Uh, Walt, I have a question.  Why are you using a hotmail email account instead of a USM one.  Afraid someone might monitor your responses to students?

quote:

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Originally posted by: Fire Shelby
"Uh, Walt, I have a question.  Why are you using a hotmail email account instead of a USM one.  Afraid someone might monitor your responses to students?  "

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FS!!!!!

Are you back now, or are you just checking in for a brief spell?

quote:

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Originally posted by: USM Alum
" FS!!!!! Are you back now, or are you just checking in for a brief spell?"

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quote:

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I have full confidence in the ability of Dr. Thames to lead this university into the future.  The suggestion of the resignation of Dr. Thames does nothing but inhibit the healing process.  This type of conversation has no place in the furtherance of our university.

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Inhibit healing... hmmm. 

I go to the doctor because I have a 8-inch rusty railroad spike sticking through my leg. It's bleeding and infected and I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to be able to stick around much longer because it is SO bad. Would you suggest removing the spike, or prefer to spread another spin-control bandaid on it?

After reading that letter handing out the same language in the same manner, I am absolutely convinced that

Walt Cain is

MINI ME

quote:

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Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"May 10, 2004Dear Students;As of late our university has found itself in very tumultuous times.  The situation involving the dismissal of Drs. Glamser and Stringer caused an eruption on our campus, causing the local and state eyes to be fixed upon us."

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the "dismissal" of Drs. Glamser and Stringer?

The use of that word implies termination (which is what they want you to think).

The Thames SGA is on spin cycle.

quote:

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Originally posted by:
"Anybody notice the timing of Walt's letter? He sent it AFTER the last issue of the Printz has been printed for the semester...I don't think they will resume publication until the fall semester. And I would wager that his timing was planned so that he would have the last word--no one would be able to respond to him through the "letters to the editor" in the Printz. No editorial columns would challenge him, either. If I were a student, I would request that he not use my email address to send me unsolicited email anymore."

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As usual, FS is right on target.  I sent this analysis to Walt, just to make sure that he knows we all realize that he is not only wrong but also a coward.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Hotty Toddy
""This PUC thing is simply an illusion of inclusion.  "

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quote:

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Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Just received an incredibly innocuous non-reply from WC.  I guess politicians learn these tactics at a very young age."

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quote:

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Originally posted by: 
If I were a student, I would request that he not use my email address to send me unsolicited email anymore."

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Walt Cain to the top

I commend him for making a stand. I denounce you all for not showing respect for it. Freedom of ideas? Hypocrites.

quote:

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Originally posted by: SMTTT
"Walt Cain to the top   I commend him for making a stand. I denounce you all for not showing respect for it. Freedom of ideas? Hypocrites."

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Respect for what?  Being SFT's lapdog?  Puh-leaze!

As to your "freedom of ideas" issue, *I* am the one who posted the non-letter on this message board in order for us to DISCUSS it.  I think you need to make a clearer distinction between your nebulous term "freedom of ideas" (which I'm assuming you're conflating with "freedom of speech") and "having an opinion."  This message board actually served to broaden the reach of Walt's letter by making it available to a non-USM student audience.

Oh, and please notify the board when Walt actually makes a "stand."  I've yet to see it.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Doug Chambers
"   Hello TOBY!   And to Walt: go read Chinua Achebe's Anthills of the Savanna.  Any other recommendations for a summer reading list for this panglossian student of ours/theirs?"

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I saw that some of y'all were wondering how walt responds to his constituents.  Well here was our back-n-forth.  It sound like he was threatening to tell ole shelby on me.   "I guarantee that I will pass them on to him." 

Anyways he hasn't responded to my subsequent e-mails, I guess each student is only allowed one response from the "honorable" Mr. Cain.

Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 13:54:56 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Dear Walt Cain,
>
>I appreciate your recent letter to the student body.
>But I am troubled by the fact that I do not believe
>your statements are representative of the entire
>student body.  You stated, “I was elected to represent
>the students…”   Walt, if you really want to represent
>the students, it is necessary that you hold a campus
>wide student vote to gauge their feelings on the
>situation.
>
>I have heard SGA members speak of how costly it would
>be to hold a vote.  Yet as I understand the SGA was
>granted an extra $100,000 for the upcoming school
>year.  A vote would cost a mere $2,000, leaving the
>SGA still with $98,000 to hold a concert.  Personally
>I think that “concert” money could be spend on more
>worthwhile efforts, but that is another letter for
>another time.
>
>Anyhow, I first considered a confidence/no confidence
>student vote in Shelby Thames.  Now that all of the
>facts, or lack thereof, have come out in the so-called
>hearing, it is indeed necessary for the SGA to pass a
>resolution calling for the resignation of Mr. Thames.
>If you do not feel like this is what the students’
>want, why not simply hold a student vote in support
>of/not in support of Shelby Thames resignation?
>Students are tired of the numerous disruptions that
>Mr. Thames has caused.  We are disgusted that a man in
>his position would sink to reading our e-mails.  In
>order to put any proof behind your statements and mine
>there must be a student vote.  You have stated, “The
>vast majority of students desire nothing more than to
>move beyond this.”   The best way to move ahead is
>with a new president in the Dome.
>
>One last point before I am done.  You also stated
>that, “Continued protesting and disruption are
>self-serving and hinder the healing process.”  The
>disruption you speak of is a direct result of the
>actions of Shelby Thames.  Yes, you are correct when
>you say that protesting is self-serving.  I really do
>hope that my efforts of protesting the Thames
>administration do pay off to my advantage, which would
>mean Thames would be gone, and I could continue my
>education without further disruption.
>
>I wish you the best luck in the year to come and hope
>that the only voices you let influence you will be
>that of the students.
> Your concerned fellow student,
> Mary Carnley
>

