daily rumor mill #27 (COST special) - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 21, 2004

daily rumor mill #27 (COST special)

Date: Jun 21, 2004

4. Word remains that RG wants to lure the ED department into COST. however several faculty there are fighting behind the scenes for this move. More later.

Should have said "against this move" rather than "for this move."

Date: Jun 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: gurunuburg
"
2. Reports are coming out now that SFT and his COST cronies are floored over how upwardly mobile non-COST faculty at USM are. As noted on babbs' list CBED, CH, CEP and COAL faculty are departing for places like Cornell, Florida, Iowa, LSU, Texas A&M, and Washington State. Even athletics departures are headed to the likes of Oklahoma and South Carolina. Nothing of note in COST --- departurewise --- except for DW's escape to Alaska, though he is far from an SFT crony. Apparently, SFT & Co are stunned at these moves, and others (George Mason, etc.) being made by "traditional" faculty types. Seems more crow for swallowing. "

This is merely more proof of how clueless SFT is. He doesn't realize that the rest of USM has strengths, other than COST. If we're all so "world-class" then other schools might want us, yes? And SFT honestly thinks he can 1) try to fire tenured profs, 2) lie to us, 3) give indiscrimate raises, 4) monitor our e-mail, etc. etc. etc., and we'll still be happy and stay here?!?!

I might note that there are also lots of folks on Babb's list that are going places that in the past I would not have considered a move "up." But these days almost anywhere IS a move up.

I'd write more, but I'm merely taking a short break from packing.

Date: Jun 21, 2004

One more thought. It might be interesting to see how many of the "upwardly mobile" got those 8% raises last year, which supposedly went to the "stars." My hypothesis is that there won't be much of a correlation between the two lists.

Date: Jun 21, 2004

I am aware of the tremendous strife within the Polymer bunch. When SFT does go, hang on for the boom in the polymer palace. But what additional areas in COST have strife? Or are you thinking about the 'newbies' that have been shoe-horned into the college, such as geography and criminal justice?

Date: Jun 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
" I might note that there are also lots of folks on Babb's list that are going places that in the past I would not have considered a move "up." But these days almost anywhere IS a move up."

Will there be a second wave of faculty departures as the "first wave" relocates and "writes home" about greener pastures? Conversely, will the departed faculty sing the praises of colleagues left languishing at USM, thus making it marginally easier for some still here to relocate six to eighteen months from now? Will faculty who believed previously that they "had" to stay in Hattiesburg for personal reasons, reassess their thinking? In short, is there any reason to think the hemorrhaging will end soon?

Date: Jun 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
"Will there be a second wave of faculty departures as the "first wave" relocates and "writes home" about greener pastures? Conversely, will the departed faculty sing the praises of colleagues left languishing at USM, thus making it marginally easier for some still here to relocate six to eighteen months from now? Will faculty who believed previously that they "had" to stay in Hattiesburg for personal reasons, reassess their thinking? In short, is there any reason to think the hemorrhaging will end soon? "

ram,

I left USM for greener pastures about a year ago and have found a great home.

I know of several colleagues at USM for whom I would write glowing recommendation letters. I have also unabashedly sent them the open position listings from where I am now. No bites so far, but I'm hoping. I think they would do the same were our positions reversed.

I would suggest that all USM faculty get out as soon as you can, while you can. Give ole' Shebby a good taste of free market economy.

Gone (and then some)

Date: Jun 21, 2004

While I am thinking of it, my name is still not listed among the departed faculty.

Also, I would be happy to help USM faculty members find a rip cord and pull it before the USM Live-Oak Goose slaps the big water for the final time. There's descent, dive, stall and spin. I think USM is in its 200th turn of a flat spin and has an inflatable (or is that inflated) dummy at the stick.

Besides, it would validate the difficult decision I made to leave good friends and would assuage some of my guilt.

Gone

Date: Jun 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Question?
"I am aware of the tremendous strife within the Polymer bunch. When SFT does go, hang on for the boom in the polymer palace. But what additional areas in COST have strife? Or are you thinking about the 'newbies' that have been shoe-horned into the college, such as geography and criminal justice?"

Please elaborate on what's happening in the Polymer Science building?

Date: Jun 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Done Gone
"While I am thinking of it, my name is still not listed among the departed faculty. Also, I would be happy to help USM faculty members find a rip cord and pull it before the USM Live-Oak Goose slaps the big water for the final time. There's descent, dive, stall and spin. I think USM is in its 200th turn of a flat spin and has an inflatable (or is that inflated) dummy at the stick. Besides, it would validate the difficult decision I made to leave good friends and would assuage some of my guilt. Gone"

If you will let us know your name, I'll make sure Babbs gets it on her list. You can email it to me at: truth@FireThames.com.