AAUP's honored guest - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Apr 15, 2005

RE: AAUP's honored guest

Date: Apr 15, 2005

Thanks very much for these reports; wish I could have been there!

Date: Apr 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Thanks very much for these reports; wish I could have been there!"

That makes two of us.

Date: Apr 15, 2005

At the 4:00 AAUP meeting, awards were presented to Frank Glamser and Gary Stringer (in absentia) for their actions in support of academic freedom. A similar award was presented to Robert Campbell. The plaques had some eloquent praises. Perhaps Amy Young or one of the other officers could post the text from the plaques?

Date: Apr 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: And the award goes to...
"At the 4:00 AAUP meeting, awards were presented to Frank Glamser and Gary Stringer (in absentia) for their actions in support of academic freedom. A similar award was presented to Robert Campbell. The plaques had some eloquent praises. Perhaps Amy Young or one of the other officers could post the text from the plaques?"

I would hope that Amy would share the video, so I can add it to my copy of last year's CD/video

Date: Apr 15, 2005

I was not able to attend talk. But, given what I know, I would not have wasted my time. I have checked out Campbell. His rep is that of an extremist. Lots of laughs at USM having him as speaker. We've hurt ourselves again. Who's idea was it to link up with him? MH?

Date: Apr 15, 2005

Listening as a relative outsider, I did not hear Dr. Campbell say anything that sounded "extremist-- of course I did not hear any remarks that pertained to politics, lifestyle, or similar issues which sometimes evoke extreme positions. His talk was totally focused on shared governance issues, and had some interesting insights on budgetary matters. He noted, for example, the problem that many schools have with getting accurate numbers and explored the reasons for those problems. (Numbers = dollars and people.) Most of his examples referred to Clemson rather than USM.

Btw, I am almost sure I spotted Monique de Guerre in the audience.

Date: Apr 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: check out
"I was not able to attend talk. But, given what I know, I would not have wasted my time. I have checked out Campbell. His rep is that of an extremist. Lots of laughs at USM having him as speaker. We've hurt ourselves again. Who's idea was it to link up with him? MH?"

Shelby, I'm sorry you missed the presentation. You might have learned something about how real universities function.

Have a nice weekend....

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
". . . "

Oh pooh, I missed meeting Invictus as well as Monique de Guerre!

Date: Apr 16, 2005

So that was what the meeting was all about. I was going to an AARP meeting and couldn't find the room. Then I passed an auditorium with mostly old people and figured that was it. I went in and heard a nice younger gentleman speak on shared government bonds. (The acoustics and my hearing were not very good and I didn't get much out of the meeting.) However I did get to meet some gentlemen my age and was invited to a party afterward. However I got lost, by making a wrong turn I guess, and found myself in the woods. Fearing darkness approaching and my difficulty driving in the dark I panicked. I stopped at a farmhouse and received directions back to Hattiesburg.

I am tempted to post my phone number so the gentleman I met can call, but my sister says that wouldn’t be proper. I do wish the AARP and the AAUP would communicate on scheduling their meeting to avoid these confusions.

P.S. Your AAUP needs to get some younger people in your organization or just merge with the AARP.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: check out
"... I have checked out Campbell. His rep is that of an extremist. ..."

Readers are directed to Robert Campbell's home page at http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/ for more information about him. Trolls are challenged to cite chapter and verse when making accusations.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: info
" Readers are directed to Robert Campbell's home page at http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/ for more information about him. Trolls are challenged to cite chapter and verse when making accusations."

Yeah - real radical there?!? I also attended Dr. Campbell's talk and found it solid, though I longed for some "storm the Bastille!" rhetoric. Alas, Dr. Campbell did not oblige and seemed, in fact, to be quite moderate in his proposed solutions to the growth of Administrative power at the expense of faculty. Only someone as deranged as Shelby could view Campbell as extreme or radical.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Jameela Lares
"Oh pooh, I missed meeting Invictus as well as Monique de Guerre!"

So did most everyone who was there

Using my "balding, gray-haired post-yuppie" disguise worked pretty well. I'm sure if I'd worn my usual "Matrix" trench coat & tattoos, folks would've figured me out.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

Gosh, anyone who is interested in both Ayn Rand and Sun Ra has to be suspect.

Seriously, I was impressed at the reservation shown by Dr. Campbell. To my ear, the most inflammatory thing he said was that USM was an extreme example of the use of the business model at a university. Wouldn't Shelby and the Minions applaud that observation?

