a letter to the HA

Date: May 16, 2004

a letter to the HA

Date: May 16, 2004

Ughhh... I just read this on myself and was about to post it. Thanks for doing so webster. There is another letter in there. I'll grab it and post it now.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: webster
"The faculty led mutiny at USM It seems to me that the recent turmoil at USM is nothing more than an outright mutiny by the faculty against the USM administration. The roots in this turmoil lie in the resistance to any change by the faculty, coupled with their shock and disbelief that Dr. Thames would dare to challenge their "hired for life" tenure rights. On tenure, let me say that this aspect of university life is a two-edged sword. It is designed to give qualified faculty the "academic freedom" necessary to mentor and teach students free of interference from the university administration. This is a good thing and absolutely required. However, tenure can also be a haven for malcontents and obstructionists to hide within while they snipe and pick at the university leadership. This is a bad thing and, in my opinion, clearly applies to the vocal faculty opponents of Dr. Thames' administration. Their message is: "Don't mess with the boys and girls in the club." As for who "won" the recent standoff ... no one did. I see the situation as an ill-conceived, indirect attack on the Thames administration by the malcontent faction of the USM faculty. Once challenged, the faculty closed ranks on their own regardless of right or wrong. Dr. Thames' response to this attack was right and proper. The good news is that two malcontents are now off the campus. Both sides should now sit down and resolve their differences and design a path forward. A university without change becomes stagnant and will eventually collapse. I am sure that USM has changed dramatically from the period when I was there (1972-1974). It must keep moving forward to ensure future innovation and excellence. Bottom line: professors teach and administrators lead. Get it right folks and prosper! Jim Askew, USM 1974, "

Puke.

Date: May 16, 2004

You will note that the writer graduated during the McCain era, and McCain had been an Army general. The implication here that faculty members who do not follow orders should be hanged is troubling.

Date: May 16, 2004

Monte Piliawsky taught at USM from 1970 to 1972.

This guy Askew was a student from 1972 to 1974.

Unless Exit 13 seriously distorts the way things were going then, academic freedom did not exist at USM in Askew's time.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 16, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Monte Piliawsky taught at USM from 1970 to 1972. This guy Askew was a student from 1972 to 1974. Unless Exit 13 seriously distorts the way things were going then, academic freedom did not exist at USM in Askew's time. Robert Campbell"

But Askew was a student. I was on campus quite a bit during that period. My student friends at that time were preoccupied with: (a) concluding their own course of study, (b) protesting -- or supporting -- the Vietnam War, and (c) finding willing sex partners.

I remember the General as being reviled, but removed from daily student life. Others may remember otherwise.

Date: May 16, 2004

Does the writer think that the president has life and death authority over faculty members? Should faculty members be hanged for not "following orders." Is a university like the military? Maybe Thames thinking all of this IS the problem!