Friday, August 1, 2014

Ole Miss diversity report: about the name Ole Miss......

Ole Miss issued the following press release:


University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones has released a comprehensive action plan for fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment on campus.

The recommendations are the fruit of a study of wide-ranging opinions on campus culture from students, faculty and administrators, which were paired with input from respected consultants. The plan includes a new position of vice chancellor for diversity and a variety of initiatives focused on inclusion and race relations.

Last summer, an expanded Sensitivity and Respect Committee completed its review of the university’s environment on race and diversity. After the committee’s report, consultants Ed Ayers and Christy Coleman of Richmond, Virginia, were brought in to study the effect on campus culture of building names and campus symbols tied to historical issues of slavery and segregation. Consultant Greg Vincent, who led the University of Texas in addressing issues of diversity and inclusion, was hired to analyze the university’s organizational structure and how it relates to diversity and inclusion.
The consultants submitted reports on their interviews with members of the campus community, as well as recommendations based on their experiences with similar issues. Jones complimented the work of the university community and consultants in generating the ideas included in the action plan.
“The reports from everyone involved were candid and thoughtful in suggesting that more can be done here to improve our environment for diversity and inclusion,” Jones said.

“It is my hope that the steps outlined here – reflecting the hard work of university committees and our consultants – will prove valuable in making us a stronger and healthier university, bringing us closer to our goal of being a warm and welcoming place for every person every day, regardless of race, religious preference, country of origin, ability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender expression.”

Jones said he knows that some people will find parts of the recommendations that they like and some they don’t. “Every idea was not included, but I’m confident everyone involved will find evidence of their substantial contributions.

“There were and will continue to be differences of opinion among us. But, I am encouraged that while our discussions over recent months were frank, even tough, they also were civil and respectful. My very sincere thanks go out to all of those who demonstrated these values throughout the process.”
The process was designed to gather as broad a range of opinion as possible, the chancellor said.
“It was important that we hear from everyone who loves this university,” he said. “Too often when viewpoints are wide-ranging, nuanced and emotional, the easy answer for leaders is a non-decision, freezing people at a point in time and putting progress off to another day. To me, that is not leadership. And our mission as a university is to lead.”

The plan involves six steps, with more initiatives expected when the new vice chancellor position is filled:

1. Create a vice chancellor-level position for diversity and inclusion. UM’s provost will create a specific position title, portfolio, set of responsibilities and initial budget for a new administrative position. The job will be created after consultation with faculty and will be subject to approval by the university’s governing board. A search committee will be formed to begin work during the fall semester.

2. Establish a portfolio model of diversity and engagement. As part of the creation of the job description for the new vice chancellor position, a set of standards for diversity and engagement will be drafted for the university to follow moving forward.

3. Deal squarely with the issue of race while also addressing other dimensions of diversity.
“We look forward to a day when it is the norm to embrace and celebrate our differences, when our country and state have become a truly post-racial society,” Jones said. “But that day has not yet arrived. Clearly, there are still issues regarding race that our country must address. And we will need to continue a dialogue on race at our university. Our unique history regarding race provides not only a larger responsibility for providing leadership on race issues, but also a large opportunity – one we should and will embrace.”

A faculty group focused on UM’s history with slavery began work last year. The initiative is an example of the kind of scholarly leadership UM can provide on the issue, Jones said, voicing renewed commitment to the work of the university’s William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. He also said the new vice chancellor for diversity will be engaged in efforts to address issues of race and diversity and will work with existing campus organizations, such as the Critical Race Studies Group, that have focused on these issues.

4. Implement a symbolic and formal dedication of all new students to the ideals of inclusion and fairness to which UM is devoted.
The UM Creed was adopted as a means of communicating and cultivating the university’s core values. A public university can’t require a pledge or oath as a condition of enrollment. It can and will work with students and others to pursue methods of elevating and strengthening the UM community with the creed’s values. The university’s vice chancellor for student affairs will implement this recommendation.

5. Offer more history, putting the past into context, telling more of the story of Mississippi’s struggles with slavery, secession, segregation and their aftermath. 
Consultants cited Richmond, one of capitals of the Confederacy, as a good example of appropriately addressing a negative history. City leaders opted not to erase history, even some of the more difficult parts of it, and chose not to remove existing statues and building names. Instead, the city has balanced its presentation of history by offering broader, contemporary context for symbols and adding new symbols more representative of the city’s current culture.

