President's Update 2/21/05 - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 22, 2005

RE: President's Update 2/21/05

Date: Feb 22, 2005

Is there no committee that reviews and recommends approval of new programs? Most universities and their central high education authorities look at new programs very carefully.No wonder your state is always complaining about being poor.

Date: Feb 22, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Let them eat cake
"Is one of USM's mission that of awarding every citizen down there an MBA? If that is the mission, an online program seems essential. "

We at the Best Online Gratuitous University in the South (BOGUS) will not concede that important mission to USM. Bogus is pleased to announce its new MBA (Master of Bullsh*t Artistry) degree. Be the first kid on your block to get an MBA ... today.

Visit the Diplomatator Today

Date: Feb 22, 2005

"....Our work environment plays an important role in how we feel and in our attitudes, and I want you to enjoy your work. Consequently, much has been accomplished to create physically attractive campuses at all Southern Miss teaching locations. Lighting, paving, landscaping, and building projects are ongoing, and more and more people are taking notice of the positive changes when they visit our campuses. Construction of the Student Life Center is on schedule, and the International Center is now fully operational. The official groundbreaking for the Trent Lott Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship facility is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, at 2 p.m. I hope you will join Sen. Lott, a host of other dignitaries, and me for this celebration. Even though the building will not begin to take shape for several months, you can't help but notice the change on the east side of campus where the former Sports Arena was located."..... (Bold lettering courtesy of me)

I think after reading and re-reading his letter, that this particular paragraph bothers me the most. Does he really think that by improving the surroundings, the asthetics of the campus that everyone is going to be a happier camper? If he does, he is so far off base that he isn't even on the same planet as the rest of us. Sure, a fresh coat of paint is nice, filling in potholes is better, but that doesn't mean there aren't serious underlying problems. I don't care how nice you make it look, if the foundation is rotting, the building comes down. And from what I gather, USM's current foundation is rotten.

Date: Feb 22, 2005

And it doesn't look all that good anyhoo.

Date: Feb 22, 2005

If my university president ever made a comment about wanting to compete with the Univ. of Phoenix (a FOR-PROFIT company folks) educationally, I think I would quit on the spot.....

Does no one else see what's wrong with this? Where was any mention in Thames' letter of wanting to improve academics or educational excellence?

SICKENING!

Date: Feb 22, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Patti
Does he really think that by improving the surroundings, the asthetics of the campus that everyone is going to be a happier camper?

The population in the movie Soylant Green was happy - at least at the beginning. You, too, should be happy - at least at the beginning

Date: Feb 23, 2005

Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous, row after row will grow vociferous.

Date: Feb 23, 2005

As I read SFT's letter, I kept hoping that a new nursing building or at least the nursing program would at least get a passing remark. I guess we must accept that we truly are being phased out and moved to GP as logic dictates, they are getting the buildings and resources. I live with my delusions. Otherwise, hard to keep working day after day. Kevin Walters has the information about the NCLEX scores but so far nothing has appeared in HA. The nursing faculty cannot contact him directly. All he has to do is be directed to the IHL data page and be told that USM's rate for 2004 was 74.8, minimum standard for state is 75%. Two years under 75% puts program on State probation. USM has never been this low. Would someone email him and give him this info again? Someone with nothing to lose? He can then do the rest. Here is URL for IHL nursing stats:

http://www.nursingms.org/nclx.pdf

This is URL for faculty to student ratios: we have the highest in the state among all BSN programs (we are a bargain!):

http://www.nursingms.org/sf_ratio.pdf