Reports on PC Meeting - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Sep 2, 2004

Reports on PC Meeting

Date: Sep 2, 2004

Thanks reporter. You're doing great.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

USN&WR

The discussion of the USN&WR tier four rating centered on USM data for items that are used in the ranking. It compared 2004 to the 2003 data. I must admit there was very little change in the numbers. Most either stayed the same or went up. SFT couldn’t understand if things go up why we received a lower tier ranking. However there were a few items not reported. For example, in 2003 “freshman in top 10%V of HS class” was 36%, but not reported in 2004. In 2003 “alumni Giving Rate” was 18% and in 2004 it wasn’t reported.

This was the point when people started asking why items weren’t reported. SFT said this was under the Office of the Provost. He said people claim he micromanages, but if he really micromanaged he would have made sure this was reported.

Someone pointed out that the graduate school changed in the reorganization and maybe the reports fell through the cracks during reorganization. I believe SFT again referred to the Provost on this. So he seems to be putting the blame on TH, although the name was never mentioned.

See the Hattiesburg American article on this issue.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

Affirmative Action

Russ Willis lead the discussion in a very professional way. The plan is to move AA into the Department of Human Resources to save $113k (SFT pointed out this was a real savings and not a reallocation.) They said the person responsible will have other duties, but there would be no lost of quality. When questioned about terminations, Willis answered there would be only two terminations to accomplish this reorganization.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

Reporter,

Thank you so much for your careful reporting to the rest of us on the meeting. A lot of important things were discussed and it's good to get the straight scoop (instead of PR spin). I loved your description of the senator, Lisa Mader, and credibility!!!

NO Quarter!!!

Date: Sep 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"Affirmative Action Russ Willis lead the discussion in a very professional way. The plan is to move AA into the Department of Human Resources to save $113k (SFT pointed out this was a real savings and not a reallocation.) They said the person responsible will have other duties, but there would be no lost of quality. When questioned about terminations, Willis answered there would be only two terminations to accomplish this reorganization. "

What's the story about the thousands of starfish lying on the beach? Something about a little kid throwing them back into the sea one by one? The adult asks "Why are you doing this? It can't possibly make a difference." The child answers "It makes all the difference in the world to the ones I throw back."

Forgive me for bastardizing a cute story but the message is "what about these two?" Becky Woodrick and the other "to be terminated" person do not deserve this. Becky, in particular, is not a victim of reorganization. She is a victim of retaliation.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Sap for a sad story
" What's the story about the thousands of starfish lying on the beach? Something about a little kid throwing them back into the sea one by one? The adult asks "Why are you doing this? It can't possibly make a difference." The child answers "It makes all the difference in the world to the ones I throw back." Forgive me for bastardizing a cute story but the message is "what about these two?" Becky Woodrick and the other "to be terminated" person do not deserve this. Becky, in particular, is not a victim of reorganization. She is a victim of retaliation."

Hear, hear!!! I couldn't agree with you more. This is a non-response (I'm blaming SFT, not Russ Willis for this). It is HUGE when you take a professional like Becky Woodrick who devotes 100% of her job to dealing with important issues like affirmative action, harrassment in the workplace, mediation services, etc. and downgrade the position to a half-time or quarter-time position for someone who is most obviously NOT as well-versed in these issues(if they are bragging about saving money, you can be sure that this person that they shift these responsibilities to will not be in the same league professionally as Woodrick). AA/EEOC work requires a commitment of time and energy (plus a knowledge of intricate laws and requirements of all kinds). No offense to the person taking over these duties, but there's no way in h*** that there won't be a loss in quality, no matter what SFT or the spin meisters say.

And, by the way, I love the image of the dumbfounded LSM standing speechless in the face of her own mistakes. Wish I could've seen it in person!