An example of that approach already implemented at UM is the statue honoring James Meredith, the university’s first African-American student. Additional opportunities with more contemporary symbols lie ahead, and the new vice chancellor will be engaged in long-term evaluation of those recommendations. Until the new vice chancellor is hired, that job will be handled by the provost and the assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs.

Among buildings and symbols that will be evaluated for plaques adding context and perspective are Vardaman Hall, the ballroom in Johnson Commons and the Confederate statue at the entrance to Lyceum Circle.

Several steps have been taken already:

- The entrance of the Manning Center was recently designated the Williams-Reed Foyer in honor of Ben Williams and James Reed, the university’s first two black football players. Jones thanked Athletics Director Ross Bjork and head football coach Hugh Freeze for their leadership in the recommendation.

- The new Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement opens this fall in Stewart Hall. The center, which will move later to the renovated and expanded Student Union, enhances the quantity and quality of programming and leadership initiatives for underrepresented students.

- Coliseum Drive will need a new name when the Tad Smith Coliseum is replaced with the new basketball arena. A recommendation from the UM Alumni Association and the M-Club to rename it “Roy Lee ‘Chucky’ Mullins Drive” has been adopted. Mullins, a black football player who was paralyzed and later died, became a unifying symbol of an indomitable human spirit at the university.

- Confederate Drive, which enters Fraternity Row, will be renamed “Chapel Lane.”

6. Appropriate use of the name “Ole Miss.” UM’s longstanding nickname is beloved by the vast majority of its students and alumni. But a few, especially some university faculty, are uncomfortable with it. Some don’t want it used at all and some simply don’t want it used within the academic context.

The university completed a national study about the name “Ole Miss” during the last year and found the vast majority of respondents don’t attach any meaning to it other than an affectionate name for the university. In fact, a significant margin likes and prefers the “Ole Miss” name. And a very small percentage of respondents associate the university, either as “Ole Miss” or “University of Mississippi,” with negative race issues.

Both names will be used in appropriate contexts going forward, with particular emphasis going to “Ole Miss” in athletics and as a representation of the university’s spirit.

Other campus efforts already in place will continue to grow 

The action plan includes a wide variety of other initiatives launched even as the study of campus environment was underway, including creation of the Bias Incident Response Team, diversity training for employees, construction of a National Pan-Hellenic Council garden representing the history and campus engagement of historically black fraternities and sororities, periodic surveys to monitor the campus environment, and various programs to enhance student success.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

It very nice don't you think what new name like the 'School up North' sound better than Ole Miss and would not offend anyone.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't Hotty Toddy be banned?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Dan Jones, "It's Time"

Anonymous said...

It took a formal study to for them to come to the conclusion that Vardaman Hall, named for James K. Vardaman who was referred to as the "Great White Chief" and who is quoted as saying "if it is necessary every Negro in the state will be lynched; it will be done to maintain white supremacy," wasn't very ethnically welcoming? Way to spend those alumni dollars on a study that could have been achieved by asking any random person on the street.

Anonymous said...

Ole Miss, next will you fund an employment/economic study focused on finding jobs for Ole Miss Law students? Having to borrow my MC Law friend's Symplicity log-in is getting old!!!!

Anonymous said...

Not an Ole Miss alumni -- another SEC school --- but sent my son to Ole Miss -- and love the school. All Ole Miss alumni better read this carefully, and ensure where YOUR money is going, and all taxpayers should take a stand also -- enough is enough. We are sending graduates out of college with debt, and degrees which are worthless. Kids cannot get jobs -- and this wasteful spending should be explained by Dr. Jones. Why did he spend funds for this type of "study", when it could have been better spent, helping students migrate into the job market!

UT had an issue with student activity fees being spent to support alternative sexual lifestyle forums to include transgender options, safe sex, etc. during a "sex week" at the university. The legislature in TN froze the funds to the university after parents and students complained, until they could "figure it out" --- they did very quickly. Dr. Jones needs to go. Just an external opinion from someone who has respect for the history of the school. Stop spending tax payer dollars for non-sense -- educate kids for employment!!

Anonymous said...

tell me this is a joke. please.

Anonymous said...

I think the proper thing would be to rename it Martin Luther King University.

Anonymous said...

Check U. S. News and World Report's rating of Ole Miss. Embarrassing.

Anonymous said...

5:18 is right.

Dan Jones should be much more concerned about the pathetic graduation rate. My kid applied to 14 schools this year (Ole Miss was the "safety school") and the financial aid process produced a graduation rate statistic for each school so kids and families would have a better idea of what they may get for their investment (since school loan are not dischargable in bankruptcy anymore).