Mary

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  First off, a concert is no where in my plans for the SGA this coming year.  Our former president, Jared Loftus, spent his term trying to bring a concert to Southern Miss, a worthwhile indeavor.  However, I (like you) feel that the time and money spent on this concert could have been put into much more productive areas.
Secondly, at the current time a student referendum is simply not a viable option.  As I type to you, we have less than 24 hours before graduation, making any referendum futile and it's results inconclusive.
One of the unforeseen benefits of this whole situaiton has been an outcry of student opinion unlike I have ever experienced, and I think you would be surprised at what your piers are saying.  Many, like you, express their
desire to see a change in administration, HOWEVER I have received more emails from students who are happy with the positive business results Dr. Thames has brought to our university, but want to see a noticiebale change in his decission making process.  Our university needs many things right now, but what we do not need is another year long rat-race of a presidential selection process.
Dr. Thames is an effective leader, as evidenced by the economic and business success he has brought to our university.  However, his way of doing things does not sit well with many and I agree with that.  I want to know from students (and others) the things that they need to see Dr. Thames display.  I am open to suggestions and I guarantee that I will pass them on to him.
  I do my best to lead with integrity and make prudent decissions, however there are many variables to weigh and I am not a perfect person; this is why I need your help.  Please feel free to contact me at anytime with suggestions or questions that you may have. Again, thank you for your
response.

Walt





  Walt,

I realize that today or tomorrow is not the time for a
student vote. I was hoping that this is something the
SGA could work on over the summer. Does the SGA meet
during the summer? If so, I would think that two
months is plenty of time to organize a student vote or
to prepare a resolution. If not, it could be planned
for sometime in the fall semester.

Please do not take offense to this, but most people
are not going to just take your word that most of the
students feel Thames has done a good job. It is
obvious to most that you have come out with a
pro-Thames stance. Therefore, most people with the
same opinion as you will are more likely to express
their similar thoughts with you. Whereas, I am an
adamant faculty supporter and therefore people who
feel the same as me will be more likely to express
their similar feelings with me. So accordingly, to
me, it would seem to me that most people I have talked with the same as I do about the Thames administration.

I still feel the best was for you to represent the
students would be to hold a referendum in the fall for
support/no support for Thames resignation. If you
were to hold a vote it will prove to me, you, and
everyone else how the majority of the students truly
feel.

Furthermore I feel that a “year long rat-race” of
searching for another president could not possibly be
more disturbing than the past few months. I
personally would rather a lengthy search for the
replacement of a few top positions (like that of the
president), than to have “year long rat races” for
over 100 faculty positions. I really believe the
loss of faculty is more detrimental to the students
you represent than the loss of a few administrators.


I would like your suggestions of what other students
like me can do, students who feel that the SGA is not
properly representing us. Also, I would like to see
what the plans are for the increased SGA budget. When
will SGA meetings resume, are they open, can I attend
the meetings to offer my suggestions?
Thanks for your time. Your response is greatly
appreciated.

Mary

quote:

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Originally posted by: outing myself
"Our university needs many things right now, but what we do not need is another year long rat-race of a presidential selection process."

---

Mary,

     I really enjoyed reading your correspondence with Walt Cain. I especially enjoyed reading his response because I have yet to receive any response regarding the letters that I have sent to him since May 10.

