More details:

In seven 4-inch columns (i.e., the full top of the page) on page 13C, Beckett responds point-by-point to the published concerns of the 10 leaders of the 3/10 meeting:  1) the role of liberal arts in a  comprehensive university and how the 93% no confidence vote demonstrably represented most of the faculty; 2) perceived threats of violence on the AAUP website (three responses: we don't know of any threats, the board is anonymous and anyone can post, and of course there hasn't been any threatened violence [let alone actual, I might add]); 3) the so-called "more ambitious agenda" behind the attempt to unseat Thames--Beckett replies, "We have no idea what this ominous 'much more ambitious agenda' includes and would very much like Mr. Mixon to be more specific regarding this allegation.  Our agenda has been, and continues to be, an expectation that the administration conduct itself in a competent and upright manner, and consult with faculty leaders before important decisions are made affecting the faculty and their students, not after"; 4) Mixon's call for everyone at the university to build "positive rapport" with the media--Beckett agrees but points out that excluding the media from the 3/10 meeting "is not a good start"; 4) Mixon's call for future meetings between community leaders and faculty members; Beckett replies that faculty would happily attend such meetings and await an invitation but that, interestingly, in the past two years the Faculty Senate have never been asked to address any meeting of alumni or business leaders about the problems that have disrupted USM, and that moreover it should clear that those problems--he lists the attempt to fire Frank & Gary, the inflation enrollment, the drug & alcohol policy, the tier drop, the premature post-tenure revied report, SACS probation, and the recent Black Friday memo--originated with the administration, not the faculty. 

I've summarized the contents of the piece, and all italics were in the original, but not necessarily David's remarkably measured tone and language.  I solicit other readers to correct me where I might have erred.  And I hope that David posts his text to the Faculty Senate listserv or some other place from which it can be posted here.

Happy Easter, everyone.

Jameela

Suggestion:  Why doesn't every tenured faculty member at USM request an individual half hour appointment with Thames, to ask him about one or two of his actions that have had a significant adverse impact on that faculty member's program, department, or college?

Robert Campbell

Thank you Faculty Senate. You are wonderful. You are brave, and you represent the best interests of the university, its faculty. As professors we all want the university to get better. We all want to have a positive rapport with our administrators.  We all want to work hard towards serving our students and towards getting USM national recognition in terms of research publications and grants.  We all want our universtiy to thrive and to offer the best possible education in the southern region. Unfortunately this has been virtually impossible with the upheaval of the last three years. We want change, and we won't stop until we get it.  We will continue to resist, we will continue to fight, and we will prevail because our cause is just.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"I'll be happy to reproduce Dave Beckett's entire op-ed on Liberty and Power, if anyone can get me the full text. I gather that the piece is longer than the average op-ed, so it may be a hassle to transcribe. Robert Campbell"

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quote:

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Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"And, might I add: GO, DAVE BECKETT AND USM'S FACULTY SENATE!!!!"

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