The Iveys and similar schools all ranked above 95%. One other was 92%, and Ole Miss was all alone down there at 52%.

Anonymous said...

MLK Black Bears!

Mr Hooty said...

If they would just put in a Whole Foods Market on campus,all this ruckus would start settling down.

Anonymous said...

"The University is respected, but Ole Miss is loved. the University gives a diploma and regretfully terminates tenure, but one never graduates from Ole Miss.” –Frank E. Everett, Jr.

Ole Miss, by damn.

Anonymous said...

You can't spell scum without UM. Let's be candid here, Ole Miss is the harbinger of overt and latent racism in Mississippi. If the leaders and alumni of UM were serious, they would have adopted this change 10 years ago instead of stringing it along.

Anonymous said...

@4:58PM...Clearly, you are a victim of a campus that is not diverse enough or inclusive enough.

Anonymous said...

I read earlier today that there was still room on the new Basketball arena for a name to be added. Obviously Dickey Scruggs's name has been vetoed. How about "The arena of Barack Obama" This will show the world that we have outgrown the racist past we are accused of living.

Anonymous said...

All of this is being done to get a higher rating on a diversity inclusion rating list.

Go look at how they rate private schools and you will be enlightened!

Anonymous said...

Jones clearly has a issue with cramping and his monthly cycle. Oh oh,, it hurts so bad!!!! If he could only talk to Obama it will all be better! A college experience has turned into a libtard junket! My suggestion is to treat these "higher learning" academia nut jobs the same way they were treated in high school. Wedgies and a good slap in the head.

Anonymous said...

For those wailing about terdishuns: If you read Chancellor Jones' email, what was taken away? All the school did was change their official stance.

But I'm sure we'll all see what traditions and heritage is being preserved when the school experiences its first hate crime/racial incident during pledge week. Only six more weeks, guys.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of liberal bullshit. I stopped sending the AA money when they came up with the black bears. It's time for people to move on.

Anonymous said...

How arout the "McDaniel Arena of Sportsman's like conduct"

Anonymous said...

JOnes should legalize marijuana and prostitution on the campus. That would surely prove he has brought ooole miss to the modern era of political correctness.

Anonymous said...

I've always thought "Miss" stood for Mississippi, as in Ole Miss being the old man river or old miss river. Guess it doesn't make much sense to some, but that is what I've always believed.

Anonymous said...

I'll be glad when they grow out of the Civil War symbols. "Ole Miss" is a slavery term and needs to be relegated to history. "The Rebels" should be offensive to any educated 21st Century Mississippian. It is time to get on with life and leave all that crap behind.

Anonymous said...

Within the last year, I attended an event at Ole Miss wherein past students were honored for academic and other achievements. It was a weekend-long event, and several gatherings were held during the weekend to honor these individuals. Not having attended the University myself, I think I was able to view the topics discussed at these gatherings with a bit more objectivity. That being said, the main thing I took away from the weekend was, Ole Miss has a serious race problem! At every gathering, the main topic was race!

Are you effing kidding me? With the strides the south has made - and especially Ole Miss - does EVERYTHING still have to revolve around race? When will enough be enough? Now It seems clear to me that every suggestion this current report is making is that things will not be "right" unless every street and building on campus is renamed for a non-white......again, Dr. Jones and other faculty, when will enough be enough? More importantly, how will you know?

Anonymous said...

So Dan should all white graduates of Ole Miss feel guilty until every building on campus is named after a black person? Is that going to help me get a job? Can you patronize people of my color any worse? How about this: as a black man working my tail off to get an education and compete in this world just like everyone else, why must you continue to focus on the color of my skin? I can hold my own in the classroom, even in the job market I believe, but you continue to troll out this racial overtone like you are helping me...all you are doing is highlighting the fact that I am black, not highlighting the fact that I busted my tail through four years of college just like the white guy and the Indian girl and the latino guy so that I can compete. Instead you make me look like I need a handout...I can assure you that is not what I have worked all this time for! Please find another cause to chase you are not helping me!

Anonymous said...

What a load of horseshit! I was in Jr. High when Mississippi Schools were integrated. Our school Superintendent lived across the street and was friends with my parents. He told them that the Feds wrote and asked how many students of each race they had. He wrote back and told them "I don't know. We try to treat everyone the same. We don't keep records about what race anyone is." This is the type thinking we should go for. We got it wrong in the 60's. The goal should be treat everyone the same and stop all the bitching and moaning.

