - who on campus is considered the leader in K - 12 education?? Why are these jerks so obviously obvious??"

Emma, you'd be amazed at how much economics (in the broadest sense, not just $) the typical 3/4 year old already knows. One of my classroom examples deals with something my (formerly) 10-month old once did.

Date: Jan 28, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Bad Ad-itude
"Who approved that ad?
16,500 students?
Search committee chaired by a visiting assistant professor?"

Bad Ad,

I noticed that Edwards was listed as an Assistant Professor on the old Economic Development Web pages (before January 1) and since then he's been listed as a Visiting Assistant Professor. I have no idea what any of that means.

But yes, it's highly irregular to have a visiting assistant professor chair a search committee.

Robert Campbell

Date: Jan 29, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Paul Joe
"THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPIMarketing and Public RelationsNEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                             Contact: Lisa S. Mader
1-26-05                                                                                       (601) 266-4491

Interview Contact:
Dr. Joe Paul (601) 266-5020
Dr. Ken Malone (601) 266-4736

RECRUITING, CUSTOMER SERVICE GIVE
SOUTHERN MISS ENROLLMENT BOOST

HATTIESBURG - A vigorous recruiting effort and an emphasis on customer service have resulted in increased enrollment this spring at The University of Southern Mississippi.
            The Hattiesburg campus netted 62 new students, increasing from 12,374 last spring to 12,436 this spring.
            Southern Miss President Shelby Thames said the increased enrollment illustrates the public's confidence that despite the university's temporary SACS probation, "people have faith in our academic programs and delivery of education."
            "Students see we are taking care of business, and they are satisfied knowing we will have been removed from probationary status in December," Thames said.
            Dr. Joe Paul, vice president for student affairs, said he was "pleased but not surprised" with continued student growth at Southern Miss.
            "The increased enrollment this spring is a reflection of the quality of our faculty and academic programs as well as our unique ability at Southern Miss to focus on the needs of the individual student," Paul said.
            Dr. Ken Malone, chief operating officer of the Gulf Park campus, attributes the growth to the efforts of many people at Southern Miss.
"We've increased academic offerings, made it easier for working adults to attend classes, eliminated administrative barriers outside of the classroom and increased classroom space. In short, we've all worked together to give the student more," Malone said.
            Malone added that support from outside of Southern Miss has also helped enrollment grow. "Coast businesses have encouraged and enabled more of their employees to attend Southern Miss. Private and corporate donations to scholarships and programs are way up, and state funds for a new teaching laboratory will allow more students to attend in the years to come," he said.
            Dr. Jay Grimes, provost of the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses, said he was "ecstatic to see the numbers," especially the robust growth on the Gulf Coast.
  "

According to the USM Factbook, Fall 2002 Hattiesburg enrollment was 13,494.

Date: Jan 29, 2005

in 2002 all universities reported duplicated headcount. now, they report unduplicated headcount. unduplicated headcount will be lower.

Date: Jan 29, 2005

Duplicated headcount refers to the total of all locations. When you give enrollment for one location (e.g., Hattiesburg), it is by definition unduplicated. Duplication occurs when a student takes courses at more than one location, and those locations are added together.

Date: Jan 29, 2005

i understand that. but even the hattiesburg campus has duplicated headcount--online courses. they are a separate count.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
" Bad Ad, I noticed that Edwards was listed as an Assistant Professor on the old Economic Development Web pages (before January 1) and since then he's been listed as a Visiting Assistant Professor. I have no idea what any of that means. But yes, it's highly irregular to have a visiting assistant professor chair a search committee. Robert Campbell "

Check out the updated economic and workforce development page in CoST - he's been promoted - then again he and the Phenix City readers knew that all along, right? Note also that Ken Malone is now Professor and Chair. All of the administrative promotions are bad enough but an academic promotion to Professor?

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Note also that Ken Malone is now Professor and Chair. All of the administrative promotions are bad enough but an academic promotion to Professor?

Is this true? Was he promoted? Did it go through channels? Did the university committee approve? Did the IHL approve? Is he already tenured?

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Out of here
"Note also that Ken Malone is now Professor and Chair. All of the administrative promotions are bad enough but an academic promotion to Professor? Is this true? Was he promoted? Did it go through channels? Did the university committee approve? Did the IHL approve? Is he already tenured?"

The College Advisory Committee of the CoST did not review Dr. Malone's dossier for promotion or tenure this year or last year. Of course he has been in CoST on a few months.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Bad Ad-itude
"Check out the updated economic and workforce development page in CoST - he's been promoted - then again he and the Phenix City readers knew that all along, right? Note also that Ken Malone is now Professor and Chair. All of the administrative promotions are bad enough but an academic promotion to Professor?"

And Provost for the Gulf Park campus too, according to today's Student Printz story on the phenomenal 92-student unduplicated enrollment increase.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

I have seen Kenbot's appointment papers. He does not have a faculty appointment and thus really does not have faculty rank. He is not tenure track. He is an at will employee. He is not eligible for graduate status. He is not qualified to teach anything but chemistry (and there is some question about that).

Date: Feb 1, 2005

I suspect that use of the term Professor on the website is as uninformed as the rest of the poor decisions he has made. "What do you mean I was supposed to file a substantive change form with SACS before launching that new program? What's a substantive change form anyway?" Shelby's not the only one who doesn't get it; he's just the chief ignoramus.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Check it out
"I have seen Kenbot's appointment papers. He does not have a faculty appointment and thus really does not have faculty rank. He is not tenure track. He is an at will employee. He is not eligible for graduate status. He is not qualified to teach anything but chemistry (and there is some question about that). "

What does SACS say about the chair of an academic department not having faculty rank, not being tenure track, and not being eligible for graduate status? Surely this is something they would frown upon.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"What does SACS say about the chair of an academic department not having faculty rank, not being tenure track, and not being eligible for graduate status? Surely this is something they would frown upon. "

When SACS realizes that only 1/3 of his job is that of department chair, they'll feel much better about the whole thing. After all, how much damage can an unqualified person do in a less than half-time position spread across two colleges?

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Bad Ad-itude
"Check out the updated economic and workforce development page in CoST - he's been promoted - then again he and the Phenix City readers knew that all along, right? Note also that Ken Malone is now Professor and Chair. All of the administrative promotions are bad enough but an academic promotion to Professor?"

Don't promotions go past the IHL before they are effective? Isn't that done in the summer?