I've been away from the board and recently read some of the comments regarding making this board "members-only". I've tried to add my 2 cents every so often.

Many know I'm a faculty member and that many of the comments from the (large number of) contributors have been very insightful, thought-out and full of reason.  Others (from outside our campus like Robert Campbell) share our concerns, and wish to contribute to our cause. Others away from the USM campus have contributed as well (past faculty (Frank G, Jim H. and those who have left because they were not tenured or given a contract like Melissa W. or terminated like Terry K., and the other members of the 125 who have left USM).

 I see this board as a forum for comments (both positive/negative), the sharing of ideas, concerns and reasonable discussion of some the problems facing this faculty, the staff (they read this board too), and students (both undergrad and grad -like Truth4usm/AH).  Some individuals have also abused this board, but readers have the option of reading or jumping to another posting.  No one is forcing you read or to contribute to this board.  I see this forum as an opportunity to contribute one's viewpoint.  When you limit communication, you stop the voice of many others.  I would hope that Amy Young and the AAUP ex committee will NOT limit the sharing of ideas and comments.  I would hope they will not stop this OPEN "communication" we have shared since the Fire Shelby site "went off the air".  I would hope those who have expressed that this be a members-only board will rethink their view point and consider this:  If your comments were not able to be posted or not allowed to be expressed on this board (about changing the board to members-only), YOUR voice would have not been heard............Allow the voices free to comment, keep the door to communication open, keep this board free.