When I went to bed last night around 2 a.m., the total was 320; it is now (around noon) 350; I NEVER expected the rate of additions would be this quick! We are on a roll; let's keep the momentum going! The signatures themselves important, but the comments add extra impact; it's inspiring to read them and realize that USM has lots of support around the country.
We are now at 352 - Let's try to make it over 400 before the sun sets. We know the people who will support the cause. Get bold and aggressive and ignore the trolls
quote: Originally posted by: messy "Thanks so much Mr. Evans. No doubt the rapid increase in names is due to your hard work. A professor from Yale signed!! That's amazing. Thanks everyone. Keep up the awesome advertisement of the petition. "
If the professor from Yale to whom you are alluding is the same one whose name I also noticed, it may interest people on the board to know that she is one of THE most eminent scholars in whole field of Renaissance studies. Many of the other names on the petition are also those of people with world-wide reputations; the fact that they are concerned about what is happening in Hattiesburg should make everyone at USM feel good. It is a tribute to the way the two professors have helped move USM toward being a "world-class university" that such eminent folks are expressing their concern. In just another irony, it is President Thames who seems to be damaging the world-wide reputation of the school he probably does indeed truly love. This is all very sad.
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Evans " If the professor from Yale to whom you are alluding is the same one whose name I also noticed, it may interest people on the board to know that she is one of THE most eminent scholars in whole field of Renaissance studies. Many of the other names on the petition are also those of people with world-wide reputations; the fact that they are concerned about what is happening in Hattiesburg should make everyone at USM feel good. It is a tribute to the way the two professors have helped move USM toward being a "world-class university" that such eminent folks are expressing their concern. In just another irony, it is President Thames who seems to be damaging the world-wide reputation of the school he probably does indeed truly love. This is all very sad. "
we are at 358 as of 2:26 CST. Let's keep those numbers coming in.
I've challenged many to sign up because most of them want to do the right thing. Without a Kim Basinger endorsement - this might turn out to be even better. Let's wake up in the a.m. with over 600 signatures.
My same question. I've emailed FS about this. Tell your friend to not give up - just give us a little bit of time to figure out why (suddenly) signing your name to this petition has become such a difficult endeavor.
I think he will keep trying for awhile. Hope someone is keeping an ongoing account of names (verified). Would hate to see it get "lost" somehow. Paranoid?
Don't get paranoid yet. The last few names on there are people I know - one being an attorney who I highly respect. Even if you're Living on Shelby Time - you'd have to know that this thread won't accept you unless you understand the ramifications behind it
I've never been to Spain, but I've been to Oklahoma. Well they told me I was born there, but it really doesn't matter. In Oklahoma, not Arizona - what does it matter, what does it matter?
quote: Originally posted by: robert "I have a friend who wants to sign, but said he couldn't get in. I told him to keep trying. Why is this petition site so difficult?"
It might just be the security settings on his own computer. If he is blocking pop ups or certain scripts, he may not be able to open the petition. Tell him to try it from a different computer.
quote: Originally posted by: aghast " It might just be the security settings on his own computer. If he is blocking pop ups or certain scripts, he may not be able to open the petition. Tell him to try it from a different computer. "
Thanks, He did get in after disabling his firewall. Computers are funny things.
quote: Originally posted by: educator "My same question. I've emailed FS about this. Tell your friend to not give up - just give us a little bit of time to figure out why (suddenly) signing your name to this petition has become such a difficult endeavor."
This is not a FS venture. This is my baby. It's hosted by Petitions Online.com. I don't know why it's being difficult. I will try to find out so that everyone can sign.
Truth (AKA Andrea, for those who think I "hide" behind my username!)
quote: Originally posted by: truth4usm " This is not a FS venture. This is my baby. It's hosted by Petitions Online.com.
Does anyone know if the national AAUP is working through its many chapters to support this cause? If every chapter were notified and asked to send out information, links, requests for donations to the legal defense fund, and signatures on the petition, that might really begin to add up. Maybe this is already happening, but I thought I would mention it.
I'm honored to say that Jim Hollandsworth has signed the petition. Here is his comment:
"The great irony of this debacle is that the bumbling assault on tenure by Shelby and his fellow travelers has done more to revitalize tenure’s relevance and strengthen the perception of its importance than all of the USM faculty’s hard work and good scholarship over a lifetime."
Many brave, current faculty members have signed, too. Along with lots of alum and faculty members from other universities. We're up to 370 signatures now!
