Is this for real? (HA today)

Date: May 5, 2004

Is this for real? (HA today)

Date: May 5, 2004

Yes, the writing skills of Shelby supporters (and their non-ability to create even a coherent paragraph) speak volumes.

Date: May 5, 2004

I was just about to start a thread on that one too. I guess that first paragraph was supposed to be a slam to our Lit people? LOL.

I give the HA a thumbs up for letting that letter to the editor, in all fairness, be a response for one who is pro-Thames.

I guess the author of the letter's address was checked out and he was authenticated.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: indy eagle
" LETTERS Being from the class of 1957 and a business major, I was astounded at the fact a professor has written 10,000 pages about 200 poems! It sounds like the congressional record. I understand that in his circles he has much authority. Now, let the leaders of the university lead! I remember a quote from a famous president: "The business of business is business." Get my drift. Shelby Thames is a fine man and is being treated unfairly. Mark my vote for his continued leadership. Conrad Kleinpeter, Petal "

Some people just don't get it.

Date: May 5, 2004

Indy Eagle,

I too am a USM alum, but unlike your career in business I chose a career in higher ed (outside MS). I would respectfully ask that you consider the differences between business (driven by almost exclusively by profit-at least as I understand) and education. Education should strive to instill a desire and ability to learn (any discipline). There's not a single product that emanates from a university. The very word 'university' speaks to the differences encompassed within the institution. It has been demonstrated for centuries that 'shared governance' is critical if the institution is to function. And that appears to have disapeared at USM. This latest attempt to appoint a University Council flies in the face of the idea of hammering out consensus from differing opinions and perspectives. I can imagine it's easy to perceive what's happening as rebellion and malcontents revolting against authority (and I must say that even though I believe Thames has made some foolish decisions, I could not support all that I have seen voiced on this board). I would ask you to investigate the history of higher education and learn about it's beginnings and historical importance of teaching, learning, research, and service within the context of a community where mutual respect exists.
Just an opinion,
drtdub

Date: May 5, 2004

Honestly, this is like the funniest thing I've seen in months...

First of all, a congressional record? I guess he means a Guinness record. Or maybe he wants it to be in the congressional record? Because, it belongs there, right?!?

Second, he mangles the quote: I think Coolidge said "The business of AMERICA is business"

I would like to see this letter on a T-Shirt!!! Maybe a sign at the next rally (I support Thames, then the reprinted letter)

Get my drift!

Date: May 5, 2004

hey, I didn't write that letter! I thought it was funny!

Date: May 5, 2004

What will the new University Council accomplish that the Faculty Senate could not, if a college president communicated with it?

Date: May 5, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Outside Observer
"What will the new University Council accomplish that the Faculty Senate could not, if a college president communicated with it?"

That's easy...do his bidding, and sing his praises while doing it.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 5, 2004

To me, the most astounding aspect of this letter to the editor was that this guy from Petal knows how to spell "congressional"

Date: May 5, 2004

Silly me...for a moment there I thought the administration might have been serious about improving communication. It's been my experience that administrators want to make it look like they're doing something without actually doing it.

We spend a lot of time trying to make it look like faculty are involved in decision making, when, in fact, they are not.

Wquote:

Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
" That's easy...do his bidding, and sing his praises while doing it. Robert Campbell"

Date: May 5, 2004

I thought it was spelled "bidness".

Date: May 5, 2004

Isn't Mr. Kleinpeter's remark a sad commentary by our citizenry! To think that he ( and many others of his ilk ), think that a University is a business. Economic issues come to play in the support of a university, but this silly man thinks that USM should be run like a business. Guess he is either way undereducated or one of SFT's friends trying to look good mouthing off!!

Date: May 5, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Old Librarian
"Isn't Mr. Kleinpeter's remark a sad commentary by our citizenry! To think that he ( and many others of his ilk ), think that a University is a business. Economic issues come to play in the support of a university, but this silly man thinks that USM should be run like a business. Guess he is either way undereducated or one of SFT's friends trying to look good mouthing off!! "

My guess is that he isn't one of Shelby's acolytes. I think he doesn't understand any concept of either a) faculty governance or b) higher education in general.

He's probably part of that group that believes that the purpose of a university is to train people for jobs, instead of training them how to think.

I wonder if Shelby himself has ever read a Donne poem...or anything not related to polymers.

Oh, except for Machiavelli...

Date: May 5, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Old Librarian
"Isn't Mr. Kleinpeter's remark a sad commentary by our citizenry! To think that he ( and many others of his ilk ), think that a University is a business. Economic issues come to play in the support of a university, but this silly man thinks that USM should be run like a business. Guess he is either way undereducated or one of SFT's friends trying to look good mouthing off!! "

Someone should send him Dr. Hollandsworth's terrific essay.

Date: May 5, 2004

He'd never understand what JH said.