Question for Board - USM Forum -- Message Board

Moderator · Status: Offline

Question for Board

LeftASAP · Status: Offline

Moderator, it doesn't bother me. I quit reading that thread some time ago.

truth4usmAH · Status: Offline

Well, you might be surprised to hear this from me, but I have no problem with him posting and re-posting on his own little thread. If only he would stay on his own little thread.

Truth

Cossack · Status: Offline

Moderator,

I am not sure where this is headed. There have been several posts that indicate that COB posters are not welcome and those posters would be happy if we would leave. Some are more magnanimous and would allow COB a ghetto where we could post so long as we did not bother the folks up in the big house. If that is the sense of this Board and the moderator, please let us know. As I have stated before, I disagree with many posts and with the topics of many of the threads. As an eighteenth century liberal (known now as a conservative) I maintain the view that I do not have to read that which I did not find interesting or I do not agree. I greatly enjoyed the ability to post and read other posts and ignore those I did not. The Board has provided information, insights and amusement. I also have developed a fondness for several posters I know only by their posting name. Many of them have a focus and philosophy quite different from me and with whom I seldom agree. Now we have several posters whose philosophy is, “I do not like what you post and I will defend my right to silence you". I find this rather sad when it occurs in a university setting. However, I am a strong proponent of well defined property rights. You have the property rights to this Board and thus the right to determine what can and can not be placed on this Board, and I will respect your wishes. I also understand some of the constraints under which you operate. However, If the Board becomes a closed and narrow collection of posters who cheer lead for each other, it will reduce its appeal, reduce the intellectual level of the discourse, and the readership of the Board.

Cossack · Status: Offline

Do you think it is appropriate for Dr. DePree to post frequent excerpts from his own website on this one?

I am sorry, I meant to include this in my previous post. In the past week, we have had several posts of newspaper articles that are available online to everyone who reads and posts on this Board. I have read posts where we were encouraged to log on to sites including some web sites of individuals. Dr. Depree has posted under his own name long before we had registration, while others, such as me, hide behind a pseudonym. With registration, it is easy to determine who I am and I put in that information willingly. Many of the attacks on Dr. Depree were from posters who were anonymous and most have disappeared since registration has been required.

Chauncey DePree · Status: Offline

Moderator wrote:

Do you think it is appropriate for Dr. DePree to post frequent excerpts from his own website on this one?
Please comment. If necessary, you may use private message. Your private comments will remain so.

I will leave this post up this evening.

I'll not vote on this issue. Do what you will. I'll note, however, that Thames et al must take enjoyment in the prospects of your proposed censorship, however limited or extensive.

You step up and take on a dysfunctional institution. Fools will nip at your heals, but you must remain focused on objectives. Among our objectives is to open the USM Foundation to freedom of information requests. We are also opening CoB and USM to public review and administrators are fighting hard to keep the school's decision process secret. How do you possibly expect it to happen? With one big bang! Aha! We have an open, well-functioning university! It happens a step at a time, one piece of information at a time. Change comes slowly and details are part of the process. It is a struggle. If you don't want to read about someone who is opening our school one step at a time, so be it. Exclude me from your Board.

-- Edited by Web Master at 17:56, 2006-07-28

Moderator · Status: Offline

Cossack wrote:

I have read posts where we were encouraged to log on to sites including some web sites of individuals. Dr. Depree has posted under his own name long before we had registration, while others, such as me, hide behind a pseudonym. With registration, it is easy to determine who I am and I put in that information willingly. Many of the attacks on Dr. Depree were from posters who were anonymous and most have disappeared since registration has been required.

Each nom requires registration and a unique email address, some posters are not registering multiple noms. However, in point of fact, Dr. DePree has posted anonymously on this board. This is not a criticism of him, as we all do that, it is just a fact.

I share your frustration about the links to newspaper articles.

The issue is about the frequency and volume of Dr. DePree's references to his website and quotations from same. Some are perceiving an effort to overwhelm this board, along with references to Gary and Frank to ally his issues to theirs in our minds, and an effort to accuse and demonize anyone who objects to anything he does. (These are the sentiments in the privates messages.)

It may be of interest that at least one long-time, intellectual poster is thinking of no longer posting, and another is thinking of setting up her own board. Which anybody can do.

The statement in red may be in error.

-- Edited by Moderator at 20:30, 2006-07-28

Chauncey DePree · Status: Offline

I have not posted on this Board anonymously. To say otherwise is a lie. Now it is for you to prove you claim.

Moderator · Status: Offline

Very well, I retract that statement until I have time to review the logs in more detail. I have made mistakes before.

However, no one cares whether you posted anonymously at some point in the past. It is immaterial.

Cossack · Status: Offline

It may be of interest that at least one long-time, intellectual poster is thinking of no longer posting, and another is thinking of setting up her own board. Which anybody can do.

And they are doing this because of COB posters, or Dr. Depree's posts, or because they are bored? If your goal is to make this Board a Liberal Arts Board only, you are making great headway. As I stated in a previous post, if you do not want COB posters, and that includes Dr. Depree, just tell us. I will stop posting and discontinue reading the Board.

LVN · Status: Offline

Well, Cossack, I'm the one setting up my own board. Partly just for fun, and partly to show how easy it is. Perhaps some of the silliness you dislike will find its way there.

As far as I am concerned, I hope you don't stop reading or posting here. You have been staunch, steady and of great value to this board. However, I am not going to make any comments to you here about Dr. DePree.

Advocate · Status: Offline

I thought the board was for all schools, therefore, I don't have a problem with his posts. HOWEVER, they do seem to overwhelm the board at times, and I tend to ignore them at that point. It would be best for everyone if he kept one or two posts that he put his updates on. I wouldn't want anyone excluded and in fact, some of the information on his website is very interesting -- but it isn't the only thing I want to read about or discuss.

Why doesn't he attach his own board to his website, where detailed discussions about his information can be debated at length.

On a different note, am I the only one that has difficulty trying to navigate his website? It seems messy and difficult to find the new information each week. That's just my pov.

Web Master · Status: Offline

No one is being banned from this board (at this time). Do remember that this is a privately-owned board...not directly affiliated with the USM-AAUP or its parent company, or any subsidiaries thereof. Therefore, the Web Master can and will do what s/he deems fit in any situation.

That is all.