Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> Intellectual Freedom
Post Info TOPIC: Intellectual Freedom
Patti

Date:
Intellectual Freedom
Permalink Closed

I stated once before that there are two sides to every story. So far the supporters of Thames haven't said much about their side.  But, what I really want here is a discussion on intellectual freedom.  I talked to a friend of mine tonight, I work with this gentleman, and have shared some of the information from this site to him.  He has more masters degrees than I can count, and I was telling him of the meeting last Thursday with some of the business leaders in the community "deciding" what the future of USM was to be. (Note: I put the word in "" as I don't honestly know what they were doing)  My friend made the following comment, which I thought would be a good way of starting this discussion.


"When developing intellectual freedom such as universities do, the goals are set higher to acheive the desired result. But when the goals are lowered to meet the needs of economic development of the community it takes away from intellectual freedom."


He went on to say that when a university decides to lower those goals, they become nothing more than a trade school, meeting a business need and not a true educational/intellectual need.  If this is the case at USM, it would have been nice for somebody to have told you I would think.  Of course I look back at how the reorganization was announced, how the destruction of the housing at Pinehaven was announced, and I realize that they aren't going to tell you a thing.


What is intellectual freedom to you, the other posters on the board?  I would love to hear from the business community on this as well.  I would like to hear how you feel Thames has improved USM.  How did the reorganization of the nine colleges into five foster intellectual growth? How does the SACS accrediation issue help USM?  And finally, this question to our business leaders, would you rather have a mindless worker who just follows orders, or someone who can think on their feet ?  Both sides of the issue are welcome to post, there is just one tiny little request on my part, please, no flaming, no calling names of the others who respond. Albert, are you listening ?  I truly want to hear both sides.



__________________
Reporter

Date:
Permalink Closed

I always thought SFT made his decisions in secret so opposition would be too late to change things. Down deep I believe he can't debate because he has always had his way and gets too angry when he is opposed.  Maybe he can't think on his feet. 



__________________
USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"I always thought SFT made his decisions in secret so opposition would be too late to change things. Down deep I believe he can't debate because he has always had his way and gets too angry when he is opposed.  Maybe he can't think on his feet. "
Great comment.  We have all noticed again and again that when Shelby's supporters are challenged to debate, they simply don't respond.  They like to make hit-and-run comments, but they don't like to engage in serious discussion.  Albert is the prime example, but there are many others.  I think this says a lot about their true confidence (or lack thereof) in their positions.

__________________
Patti

Date:
Permalink Closed

I too notice that his 'supporters' don't say much.  But you haven't answered me either .


What do you see as intellectual freedom?



__________________
Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Patti
 How did the reorganization of the nine colleges into five . . . . . ."

In reality, those nine were relatively new and very small, each having only one
discipline. Most people did not consider International Education or
Marine Science to be a "real college." The plan was greatly oversold by
the PR department. It was really a case of 7 into 5, not a big change.
The two colleges that disappeared were Nursing and The Arts, both areas
of excellence in the past and both highly visible. Any meager financial
savings achieved by eliminating these colleges probably created costs in
other ways as we see with the melt down in nursing.

__________________
LVN

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Patti
"I too notice that his 'supporters' don't say much.  But you haven't answered me either .
What do you see as intellectual freedom?"


Here's what it's not:

I'm a doctoral student at Famous University. I'm sitting in my Literary Theory professor's office. I comment to him, "but I'm not really a XXXist " Horrified, the professor says, "Don't let anybody around here hear you say that!!" Shocked, I say, "but why?" "Just don't" he says.

I left out the school and the ism to avoid side arguments we've already had. It doesn't matter, fill in the blanks yourself. This really happened to me.

Intellectual freedom means the freedom to hold an unpopular position but to be respected by your peers if you are serious and fair. It means the freedom to be a leftist at William Carey, or to be a conservative at Yale.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> Intellectual Freedom
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard