I want to clairfy something here because it has arisen from time to time and that concerns USM academics. If one wants to say they are poor in that regard, degree is worthless, etc then so be it, that is an opinion but really no facts I know to confirm it.

However, some may feel it is due to a probationary period the school recently served. What happened was Dr. Shelby Thames, University President, fired two tenured professors for what is said to have been insubordination. This infuriated the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors (the professors union) and all he## broke loose. During this turmoil (there was a court hearing) those in the position for being responsible for filing a "Revision to the University Distance Learning Program (correspondence courses)" with the accrediation algency either willfully or inadvertantly failed to file the paperwork. The agency put USM on probation until it was corrected. Dr. Thames appointed a responsible group of professors and staff, the matter was taken care of and probation was lifted. THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ACADEMICS, ONLY A FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT.

eager eagle Wrote:I want to clairfy something here because it has arisen from time to time and that concerns USM academics. If one wants to say they are poor in that regard, degree is worthless, etc then so be it, that is an opinion but really no facts I know to confirm it.

However, some may feel it is due to a probationary period the school recently served. What happened was Dr. Shelby Thames, University President, fired two tenured professors for what is said to have been insubordination. This infuriated the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors (the professors union) and all he## broke loose. During this turmoil (there was a court hearing) those in the position for being responsible for filing a "Revision to the University Distance Learning Program (correspondence courses)" with the accrediation algency either willfully or inadvertantly failed to file the paperwork. The agency put USM on probation until it was corrected. Dr. Thames appointed a responsible group of professors and staff, the matter was taken care of and probation was lifted. THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ACADEMICS, ONLY A FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT.

all righty then

No offense eagle...but I had to google search USM to know what you were talking about.

Did I miss something here? Why is USM academics a topic of discussion on the WAC board?

Please go right ahead and discuss if you wish...but I'm obviously missing something here.

WOW! is all I can say. Thanks for bringing that to our attention.

Who is USM?

USM is the Univ. of Southern Montana. errrr, well maybe. ;-)

EE loves to run LA Tech in the ground. We have been stealing some recruits from them this year, and they are all agitated. In response, some of our fans have been pointing out USM's academic standings. I guess this is what led to him posting this here.

LATech95 Wrote:EE loves to run LA Tech in the ground. We have been stealing some recruits from them this year, and they are all agitated. In response, some of our fans have been pointing out USM's academic standings. I guess this is what led to him posting this here.

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Any recruit electing to attend La Tech rather than USM did so because he wants to play right away rather than warming the bench for at least two years. I would make the same choice if in their shoes.

eager eagle Wrote:

LATech95 Wrote:EE loves to run LA Tech in the ground. We have been stealing some recruits from them this year, and they are all agitated. In response, some of our fans have been pointing out USM's academic standings. I guess this is what led to him posting this here.

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Any recruit electing to attend La Tech rather than USM did so because he wants to play right away rather than warming the bench for at least two years. I would make the same choice if in their shoes.

So you wouldn't want to play for your alma mater either? Thats a pretty persuasive argument you got going there.

My favorite hypo about this:

I asked a friend if he would rather ride the pine for 2 to 3 years at a BCS school, or would rather go to another school where he could be "the man" for 4 straight years (or less if they go pro). I was thinking about athletes like Marshall Faulk, Garret Wolfe, Kevin Curtis, etc...

His response was "I think I'd go to byu no matter what." I thought to myself that his response explained a lot.

My favorite hypo about this:

I asked a friend if he would rather ride the pine for 2 to 3 years at a BCS school, or would rather go to another school where he could be "the man" for 4 straight years (or less if they go pro). I was thinking about athletes like Marshall Faulk, Garret Wolfe, Kevin Curtis, etc...

His response was "I think I'd go to byu no matter what." I thought to myself that his response explained a lot.

ultramagnus Wrote:My favorite hypo about this:

I asked a friend if he would rather ride the pine for 2 to 3 years at a BCS school, or would rather go to another school where he could be "the man" for 4 straight years (or less if they go pro). I was thinking about athletes like Marshall Faulk, Garret Wolfe, Kevin Curtis, etc...

His response was "I think I'd go to byu no matter what." I thought to myself that his response explained a lot.

I snorted the first time. The second, not so much.

Sorry....I got some kind of error message when I hit the submit button, had to exit out of internet explorer, and when I checked back, it had posted twice.

At least it was funny enough to make 1 person snort once!

eager eagle Wrote:Any recruit electing to attend La Tech rather than USM did so because he wants to play right away rather than warming the bench for at least two years. I would make the same choice if in their shoes.

lmfao

This is too good.