quote:

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Originally posted by: Rank and File
"#1 - SACS probation

#2 - Stringer/Glamser debacle

#3 - Tier drop

"

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I would agree, but would rank them a little differently:

#1 - SACS Probation

#2 - Bidness Meeting, risking immediate loss of SACS Accreditation

#3 - USN&WR Tier Drop

#4 - Glamser/Stringer Affair

#5 - Destruction of the College of Nursing

#6 - Loss of 200+ Faculty Members in less than 2 years

#7 - Loss of the Donne Valorum Project & annual Conference

There are many more, but this is the short list.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Googler
"Surely SACS probation should be at the top of the list of Thames offenses. I would say a close second should be the deliberate and complete erasure of institutional memory in both the academic and administrative areas of the University (e.g., the nine deans and the associate/assistant deans in most cases; ALL executive management in ALL financial areas; ALL institutional research personnel). Disastrous."

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I gotta go Stringer and Glamser #1 because it was what ignited the opposition and threw the administration back on its heals  . . . and the damage from that event has completely chnaged the surface of the playing field. If it were chess, we lost a couple of major pieces but by the end of the day the only thing left standing on the board for the administration was the King, a bishop and rook.

Ken Malone's rise was necessary because there was no one left to do the dirty work . . .

I'd put SACs #2 -- obvious reasons.

The firing of the Deans #3 -- because it alerted the faculty to how ruthless the administation was prepared to be after an uneasy honeymoon netween Thame's appointment and that event.

The numbers scandal in the fall of 03 #4 because it alerted the board for the first time to the potential for utter dishonesty on the part of members of the administration. I don't think some of them were fooled . . .

Two of SFT's ruthless offenses are forever etched in my mind as the most profoundly disturbing events I have witnessed in over a quarter of a century as a university professor. I honestly can't decide which disturbs me the most.

1) The surprise firing of the nine deans and reduction of the number of colleges (I personally felt most acutely the loss of the College of The Arts).

2) Locking Professors Glamser and Stringer out of their offices and treating them as though they were criminals.

The former made me seriously question the wisdom of remaining at USM. The latter assured me that my decision to leave was the right one, at least for me.

Even more incredible than SFT's countless offenses is the fact that he has been allowed to get away with such offenses.

To my colleagues who remain at USM I send my hope that you will be blessed very soon with a miracle, for it appears that nothing less will save USM.

Michael Kimber
former professor in the former College of The Arts

I agree with the lists on this post. But I have to add that Thames's refusal to fund the library strikes at the very heart of what education is. It's got to be right up there on the list for me.

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Originally posted by: foot soldier
"I agree with the lists on this post. But I have to add that Thames's refusal to fund the library strikes at the very heart of what education is. It's got to be right up there on the list for me."

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In fact, a recently visiting accreditation team reported that in the exit interview, when asked about why the library was unable to purchase any new books, SFT replied that he didn't know there was a problem.  This was a lie.  He has been told; he has been asked to increase funding to the library for books.  This story has been in the Student Printz.  Doesn't he read his own student newspaper?

Any problem is always deflected to someone else:  they did it, they didn't tell me, I didn't know, it's not my fault. 

i heard pood say that he thinks the deans need to have a meeting with thames emphasizing the dire need for library funds. And pood is talking millions.

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Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"i heard pood say that he thinks the deans need to have a meeting with thames emphasizing the dire need for library funds. And pood is talking millions. "

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I am astounded, astonished, speechless, impressed.  Wow, millions.  Probably unrealistic, but, gosh, it's nice to see somebody who "gets it" about the library.  We've tried to do the best we can with the money we've had  (no increases to speak of for well over 15 years, but there's only so far those little dollars will stretch).

Oh, what we could do with millions...... or even a measly half a million.  Or even with what it cost to put that fake plaster and shutters on the back of the printing center building in front of the library.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Monique de Guerre
"Librarian, what could you do with the $300,000 he spent for that airplane, plus the pilot's salary and benefits?"

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Good grief, let me think....yep, $300,000 would be a little more than double the money we had for books last year. What do you pay a pilot?  I've never had a pilot, so don't know.  

quote:

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Originally posted by: Amy Young
" Maybe the Thames administration should also toss in a match of whatever that ad in the Economist cost, plus the cost of all those banners, large and small (and the cost to put them up and take them down). Amy Young"

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Boggles the mind doesn't it?  The possibilities.

If there aren't any resources in the library then the faculty might be more inclined to stay in their offices and write grant proposals.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Michael Kimber
"Locking Professors Glamser and Stringer out of their offices and treating them as though they were criminals.

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Did the above mentioned event cited by Michael Kimber appear on the "violence" list at the Thursday night meeting at Warren Paving? It should have clearly been at the very top of the "violence" list. If it was not on the list, whoever compiled the list did a da*n lousy job putting it together.

let's not forget thames' reading e-mail of then-student rachel quinlivan and then reading it aloud during a public hearing. what kind of message does it send to potential students when the university president is micromanaging your e-mail.

i think of usm and can't help shaking my head at the thames administration's total lack of respect for students. its motto should be "we get treat students like human beings as long as we agree with them."

what a shame.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Michael Kimber
"Two of SFT's ruthless offenses are forever etched in my mind as the most profoundly disturbing events I have witnessed in over a quarter of a century as a university professor. I honestly can't decide which disturbs me the most. 1) The surprise firing of the nine deans and reduction of the number of colleges (I personally felt most acutely the loss of the College of The Arts). 2) Locking Professors Glamser and Stringer out of their offices and treating them as though they were criminals. The former made me seriously question the wisdom of remaining at USM. The latter assured me that my decision to leave was the right one, at least for me. Even more incredible than SFT's countless offenses is the fact that he has been allowed to get away with such offenses. To my colleagues who remain at USM I send my hope that you will be blessed very soon with a miracle, for it appears that nothing less will save USM. Michael Kimber former professor in the former College of The Arts "

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Hey Michael! Good to see you back -- at least on our little virtual campus here. It was great to see your letter recently . . . it meant a lot that you are still keeping track. Hope you and Marian are doing well up there in I-O-WAY.

We are still here and hanging on as you can see. A bit like barnacles on a pier but we just keep on hanging whatever the tide . . .

Best wishes . . . hope you love your new life and it is everything you hoped for.