Keeping It Real said...

It's not simply coincidental that Jones announced his new 'initiatives' on the first day of August. By this time, all season tickets have been ordered, the gifting program is wrapped up, payment of thousands of dollars for the privilege of attending football games has passed for 2014 and every 'Grover' has already rounded up a road-kill possum for game-day crock pottery.

His mention of 'Rebels' and 'Ole Miss' is nothing more than a trial balloon. He floats that up to tell your subconscious that in the next three years, both of those terms will be eradicated.

If he could, Jones would require that every 'non black' fraternity and sorority vacate their Frat House and quit-claim it over to the black groups.

And let's not overlook the fact that the revered Dr. Khayat is the man behind the curtain.

Anonymous said...

I really didn't notice the level of self inflated "importance" this took until I moved to NE TN. Once you get away from the self created race issues, and look back, it is downright silly.

Anonymous said...

12:26 AM You hit it right on the head. A man should be judged by his character and ability and not by the color of his skin.
The problem is, as I see it, the federal government has for a long time used race as a means to keep us divided and distrustful of each other. As long as we are looking hard at one another, we are not paying as much attention to what they (the government) are doing and they use that to get by with doing anything that they want to do.

Anonymous said...

In any ratings list one chooses, Ole Miss does not fare well.

They rank 129th in public universities behind many satellite university campuses in other states.

And, that is a continuing drop.

What we are doing is not working in this State, so isn't it time to entertain some new ideas instead of defending the status quo?

One reason we can't seem to progress is the unwillingness in the State to use limited resources effectively by consolidating the Institutes of Higher Learning and the Junior and Community colleges.

To do so, would change the existing power structures and change is regarded as bad.

But, it is rather hard to argue that race hasn't played a role in the failure of our education system from the bottom up.

Too many educators in positions of authority, both black and white are threatened by change.

It is equally hard to argue that suspicion of " outsiders" and an anti-intellectualism also has played a role.

And, as a result we can't possibly tolerate even the consideration of changes that have worked elsewhere.

We don't really want our children to learn about everything but rather to see the world just as we always have. After all, they might decide we were wrong about some things. What if they reject us?

It is does not encourage academic freedom or innovation when any change or new idea is seen as a threat and immediately reacted to with the sarcasm or defensiveness seen in the comments above.

It is simply a fact that we live in a country that is diverse and that humans are diverse. Not everyone thinks or acts or looks alike.

We can see that as a threat and fight against it or fight among ourselves or we can try to embrace the positive aspects of our differences and build on that. We can try to build on our common dreams and hopes.

We could all embrace the notion that every child should be able to reach their highest potential regardless of their circumstance of birth. We could embrace personal achievement instead of personal wealth since the latter leads to resentment instead of accomplishment.

Or, we can continue to move in the direction of the countries whose racial and religious tensions and factions competing for power have led them to conflict where the end game is one side trying to exterminate the other and destruction of everything.

The idea of " family values" failed to realize not all families had good values. We should have been talking about what things we should value in a society and the best possible education for our children should have been high on the list!



Anonymous said...

So when does Jackson State hire their Vice Chancellor for Diversity? I'm sure any day now.

Anonymous said...

752 you are dead on about IHL and Jr Colleges. We dont need a junior college campus every 10 miles! With so many classes moving online, we dont need any collegiate transfer junior colleges. Oxford, Starkville, Hattiesburg and so forth provide experiences in themselves- so we still need some brick and mortar campuses...why should the state replicate english 101 at both ihl and jr college level?

we need strong junior colleges for trades!

hottytoddy11 said...

U of MLK is a funny one but seriously it's about 90% money and 10% image, non southerners don't get the "it's not hate it's heritage" rhetoric so when they come here on tours see Dixie up a waving it may cause uncomfortableness in whites, blacks or others that are not from here. I was in undergrad when the black bear "vote" happened and they kinda forced it upon us while making is think we had an input, If I'm not mistaken maybe 3k voted but that may be a serious overreach. And the choices were a Horse, animated characters Hotty & Toddy, LandMarks, the black bear and I think Magnolias. As a black student from Mississippi I didn't see much wrong with Colonel (maybe he needed a current military update, but that's neither here nor there) but I felt like some school leaders and groups tried to tell us how we should feel, only to ease some of the flack off of their assess for wanting to change things for a better transition for students and mainly athletes coming from other areas of the country. The reality is you can never change Ole Miss the comradery and pride is too strong, Chancellor Khayat banned flags at the game but you still see them in the Grove and in dorms and frat houses, banned Colonel Reb but we still see him any given Saturday. Yeh some people are racist but most aren't so this is kinda punishing a group for a few sour Apples but it may open other doors for our beloved Ole Miss... and btw The University of Mississippi is to damn long to say that's one provision i don't get.

