Letter to Sun Herald----

All were hurt by missed opportunity at USM

Regarding recent reports of the administrative dispute at University of South Mississippi:

Let me preface that I am not acquainted with any official or faculty member of USM; thus I have no ax to grind. But if I, a Mississippian, can observe as below, what might be the perceptions of "outsiders"?

Apparently, students at the Hattiesburg campus "demonstrate" concerning a matter upon which, according to reports, they possessed little or no information. They were acting, it appears, on a strictly emotional basis. If that be the case, then the faculty should be ashamed of their collective failure to guide the students to obtain all available information as bases for overt actions. Further, evidently the faculty themselves failed to seek that data; thus they hoist themselves upon their own petard - all facts should be examined in the light of reason.

Did the administration at USM act within the scope of its authority? When the Faculty Senate at USM voted to impugn the university president were there those who voted without having examined most of whatever available pertinent data? Thus far the answers to such questions have not been revealed, and prospects for such seem to be nil.

Compounding this tragedy of academia is the reported agreement in the settlement which does not allow any public disclosure of pertinent data by any parties to the dispute. As with any other form of freedom, the vaunted academic freedom, lacking responsibility becomes the mangled corpse of anarchy - everyone a law unto himself.

Hopefully the IHL (College Board) will find it proper and in the interest of all Mississippians to bring to light all of the facts and factors involved. They owe that much, also, to those faculty who are in the dark as much as we are.

FRED W. GASTON SR.
Gulfport
fgaston1@bellsouth.net