Spring break 2006 - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: May 11, 2005

Spring break 2006

Date: May 11, 2005

Surely they wouldn't make that mistake 2 out of 3 years in a row.

Date: May 11, 2005

OF COURSE they will screw up once again.

Date: May 11, 2005

Clearly, this is an easy way to keep those lazy faculty with kids from taking a vacation that is only for the students.

Date: May 11, 2005

This could be evidence of one of SFT's last attempts to malign faculty. If he is removed his last opportunity to mess with people's lives would be through the academic calendar.

Date: May 11, 2005

Oh, maybe somebody just wasnt' thinking. Did anybody ask? Who sets the calendar anyway?

Date: May 11, 2005

One would think that after the problems this caused last year, they would check on these things. It even seems like someone promised it would never happen again. Unlike the IHL when they hear promises like this, I am not surprised.

Date: May 11, 2005

The Calendar Committee sets the calendar. Why don't you try asking them their rationale for the spring break timing? By the way, USM's calendar is set before the local school does theirs.

quote:
Originally posted by: Dumb or Dumber
"One would think that after the problems this caused last year, they would check on these things. It even seems like someone promised it would never happen again. Unlike the IHL when they hear promises like this, I am not surprised."

Date: May 11, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Calendar
"The Calendar Committee sets the calendar. Why don't you try asking them their rationale for the spring break timing? By the way, USM's calendar is set before the local school does theirs."

Do you know who who chairs that committee? That might be the place to start.

Date: May 11, 2005

I really do hope that most of the comments on this are sarcastic. In the case they are not: There is another (much larger and just as important) group who benefits from when spring break is scheduled. Students would like to have a spring break that coincides with other universities' spring breaks, as this gives us an opportunity to see our friends.

Date: May 11, 2005

I'm pretty sure that Greg Pierce (University Registrar) is at least on the committee, if not the chair.

quote:
Originally posted by: Calendar Girl
"Do you know who who chairs that committee? That might be the place to start."

Date: May 11, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: chaz
"I really do hope that most of the comments on this are sarcastic. In the case they are not: There is another (much larger and just as important) group who benefits from when spring break is scheduled. Students would like to have a spring break that coincides with other universities' spring breaks, as this gives us an opportunity to see our friends.

"

chaz,

the issue you raise is a good one. on one hand you have students who want to have spring break with other college students. on the other hand you have a real issue with a failure to communicate between usm and local schools. for some profs the spring break is one of the only times their kids are out of school at the same time usm is. frankly, i don't see why some simple coordinating couldn't be done to mandate a statewide spring break and give both groups what they want. ole miss, state, usm, etc., would all be out at the same time and profs from all schools could spend the break with their kids who would also be out of school. a win-win is too good to waste our time on, though, i guess.

Date: May 11, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dumb or Dumber
"One would think that after the problems this caused last year, they would check on these things. It even seems like someone promised it would never happen again. Unlike the IHL when they hear promises like this, I am not surprised."

Not sure exactly what you mean by the problems caused last year, but if you are talking about the Lamar County School District having a different spring break from other area school districts and USM last year, the story on that alledgedly stemmed from a certain Lamar County school board member wanting the school district spring break to coincide with the spring break of his daughter, a student at Ole Miss. At least that is the story that has circulated in Lamar County.

It seems the state's school districts do not follow a standard calendar for spring break. The north Mississippi schools have a different spring break (which Ole Miss usually tries to follow), while the coastal schools for the most part do not take a spring break in March unless Easter falls in that month. This is probably due to the coastal schools closing the week of Mardi Gras.

Date: May 12, 2005

maybe just a dumb question but, why do "profs" get spring break off - isn't the university open? i mean, i know that others are at work, and i keep hearing about how much other stuff "profs" have to do other than teach?

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: dumb question
"maybe just a dumb question but, why do "profs" get spring break off - isn't the university open? i mean, i know that others are at work, and i keep hearing about how much other stuff "profs" have to do other than teach?"

Many professors use Spring break to conduct research, write articles, grade papers, and do many other things that benefit the students and the university.

You must realize that USM is at a competitive disadvantage on many levels. Salaries are low. Facilities are extremely limited. Prestige is pitiful. A substgantial number of the students are unmotivatged. The only reason to USM is that it used to be a pleasant place to work. Aurbrey Lucas understood that. If the students and administration succeed in making the university an unpleasant place to work, why would a Gary Stringer or a Noel Polk ever come or stay here? Having Spring break is a chance to catch up on work and is one way to make things a bit more tolerable. At most universities the academic departments are closed during Spring break. At USM, on the other hand, department chairs and secretarial staff must be on duty.

