Face the Facts - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 3, 2005

Face the Facts

Date: Mar 3, 2005

“The sad fact is that for most of its unenviable history USM has been viewed as a
diploma mill.”

SOURCE PLEASE?

“It has been perceived as a welcome haven for those who transfer from more demanding schools. It has specialized in painless education."

SOURCE PLEASE?

"There have always been some excellent students who came for other reasons, but few would say that USM was a strong academic institution."

SOURCE PLEASE?

prohabition: are you trying to spell “prohibition”?

imbreeding: are you trying to spell “inbreeding”?

"..hiring a large number of faculty with their terminal degree from USM came to a screeching halt during that era.."

SOURCE PLEASE?

Date: Mar 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Albert
"“The sad fact is that for most of its unenviable history USM has been viewed as a diploma mill.” SOURCE PLEASE? “It has been perceived as a welcome haven for those who transfer from more demanding schools. It has specialized in painless education." SOURCE PLEASE? "There have always been some excellent students who came for other reasons, but few would say that USM was a strong academic institution." SOURCE PLEASE? prohabition: are you trying to spell “prohibition”? imbreeding: are you trying to spell “inbreeding”? "..hiring a large number of faculty with their terminal degree from USM came to a screeching halt during that era.." SOURCE PLEASE?"

Well, Albert, one document would be the study Academic Council did about 3 years ago. That study showed we USM has a sever grade inflation problem. Graduating with a 3.0 average would mean you are in the bottom half of your class. No correlation of grades with ACT scores was possible because the students with the lowest ACT scores were going into the programs with the greatest grade inflation. The constant competition for students when the number of qualified students is low results in departments taking any warm body they can find.

At a Faculty Senate meeting the athletic department presented data showing our athletics have the best graduation rate of all schools in CUSA except Tulane. Our rate exceeds all schools in the SEC except Vanderbilt. Since the academics at Tulane and Vanderbilt are know to be excellent, either we have exceptional scholars as athletes or the worst grade inflation of all schools in CUSA and the SEC.

Date: Mar 3, 2005

Originally posted by: Archives

"The Lucas era was a valiant attempt to shake that legacy. . . .

Faculty involvement in promotion and tenure decisions was established in a
Faculty Handbook. The admirable prohabition against excessive imbreeding (hiring a large number of faculty with their terminal degree from USM) came to a screeching halt during that era."

---------

I can attest to this, as when I served on the COS&T Dean's Advisory Committee on Promotion and Tenure, there were NO "university-wide" criteria for promotion and tenure recommendations. At the guidance of then-Dean Steve Doblin, we "borrowed" the guidelines of the College of Business Administration (presumably written by Dean Tyrone Black, with input from HIS faculty), did some modifications, and our ultimate document was adapted by the University Advisory Committee. Wonder what the "Executive Vice-President" thought about these developments, because as university President, he's really dismembered a once-predictable and functional system.

It's hard feeling this old, when it shouldn't be that way ---

No Quarter!

Date: Mar 3, 2005

"The sad fact is that for most of its unenviable history USM has been viewed as a
diploma mill. It has been perceived as a welcome haven for those who transfer
from more demanding schools."

This one is easy. You have to look at history. Oral history in particular. It's not included in books. Word of mouth statements by high school advisors. Statements from transfers. Discussions heard when meeting with peers as they and I discussed college choices back in high school. USM did have a good reputation in music. It was considered as a school of choice for those who wanted to become a high school band director. But the rest of the pack tended to go to State, Ole Miss, or to one of the three major private colleges. Many choose a junior (community) college and then transfered to a 4-year school (but not usually to USM). Lots of jokes, some reproduced on this board. The Lucas era tended to reverse much of that. USM was a rising star from about the mid 1980's forward. It could be like again. At this point it looks like USM's future reputation is up to its alumni. Don't wait until it's too late.

Date: Mar 3, 2005

I wouldn't inflict USM on my children

Date: Mar 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Oral history
""The sad fact is that for most of its unenviable history USM has been viewed as a diploma mill. It has been perceived as a welcome haven for those who transfer from more demanding schools." This one is easy. You have to look at history. Oral history in particular. It's not included in books. Word of mouth statements by high school advisors. Statements from transfers. Discussions heard when meeting with peers as they and I discussed college choices back in high school. USM did have a good reputation in music. It was considered as a school of choice for those who wanted to become a high school band director. But the rest of the pack tended to go to State, Ole Miss, or to one of the three major private colleges. Many choose a junior (community) college and then transfered to a 4-year school (but not usually to USM). Lots of jokes, some reproduced on this board. The Lucas era tended to reverse much of that. USM was a rising star from about the mid 1980's forward. It could be like again. At this point it looks like USM's future reputation is up to its alumni. Don't wait until it's too late."

I can testify to this; When I came here in 98 it wasn't because I had too. It was because USM had the energy and vitality of a riser . . . . what has murdered this university IS NOT what happened on the inside (at least in terms of faculty). A bad economy and even bad legislators could not have destroyed this university's spirit alone --

the destruction came from the IHL Board which is incompetent and hubristic. In its desire to rein in the State's rising university and what it perceieved as a faculty that was growing in indpendence, it decided to appoint a small minded petty bureaucrat with an excellent history in applied science and a terrible history as an administrator (and some would add . . . human being).

The destruction of this university is completely at the hands of the IHL Board. They gave us Shelby Thames and his gang. They have perpetuated this administrations venility, incompetence, and corruption.

There may be good people on the Board. But the Board is the enemy. It has completely failed the people of South Mississippi.

J'accuse.

Date: Mar 13, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"
I can testify to this; When I came here in 98 it wasn't because I had too. It was because USM had the energy and vitality of a riser . . . . what has murdered this university IS NOT what happened on the inside (at least in terms of faculty). A bad economy and even bad legislators could not have destroyed this university's spirit alone --
the destruction came from the IHL Board which is incompetent and hubristic. In its desire to rein in the State's rising university and what it perceieved as a faculty that was growing in indpendence, it decided to appoint a small minded petty bureaucrat with an excellent history in applied science and a terrible history as an administrator (and some would add . . . human being).
The destruction of this university is completely at the hands of the IHL Board. They gave us Shelby Thames and his gang. They have perpetuated this administrations venility, incompetence, and corruption.
There may be good people on the Board. But the Board is the enemy. It has completely failed the people of South Mississippi.
J'accuse."