We're at 372 at 8 p.m. CST - everybody, get out there and tell people about this website. Let's see 130 more brave names on there by this time tomorrow night.
quote: Originally posted by: JustAsking " Does anyone know if the national AAUP is working through its many chapters to support this cause? If every chapter were notified and asked to send out information, links, requests for donations to the legal defense fund, and signatures on the petition, that might really begin to add up. Maybe this is already happening, but I thought I would mention it. "
This is an excellent question; I hope someone provides an answer. If this is not being done, it should be. Thanks for posing this query.
quote: Originally posted by: JustAsking " Does anyone know if the national AAUP is working through its many chapters to support this cause? If every chapter were notified and asked to send out information, links, requests for donations to the legal defense fund, and signatures on the petition, that might really begin to add up. Maybe this is already happening, but I thought I would mention it. "
A lot of AAUP folks are on on this listserv so I am sure the word is going out. I'd be suprised if it is not on the website shortly . . .
I have heard there is an executive committee meeting on Friday and a AAUP general meeting next Tuesday so I'll contact my colleagues . . .
Let's get this into the right hands. I have a close friend who is a prof at the Army War College in Carlisle PA who is sending her own email out about this. She's a big supporter of what will prove to be legal action that is unprecedented.
Originally posted by: educator "Let's get this into the right hands. I have a close friend who is a prof at the Army War College in Carlisle PA who is sending her own email out about this. She's a big supporter of what will prove to be legal action that is unprecedented."
quote: Originally posted by: present professor " A lot of AAUP folks are on on this listserv so I am sure the word is going out. I'd be suprised if it is not on the website shortly . . . I have heard there is an executive committee meeting on Friday and a AAUP general meeting next Tuesday so I'll contact my colleagues . . . "
The local AAUP website has a link to the petition (right at the top of the page, where it's very visible), which is why I now mention that website in the note I send to members of professional organizations. However, does anyone know if the NATIONAL AAUP is urging its members nationwide to sign? The petition is becoming more and more impressive with each signature. I have to say that I particularly admire the courage of the present USM faculty who are signing; you folks are an inspiration to anyone elsewhere who cares about academic integrity. The comments appended to some of the signatures make for especially inspiring reading. If USM does rise to the top, it will be because of people like the ones represented on the petition. Many thanks to all the signers!
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Evans "The local AAUP website has a link to the petition (right at the top of the page, where it's very visible), which is why I now mention that website in the note I send to members of professional organizations. However, does anyone know if the NATIONAL AAUP is urging its members nationwide to sign? The petition is becoming more and more impressive with each signature. I have to say that I particularly admire the courage of the present USM faculty who are signing; you folks are an inspiration to anyone elsewhere who cares about academic integrity. The comments appended to some of the signatures make for especially inspiring reading. If USM does rise to the top, it will be because of people like the ones represented on the petition. Many thanks to all the signers!"
Hey Robert, I second that emotion. I look at the names on the petition and could be brought to tears (those who know me know that I'm sort of a tough cookie to crack) one of my close friends in PS just forwarded it to a Poly Sci group that I think will bring more signatures since it's something that they recognize and detest as a practice. Sure, the number of names helps but the names I'm seeing speak volumes about the integrity that remains at USM. I never want to completely abandon this place ---- thanks to all who have signed. Can't wait to see the new names there tomorrow.
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Evans "The local AAUP website has a link to the petition (right at the top of the page, where it's very visible), which is why I now mention that website in the note I send to members of professional organizations. However, does anyone know if the NATIONAL AAUP is urging its members nationwide to sign? The petition is becoming more and more impressive with each signature. I have to say that I particularly admire the courage of the present USM faculty who are signing; you folks are an inspiration to anyone elsewhere who cares about academic integrity. The comments appended to some of the signatures make for especially inspiring reading. If USM does rise to the top, it will be because of people like the ones represented on the petition. Many thanks to all the signers!"
Robert: just read through all the signatories and the comments. It is really amazing -- the people and what they have to say.
I'm so glad that you remain there. We're 376 and going strong. When I look at the actual people who have signed this, I am humbled and astounded all at the same time.
quote: Originally posted by: educator "Present Prof I'm so glad that you remain there. We're 376 and going strong. When I look at the actual people who have signed this, I am humbled and astounded all at the same time. This is the true spirit of USM."
I have some colleagues who have sent the petition out to some of the major regional and national theatre organzations and graduate departments.
If I were a trekkie I'd say something like "Warp Speed Mr. Sulu . . . "
quote: Originally posted by: present professor " I have some colleagues who have sent the petition out to some of the major regional and national theatre organzations and graduate departments. If I were a trekkie I'd say something like "Warp Speed Mr. Sulu . . . " "
The signature by John King of Ohio State is most welcome; he is a truly eminent scholar in the field of Renaissance studies; others who see his name will be more inclined to sign themselves. Many thanks to him and to the other scholars from around the country who have registered their feelings about this matter.