Date: Sep 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"
Hear, hear!!! I couldn't agree with you more. This is a non-response (I'm blaming SFT, not Russ Willis for this). It is HUGE when you take a professional like Becky Woodrick who devotes 100% of her job to dealing with important issues like affirmative action, harrassment in the workplace, mediation services, etc. and downgrade the position to a half-time or quarter-time position for someone who is most obviously NOT as well-versed in these issues(if they are bragging about saving money, you can be sure that this person that they shift these responsibilities to will not be in the same league professionally as Woodrick). AA/EEOC work requires a commitment of time and energy (plus a knowledge of intricate laws and requirements of all kinds). No offense to the person taking over these duties, but there's no way in h*** that there won't be a loss in quality, no matter what SFT or the spin meisters say.
And, by the way, I love the image of the dumbfounded LSM standing speechless in the face of her own mistakes. Wish I could've seen it in person!"

This reminded me, I forgot to say that Myron Henry made almost these exact comments in the meeting. I need help from other PCers to recall all the details. But you would have been happy to hear these points mentioned. The senators and faculty dominated most, if not all, of these discussions. It was almost like a faculty senate meeting.

I also forgot to mention that SFT stood during the Lisa Mader criticism, but didn't get a chance to speak for some time. I had the feeling Mader was just taking the heat for following orders, but it may be her comments to the press could have been in haste and not thought out.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

Russ Willis should be ashamed of himself . Becky Woodrick has been one of his stauchest supporters.

Date: Sep 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
". . . AA/EEOC work requires a commitment of time and energy (plus a knowledge of intricate laws and requirements of all kinds). . . ."

Maybe Russ Willis himself will be handling AA/EEOC matters. He does have a law degree. If this is the case, I cannot imagine him taking on these additional responsibilities without additional compensation.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"Maybe Russ Willis himself will be handling AA/EEOC matters. He does have a law degree. If this is the case, I cannot imagine him taking on these additional responsibilities without additional compensation."

Well, imagine it. This time last year, I could'nt have imagined that Glamser and Stringer would've been treated the way they were by SFT, and that the English Dept. would've lost Gary Stringer, David Berry, Susan Malone, Mary Robison, and possibly Noel Polk in one year. Imagining Russ taking on the AA/EEOC job along with his other responsibilities seems mild by comparison, unfortunately.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

I heard that Tammy Greer broke into the long, critical speech and attempted to "bail out" SFT and LSM at the PUC meeting yesterday. What the heck? Also, Russ Willis is simply falling into line.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: balk
"I heard that Tammy Greer broke into the long, critical speech and attempted to "bail out" SFT and LSM at the PUC meeting yesterday. What the heck? Also, Russ Willis is simply falling into line."

I find it difficult to believe that either of those persons would adopt the position you describe. My guess is that anyone who was there and who reported such a thing, or possibly you when it was reported to you, misunderstood, was not paying attention, or perhaps experienced a slip-of-the-ear.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: balk
"I heard that Tammy Greer broke into the long, critical speech and attempted to "bail out" SFT and LSM at the PUC meeting yesterday. What the heck? Also, Russ Willis is simply falling into line."

The senator had finished and was seated before Greer spoke, no "break in" occurred. I believe she used a different tone to try to get a response from Lisa Mader. She did suggest to Mader that perhaps she spoke in haste or maybe had another excuse. But I don't recall Mader's replying. Finally, I wouldn't call it a "bail out", but rather a skillful approach after the scolding LM received from the senator. I can't say it was planned "teamwork", but it impressed me as well done. Several other faculty contributed also.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

Sorry I said that about Russ Willis. Don't know him well but think he is a great guy trying to do a good job.

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote on this from today's HA:

During the meeting, assistant professor of psychology Tammy Greer questioned the coverage of the school by the media, citing the Hattiesburg American.

Thames expressed cynicism about the newspaper's coverage of Southern Miss, saying there was "more accurate coverage in The Clarion Ledger and The Sun Herald than in our own paper."

