Retribution - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 16, 2005

RE: RE: Retribution

Date: Mar 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Academician
". . . it is one of the reasons academics in colleges and universities across the states and around the world are interested in the happenings at USM. Shelby Thames has assaulted the academy, not just the university."

Excellent point.

Date: Mar 16, 2005

David Johnson, thank you for your comments. I agree with you about "In for a penny, get in for a pound." In my opinion the students greatest fear comes from seeing so many of their leaders, such as deans and chairs having the ground cut out from under their feet. It is natural to think that if the leadership can do that to the people who govern us what could they do to a lowly student.

Date: Mar 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Academician
"Although this is a deviation from the intent of your post, Dr. Lares, my understanding is that "the academy" refers to the greater profession of academics and is, therefore, much more comprehensive than college or university. I'm not trying to quibble but rather to justify that it is one of the reasons academics in colleges and universities across the states and around the world are interested in the happenings at USM. Shelby Thames has assaulted the academy, not just the university."

Thanks, actually, for that clarification, Academician. I also like the term "republic of letters" (Latin, Res publica litterarum) to denominate the academy. I think if the good people of Hattiesburg understood the international nature of academics and also the constant pressure we can't help but feel from that worldwide community to do our own research and teaching with all diligence, then those same good people here in town might actually be happy to know that we are doing our part for the good of the community.

Jameela

Date: Mar 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Student from the Asphalt Jungle
"David Johnson, thank you for your comments. I agree with you about "In for a penny, get in for a pound." In my opinion the students greatest fear comes from seeing so many of their leaders, such as deans and chairs having the ground cut out from under their feet. It is natural to think that if the leadership can do that to the people who govern us what could they do to a lowly student. "

I agree that it is a "natural" reaction as you outlined it, Asphalt Jungle. But, we have to stop thinking of ourselves as "lowly students." We don't need to be egomaniacal, either, but in this "bidness model" mindset, we are the "customers." (I do want to point out that I disagree with the "bidness model mindset, but might as well fight with their own ammo.)

Any student who stands up for self, faculty, university and the academy is anything but "lowly." Let me hasten to say that if you or quest quest are graduate students, you can join AAUP for a measly $10 a year. I did for the sole reason of indicating my support of our faculty, and I encourage you to do the same. No matter how poor a student is, $10 is two McDonald's happy meals or two-and-a-half grande latte's at the Library Starbucks. Spend that $10 where it will do some good.

When I think back to the 1960's (having been in elementary and middle school at the time, but VERY cognizant of all going on around us), if there was one group that stood the loudest and made the most difference in those years, and there were several, it was the college students of this country that led the charge, IMHO. Others may disagree, but no one can say that they didn't play a major role in social change in this country. I'm not longing for the 60's by any means, but I do love it when apathy finally gets shoved aside and real action takes place.

By the way, if you disagree about college students and change, I point you to the four young men from NC A&T university who politely took their place at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro and asked to be served. The youngest was only 17 at the time and said, when asked years later if he was afraid, "Life just wasn't worth living the way things were." That started a movement that integrated not only lunch counters but a host of other public accommodations and put Jim Crow laws to an end. Students can rock the world, if they are willing to take a risk.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Jameela Lares 1 day ago
"Today I received what appears to be a form-letter communication from my initial alma mater, wonderful wonderful Occidental College, an Athens of the West (they have Phi Beta Kappa, Rhodes scholars, etc.), indicating that the college president decided to disband student government in the face of a student radio program that he thought crossed the line. (Say it ain't so!) I have written an initial letter back to the communications director saying that I had always cherished the academy (another term for "college" or "university") as a place where hasty judgments are suspended until reasons can be heard and decisions made, and that my own education at Oxy had particularly fostered my appreciation of the academy as a place of cool reason in the face of emotion and prejudice. Indeed, I probably would not approve personally of the radio program as I hear it described, but I approve not at all of totalitarianism. I added that I now had first-hand evidence of the toxic learning environment that results when constitutional rights are threatened--I included the URL to the Liberty & Power blogs post--and that I would investigate the situation. I indicated that if First Amendment rights were indeed being abridged at Oxy, I would not be making any further alumni contributions until the situation was rectified. Jameela"

Since I raised this issue, I wanted to supply an update. I've been sent a precis of the case from the college's point of view, and so far it doesn't sound as though things there are like they are here. The college claims only that it 1) suspended a radio show on the college's own station because of severe obscenity that generated widespread complaints, and 2) that student government was suspended after much controversy over election problems and interstudent wrangling, and only then suspended in order to redraft a constitution, etc. I'll be interested in seeing what the Chronicle publishes. The student DJ has filed suit but the college has not yet been served. If anyone wants news about any of this in the future, please contact me off-board.

Oh, and Brandon Walsh, even if photogenic Oxy did appear on Beverly Hills 90210 (and in numerous TV shows and movies before that, as you can see from http://www.oxy.edu/x1194.xml), it really excels in academics. As we say in the college cheer, Io triomphe!

Jameela