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Evans "The signature by John King of Ohio State is most welcome; he is a truly eminent scholar in the field of Renaissance studies; others who see his name will be more inclined to sign themselves. Many thanks to him and to the other scholars from around the country who have registered their feelings about this matter."
and many thanks to you as well. Hope to see 500 by 7 p.m.
quote: Originally posted by: suggestion "suggestion - At the next gathering of concerned supporters can someone bring a laptop with a wireless connection? This way when individuals gather to... create posters at Java Werks (I think USM wireless works at Java Werks - not sure) or hang out in the Union lobby waiting for hearing updates or pass out flyers in the LAB or at the next protest people can just SIGN the petition right there! "
Total number of signatures as of midnight Thursday is 439; when the recent push for new signatures began a day or so agao the total was 320. Thus, in the past two days we have added added almost one quarter of all the signatures since the poll was originally established. Good going! But we can (of course) do even better as the countdown to the hearing begins!
quote: Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer "Total number of signatures as of midnight Thursday is 439; when the recent push for new signatures began a day or so agao the total was 320. Thus, in the past two days we have added added almost one quarter of all the signatures since the poll was originally established. Good going! But we can (of course) do even better as the countdown to the hearing begins!"
Comment from Dr. Susan Malone, USM associate professor of English (though not for long, unfortunately):
I am one of the many faculty leaving USM this year. In me, you are losing a tenured, Associate Professor, a program director, a principal investigator on a $1.1 million federal grant, a critical contributor to your NCATE accreditation process, and the co-chair of your SACS reaffirmation process.
quote: Originally posted by: truth4usm "We're up to 451 at 11:22 a.m. Comment from Dr. Susan Malone, USM associate professor of English (though not for long, unfortunately): I am one of the many faculty leaving USM this year. In me, you are losing a tenured, Associate Professor, a program director, a principal investigator on a $1.1 million federal grant, a critical contributor to your NCATE accreditation process, and the co-chair of your SACS reaffirmation process."
Speaks volumes to me. Mercer is fortunate to get someone of her caliber.
I've just sent out e-mails to 56 people asking them to sign (and write the IHL board, and give money to the defense fund, if possible). Two have already signed, and there will be more to come. If everybody did this, we'd hit 1000.
quote: Originally posted by: foot soldier "I've just sent out e-mails to 56 people asking them to sign (and write the IHL board, and give money to the defense fund, if possible). Two have already signed, and there will be more to come. If everybody did this, we'd hit 1000."
Way to go, foot soldier. Everyone needs to follow your lead.
4:15 CST and 495 votes have been registered. Look where we were a week ago today as opposed to right now. I have many colleauges who want to be a part of bringing down injustice. This administration is horrible. Everyone who signs their names should be proud of their participation in the outing of a highly unethical president.
I just got my sister's ex-husband to sign, which is a real feat, but he asked why there weren't more people from Hattiesburg signing. I was thinking about that and aside from the obvious that many people don't want to put their names out there just now, could it be that we need to do more publicity? Not everybody knows about this site. What about flyers distributed as many places as possible, on campus and off? Are there local businesses that would make those flyers available? Can students set up booths/tables and hand them out? How about suggesting to everybody you know who won't sign but sympathasizes that they instead get atI may be stating the obvious, but sometimes I get so antsy wanting to do something, and here I am a thousand miles away, so I rack my brain trying to come up with ideas. least one person to sign for them, sort of proxy-like?
quote: Originally posted by: JustAsking "I just got my sister's ex-husband to sign, which is a real feat, but he asked why there weren't more people from Hattiesburg signing. I was thinking about that and aside from the obvious that many people don't want to put their names out there just now, could it be that we need to do more publicity? Not everybody knows about this site. What about flyers distributed as many places as possible, on campus and off? Are there local businesses that would make those flyers available? Can students set up booths/tables and hand them out? How about suggesting to everybody you know who won't sign but sympathasizes that they instead get atI may be stating the obvious, but sometimes I get so antsy wanting to do something, and here I am a thousand miles away, so I rack my brain trying to come up with ideas. least one person to sign for them, sort of proxy-like? "
Fear is the factor, and there are lots of names not on this petition because of fear. I agree, that we need to push this petition more, and those tireless souls in the Hattiesburg area need to be the ones to push that "inside voice". I live 600 miles away, but have tried my best to keep this going. Truth4USm is the true heroine in this respect. How to organize some new life in this effort? FS - any ideas.
quote: Originally posted by: educator "Fear is the factor, and there are lots of names not on this petition because of fear. I agree, that we need to push this petition more, and those tireless souls in the Hattiesburg area need to be the ones to push that "inside voice". I live 600 miles away, but have tried my best to keep this going. Truth4USm is the true heroine in this respect. How to organize some new life in this effort? FS - any ideas."
