“The university is not a place for a president or faculty to become the center of attention. The University of Southern Mississippi is a place where I'll be sending my child this fall to learn. Educating my freshman daughter and all the other students is what the president and the faculty are in the business to do. My expectations are that the university family gets on with its stated mission.”
And sent to the IHL by certified mail. It really is a thoughtful letter. The University, and the IHL, should let the faculty get on with the task of educating students and stop putting such insurmountable barriers in their way.
First, the phrase "university family" makes me wanna barf. I know, I know that the "university family" phrase is one that college presidents nationwide have been parroting (no offense to African Greys intended) ad nauseum for the past few years. It's become a buzz word like "worl' class" or "outcomes assessment" & doesn't at all reflect the reality that most "university families" are pretty dysfunctional. USM's is just more dysfunctional than most.
Second, the letter implies that faculty and administration are equally to blame for the "situation" at USM. This is the old "Seeker thesis," which I personally think is total baloney.
quote: Originally posted by: Hardy St. Home Companion "Let me try to rephrase that somewhat: There can be no peaceful coexistance between administrative incompetence and academic integrity. "
I hope Mr. Wonderful makes a note of HSHC's quote!
Invictus, your point is well taken. But I think we have to consider the source, an out of state parent who is interested in his child's education and not knowledgable about USM's real situation.