Anonymous said...

I am still offended that I, as a white person, see no groups named "100 White Men", whitepeoplemeet.com, "White Student Union", etc., as opposed to "100 Black Men", "blackpeoplemeet.com", "Black Student Union". Why do blacks get separate everything and it not be racial prejudice? I had to take off my Ole Miss front car tag with a picture of Colonel Reb in front of the old Confederate flag because I was in a public parking garage at work and my boss said it was "racially insensitive". BS.

Never Forget said...

Except for a handful of boys, in early 1861, the entire student body and faculty at the college of Mississippi in Oxford, Lafayette County, joined the Confederate cause. These boys voted among themselves to offer their fighting skills to the Southern army to fight in in the battles in the north east. They felt they would do the most good stopping the Northern armies as they crossed into the Southland. They boarded a train in Corinth, Mississippi and were off to Virginia to fight the federal invaders. Some made it to First Bull Run, others Hung the conductor for sabotaging a train derailment. This book is about the 1th Mississippi, Company A's exploits through Gettysburg.

Throughout we meet the boys and learn of many fates. There is Jerry Gage whose letter to his mother he dictated to his attending physician as he lay dying. We meet 13 year old Ben Griffin, shot dead giving water to the wounded on the battlefield. Their Fate and that of others in Company A are revealed. We meet William Lowry, first voted the Captain of the boys, soon wounded in the face and after the war killed in a Texas gunfight.

During "Pickett's Charge" the "Greys", as they became known, suffered 100% casualties. They were the only unit In the entire war on either side to suffer this feat. We experience their fighting at first Bull Run, Antietam and Gaines Mill and many smaller battles.
In the book, one follows the charge at Gettysburg step by step and sees the carnage and feels the shot and shell all the while watching the eight members of the 11th drop dead as they carried the regimental battle flag.

30 year old Confederate Son said...

I blame all of this 'politically correct' bullshit on our current generation of 40-60 year old males. You pussies have never stood up for anything. It is because of you standing idly by as our heritage has been yanked out from under us that has led to this. The generation of 40-60 year old is by far the most pathetic, weak generation of southerners ever reared. Your generation will go down in history as cowards.

Anonymous said...

That is BS about the tag 9:14 that sucks we are still in America and unless you have to drive for work it shouldn't have been an issue!

But as for the "black" groups that's the case for all minority groups in America i.e. United Negro College Fund & American Indian College Fund or Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science & National Society of Black Engineers. Because there are less of us these tools are used to progress minorities in different fields especially in networking and also provide comfort in seeing someone like yourself in a job you might aspire to one day hold. As opposed to going to a non specific conference where there are 300 participants and only 30 minority students and the whole board and presenters are Caucasian, which is nothing wrong with that the sub groups just help give a little push forward to kids that may not see it for themselves or may nor have had role models or family members in their field. And these groups aren't inclusive to only blacks many people just assume because an org is historically black that it does not allow other races to join which isn't the case. The 100 mentors any male child in need of a role model regardless of race and has white members as well as other races.

Anonymous said...

9:53:

Spoken like a true 30yo; you realize you're calling your father a pussy, right? And what have you ever stood up for-- besides your daddy's checks? Put your pacifier back in...

Anonymous said...

Chris McDaniel would be an excellent choice for the new vice chancellor position.

Anonymous said...

10:11

9:53 here. I'm well aware of what generation my father is from. And I am ashamed of his cowardice just as my peers are of theirs. Now as far as what I have stood up for. I suppose deployment in Afghanistan doesn't count for anything. Put your adult diapers back on you old coward.

Anonymous said...

My great grandfather fought in the battle of bull run, he was wounded in the hip. He walked home to Leake county MS and fathered my grandfather. My father was a cook in the big war and I was a supply specialist in Vietnam. Saying all that I was still embarrassed about how Mississippi treated men of color. The clarion Ledger would not print the truth and the radio and television stations were the same, only reporting form the segregation point of view.
Do I think UM is going too far, yes; but I’m a state guy and do
not care!!

Anonymous said...