I think Dr. Campbell referred to the fact that his presentation was based on research he has developed for publication. I hope he will make a draft of his work available at some point, if it is not already.

The rationale for shared governance could use amplification, I believe. Certainly, the search for truth is important, but it may seems a bit ethereal to some. Aren't there other reasons for shared governance?

Invictus, I think I sat behind you and didn't even recognize you. Coffee next time.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" So did most everyone who was there Using my "balding, gray-haired post-yuppie" disguise worked pretty well. I'm sure if I'd worn my usual "Matrix" trench coat & tattoos, folks would've figured me out."

Invictus,

I may have been sitting right near you. W.J. asked me to take in the lecture for him and I did, even though most of it was over my head. I met a lot of real nice folks so I'm glad I went. Anyway, if you look like Art Garfunkel but with little John Lennon glasses, then I did see you. Sorry I didn't introduce myself and invite you to join me for coffee afterwards. Maybe next time.

Your friend,

J.W.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: J.W. Johnson
"Anyway, if you look like Art Garfunkel but with little John Lennon glasses, then I did see you. "

LOL! That's a description I've not heard since high school. Did we attend high school together, J.W.?

Actually, I thought "balding, gray-haired post-yuppie" described about half the males in the audience.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: AARP
" P.S. Your AAUP needs to get some younger people in your organization or just merge with the AARP."

Most of the young people have either left or are working their butts off to get out of this hellhole. Knock out the young and the got my 25 and gone and it isn't any wonder there isn't much left of the faculty but 50 somethings. Just give it a few years and what's left of the "faculty" will be a LOT younger (and less experienced, and less published, and have lower-level credentials, and . . . ).

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: coal bin
" Most of the young people have either left or are working their butts off to get out of this hellhole. Knock out the young and the got my 25 and gone and it isn't any wonder there isn't much left of the faculty but 50 somethings. Just give it a few years and what's left of the "faculty" will be a LOT younger (and less experienced, and less published, and have lower-level credentials, and . . . )."

Thank you for replying, Coal Bin. Are you perhaps the gentleman I spoke with at the meeting? I posted because I thought he may respond. I really did try to get to the AARP party to which he invited me.

I had no idea the faculty were as old as you say. I may consider taking some classes again to meet some of these wonderful gentlemen before they retire. I believe I look better than most of the ladies I saw at the meeting. I assume these ladies were professors and not wives.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: AARP
"
I believe I look better than most of the ladies I saw at the meeting. I assume these ladies were professors and not wives."

I am most amazed at this remark! Our poster is, how do you say, "full of herself" -- one does not judge the beauty of ladies by looking quickly into the door of a room and counting the gray hairs. Beneath the gray hairs are lovely, wise eyes, and these are beautiful women who spend more effort to cultivate the heart than the wardrobe. If this AARP woman thinks she is so much a grande dame, perhaps she is spending too much time in the salon, and not enough time in the library.

Now, I did enjoy our great friend Dr. Robert Campbell. As one who is a friend and not a professor, I did not so much understand his lecture, but admired his wonderful restraint in not saying many things that he could have said. He was most professional in his demeanor, and I also admired the coordination of his gray shirt and pants, but observe that he would look better in a richer color such as green or dark blue. However, that is Mrs. Campbell's domain -- but I am of that stage in life when I try to assist the gentlemen I know with such advice, particularly if they are much younger such as dear Dr. Campbell, and can look up on me as perhaps a kind aunt.

Invictus, you should have made yourself known! Of course, I was quite, quite incognito, and those who know me very kindly kept discretion to the forefront, but it would have been tres charmant to meet you! Another day, cher ami!!

There were many crises before one was actually able to arrive at the meeting. The rental car developed problems, and so I did in fact have to drive myself in the 'Vette, and of course to maintain my anonymity was required to park many blocks away. Fortunately, I was wearing the disguise of a nondescript person and my sensible shoes were much appreciated after several blocks. My most lovely shoes with the little feathers would not have done at all. Then there was the whole matter of wardrobe, and Miss Angleterre was most insistent on a pale mauve polyester pantsuit. I do not know even where such a garment came from! She was adamant that there not be the tiniest of feathers, but I did surreptiously wear my designer silver bracelet -- one would never know what it really was, and honestly -- one cannot appear in public without ANY of one's better jewelry! In the end there was some compromise, and no mauve polyester, but I was quite unnoticed. Also, we had a small incident when I attempted to leave Dervish behind. He takes his duty as my protector most seriously, and is known to pace endlessly around the terrace when I go out without him. There were a few private chats later on, and it was delightful to see old friends, although dear Stephen was missed by all.

