Enough Already - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Aug 6, 2004

Enough Already

Date: Aug 6, 2004

LVN,

I agree. The CBED stuff has gotten way out of hand.

Robert Campbell

Date: Aug 6, 2004

It has, but it appears you do not like it because you are not apart of it. Now you have insight into how others have viewed the liberal arts posts for months. I stand by my statement that this should be an outlet to vent, within reason, and it certainly is better when we all know what or who is being discussed. To receive tolerance, one must be tolerant. Let's all stay together and remember what the goals are. Please?

Date: Aug 6, 2004

If someone was surfing the internet and stumbled across this message board, they would undoubtedly think the problems at USM were limited to COAL and CBED. Little, if any, board actiity can be traced to the other colleges. Are the problems at USM largely limited to COAL and CBED. Reading the threads gives one the impression that things are business as usual in the other colleges.

Date: Aug 6, 2004

I agree with you, LVN, in that I don't know anything about the CBED situation--not one thing. Yet, I also don't like the tone of the posts about what's happening over there. I've thought a lot about this, and I've wondered about posts on the old Fire Shelby board that pushed the envelope. Heck, there's even a post in the Rumor Box above that accuses a polymer science professor of being racist.

My vote? I'm all for free speech as long as it is not harming anyone. I think that the "rules" as stated above by Amy Young say very generally that free speech will be the rule of this board. The Web Master has added a clause saying that attacks on board members will not be tolerated, nor will "malicious behavior" (or something like that). Is malicious behavior happening on the CBED posts? Maybe. I just don't know.

All I know to do is the same thing I do when there are books I don't want to read for their content, or songs that I don't want to hear on the radio, or website I don't want to visit. I just don't read them/turn the song off/don't visit the website. I figure the more attention we all pay to these posts, the longer they'll hang around (and vice-versa). I choose to not post to the CBED threads (for the most part), and I plan to continue that policy.

Truth

Date: Aug 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Net Surfer
"If someone was surfing the internet and stumbled across this message board, they would undoubtedly think the problems at USM were limited to COAL and CBED. Little, if any, board actiity can be traced to the other colleges. Are the problems at USM largely limited to COAL and CBED. Reading the threads gives one the impression that things are business as usual in the other colleges. "

Don't forget CEP. Things don't seem to be business as usual there. That just leaves COST (things probably are business as usual there) and COH (new dean).

Date: Aug 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Don't forget CEP. Things don't seem to be business as usual there."

I can't identify which posts are from CEP. In a word or two, what is the theme of the problems there?

Date: Aug 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Don't forget CEP. Things don't seem to be business as usual there. That just leaves COST (things probably are business as usual there) and COH (new dean). "

Yes, CoST is booming. Someone kept pointing this out all spring. As Babbs list grew very few were from CoST. I heard that Dean Gandy said they filled almost all of the opening they did have from last year. But I believe they expanded. We will see in the fall when it all settles out.

Date: Aug 6, 2004

i can't even decide how much division exists in COAL. most of the posters here seem to talk about the english department. to state the obvious: COAL is not just the english department.

Date: Aug 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"i can't even decide how much division exists in COAL. most of the posters here seem to talk about the english department. to state the obvious: COAL is not just the english department."

Solidarity is high in COAL. I think English is mentioned a lot because it is a large department that has seen very high attrition as of late.

Date: Aug 6, 2004

And the colleges that Shelby doesn't like are playing right into his hands.

Meanwhile, COST is leading the way to Mississippi Polytechnic (on the other thread about USM's niche, there's the answer). At the risk of sounding like our old "friend" Seeker, I hope people will be "red-blooded" enough to share the blame.

Shelby is laughing his you-know-what off watching the dissension on this board.

Why wasn't the FireShelby board like this (until the end)?

Date: Aug 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Net Surfer
"I can't identify which posts are from CEP. In a word or two, what is the theme of the problems there?"

The theme of the problems there have to do with many of the same issues as other colleges. It's not so bad that Pierce is viewed in the same light as some of the other deans. He actually holds quite a bit of respect from a small majority there. He and Berman are in the interesting position of being the Dean and Assoc. Dean of a certain chair who curries a lot of favor from the Dome. CISE has been distinguished with both the person who received the highest mid-year merit raise and the people who recieved the largest Midas money. If nepotism hadn't had a hand in all those decisions, it might be a better place.

Date: Aug 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Like many other "old time" posters I have avoided posting to the CBED threads, because I don't know the people or the situation. However, the posts are getting seriously out of hand, if not downright nasty. Possibly you folks need your own message board so you can duke it out amongst yourselves. I don't doubt you all have serious issues, as does everyone else on campus, but the rap lyrics, and talk of people shooting other people is way, way over the line. Other Old Timers and Webmaster, what do you say?"

Yea, it's all about liberal arts and the eng. dept. on this board, isn't it. You should just stay away from the thread then if you dont like it and leave the rest of us alone please.

Date: Aug 7, 2004

RETAIN THE FOCUS

Reminiscent of March-May, once again be that community with a common goal.

The discussions about niche, strategic direction, shared governance, and PR are the most important ones now. Work through all the resources at your disposal. Balance doing the right thing for students, staff, and colleagues here and now with creating a USM that you would be proud to associate with yourself, invite junior faculty to join, and send your own children and grandchildren to attend.

What do we know about the strategic plan, other than the 20,000 student goal and increased external funding? Even the wise dark bishop doesn't know this answer (and he has asked) so USM marches toward 20,000 and funds-grasping in very different, often conflicting, ways. Everyone has ignored the galloping horse - doing lots of damage with his flying hooves kicking up in all directions - good people are ultimately going to have to clean up all the mess. Of course, RC. The MC is not nearly the problem that some of you have made her out to be - current spin is not nearly as dangerous as long-term strategy.

Much of what has happened on this board this summer has not been productive...except for those (not all of whom reside in the dome) who thrive on chaos and dissent. It has been the culture of USM for a long time. It's going to take time and concerted effort by people of good faith to change that culture.

Date: Aug 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chess
"RETAIN THE FOCUS
Reminiscent of March-May, once again be that community with a common goal.
The discussions about niche, strategic direction, shared governance, and PR are the most important ones now. Work through all the resources at your disposal. Balance doing the right thing for students, staff, and colleagues here and now with creating a USM that you would be proud to associate with yourself, invite junior faculty to join, and send your own children and grandchildren to attend.
What do we know about the strategic plan, other than the 20,000 student goal and increased external funding? Even the wise dark bishop doesn't know this answer (and he has asked) so USM marches toward 20,000 and funds-grasping in very different, often conflicting, ways. Everyone has ignored the galloping horse - doing lots of damage with his flying hooves kicking up in all directions - good people are ultimately going to have to clean up all the mess. Of course, RC. The MC is not nearly the problem that some of you have made her out to be - current spin is not nearly as dangerous as long-term strategy.
Much of what has happened on this board this summer has not been productive...except for those (not all of whom reside in the dome) who thrive on chaos and dissent. It has been the culture of USM for a long time. It's going to take time and concerted effort by people of good faith to change that culture.
"

Someone please remind me who RC and MC are.
Did I ever know who galloping horse or the dark bishop were?

Date: Aug 7, 2004

Chess,

My international problems are almost taken care of. I have received your messages requesting assistance and I'll be there shortly. You've learned well and still have many important pieces on the board. Stay strong and keep the faith.

BF

Date: Aug 16, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: LVN
"Like many other "old time" posters I have avoided posting to the CBED threads, because I don't know the people or the situation. However, the posts are getting seriously out of hand, if not downright nasty.

Yep, LVN you got it right. Trueth is right and he does not know the players.