Gulf Coast event next week - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 7, 2005

Gulf Coast event next week

Date: Mar 7, 2005

Make sure they share their exciting new methods of classroom management. You know, the one where you invade the classroom, grill the students, and shout at the professor out in the hall. That's so good for morale.

Date: Mar 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Monique de Guerre
"Make sure they share their exciting new methods of classroom management. You know, the one where you invade the classroom, grill the students, and shout at the professor out in the hall. That's so good for morale."

Date: Mar 8, 2005

Good luck filling that Exec MBA program, W.J., to pay the faculty salaries.

We've had trouble filling slots (corporate tuition reimbursements are the key to an EMBA program) the past 3 years and we have a top 10 EMBA global program at my university. The difference is that we have a $30 M endowment to cover the bases and we are using the faculty to supplement the traditional and evening MBA programs. Plus, they are covering a percentage of their salaries by consulting in the private sector.

As a USM COB grad, though, I do honestly wish this program at USM the best. I just wish the university admin's personality skills suited their office, and there probably wouldn't be the backlash that you're getting. It really is a no win situation with the current folks in office.

Right time, wrong people.

Date: Mar 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: W.J. Johnson
"An event similar to the Coca-Cola facility meeting this Thursday in Hattiesburg is being planned for the Gulf Coast. Dr. Malone called me this evening about it. He is trying to put it together for next week or the week after that. I told him I would be glad to attend. Others mentioned were Councilman Hewes, Krandall Howell from McComb, and business sector individuals from all along the coast. Everyone down here is eager to discuss USM's future given the growth on the coast and threats from every direction with USA and Tulane moving in.
The meeting here will not be one dedicated to the future of Dr. Thames. It will be strictly an event to discuss the future of the university. Dr. Malone said a large number of recent graduates are going to be invited. Dr. Lassen is trying to work out his schedule so that he can attend and report on construction and privatizations that have gone on up in Hattiesburg. Drs. Malone and Grimes will report on USMGC activities over the past 2 years. It should be a very positive evening. There is more of a single-minded effort to improve Southern down here than in Hattiesburg. "

I don't know who you are, but you don't know very much about what is going on down on the coast. The leadership community here is livid about how USM has kept the Gulf Park campus from growing to its full potential. Its not really a "Shelby Thames" issue, because the campus has been the poor stepchild for a long time. However, there was great anger in the Chamber of Commerce and Coast 21 when James Williams (who served a term as C of C president in the late 1990s) was pushed out. We saw him as an advocate for the coast and the Gulf Park campus. Some of us with long memories haven't forgotten how Thames shafted the campus back in the 1980s. We don't really care how many jobs he's attracting to Hattiesburg. We don't even care about the turmoil on the campus. We don't want to "improve" Southern. It is simply not relevant to our economic development needs on the coast. We need access to higher education for our young people, and that is our most pressing economic development issue.

The consensus is emerging that as long as USM manages Gulf Park, it will always be stunted. Sufice to say that the subject of transferring management of Gulf Park comes up every time Khayat comes down to Gulfport for Mississippi Power board meetings. The poor state of higher education on the coast is one of the few issues that draw together Democrats and Republicans on the coast house and senate delegations. If all you've done is speak to the elder Billy Hewes or Roy Klumb, you haven't spoken to anyone who really matters in Jackson, Harrison or Hancock County. And, buddy, McComb ain't on the coast.

Date: Mar 8, 2005

Coast res-

Trust me; a fully-supported USM is what you want on the Coast, just not with this IHL governance structure and with this current administration.

If they don't give a renewed USM governance on the Coast, run towards Tulane's satellite campus with open arms. Tell your kids and any contacts to study Pre-Law, Business, Medicine, or Pharmacy at Tulane, USA, or UWF, instead of ornimental horticulture at State or snorting blow at Ole Miss.

Date: Mar 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Coast resident
" However, there was great anger in the Chamber of Commerce and Coast 21 when James Williams (who served a term as C of C president in the late 1990s) was pushed out. We saw him as an advocate for the coast and the Gulf Park campus."

Why was Williams pushed out, and by whom? Was this done by Thames or by someone else, and for what reason?