It's not just for faculty anymore - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jul 12, 2005

It's not just for faculty anymore

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Billy Bob Guiness wrote:

There has been not one consecutive 2-year period during the past three years where USM had the same administrative officers (e.g., there has been an unbelievable turnover of 7 Vice Presidents).

Your point is well-taken but there was actually the turnover of 8 Vice Presidents. Angie Dvorak, listed elsewhere in that list, was also a VP.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Losses by Unit, May 2002-present

I know, Billy Bob, they're leaving so fast it's hard to keep up with the dates. The correct dates on that updated post are May 2002-present.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Billy Bob Guiness wrote:

Until the updated "Losses by Unit, May 2003-present" thread was posted a few minutes ago, I was under the mistaken impression that it is primarily the faculty who are bailing out. I do believe that many members of the Hattiesburg community are still under that misperception. An inspection of the "Losses by Unit," however, shows USM's personnel instability is not limited to rank and file faculty members. Although the losses to date in academic departments are staggering (e.g., 18 in CISE, 16 in English, 16 in Nursing, 13 in Psychology), the losses at the administrative, staff, and service levels is no less overwhelming.

You've just now noticed this?
Many staff, however, are in the same PERS trap as some faculty. There has been a core of stable, dedicated employees who have kept USM afloat, and they need all the encouragement they can get. Salaries have always been poor, but the good working conditions used to make up for it. These days, you're lucky every day staff members decide to show up. Be good to these people, many are on very thin ice.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Some others who left slipped through the cracks on Billy Bob's list, including two departures from financial affairs, one associate Vice president, two from human resources, and 4 from academic advising. It is truly amazing.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Third Witch wrote:

You've just now noticed this?

Some of the local community, as well as trolls on this board, seem to talk more about the faculty. It is the faculty who have been depicted as lazy malcontents. It would be easy for an outsider to miss the fact that others have also split. We don't hear much about that from the media.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

As one who left early on, I can say that many staff departees don't wish to be overly vocal about their reasons for leaving. Most of us have stayed in the community and taken other jobs. You don't know who is whose cousin, aunt, friend, hunting buddy, etc., and if you're a lowly peon, you don't want to get yourself labeled as a troublemaker. Plus some staff have relatives and spouses still at USM. Lots of reasons to keep your head down.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Little old lady wrote:

As one who left early on, I can say that many staff departees don't wish to be overly vocal about their reasons for leaving. Most of us have stayed in the community and taken other jobs. You don't know who is whose cousin, aunt, friend, hunting buddy, etc., and if you're a lowly peon, you don't want to get yourself labeled as a troublemaker. Plus some staff have relatives and spouses still at USM. Lots of reasons to keep your head down.

This point is well-taken, and parallels my own experience. I was lucky enough to be in the middle of a "quiet search" when it got really impossible to stay around, so I was a few months ahead of my fellow refugees. I found a better position without much fanfare, and don't think I've ever appeared in any discussions here (or elsewhere).

In fact, much of my search was kept "under wraps" not only for myself, but also for fear of retribution against my former colleagues who are still under the thumb of the henchcrew.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Little old lady wrote:

You don't know who is whose cousin, aunt, friend, hunting buddy, etc., and if you're a lowly peon, you don't want to get yourself labeled as a troublemaker. Plus some staff have relatives and spouses still at USM. Lots of reasons to keep your head down.

What you say makes perfect sense to me. This not a healthy environment at the present time.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Local taxpayer wrote:

... This not a healthy environment at the present time.

Local Taxpayer,

By "not a healthy environment" I assume you mean both the community and the university. In my opinion, except for the trolls on this board and a few business leaders, I believe the community is now behind the faculty and staff. They are ready to have this SFT mess behind them and are looking forward to a great football season. Of course they hope SFT won't take the field for some presentation or something. Thank goodness he seems to be keeping quiet so far this summer.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

LeftASAP wrote:
In my opinion, except for the trolls on this board and a few business leaders, I believe the community is now behind the faculty and staff.

I haven't seen nothing published in the newspapers recently to support that position. But I hope you're right. What is your sample?

Date: Jul 12, 2005

You're wrong. We just know we are winning the war - no need to gloat.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Towner wrote:

You're wrong. We just know we are winning the war - no need to gloat.

Who's wrong? Wrong about what? Who's gloating? I don't understand.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

War? What war? At what point did people who care about USM go to "war" against this community? I'm a member of the community, and so are my family members who live here, our neighbors, work associates, church friends, etc. None of us are at war with anyone.

Date: Jul 12, 2005

Hiding in the bushes wrote:

...I haven't seen nothing published in the newspapers recently to support that position. But I hope you're right. What is your sample?

You’re right that nothing has been published. I get my opinions from questions people ask me and the sadness they express by so many leaving. For example, the owner of the place I get my car worked on and buy tires told me how many of his customers are leaving town. He became very concerned when I said I retired and asked if I also was leaving. My family doctor has changed his opinion of the situation over the past year. These people know faculty, staff and students that all provide the same stories of the problems at USM. They remember the PR and realize they were lied to.