Rumor Box - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 10, 2004

Rumor Box

Date: Jun 10, 2004

Word that ST, RK, JG, AD, LM, and many others have each achieved "world class" fame in at least one area. We're on our way.

Date: Jun 10, 2004

There's a rumor going around that a dept in CoAL was ready to hire a job candidate--someone liked by the dept., the dean, everybody up the pipeline, until Thames. Thames turned the candidate down because he/she wasn't "world class" and hadn't brought in lots of cash. It is June, and it will be almost impossible to fill the position by fall, probably leaving classes with no one to teach them.

In the best interests of USM students? No.
Micromanaging? Yes.

Date: Jun 10, 2004

Saw on usmtalk that Lucy Sanguinetti (who works for the Children's Center for Communication and Development at USM, listed their house for sale.

Question for the Rumor Box: Is Lucy Sanguinetti leaving USM?

Date: Jun 11, 2004

Another Break in the Wall

Date: Jun 12, 2004

RE: Rumor Box

Date: Jun 15, 2004

I'd offer this information, which I believe ties into the recent reality check posted by Chess. According to reliable family sources, TH has written off his chances for selection as Texas-Pan American prez, and is (and has been all along) working a dual strategy at USM, which involves, on the one hand, exacting a substantial raise from SFT in exchange for his silence on certain potentially embarrassing administrative actions, while on the other hand, privately bashing Thames, and lobbying highly placed supporters for his own ascension to the USM presidency. The only message worth retaining here is that just because TH is quiet and out-of-sight, doesn't mean he's not still dangerous. He's very much in the game.

Date: Jun 25, 2004

Understand that the CEP candidate for Assistant Dean teaches at one of the "Nova" virtual campuses. This ought to impress the socks off of NCATE.

Date: Jun 26, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Coloradoeagle
"Understand that the CEP candidate for Assistant Dean teaches at one of the "Nova" virtual campuses. This ought to impress the socks off of NCATE."

Geez, since I'm chairing the search commitee, that is news to me. We have had one person interview, who is currently chair of CI at Winthrop University. She successfully herded that institution through NCATE. Come by and see her CV if you wish in OMH 116. Pretty impressive.

Date: Jun 26, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Mitch Berman
"Geez, since I'm chairing the search commitee, that is news to me. We have had one person interview, who is currently chair of CI at Winthrop University. She successfully herded that institution through NCATE. Come by and see her CV if you wish in OMH 116. Pretty impressive. "

I've seen her CV, and I stand by what I've said. She could be a great person all the same. You'll find the Nova connection, and that might not be a bad thing at all. And, with her NCATE experience, she might be the right solution to the CEP's needs. With Malone's departure - you need all the help that you can get.

Date: Jun 26, 2004

Gotta add that Eric Luce would have been your least shabby candidate of ALL.

Date: Jun 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Coloradoeagle
"I've seen her CV, and I stand by what I've said. She could be a great person all the same. You'll find the Nova connection, and that might not be a bad thing at all. And, with her NCATE experience, she might be the right solution to the CEP's needs. With Malone's departure - you need all the help that you can get. "

You can stand by what you said, but your statement was misleading and implied that NOVA was that candidate's primary academic credential. Then you followed that up by a sarcastic remark. I understand that this board is often used to blow off steam, but to start rumors that can directly affect an ongoing national search and the university's NCATE process is not in our interests. Given that you have examined the candidate's CV, I am even more surprised at your post. If you have information that could affect the search committee's deliberations, I would welcome hearing them in person, rather than through a rumor board (266-4570; mitchell.berman@usm.edu).

Date: Jun 27, 2004

Seems to me the Rumor Box is the best place to put a rumor. This wasn't a new thread, and even if it was - why take someone to task who just told the truth. This person (from Winthrop) also teaches at Nova. So what? How does that affect a national search? Why is the CEP so testy? Other Colleges are getting hit hard too on this Message Board - but the person who so far has hit the hardest is our prez when he openly tried to ruin 2 people's careers. Oh yes, and he's tried to ruin other's as well. I don't know the candidates name that you are referring to, but if she can help with NCATE and actually wants to come to USM- more power to you.

Date: Jun 27, 2004

Calling a USM phone or using a USM email address would also be considered foolhardy, don't you think?

Date: Jun 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Emma
"Calling a USM phone or using a USM email address would also be considered foolhardy, don't you think?"