     As a student, I feel very grateful to have a peer like you who responsibly, civilly and articulately seeks dialogue with others, even if you disagree with them. Thanks.

quote:

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Originally posted by: CoastPride
"The Gulf Coast SGA passed a resolution supporting the faculty's no-confidence vote (immediately following).  Not that it mattered.  The GCSGA president announced it on WLOX, publicly stating the students' distaste for the administration and loyalty to the faculty.  What happened to Walt?  Who does he represent????       "

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quote:

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Originally posted by: Lowly Working Student
"Walt Cain can write his stupid letters to students but he doesn't relate to the average working student.  I'm working my way through Southern Miss and he is not.  How can Cain write his lies when he don't know what really goes on.  I bussed tables at the board of trustees and the presidents dinner Wednessday.  You learn alot when you serve enough  drinks.  President Thames was a "no show" at the dinner and it really looked bad for Souterhn Miss.  The other people talked about him having no class.  The big haired lady drinking strawberry daquaris with whipped creme on top (with a straw) was talking alot about us and ignored the Valley State people who paid for the dinner.  The president of Ole Miss spoke to everyone and even looked me in the eye and said hello. I will never forget him.  For a minute I was a real person.  Get a job Cain and see how the real world works."

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LWS--

Don't doubt it: you are a real person.  The jury is still out on Walt.

Please be careful. Don't disclose too much about when and where you work unless you don't care if they identify you.

Thanks for the insights.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
" Anecdote de jour--Here's an irrelevant aside, but perhaps a revealing study in contrasts, and humility. Several years ago I drove my elderly Mom to Oxford to see the newly renovated Lyceum, where she'd attended classes in the early 40's. Since she's unable to walk great distances, we made the trip on a Sunday, thinking it would be easier to park near the building. Arriving mid-afternoon, we found the Lyceum open but empty, except for a lone "custodian", a middle aged man toting a bag of trash. He approached us on the ground floor and asked if we needed assistance or directions. He spoke with considerable pride of the lengthy renovation project, asked my Mom about her years in Oxford, and patiently answered her questions. As we were departing, she asked if he was in charge of building maintenance, which she intended as a compliment. That's when he introduced himself, not as Chancellor Khayat, but as Bobby Khayat. My Mom recognized his name from her alumni bulletins, and bluntly asked why he was cleaning the building. He explained that he routinely came in Sundays to clean off his desk, and just before our arrival he'd relieved a member of the maintenance crew who had a pressing family obligation. This was my introduction to Dr. Khayat. I've seen him several times in the ensuing years, and he still remembers my name, and inquires about my Mom. I can hardly imagine Boss Thames even speaking to the hired help, much less offering them his assistance. AE"

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quote:

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Originally posted by: Lowly Working Student
"Walt Cain can write his stupid letters to students but he doesn't relate to the average working student.  I'm working my way through Southern Miss and he is not.....  Get a job Cain and see how the real world works."

---

hey,

why don't you get your facts straight before you make random comments like that? walt's had a campus job the past 2 semesters. so he doesn't buss tables, does that it make him any less of a working student? disagree with him you may, but have some concern for the truth when you make bold claims.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Tinctoris
" How much does the job of presidential fluffer pay?"

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That was really intelligent, let me tell you.  When you have something credible, then come back to me.

quote:

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Originally posted by: ta99
" hey, why don't you get your facts straight before you make random comments like that? walt's had a campus job the past 2 semesters. so he doesn't buss tables, does that it make him any less of a working student? disagree with him you may, but have some concern for the truth when you make bold claims.  "

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quote:

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Originally posted by: Tinctoris
" You are quite correct. The problem is that I lost all respect for young Walt when I watched him immediately after the Glamser/Stinger hearing. He elbowed everyone out of the way, clamoring to get to the press, demanding to make a self-serving pro-Shelby statement. He has no shame, which makes him a fair (and attractive) target."

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i think you have the wrong guy. clamoring to the press? no, the guy if anything flees it. demanding to make a self-serving pro-shelby statement? he never made a statement one way or the other until well-after the hearing. i think you're thinking of someone else, b/c claiming cain runs to the press, that's an oxymoron in itself.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
"

Anecdote de jour--Here's an irrelevant aside, but perhaps a revealing study in contrasts, and humility. Several years ago I drove my elderly Mom to Oxford to see the newly renovated Lyceum, where she'd attended classes in the early 40's. Since she's unable to walk great distances, we made the trip on a Sunday, thinking it would be easier to park near the building. Arriving mid-afternoon, we found the Lyceum open but empty, except for a lone "custodian", a middle aged man toting a bag of trash. He approached us on the ground floor and asked if we needed assistance or directions. He spoke with considerable pride of the lengthy renovation project, asked my Mom about her years in Oxford, and patiently answered her questions. As we were departing, she asked if he was in charge of building maintenance, which she intended as a compliment. That's when he introduced himself, not as Chancellor Khayat, but as Bobby Khayat. My Mom recognized his name from her alumni bulletins, and bluntly asked why he was cleaning the building. He explained that he routinely came in Sundays to clean off his desk, and just before our arrival he'd relieved a member of the maintenance crew who had a pressing family obligation. This was my introduction to Dr. Khayat. I've seen him several times in the ensuing years, and he still remembers my name, and inquires about my Mom. I can hardly imagine Boss Thames even speaking to the hired help, much less offering them his assistance.

AE"

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