Alright, I'm tired of all the depression and glumness I've been seeing on the board lately. I'm going to attribute it all to barometric pressure, finals, grading, and unfavorable planetary positions. Because, folks, here are the GOOD THINGS that we have accomplished:
1. Remember that the IHL Board took the hearing process ENTIRELY away from SFT, revealing a lack of confidence in him. That was a huge victory that we cannot overlook. Public pressure made that a reality, and, most likely, changed the course of the whole process for Glamser and Stringer.
2. SFT's petty "email snooping" scheme was made public at the hearing at great cost to him (both at USM and in the larger community). Remember that the anti-SFT side got tons of support from otherwise unfriendly areas because of this revelation at the hearing. This would not have happened if SFT had been in charge of the hearing, as was originally planned.
3. Glamser and Stringer WERE reinstated, albeit under restrictions that we wish were not in place. The good news is that they are still on campus, regardless of what SFT says, and they still have the opportunity to be offered new contracts when (and I say WHEN!) a new president comes on board.
4. The firing of Jack "Hack" Hanbury. Folks, this is HUGE! And I don't think it would've happened without the diligence of those on this board providing information and pressure to the media to release that horrible email.
4. The two Faculty Senate "no confidence" votes (and one of them a unanimous one at that, including members of Thames' own college and department) and the faculty-wide no confidence vote. This is also HUGE as anyone who works at a university knows. It is extremely difficult to get faculty to agree on much of anything...the fact that 100% of Faculty Senate and almost 70% of the total USM faculty agreed that SFT MUST GO speaks volumes, and is unprecedented!
5. It's been 3 weeks since the hearing, and letters to the editors of local papers are still being written on this issue. We haven't let it die and neither has the academic community at USM or at large. Plus the IHL Board is at least nominally holding SFT accountable at their next meeting.
6. SFT's PR-induced PUC is also a victory for us in that he (SFT) felt the need to create it at all. Someone told him that he needed to "make nice" with the faculty and staff who are so mad at him, so he created PUC. I think this demonstrates that he is feeling the pressure from IHL and others.
7. Others on various threads have spoken about the solidarity among faculty members created because of SFT's actions. Even though it was created by a negative situation, I still count this as a positive.
Okay, I've done my part. Now, it's up to you to add to the list. When we're feeling down, let's refer to these accomplishments and understand that, as one poster who I can't remember right now is fond of saying: it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. And my money is on the creative, energetic, down-but-not-out faculty and staff of USM any day (and "anywhere, any place, any..." well, you get the picture!
Pat yourself on the back, and then let's get back to work!
And we have created a unique community, and brought together people who would otherwise never know one another. A sociologist (if you could find one lounging on a beach somewhere) ought to be able to do an interesting paper on the formation of this culture. If this board can keep together and go forward, who knows what may be accomplished! However, I will say at this early point we may have to agree not to discuss Presidential, i.e., US, politics, lest we be tron asunder.
Good idea, Andrea. We all need a breath of fresh air.
I think the next thing we should do is show up, in very large numbers, at the IHL meeting on March 20th. We have to keep pressure on the IHL board & keep the issue in the media. These are two of the main reasons we have accomplished all that we have so far.
quote: Originally posted by: margarita "Thanks so much Truth. That made me feel better. I think the next thing we should do is show up, in very large numbers, at the IHL meeting on March 20th. We have to keep pressure on the IHL board & keep the issue in the media. These are two of the main reasons we have accomplished all that we have so far. Thanks again Truth, you've lifted my spirits."
Glad to help. I know that you mean May 20th for the next IHL meeting. I'd love for someone to be able to deliver the petition (which stands at over 600 signatures today) in hardcopy. I'm afraid I haven't been as proactive as I could be on getting this set up. Is Amy Young planning to be there (Amy, are you out there)? She might be a logical choice. Please email me at truth@FireThames.com if you have other suggestions (or post them on the relevant "Petition Update" thread).
quote: Originally posted by: "Sometimes that happens when I refresh from the administration page. It should be pinned now."
so . . . news flash.
I think that Angie D. is usually at these graduations but I'm damned if I can remember. She was not there tonight -- at least not only the platform party.
quote: Originally posted by: Sad "Thanks for the pick me up. I was about ready to throw in the towel when I saw the paper this morning. No QUARTER!! Thank you Marian Wilson Kimber."
When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand and nothing, no nothing, is going right. Think of http://www.despair.com/indem.html and know that things could be a whole lot worse.