History Next? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Apr 1, 2005

History Next?

Date: Apr 2, 2005

I have had Dr. Bolton as both an instructor and advisor. He is the man that most Undergrad History Majors prefer to go for advisement because he knows what he is doing and will take all the time in the world to discuss issues with us and answer questions. I am happy that he is going to a much better enviroment but at the same time I am saddened at USM's lose. Eventually Dr. Thames will get his wish. If Coal keeps losing faculty and not replacing them....there will be no Liberal Arts anymore.

I have spoken with other History undergrads, mainly seniors, and most of them agree that we are really being pushed to go to graduate school at Southern. We have asked ourselves why would we go to USM's grad program especially when our departments foundation is falling apart? I myself refuse to attend grad school there until the problems are corrected and I am afraid by that time I will already be attending another universities grad program. I am already worried about my undergrad degree becoming a joke in the academic community much less another degree built on top of it. December (Graduation) can not get here fast enough for me.

Date: Apr 2, 2005

Dear Silence Dogood:

Most of us in USM's history department encourage our talented undergraduates who want to pursue graduate studies to attend the best program that will admit them. Its not because our graduate program isn't good. USM's history department has done remarkably well, especially when one considers our limited resources. Its just a good idea to get diversity in one's education. Over the years we've sent undergraduates to places like LSU, Vandy, Rice, and Chicago. Three of our faculty, in fact, have USM undergraduate degrees, but earned their Ph.D.s at other places (Illinois, Duke, LSU).

Dr. Bolton's leadership, scholarship, teaching skills, and collegiality will be missed terribly. He is a scholar of national reputation, and a great friend. A south Missisisppi native and USM alum, his leaving after 15 years at USM is testiment to how bad things are at the University.

The department, however, still has major strengths in southern, military and Latin American history. In fact, we've just made a senior appointment in military history, recruiting a talented scholar from the U.S. Airforce Academy.

This is a difficult time for a department that has had a tradition of excellence in scholarship and teaching. These activities are no longer valued by an administration whose incompentence is exceeded only by its sheer meaness. What's happening at USM is really an act of vandalism on a public resource.

Date: Apr 2, 2005

I have the utmost respect for the History Dept. faculty. I am also well aware that for the time being USM has one of the (if not the) best History program in the SouthEastern U.S. But as you said, the administration is the problem. I am just upset to see such a great program start to crumble along with the rest of the Liberal Arts. You know as well as I that if things do not change soon there will not be much left to pick up and start over again once the Thames nightmare is over.

Date: Apr 4, 2005

Too bad that the departure of C. Bolton has received so little attention on this board. His move seems very much like the kind of action that should cause a marked reaction from those who monitor this board. Is this not speaking to the very heart of what SFT is doing to Southern Miss?

Date: Apr 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Edgar Winter
"Too bad that the departure of C. Bolton has received so little attention on this board. His move seems very much like the kind of action that should cause a marked reaction from those who monitor this board. Is this not speaking to the very heart of what SFT is doing to Southern Miss?"

I wouldn't say that it has received "little" attention on the board. It is a devastating loss. But I think many of us are just numb to all of the losses at this point...what more can we do???

Speaking for myself, I have written countless letters, emails, made phone calls, etc. I have been interviewed by the H'burg American and Student Printz (last year). I have contacted The Chronicle on numerous occasions. I have tried to get the word out beyond USM in any way that I can. And I'm just sick and tired of the lack of response from the IHL concerning the situation at USM...how much worse does it have to get before they do something????

Forgive my early morning pessimism today...just feeling very sad at the state of my alma mater at this point.

Truth

Date: Apr 5, 2005

It is very unfortunate that the academic environment produced by the Thames Administration has caused at least 2/3 of our faculty to seek jobs elsewhere this year. Chuck was a fine chair with a wonderful temperment and sense of academic quality - he should have been made dean of CoAL after Thames fired all the deans and reorganized the colleges. The only reason there have not yet been more announcements of departing faculty is that job offers are still being negotiated and considered or applicants were not successful this job application season. Nevertheless, those who remain, and the two new hires we made this year in American cultural and military history, will continue to provide the top-notch education for undergraduates and graduate students that we are rightly known for. Future success will depend upon a smooth chair transition, being able to hire several new professors to replace those we have lost and are losing, and getting our salaries and work conditions improved. It is very discouraging to know that we are the lowest paid historians of the three major universities in the state (some community colleges in the state pay more than our starting salary), and that our teaching loads are higher than Ole Miss. yet we are have a similarly-sized and in many ways more successful MA & PhD program. History is not alone in these oppressive conditions, but if our dean and administration expects to keep professors in history in the future these issues must be addressed asap. What we have found in applying for other jobs at similar and even smaller colleges/universities is that the grass is indeed greener on the other side.

Date: Apr 5, 2005

The departure of Professor Bolton, along with the departures of several other prominent faculty announced recently, would make a great story for the HA and for the new reporter who took over KW's "beat." At the very least these departures deserve a letter to the editor, calling them to the attention of the public. I would write it myself but I do not know all the facts and personalities.

Date: Apr 5, 2005

It is indeed sad to see the continuing exodus of outstanding faculty from USM, from which I hold two degrees and where I served as news director for the PR department for more than 18 years before my departure two years ago. Chuck Bolton is a perfect example of the type of dedicated scholar and teacher who traditionally have been attracted to USM over the years, and who have allowed the university to maintain a strong academic base in times of diminished financial resources and other stress factors. It was through Chuck's relationship with University Press of Mississippi that I was given an opportunity to write a book, "Hurricane Camille: Monster Storm of the Gulf Coast," which is based on survivor oral histories on file at McCain Library and Archives. Despite his full workload as history chair, Chuck reviewed each chapter of my book during the three-year writing and editing process, and provided scholarly guidance along the way. Chuck is going on to new challenges, but USM certainly will feel the loss.

Date: Apr 5, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Phil Hearn
"It is indeed sad to see the continuing exodus of outstanding faculty from USM, from which I hold two degrees and where I served as news director for the PR department for more than 18 years before my departure two years ago. Chuck Bolton is a perfect example of the type of dedicated scholar and teacher who traditionally have been attracted to USM over the years, and who have allowed the university to maintain a strong academic base in times of diminished financial resources and other stress factors. It was through Chuck's relationship with University Press of Mississippi that I was given an opportunity to write a book, "Hurricane Camille: Monster Storm of the Gulf Coast," which is based on survivor oral histories on file at McCain Library and Archives. Despite his full workload as history chair, Chuck reviewed each chapter of my book during the three-year writing and editing process, and provided scholarly guidance along the way. Chuck is going on to new challenges, but USM certainly will feel the loss."

Amen to Phil (hi Phil! I like your book!) Chuck Bolton will be sorely missed all around. His tremendous energy, intellect, and dedication built Oral History and made it a lucrative and award-winning USM institution.

Amy Young