Date: May 12, 2005

I for one worked on a grant and did some research for myself all week this year. I have similar activities in mind for the next few weeks. It is unfortunate that so many people don't get that being a professor is a never ending job. Yes, semesters come to an end and projects come to an end but there is always a new project that is needing to be completed. I know I could work 70 hours per week for the next 2 years and I still would not be caught up on my research ideas. This is a problem most faculty face, yet most of the general public fail to understand these pressures. To their credit, this is partially the fault of the university for not publicizing research accomplishments more than they do.

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: dumb question
"maybe just a dumb question but, why do "profs" get spring break off - isn't the university open? i mean, i know that others are at work, and i keep hearing about how much other stuff "profs" have to do other than teach?"

It isn't a "dumb question" and needs answering. Professors don't get spring break off. Professors don't get weekends off. Professors don't get nights and holidays off. Professors are "contracted" employees. They have a job to do and except for scheduled classes and meetings, when they get the job done is up to them. It does take nights, weekends and holidays for most to get it all done.

So your question is not a good question. This is why the public is so confused about the work of professors. If professors leave "school" at 11:30 am, they are still working. They didn't leave "work" they only changed locations.

In the old days students did homework and lots of it. We didn't say they weren't studying or weren't students because they were not at school. Most of academics in what you do with your brains.

Date: May 12, 2005

There is also an economic consideration for faculty who have children in school. Non-coordinated spring break means that children will be home for five days while parents are working. For anyone who has ever had a child in kindergarten, you know how difficult it is to arrange day care.

Although faculty will be off for the next two weeks, their children will be in school. When school ends, the USM summer semester begins. Public schools open the week after USM summer graduation. As was posted earlier, spring break is the only time some faculty have to vacation with their families. Certainly the bafoon who suggested that faculty should be working during spring break wouldn't deny parents an opportunity to be with their children.....that would be anti family as well as anti faculty.

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Anonymouse
"There is also an economic consideration for faculty who have children in school. Non-coordinated spring break means that children will be home for five days while parents are working. For anyone who has ever had a child in kindergarten, you know how difficult it is to arrange day care. Although faculty will be off for the next two weeks, their children will be in school. When school ends, the USM summer semester begins. Public schools open the week after USM summer graduation. As was posted earlier, spring break is the only time some faculty have to vacation with their families. Certainly the bafoon who suggested that faculty should be working during spring break wouldn't deny parents an opportunity to be with their children.....that would be anti family as well as anti faculty. "

mouse,

two things:

1. i agree, we should shut down the entire university; or do you think your more special than those who are here? i'd love to be home with my kids.

2. do you call persons 'bafoon' often? i bet not, you couldn't back it up (except in cyberspace).

Date: May 12, 2005

sorry . . . 'you're'

Date: May 12, 2005

I'll never forget my first experience with Spring Break as an instructor. I was a TA, but an older student, and had been in the work world for some years (federal govt.) -- so I assigned a novel to be read over the break.
There was nearly blood on the floor. There was a howl of anguish you wouldnt believe. As an adult and a graduate student, I thought break was for catching up on your work. Silly me!
In 2002, staff employees were given spring break off. It was great, except we had to come in different times to "check the mail" -- so nobody could leave town, but it was still good to get the break.
BTW, when I was a fed, people complained because we got the extra holidays. Never mind that I usually went home and collapsed on the couch because the work was so stressful. How dare I get that Monday off!

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Billy McBoing Boing
"Is it true that the 2006 USM spring break doesn't coincide with the area's public schools spring breaks?"

It could just as well be asked why do not the area's public schools spring break coincide with USM's? This is such a non-issue.

Date: May 12, 2005

Clemson University's Spring Break never coincides with Spring Break for the Pickens County School District.

I'm told that the local school district has a deliberate policy of not coordinating with the university on Spring Break. The outcomes are certainly consistent with such a policy.

When we still don't know whether the IHL Board will keep Shelby Thames in power past March 2006--and he continues to pose a direct threat to USM's continued accreditation with SACS--the failure to coordinate spring breaks with the local school districts does seem rather trivial.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"...When we still don't know whether the IHL Board will keep Shelby Thames in power past March 2006--and he continues to pose a direct threat to USM's continued accreditation with SACS--the failure to coordinate spring breaks with the local school districts does seem rather trivial. Robert Campbell"

Robert, the optimistic faculty figure SFT will be going. They are just practicing their debating skills for when things get back to normal. Senators will have to be ready to debate the important issues: parking, spring break and parking. Some still remember the good old days on Faculty Senate .

Date: May 12, 2005

Couldn't we at least leave out the parking

Robert Campbell

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Couldn't we at least leave out the parking Robert Campbell"

I always thought there were no parking problems at Clemson. You destroyed my worldview.

Date: May 12, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: dumb question
"maybe just a dumb question but, why do "profs" get spring break off - isn't the university open? i mean, i know that others are at work, and i keep hearing about how much other stuff "profs" have to do other than teach?"

Because, unlike administrators, profs do not get paid vacation.

Date: May 12, 2005

excuse me. where did you get that load?