Depends on what you want to communicate. I still use my phone and e-mail--it would be hard to do business without these. But I also like meeting face to face (I'll buy you coffee in the Hub anytime).

You are right about this being the happy home for dyed in the wool rumor mongers--many with an obvious axe to grind. I look in on occasion in the hope of seeing if any valid information is posted that would be of interest to faculty. Fool me once...

Date: Jun 28, 2004

Mitch, you are ridiculous...........go buy Anita coffee, at the Hub or in NYC, where you two were spotted as far back as two years ago. Coffee aside, you can't "sway" the rest of us!!

Date: Jun 28, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: thenextstateover
"Mitch, you are ridiculous...........go buy Anita coffee, at the Hub or in NYC, where you two were spotted as far back as two years ago. Coffee aside, you can't "sway" the rest of us!!"

Ah, my cranky CISE friend in NO. I admit it. I have suffered from HUB coffee and Anita for much, much longer than two years.

Date: Jul 9, 2004

Has a new Assistant Dean to oversee NCATE been named yet?

Date: Aug 26, 2004

There's a rumor going around that Noel Polk is leaving USM. Can anyone confirm?

Date: Aug 26, 2004

I can't confirm, but I've heard from very reliable sources (some of his colleagues) that it is true.

Date: Aug 26, 2004

he has been observed taking boxes into his office and moving things out later. his presence on the english department web page is gone and the graduate director is identified as rick barthelme (sp). folks in english know what he is doing but won't talk. i hear he is going to MsState.

Date: Aug 26, 2004

noel has read this site in the past. i know english faculty know some things. they're being verrrry quiet.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

I hear that N. P. is out of here, but he may not be the cause celebre that "so many universities" will hire for scholarly principles and academic accolades. He may have to sit on the porch for a year telling war stories.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Foghorn Leghorn
"I hear that N. P. is out of here, but he may not be the cause celebre that "so many universities" will hire for scholarly principles and academic accolades. He may have to sit on the porch for a year telling war stories."

Er...he's one of the most (if not THE MOST) widely-respected Faulkner scholars in the world. I believe he could have his pick of universities (esp. if he chose to go *outside* of MS). If he's sitting on any porches this time next year, it's by his own choice.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"If he's sitting on any porches this time next year, it's by his own choice."

Right on, truth4usm. I'd sure rather be basking on a front porch than walking around barefooted in a chicken yard. I'd get the heck out of Dodge too.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

AH and Barefoot, I'd readily acknowledge N.P. as one of many Faulkner scholars, but I would easily place Dr. W. Kenneth Holditch above him as a internationally-recognized scholar of Southern Literature. Perhaps Polk can sell his unique perspective on Faulkner and RPW to more receptive audiences outside of MS, but (as this is a rumor box and not an awards plaque for slighted USM profs) I have not seen confetti falling at any Mississippi colleges for the arrival of the Great One as of this date.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Unafraid of SwiftBoaters
"I'd readily acknowledge N.P. as one of many Faulkner scholars, but I would easily place Dr. W. Kenneth Holditch above him as a internationally-recognized scholar of Southern Literature. "

Unafraid of Swiftboaters (aka Name Dropper)

Now don't you go around throwing out them fancy names to us. Now that our Department of English has been desecrated UNO Professor Emeritus Holditch would never consider walking barefoot through our chicken yard. He's got his own 4th tier yard to play in.

Date: Aug 27, 2004

The only thing I'm aware of that's being dropped in the yard is sputum from some people that think USM English can't carry the day. Last time I checked, I still see many published scholars and quality educators that would thrive sans the Head Clucker at 1999 Pearl. Check the smell on your arches, Barefoot. I think you've wandered into the bovine bastille of unloved academes from Semesters Past.

Date: Aug 28, 2004

ASK, your verbosity is eclipsed only by your grand assumptions. USM English will always carry the day in my book (all of my degrees, both present and future, are or will be from this fine dept.). It's not a matter of the department's greatness, but rather, the support (or lack thereof) given to the dept. by SFT and his short-sighted minions. That's what's at issue here.

Date: Aug 28, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: All so known
"Check the smell on your arches, Barefoot. I think you've wandered into the bovine bastille of unloved academes from Semesters Past."

My, My, All so known. I see you still carry your 8th grade Junior Dictionary around with you.