H.A.--Tech park to aid area future - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 21, 2006

H.A.--Tech park to aid area future

Date: Feb 21, 2006

"What we've found is when the high level job pays well the entry level or support staff earns a higher wage and the quality of life improves all around."

Doesn't this go without saying?

Date: Feb 21, 2006

I'm sorry, what a joke.

This is from a marginally-qualified person who was paid an outrageous salary by USM standards, while long time, capable, dedicated staff make a pittance.

Date: Feb 21, 2006

When will our reality-challenged president do something positive for the university beyond his own specialty of polymer science? He could have done all of this while remaining in the Polymer Science department. I want a president dammit!

Date: Feb 21, 2006

Lochhead: "The young people who are highly educated are the state's family jewels."

Date: Feb 21, 2006

American Idiom 101 wrote:

Lochhead: "The young people who are highly educated are the state's family jewels."

Hmmm..does that mean something different in Scotland than it does in the USA?

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Actually, you are a bit rough on Thames on this one. He did not start this idea. This came about during Fleming's tenure and there was a master plan done by some state folks and there were discussions with ADP at that time. The plan was presented to Sen. Cochran and he endorsed it then. It was to be more than polymers but that was going to be the first consideration back then. Then there were plans for residences and a upscale retirement community on the golf course property.

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Thanks for the clarification, Donald.

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Wasn't Ken Malone originally brought to the university in early 2003 to establish the Technology and Innovation Park. Is he still the internal point person? Does anyone know the planned split between recruited companies from elsewhere and start-up companies from USM that will be the Park's tenants?

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Work may begin at USM park within year
By Reuben Mees

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060222/NEWS01/602220330/1002

Date: Feb 22, 2006

donald wrote:

Then there were plans for residences and a upscale retirement community on the golf course property.

I'd have nightmares if I lived on the former golf course adjacent to campus.

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Dear Donald,

You actually left out some critical points. It was the Thames administration that decided to close the course (not Dr. Fleming, who actually played out there on occasion). It was the Thames administration that bought into the plans for "transforming" the golf course without asking for any input from the faculty, staff, or community. Senator Cochran fits into this in that he secured the funds for infrastructure development - $10 million dollars for what realtors would refer to as a spec (speculation) building(s), many more dollars are to be spent to put up a building or two. It is the Thames administration that is trumpeting the merits of this park, which is, at present, a wasteland. Time will tell whether this was a good strategy and worth the money (if they build it, will they come??). We already have a plethora of industrial parks in the area (every nearby county has one). As for now, I would advise the curious to drive by and see the condition of the Tech Park and judge whether their tax monies are being spent wisely.

Date: Feb 22, 2006

I agree with LVN. I am on the pittance side of the payroll. Besides we have all heard this big talk about higher paying jobs and new businesses coming for over a year now, but where are they?

Date: Feb 22, 2006

This thread is shifting back and forth a bit, so I'd like to clarify that I wasn't speaking about the tech park earlier, but about the statement that higher salary jobs tend to raise support salaries as well. That wasn't the case when USM brought in the highly paid group from Kentucky and elsewhere, and it's ironic for Dr. Dvorak to be the one saying this.

Date: Feb 22, 2006

I do not beleive that Dvorak should be given the honor of being called Dr. She is no longer in the Academic field, she is in the private sector. This project was created and started by the former ADP President and now I fear it will be placed in her hands and wind up just like the Trent Lott Center, a major fiasco. Who will she blame?

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Senate Ears wrote:

I do not beleive that Dvorak should be given the honor of being called Dr. She is no longer in the Academic field, she is in the private sector.

Think for a moment about what you said, Senate Ears. Your physician has an M.D. and your dentist has a D.D.S. They are in the private sector, not in academics. But they are still called "doctor." There are many people who have Ph.D.'s or other doctorates in the private sector, but being in the private sector does not mean they aren't referred to as "doctor."

Date: Feb 22, 2006

Once you earn a degree, it's yours forever, Senate Ears. However, many people with PhD's don't use the "Dr." In fact, at many universities, faculty don't use it. (We've had this discussion before, but it's been a while.)

Date: Feb 23, 2006

LVN wrote:

Once you earn a degree, it's yours forever, Senate Ears. However, many people with PhD's don't use the "Dr." In fact, at many universities, faculty don't use it. (We've had this discussion before, but it's been a while.)

That's true. Before his fall, many referred to the CEO of Enron as Dr. Ken Lay. He received his PhD in economics from the University of Houston. He was also called Kenny Boy.