Fear is indeed the reason many people are not signing it. Is there any way that Truth4USM could hide the names of the signatures? I think that the fact that Shelby can check daily to see who is signing is intimidating.
On the other hand, the comments are fantastic and need to be read by all. If there were any way to hide the names and allow the comments to stand--just on the internet, that would be great. Of course, the copy delivered to IHL would need the names to be present.
I am sure many people agree with the content of the petition, but are fearful of repercussions from Shelby and Co. (I know students who wanted to attend the first protest but who didn't, out of fear of repercussion. Campus is rife with it.)
quote: Originally posted by: " Fear is indeed the reason many people are not signing it. Is there any way that Truth4USM could hide the names of the signatures? I think that the fact that Shelby can check daily to see who is signing is intimidating. On the other hand, the comments are fantastic and need to be read by all. If there were any way to hide the names and allow the comments to stand--just on the internet, that would be great. Of course, the copy delivered to IHL would need the names to be present. I am sure many people agree with the content of the petition, but are fearful of repercussions from Shelby and Co. (I know students who wanted to attend the first protest but who didn't, out of fear of repercussion. Campus is rife with it.)"
The petition is hosted on a 3rd party site...Petitions Online. I don't think there's any way to mask the names. I know that it is a big risk for those still at USM and in Hattiesburg to sign. My primary audience, at first, was alums...those who have nothing to lose by signing their names in public (i.e. where Shelby can see). The way I see it, every name on that list represents probably 10 more people in Hattiesburg who are afraid to sign. I think that the current faculty and staff who have signed are very brave folks...kudos to them.
We each have to gauge at what level we want to make our support public. To be honest, if I still worked at USM (and in the Polymer Science Dept., at that!), I don't know what I would do. I would definitely have had to think seriously about what sort of response to make.
So, the bottom line for me is that I'd like to keep the names visible. I know it cuts down on the potential number of signers, but I think it's important for people to see the breadth and depth of support for these professors.
Boy, I am amazed -- 507 at 11:22 pm Sunday. I posted this site in my classroom and office door and encouraged my students to familiarize themselves with the issues . . . . particularly those considering a career in academia.
I found having the names of people visible to be a very moving experience. Seeing faculty members exhibiting the courage to step up is encouraging for all of us. Seeing relatives' names I did not know were there brought a tear to my eye. The many names of loyal alumni coming to the aid of their school make it very clear that this goes well beyond the faculty. The parents and students taking a stand are to be commended. The names represent real people, which is so much more than a number. My thanks go to all who have worked on the petition.
quote: Originally posted by: Ted Sherman "When I visit the petition site, I cannot read the names. I signed it a few days ago, but I'd like to read who else has. What's my problem? Ted Sherman "
Click on "View Current Signatures" or click on the numbers at the bottom of the screen. If you continue to have problems, contact me at truth@FireThames.com
Some people have had trouble with their own security settings on their computers blocking them from seeing the list. I can't see it from one of my computers, but from the other that doesn't have the same firewall, I can.
I'd like to point out something about the petition that I think no one has mentioned. Some of the faculty at other institutions who are signing are listing their degrees and the institutions that awarded them in the "Graduation date" column, which was really probably meant only for USM alums. Their "mistake" reveals lots, actually. Academic credentials mean a great deal to those of us in academia. Where you went to school and where you've been employed MEANS something. (I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.) That is why it matters WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR RESUME! Hey Angie, you could learn something from all those profs. Outside of the bizarre reality you reside in, people care about these things.
quote: Originally posted by: foot soldier "I'd like to point out something about the petition that I think no one has mentioned. Some of the faculty at other institutions who are signing are listing their degrees and the institutions that awarded them in the "Graduation date" column, which was really probably meant only for USM alums. Their "mistake" reveals lots, actually. Academic credentials mean a great deal to those of us in academia. Where you went to school and where you've been employed MEANS something. (I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.) That is why it matters WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR RESUME! Hey Angie, you could learn something from all those profs. Outside of the bizarre reality you reside in, people care about these things."
If every faculty member who voted "no confidence" if the Thames administration could urge a few relatives or friends in MS to sign this petition (I fully understand why most USM are afraid to sign openly themselves), the total could quickly reach a thousand.