Class of 2003 < 1. mass exodus or "graduation" of USM administrators (graduation=fired, forced out, fled, etc., their admin positions) during 2003 (and very early 2004); 2. graduating class includes David Anderson (VP for Facilities and Physical Plant), Jane Boudreaux (Dean CHHS), Marie Farrell (Dean, CN), Bill Gunther (Dean CBA), Terry Harper (Dean CLA), Jim Hollandsworth (Graduate School Dean), Susan Hollandsworth (Director of USM Capital Campaign), Robert Lochhead (Dean COST), Carl Martray (Dean EdPsych), Linda McFall (VP of Financial Affairs), Mark Miller (Dean CIE), Cheryl Mowdy (Director of Grants & Contracts), Mary Ann Stringer (Dean CA), Sam Thomas (Financial Affairs Controller), Homer Wesley (Assoc. VP for Student Affairs), Jim Wyld (CFO, USM Foundation).

Honors Forum < 1. Honors College-sponsored events attended by Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Pulitzer Prize-winning writers, and other international luminaries; 2. cancelled at the end of 2003-2004 by Shelby Thames, on advice of cronies, for not contributing to USM’s quest to be a world class university ("practical arts" institution).

I’m not a walking, talking, blithering idiot < 1. statement made by Shelby Thames at a Faculty Senate meeting in September of 2002 in response to a question relating to whether he knew the difference between evaluating the study of John Milton and evaluating the study of environmentally-friendly paint; 2. Shelby Thames’ actual response: "I would hope you can look at me and understand I’m not a walking, talking, blithering idiot. I understand there’s a difference in teaching and research in the arts, the sciences."; 3. USM faculty "looked at" Thames for another 18 months, and in March of 2004, voted 430-32 against the understanding that he was not "a walking, talking, blithering idiot."

privatization < contracting with private sector entities for the provision of student services, such as meals and textbook service (both are rumored to be imminent as of 4/04).