Hub SGA Commencement Rewards Program < reference to program developed by Lisa Mader (between 12/2002 and 01/2003) to reward Hub SGA presidents for faithful service with keynote address slots at each USM Spring commencement ceremony (ill-advised plan faced opposition from inception, and lasted only through Blake Hamm’s term).

USM’s image/brand < 1. the way USM is seen through the eyes of the outside world; 2. Lisa Mader says USM is working through any image problem it may now temporarily have. Danny Mitchell of GodwinGroup says USM’s brand remains "robust."; 3. William Gunther’s research indicates USM’s brand is dropping like a stone, and will continue to do so until Shelby Thames steps down. The statistical report by the LSU social science grad student points out that problems with USM’s image/brand might cost the institution over $25 million in tuition revenues and state support in just a few years. Thomas Bartlett’s expose in The Chronicle of Higher Education highlights USM’s diminishing stock. The growing size of babbs’ list is another indicator of problems associated with USM’s image, as is the growing number of reports (on geocities.com/fireshelby and elsewhere) showing the fall in the size and ACT scores of USM’s incoming freshmen classes.