My deepest felicitations to our brave heroes, Professor Glamser and Professor Stringer, and thanks to AAUP for inviting Dr. Campbell, and for allowing me to attend.

Bon soir, one and all. C'est la guerre!

Date: Apr 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: AARP
I had no idea the faculty were as old as you say. I may consider taking some classes again to meet some of these wonderful gentlemen before they retire.

I wasn't at the meeting. I was too busy hiding under my desk. More seriously, I would like to see the numbers on the age distribution of the faculty. My guess is that we've had a flight of senior assistants, junior associates, and the over 55 crowd. This leaves a double hump distribution of the less than 3 years bunch and the PERS short timers who are mostly between 45 and 55. The latter group is getting hosed as they still have upper-level classes to teach, research to do, and are now getting hit with an increasing amount of administrative stuff that can't be done by the young and many of the oldsters that used to do this stuff (and really knew how to do it) have left. Thus the chaos of people that are new to things like SACS being told what to do by oldsters that usually know less than they do.

I'm sure the administration would be happy to provide anyone who is interested with the numbers. And it might snow in MS on Sunday.

Date: Apr 16, 2005

Let us not forget the unsung heroes in all of this--the faculty who voted no confidence, the unnamed senators who have seen silent but strong, Mrs. Dr. Stringer and Mrs. Glamser, Mr. Dr. Young ( I presume).........

Date: Apr 16, 2005

There are many unnamed saints at USM now.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Monique de Guerre
" I am most amazed at this remark! Our poster is, how do you say, "full of herself" -- one does not judge the beauty of ladies by looking quickly into the door of a room and counting the gray hairs. Beneath the gray hairs are lovely, wise eyes, and these are beautiful women who spend more effort to cultivate the heart than the wardrobe. If this AARP woman thinks she is so much a grande dame, perhaps she is spending too much time in the salon, and not enough time in the library. Now, I did enjoy our great friend Dr. Robert Campbell. As one who is a friend and not a professor, I did not so much understand his lecture, but admired his wonderful restraint in not saying many things that he could have said. He was most professional in his demeanor, and I also admired the coordination of his gray shirt and pants, but observe that he would look better in a richer color such as green or dark blue. However, that is Mrs. Campbell's domain -- but I am of that stage in life when I try to assist the gentlemen I know with such advice, particularly if they are much younger such as dear Dr. Campbell, and can look up on me as perhaps a kind aunt. Invictus, you should have made yourself known! Of course, I was quite, quite incognito, and those who know me very kindly kept discretion to the forefront, but it would have been tres charmant to meet you! Another day, cher ami!! There were many crises before one was actually able to arrive at the meeting. The rental car developed problems, and so I did in fact have to drive myself in the 'Vette, and of course to maintain my anonymity was required to park many blocks away. Fortunately, I was wearing the disguise of a nondescript person and my sensible shoes were much appreciated after several blocks. My most lovely shoes with the little feathers would not have done at all. Then there was the whole matter of wardrobe, and Miss Angleterre was most insistent on a pale mauve polyester pantsuit. I do not know even where such a garment came from! She was adamant that there not be the tiniest of feathers, but I did surreptiously wear my designer silver bracelet -- one would never know what it really was, and honestly -- one cannot appear in public without ANY of one's better jewelry! In the end there was some compromise, and no mauve polyester, but I was quite unnoticed. Also, we had a small incident when I attempted to leave Dervish behind. He takes his duty as my protector most seriously, and is known to pace endlessly around the terrace when I go out without him. There were a few private chats later on, and it was delightful to see old friends, although dear Stephen was missed by all. My deepest felicitations to our brave heroes, Professor Glamser and Professor Stringer, and thanks to AAUP for inviting Dr. Campbell, and for allowing me to attend. Bon soir, one and all. C'est la guerre!"

I beg your pardon, Madam de Guerre, I didn't mean to offend Madam or any of the other ladies at the meeting. I have a south Louisiana upbringing, however, the “French” my ears understands differs from your beautiful language. And I can't read either.

