I think I'm through - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 17, 2005

I think I'm through

Date: Mar 17, 2005

There is a class of senior marketing students who have an assignment to construct a comprehensive marketing strategy plan for the College of Business. Sadly, I don't think the professor can accept 30 pages of "Fire Shelby Thames. Fire Shelby Thames. Fire Shelby Thames..."

Date: Mar 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: SaveUSM
"So, basically I am done trying to change anything I just don't think it is possible. "

Please don't give up! Please continue to contribute to the effort! Shelby WANTS to wear everyone down; he HOPES we will become discouraged and go away. I can pretty much guarantee you that what is happening now with SACS will be as nothing compared to what will happen when SACS begins investigating (as it will have to, beginning in the fall) what has been going on at USM in general over the last several years. The present probation problem is miniscule compared to what is looming on the horizon, which will make the problems Auburn had seem minor. Please hang in there and contribute to the fight! Your contributions are highly valued.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

Hang in there! Your voice is important, ESPECIALLY because you are a student (and will soon be an alumnus or alumnae).

Date: Mar 17, 2005

While USM Sympathizer is right in saying that Shelboo, Roy, and the rest of the idiots want to wear everyone down, you still have to look at the big picture. Isn't it time to wake up and smell the mildew? Those of you who are not tied to Hattiesburg for other reasons have to be reasonable and assess what is in your own best interest. No one will or should hold that against you.

The state is broke and run by idiots in government who made it that way. Sadly, the current idiots replaced an earlier generation of elected and appointed idiots who were just almost bad. (I do recall William Winter as a bright light of quality in government, but none since.) They have NO ideas and are just waiting to get lucky (not just while they're in Jackson). They're waiting for the economy to improve enough to put the state in the black again. This is a cycle that repeats and repeats and repeats. I have observed it for over 30 years. Ask your long-in-the-tooth colleagues how many no-raise years they have experienced.

It is your future, sad to say.

Of course, faculty members at USM now deal with a double whammy...Shelboo and the state economy. If you succeed in replacing the president remember that the IHL could make a hash out of the next search as they did the last. No it would be hard to imagine anyone as bad as Shelby, but if he or she is out there the IHL will find the right person to fit their vision. Scary thought.

Hate to be so gloomy. No place is perfect, but there are many other places to live and work that would seem that way after experiencing Mississippi and USM in the Thames/Klumb era.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night
" Hate to be so gloomy. No place is perfect, but there are many other places to live and work that would seem that way after experiencing Mississippi and USM in the Thames/Klumb era."

Sorry, but I still think this is a fight worth waging, and I have immense respect for the valiant people who are waging it, especially those on the ground in Hattiesburg. If Thames is defeated, this campaign will be a text-book case of how to defeat similar tyrants elsewhere. If Thames wins, he will inspire tyrants (and potential tyrants) elsewhere. He is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with current trends in higher education. I fear that your words will only help his cause, other I know that this is not your intention.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

"other" in my last sentence should be "although"; sorry!

Date: Mar 17, 2005

USM Sympathizer.

(My typing will win no prizes either.)

No disrespect intended to anyone fighting (METAPHOR ALERT) the good fight and I hope the dark side takes no comfort in my words. I also hope those who follow my advice will maintain the struggle up to and beyond the day they leave, just as others have done. These posts come from all over the U.S. and sometimes beyond.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night
"While USM Sympathizer is right in saying that Shelboo, Roy, and the rest of the idiots want to wear everyone down, you still have to look at the big picture. Isn't it time to wake up and smell the mildew? Those of you who are not tied to Hattiesburg for other reasons have to be reasonable and assess what is in your own best interest. No one will or should hold that against you. The state is broke and run by idiots in government who made it that way. Sadly, the current idiots replaced an earlier generation of elected and appointed idiots who were just almost bad. (I do recall William Winter as a bright light of quality in government, but none since.) They have NO ideas and are just waiting to get lucky (not just while they're in Jackson). They're waiting for the economy to improve enough to put the state in the black again. This is a cycle that repeats and repeats and repeats. I have observed it for over 30 years. Ask your long-in-the-tooth colleagues how many no-raise years they have experienced. It is your future, sad to say. Of course, faculty members at USM now deal with a double whammy...Shelboo and the state economy. If you succeed in replacing the president remember that the IHL could make a hash out of the next search as they did the last. No it would be hard to imagine anyone as bad as Shelby, but if he or she is out there the IHL will find the right person to fit their vision. Scary thought. Hate to be so gloomy. No place is perfect, but there are many other places to live and work that would seem that way after experiencing Mississippi and USM in the Thames/Klumb era."

What he said! Don't hold your breath for the Mississippi economy to reach the flush days of the 1990s--aint gonna happen in our lifetime

Date: Mar 17, 2005

SaveUSM,

I'm hoping you feel a little better after reading today's report about the IHL meeting.

Date: Mar 17, 2005

Don't hold your breath for the Mississippi economy to reach the flush days of the 1990s--aint gonna happen in our lifetime

This isn't the 90's but the economy of the state isn't doing that bad. We have not had one year since the 1990s where state revenue has fallen. Our problem is that state spending doesn't rise now as fast as it did in the 90's and the Legislature just seems unwilling to recognize this. The budget problems we're facing are typical of an unexpected recession when spending was budgeted to grow 4 percent and revenue fell 1 percent. When revenues are growing, you shouldn't be having these kinds of problems. Especially for years on end.

The learning curve in Jackson is awfully flat.

Date: Mar 18, 2005

Flat learning curve, my a$$. The learning curve in Jackson declines geometrically.

Date: Mar 18, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
" If Thames is defeated, this campaign will be a text-book case of how to defeat similar tyrants elsewhere."

And, any tyrant elsewhere will have to be even more of an idiot than Shelboo ever thought about being to want to jump into this pool. Bullies rarely move in where another bully has had the snot stomped out of him. There are just too many places where it is easier.

Date: Mar 18, 2005

Flat learning curve, my a$$. The learning curve in Jackson declines geometrically.

That was harsh. However, I won't disagree over slopes. We both agree it is not positive.

Perhaps "los pendejos" would cover it.

Date: Mar 18, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: A warning to any Shelboo mini-me's
" And, any tyrant elsewhere will have to be even more of an idiot than Shelboo ever thought about being to want to jump into this pool. Bullies rarely move in where another bully has had the snot stomped out of him. There are just too many places where it is easier."

First of all, is it even POSSIBLE to have a mini-me of a mini-me?

And, secondly, for our new visitors, I would like to issue an official METAPHOR ALERT concerning the eloquent reference to snot-stomping.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled board.