I heard that too...and that all of the marginal "probationary" students from junior colleges will be accepted for the fall - no questions asked.

I was in the union today (7/1/04) while Preview was in 'full swing'. Whoa! Normally, over the last several years, when it is a Preview day the union is a tough place to traverse. And trying to get a cup of coffee at Seymore's is a guaranteed long wait.

Not today! I would guestimate that maybe 200 people were there over the course of the whole morning. It looked pretty empty when compaired to previous summer Preview sessions. I also hear that the dorms will not even come close to having capacity in any dorm, except for McCarty Hall.

And yes, I have heard that a lot of students are transferring to MSU and MC. I have not heard that many are going to UM. CBA seems to be a college that is going to take a big hit this fall.

There will be plenty of available seats in the FB stadium this fall in the student section. I hope the athletic supporters are proud of what their efforts have done for MSU and the rest of the state colleges.

Man, you guys are depressing.  Riddle me this - if SFT and Dvorak had just left GS and FG to do their business (or, heaven forbid, just admitted Angie's CV mistakes) would we be having this discussion today?  I know it would still stink to have SFT around, but I don't think the university as a whole would be suffering as it is - big Shelby, playing his violin on the top of the Dome while the University burns to the ground below his feet.....

i wouldn't overread the attendance at any single preview session.  i saw the COAL group yesterday, not as big as the first session, but not small either.  i'm in a smaller department, and it's not unusual for us to not have a student at a preview session.  don't think we had one yesterday.  been that way for years.  don't forget--there was an april preview and the word among a number of high school students was to go then--get out of school for a day and get first dibs on classes before they begin to get closed.  in april, we had 8-10 students. 

Dear Readers,

 

Happy 4th of July weekend to you all.  For the last month, I have had the privilege of actively reading messages and participating in discussions, when I saw fit (I also lurked around the Fire Shelby board when it was up too).  I hold different views on the Administration than most people on this board.  Nevertheless, being the genuine person that I strive to be, I strive to treat all people alike by accepting contrasting opinions and by not ridiculing others for having different views than I do on an issue.  Furthermore, I am not a board troll and attempt to instigate trouble and retalliate on those who hold opposing views than mine.  (I usually tend to ask questions for my own benefit, to better understand the situation/topic at hand.)

 

Recently, however, I think that the topics appearing on this message board are becoming sad and distasteful.  Some posters are continuously looking too deeply into topics that have appeared lately on the board, such as enrollment for a particular Southern Miss Preview.  As a student who actively participates in every Preview this summer, I feel obliged to dispel any rumors and idle talk that have surfaced in regards to this topic.

 

First and foremost, consider the date for the July 1 Preview.  As others have said, it precedes the 4th of July holiday.  That alone is reason enough for only around 250 students to come through.  Another reason for the small numbers is the fact that we saw probably the largest turnout of incoming freshman and transfers (around 475, if I am not mistaken) come through last Saturday.  Secondly, let it be noted that historically speaking, the Preview following a Saturday Preview always has had the lowest turnout of students.

 

Finally, restating what several other optimistic posters have mentioned above me, I would like to encourage all of you to look at the total outcome of ALL Previews and not just singling out one in particular.  An estimated 450-plus students have come through EACH of the first three Previews BEFORE the July 1st Preview.  Also, look forward to the final Preview as the largest Preview, which is yet to come.  That Preview will be seeing that all of the last minute registrants also have the opportunity to receive the very best care and attention as the students who came through during Priority Preview (which occurred during the spring semester).

 

It has already been predicted that once again this incoming class will have the largest class of students in the history of Southern Miss.  My concern, like Green Hornet’s, is the question of whether or not we will have enough sections for each class to meet the needs of such a large number of students?  Classes are filling up and closing fast, I sure hope that we can register and get the students for the next two Previews into the classes that they need.

 

Respectfully,

Involved Student

Involved Student,

I applaud your concerns and appreciate what you have said about Preview. Obviously, you appear to be the type of student that USM is proud to have enrolled in this institution.

Yes, sometimes we go from the ridiculous to the sublime because this Board is comprised of USM related (faculty, administration, community members, students, relatives, and friends) and non-USM related (second verse same as the first) people who all approach the topics on this Board from a wide and diverse range of perspectives. No one who (looking for the right word here, but it escapes me so I'll give several adverbs) knowingly, honestly, ethically, and passionately  writes a response to any topic posted on this board wants to see USM fail. People are concerned with Preview #'s and might seem vindictive about it only because they themselves are frustrated by the caving demise of what used to be an institution of which we were all proud to somehow call "ours". No one wants to see USM fail.  USM is much bigger than the Thames family and the related cabal, it's much bigger than being an afterthought behind Miss State and Ole Miss. Many of us saw something very special in USM, and, by the same token, many of us want to see it thrive. We get silly on here at times, we often are sarcastic, but it's only another way to vent and venting relieves the frustration that we currently feel. I think back to the spring of 2001 and sadly marvel at how everything here has changed. At that point, I was very proud to say that I was associated with USM, and I took pride in our collaborative efforts. My situation here has now changed. However,  I don't want to see the number of enrollees drop or see USM become an arm of the 2 major institutions above I-20, and I don't think anyone else really does either.

You know, USM used to be the Little Engine That Could. It crossed some steep mountains with a number of burdens, but it achieved (and actually cared about achieving) its goals in spite of the setbacks.

A complaining faculty/staff? I don't think so. In closing, here's hoping that the Thames administration is only remembered someday as a setback that spurred invested souls to dig  in and achieve academically ethical goals that are supposed to be the grounding of any great university.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Malapropism
" As someone who contributed to the silliness on the website today, I want to thank you for everything you said in the last post.  Today seemed like the most active day yet on this new board and the one most reminiscent of the FireShelby days - the days that got us all through a terribly difficult time.  Today was a combination of infomation, humor, commentary, and cameraderie. Your last post reminds us that it is important to welcome new people and to take the time to explain."

Thanks for recognizing that I spoke from the heart. When the heart is invested, the mind usually follows the same channel.

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quote:

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Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"educator--as a fellow faculty member, i echo your thoughts."

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You and I agree with Elvis Costello -- "My aim is true"

Your thoughts* truly speak above all others.

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The Shadow- For the past two years (beginning with my Freshman Year, 2002) I have heard Dr. Joe Paul address the incoming classes at the start of the fall semester as the largest incoming class entering Southern Miss.

Now, obviously I cannot confirm that because I do not work for the Registrar's office or for the Administration.  However, seeing how Dr. Paul is a well-respected man on campus, I certainly believe that there is some truth to what he says.

Regards,
Involved Student