CL, 7/2/05: HA's MIDAS story - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jul 2, 2005

CL, 7/2/05: HA's MIDAS story

Date: Jul 2, 2005

I love how this is so wonderful a program that Thames & Co don't see the need to release the 45 names nor the individual amounts they got. The HA is stupid enough not to recognize this as a sign that the party line is not totally correct. Instead, they use Thames' press release-provided mathematical example about how the program "saves" the university hundreds of thousands of $s, even though USM press releases have burned them over and over in the past, especially about plans that have "saved" USM lots of $.

What a disaster.

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Isn't the money in question funds that used to be divided up equably among all research-active members of the university and various other programs? As far as I understand it, no new money has been created. Can someone clarify the situation?

(If this has already been posted, please forgive me. I was packing and traveling to get back from abroad, and now am pretty jet-lagged.)

Jameela

Date: Jul 2, 2005

CoAL Assistant Professor, MIDAS recipient, IDV PhD Director (former?), original Lassen dissertation advisor, Call Center Expert, Geographer David Butler is quoted as saying that his call center research goes back into his courses.

"I teach what I research and I research what I teach," he said. "I see it as a symbiotic relationship."

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Net after brochure cost? wrote:

CoAL Assistant Professor, MIDAS recipient, IDV PhD Director (former?), original Lassen dissertation advisor, Call Center Expert, Geographer David Butler is quoted as saying that his call center research goes back into his courses."I teach what I research and I research what I teach," he said. "I see it as a symbiotic relationship."

NABC, I'm not sure if your post is in response to mine, though it does not seem so.

The relation between research and teaching is, of course, fundamental. I'm not sure that any engaged professor would disagree with that statement, so I'm not sure where you're going with it.

Still jet-lagged,

Jameela

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Ask Dave Beckett and he'll explain what MIDAS loses for individual faculty and departments. He did this, what, two years ago now? in a presentation, I think to Faculty Senate, before he was elected Pres. of FacSen.

Of course, maybe Dave is tired of being asked to explain things! But he does such a good job.

NO QUARTER.
Anne Wallace

Date: Jul 2, 2005

I have been in higher education 35+ years. I teach and I do reserach and expect to get paid. I have never expected to get paid a "bonus" for doing my job.

When I have made additional monies it was for work on a book or consulting fees.

Research grants are great, but I have always felt that just part of my job.

There is a common street term that could easily describe USM these days, but of course it is not suitable here..........

(I have not been on USM payroll in many, many years)

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Anne Wallace wrote:

Ask Dave Beckett and he'll explain what MIDAS loses for individual faculty and departments. He did this, what, two years ago now? in a presentation, I think to Faculty Senate, before he was elected Pres. of FacSen. Of course, maybe Dave is tired of being asked to explain things! But he does such a good job. NO QUARTER. Anne Wallace

Anne,

You should have gotten your new employer to pay you through USM. That way you too would be eligible for a 30% MIDAS bonus. They could even mail the check to you each year.

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Jameela Lares wrote:

NABC, I'm not sure if your post is in response to mine, though it does not seem so.

The relation between research and teaching is, of course, fundamental. I'm not sure that any engaged professor would disagree with that statement, so I'm not sure where you're going with it. Still jet-lagged, Jameela

It was not. Welcome home.

There is a little bit of irony reflected in the efficiency bonuses identified in the article. I was merely reminding some friends of it.

Date: Jul 2, 2005

Jameela Lares wrote: NABC, I'm not sure if your post is in response to mine, though it does not seem so.

NABC wrote: It was not. Welcome home. There is a little bit of irony reflected in the efficiency bonuses identified in the article. I was merely reminding some friends of it.

Thanks for the clarification. JL

Date: Jul 2, 2005

I've been looking at the Midas publicity from the eyes of the poor bloke in Hattiesburg. The Hattiesburg American editorial gave the impression that the program is the product of a genius. I don't think that's the way Joe Bloke is going to see it. Quite a few Joe Blokes have already gone on record as characterizing the faculty is lazy. Now they're going to characterize the faculty as opportunists. In my opinion the publicity around the Midas program is doing USM much damage in the eyes of that part of the community who do have already removed the USM faculty on their list of favorites. I can see that no good can come from this - except financial good for the advantaged 45. It's not worth it.