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: pitch
"quote on this from today's HA:
During the meeting, assistant professor of psychology Tammy Greer questioned the coverage of the school by the media, citing the Hattiesburg American.
Thames expressed cynicism about the newspaper's coverage of Southern Miss, saying there was "more accurate coverage in The Clarion Ledger and The Sun Herald than in our own paper." "

To be fair it should be noted that Tammy Greer was also critical of Lisa Mader's press statements. Greer clearly explained how one of Mader's press statements (not the one being discussed) was very good up to a point then it became negative by being critical of faculty (I believe). Greer showed her how, if Mader had ended her statement at a critical point, the press release would have been positive and more pleasant to read. (I’m trying to remember here, so these are not the exact words.)

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
" To be fair it should be noted that Tammy Greer was also critical of Lisa Mader's press statements. Greer clearly explained how one of Mader's press statements (not the one being discussed) was very good up to a point then it became negative by being critical of faculty (I believe). Greer showed her how, if Mader had ended her statement at a critical point, the press release would have been positive and more pleasant to read. (I’m trying to remember here, so these are not the exact words.) "

Tammy is definitely someone who will try to raise people up to a higher standard of action rather than berating them . . . . her criticisms can easily be overlooked if you don't listen closely. Sounds to me as though she and Ray did an excellent bad cop/good cop routine yesterday, with Myron playing toward the middle ground.

These are really three outstanding folks and it sounds to me as though the faculty reps are aquitting themselves well and that the press is getting the message that the faculty are thoughtful and deeply invested in trying to make the university effective as an institution of high education for this state . . .

I have always believed that in any format in which issues could be seriously discussed and differing points of view presented and supported, that the faculty would be able to gain the hgh ground . . . . I think that the PUC has proved to be the forum for the kind of exchnages that we have needed but never were able to achieve . . . how ironic is that?

Date: Sep 3, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"
Tammy is definitely someone who will try to raise people up to a higher standard of action rather than berating them . . . . her criticisms can easily be overlooked if you don't listen closely. Sounds to me as though she and Ray did an excellent bad cop/good cop routine yesterday, with Myron playing toward the middle ground.
These are really three outstanding folks and it sounds to me as though the faculty reps are aquitting themselves well and that the press is getting the message that the faculty are thoughtful and deeply invested in trying to make the university effective as an institution of high education for this state . . .
I have always believed that in any format in which issues could be seriously discussed and differing points of view presented and supported, that the faculty would be able to gain the hgh ground . . . . I think that the PUC has proved to be the forum for the kind of exchnages that we have needed but never were able to achieve . . . how ironic is that?"

As usual, this is very perceptive of you Stephen. I hope these statements make it into your book.

Date: Sep 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"
Tammy is definitely someone who will try to raise people up to a higher standard of action rather than berating them . . . . her criticisms can easily be overlooked if you don't listen closely. Sounds to me as though she and Ray did an excellent bad cop/good cop routine yesterday, with Myron playing toward the middle ground.

. . . . . I think that the PUC has proved to be the forum for the kind of exchnages that we have needed but never were able to achieve . . . how ironic is that?"

Really? Did the faculty actually "Good Cop/Bad Cop" SFT and LM with the press present? Too bad WDAM wasn't there; I would pay good money for a video of that meeting.

If this continues SFT will have to find a larger room for these PUC meetings.

Date: Sep 4, 2004

Maybe this proves that the university is not part of the "real world" after all. In the "real" world, in most businesses, LM would be gone after that display re: USNWR. Wonder how much longer till ST feeds her to the wolves? Then who will he have?

Date: Sep 4, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: New Adjunct
"Maybe this proves that the university is not part of the "real world" after all. In the "real" world, in most businesses, LM would be gone after that display re: USNWR. Wonder how much longer till ST feeds her to the wolves? Then who will he have?"

There's always Kenbot!

He can handle the job avalanche. Buried In Snow