Based upon my own vote (and obviously everyone elses), "world class" is "to the top!"

Seriously though, I must comment on why I find it the most nauseating phrase he uses.  Honestly, I get queasy every time I here "USM is 'world class'".  It is, in a word, embarassing.  It is as if he is living in an alternative universe, oblivious to reality.  I can guarantee that when world-class universities are listed, we are not considered.  But where we stand on the list is not the point - what is important is the apparent inability of the administration to understand what makes a university "world-class" to begin with.

I have been fortunate to work with some people over the last couple of years at some fine universities.  Top-tier schools.  And when I visit them at their facilities, talk with their students and administrators, and see their programs, it is enough to make you cry.  To state we are "world-class" is laughable, compared with these schools.  Yet, in the administration's eyes, we are apparently "world-class" - it is like something from outer space.

The only way I can explain it is reflected in the choice of SFT to begin with.  Here is a person who:

1) Has a world view with respect to a University defined by a single zipcode;

2) Has spent their entire career in one place; and

3) A management style that views faculty and staff from a plantation mentality.

He has made his mind up about what "world-class" means.  He is almost 70.  He is never going to change that viewpoint.  It is a waste of time to attempt to get him or his sycophants to change their mind. 

As far as I'm concerned, the SACS challenges are impossible to overcome as long as he is president. Let SACS put us on another year of probation (or double, secret probation).  It is impossible to try to overcome, as long as the current administration is in charge.

Until this administration's management style is thrown into the trash heap where it belongs, SACS should withhold our accreditation.  It is as simple as that.

Rant finished - Count  

What we didn't vote for may speak volumes.  Be careful of the spin on this, I can see it now:

"Thames reports that a recent poll conducted by the AAUP indicates overwhelming faculty support for 'growing the university' through 'economic development' initiatives taught by 'deserving faculty' in 'the only PhD program of its kind in the world' where 'processes and patents' developed at a 'Carnegie I Research Extensive University' are used to fund the 'Trent Lott Center'..."

'Carnegie I Research Extensive University'

Do you think that Thames or any of his cronies understand that this is basically unimpressive? I remember a dean who thought that classification somehow changed how tenure and promotion were conducted, without any such change being brought into the Faculty Handbook. Of course, that dean is now a Houdeani with no chance of being brought back to any academic type of position.