ARTICLES CONCERNING
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI'S
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
(October 13, 2010) The U.S.M. Court of Appeals by Duane Cobb “Maybe if . . . they knew better than to blow millions of
dollars on a pointless wall in front of campus . . . maybe if they don’t own a jet, maybe then I would have an inkling of
respect for the administrative bullshit that we call the leadership of USM.” – USM student Floyd Maseda, TSP interview,
31-August-2010 If you’re like me, you’re completely befuddled by the whole concept of an appeal of USM’s recent program
terminations and faculty eliminations.
(October 13, 2010) “Tuitionation without Benefitation” A Guest Editorial Much has been said by the Martha Saunders
administration about focusing USM’s diminishing state dollars on academic and other programs that are aimed at large
numbers of students, not just smallish cliques.
(October 18, 2010) Dear usmnews, Have you seen any data suggesting that the new electronic sign at USM was worth the money?
Since they said the sign was more cost efficient, did USM administrators prepare any numbers in support of this decision? How
many years will it take, assuming the cost efficiency, before the money spent on the new sign is recovered? Some of your loyal
readers would like to see a FOIA for that information, too. Our guess is if any numbers were used they are as accurate as those
used to justify President Martha Saunders’ airplane. [name withheld]
(October 20, 2010) GH Chatter The appeals process for the recent faculty terminations is, as expected, generating lots of
chatter. It seems the USM liberal arts faculty are on the verge of an uprising of sorts regarding the composition of the
appeals committee. For one, science & technology reportedly dominates the five faculty slots on the committee. Some are
also saying that Tammy Barry, the academic council representative from the group, will provide a pro-administration take
on budget cuts since she was once USM provost’s Robert Lyman’s student. Judging by chatter, the appeals process
promises to be a three-ring circus.