I enjoy your much post so much. I wonder if you are a member of my beloved AARP? If so I would love to have coffee sometime and discuss the possibility of you introducing me to the some of the fine gentlemen I saw at your AAUP meeting. I know you have a great companion in Dervish, but I sure you must also have the need for a gentleman’s companionship once in a while. My dog, Thibodeax, is also a great companion and often brings me rabbits when we are in the country to show affection. However, I find that he doesn't fulfill my need for a gentleman.

If Madam isn't a member of AARP perhaps we will meet at another AAUP meeting. I plan to watch this board and attend every meeting I can. My sister reads the Student Printz and mentioned I should be introduced to your Professor Judd. I would be very appreciative is you could do the formalities of introducing us.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

Dear AARP,

It's Mademoiselle de Guerre. I find I am having to correct this error repeatedly. Some board readers should really pay closer attention.

Mlle. de Guerre must respectfully decline all your kind invitations. In particular, she feels that dear Stephen is on his own in the area of meeting other ladies. She has quite enough trouble with Emma as it is. (This also refers to "old" issues.) As for the other gentlemen in the AAUP, most of them are married or otherwise unavailable. Mlle de Guerre will never tell her friends, but she too notices a dearth of "available" gentlemen of appropriate age. In her case, although tax day is past, she would still really love to meet a nice accounting professor if not a professional, and if he is handy with a wrench, so much the better. We have recently lost the chauffeur -- he completed some sort of economic development degree in an amazingly short time -- and Mlle de Guerre badly needs someone else to drive. Badly, friends, badly.

In any case, Mlle de Guerre is not usually friendly with those who judge others harshly, and she did take exception to your remarks. You will probably not see her at many future AAUP meetings, as she is not a teacher, but she does plan to be present for the fireworks, and other festivities when Dr. Thames announces his retirement. In fact, we are researching case prices for champagne even now.

Sincerely,

Hermione Angleterre, Social Secretary to Monique de Guerre

PS Dervish does not hunt. He is totally devoted to the safety of his beloved Mlle de Guerre. As one of the few trained attack poodles in America, he is often called upon to attend various functions, but prefers to stay close to home. He would only catch a rabbit if it threatened to harm one of us.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

Good for you Mademoiselle de Guerre! I am proud of you and Dervish. Your reply was the perfect answer to AAUP's most ungracious comment about the ladies at the meeting. I thought it a bit insulting to the men also. Few among them would be interested in someone so shallow as the AAUP member appeared.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

Rose, thank you for your kind remarks. However, let me be clear that no criticism of hunting dogs was meant. Dogs do what they do by instinct and nature. In fact, I believe that poodles originally were bred as hunting dogs in France. One does note that they see no need to dress in ridiculous outfits and spend large sums on gear in order to bag the occasional rabbit or squirrel. Dervish is not quite the ordinary poodle, as we have noted in other posts. He did, you recall, refuse to have his nails polished or wear a rhinestone collar -- not that Mlle de Guerre would have pushed either of those issues, she thinks they are a little silly herself. Instead, he wears one of those collars with the small metal spikes, which, as I have noted elsewhere, looks unusual on a poodle, but makes him quite happy.

Mlle de Guerre also questions the use of other people's airplanes to go on hunting trips, but that's an issue for another day.

Sincerely,
Hermione Angleterre, Social Secretary to Monique de Guerre

Date: Apr 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: H.A.
"Mlle de Guerre also questions the use of other people's airplanes to go on hunting trips, but that's an issue for another day."

Ahh, but with such highly placed friends to hunt with...

Date: Apr 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: A Rose by Any Other Name
"Good for you Mademoiselle de Guerre! I am proud of you and Dervish. Your reply was the perfect answer to AAUP's most ungracious comment about the ladies at the meeting. I thought it a bit insulting to the men also. Few among them would be interested in someone so shallow as the AAUP member appeared. "

A Rose,

I believe you meant AARP in your post.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

Yes, thank you Correction. I was upset by the AARP woman's remarks. I didn't attend the meeting but knowing the people who were probably there I couldn't believe someone would say anything so unkind about them. They truly are some of the most beautiful and lovely women that I know.

Date: Apr 17, 2005

Look on the bright side: Robert Campbell came to speak, and he spoke so wisely and judiciously and truthfully that the worst anyone could do in counter-attack was to mischaracterize the age/looks of the audience. Sounds like a good result to me.