My great grandfather fought in the battle of bull run, he was wounded in the hip. He walked home to Leake county MS and fathered my grandfather. My father was a cook in the big war and I was a supply specialist in Vietnam. Saying all that I was still embarrassed about how Mississippi treated men of color. The clarion Ledger would not print the truth and the radio and television stations were the same, only reporting form the segregation point of view.
Do I think UM is going too far, yes; but I’m a state guy and do
not care!!

Anonymous said...

They should change the name of The Grove to The Yard. That'd be a big first step.

Anonymous said...

Change the name because a small minority of the faculty (pardon the pun) are uncomfortable with the name and see it as racist? Seriously? I did not go to U of MS and have no personal interest, bit this political correctness with trying to accommodate the whiniest babies in society because they are resentful of EVERYTHING that does not show racial favoritism on their behalf is getting out of hand. I hope the staff and students stand up for principle and do not cave in on a name change. As for having entire departments and offices dedicated to diversity, please just admit you no longer want to be competitive in the world and prefer a rainbow of mediocrity instead of demand for performance excellence in a color blind, sexual preference blind, gender blind manner

Anonymous said...

I am a Mississippi State fan. I actually despise the typical Ole Miss fan. But, as a proud Mississippian, this enrages me. I also agree with 9:53. My generation is the worst thing that has ever happened to the State of Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

"The generation of 40-60 year old is by far the most pathetic, weak generation of southerners ever reared. Your generation will go down in history as cowards. "

It's not limited to southerners.

Anonymous said...

'They should change the name of The Grove to The Yard. "

Please explain. Changing the name of the legendary pre-game meeting place to the nickname of the center of social life of a prison means what, exactly?

If this is just mindless anti-UM drivel take it elsewhere. Grownups and taxpayers are talking seriously here.

Anonymous said...

Another state school uses The Yard to refer to their campus. Where have you been?

Anonymous said...

Oh my...talking about the Greys is like listening to the Palestinians and Israelis go back to 1948 ( and that was more recent!)

My ancestors were with Lee's Army of Virginia , but I can stop crying over spilt milk!

If I didn't also suspect that you'd be opposed to reparations for the descendants of former slaves, I MIGHT be more sympathetic.

And, I so hate the carpetbagging Yankees who all but stole the plantations and farms and now pretend to come from planters!

I want to see Sojourner's family tree!

Anonymous said...

Not hanging out at MS state schools, obviously.

Anonymous said...

1:31 pm Pray tell what is your combat experience?

You might ought to have enough sense to watch who you call " pussies" and " cowards"!

There's not a war this country has fought where my family hasn't been decorated in COMBAT!

If you don't have a Silver Star and Purple Heart, shut the F up!


Anonymous said...

"If I didn't also suspect that you'd be opposed to reparations for the descendants of former slaves, I MIGHT be more sympathetic."

What in the hell do you call welfare and food stamps?

Anonymous said...

Dan Jones resigns, IHL appoints a person of color as chancellor, problem solved. When the new chancellor decides not diverse enough in Gay, Lesbian, Transgender arena, see above.

No need for committees, meetings, reports, new positions. An AA chancellor at OM will do wonders for all our problems.

Anonymous said...

6:01 pm You need to read.

The majority of those receiving welfare and food stamps are WHITE.

And, no, I'm not including Hispanics and Asians.

Yes, Asians also get welfare and food stamps.

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at people in MS. So what if you're great grandfather fought for the south. It was wrong then and is wrong now. BTW, Ole Miss is what slaves were forced to call the masters wife. I wouldn't want my university affectionately called that but hey some of you nice citizens still want to secede from the union in 2014

Anonymous said...

11:21 pm It's not all of us in Mississippi and oddly, the most racist among us are either transplanted Yankees or the descendants of carpetbaggers or of people who were never other than from poor whites.

Very few plantations were in the hands of the original owners by the 1880s. And, those who managed to hang on, did so by adapting, not by wishing for the good old days.

Jones County was Union and yet that's where the Klan was very strong in the 60's and where McDaniel is from and got the most support.







Kingfish said...

So what about changing the name of the University of Alabama?

Ghost of Sylvester Croom said...

Jones is an ultra-liberal with a very personal liberal agenda. A man in that position should not be allowed to run free and change what he doesn't like. This is a public institution supported by tax dollars, not his personal, private high school.

At what point in time will he ban the flag of the State of Mississippi simply because he doesn't embrace the symbol appearing in the canton corner of that flag?

Battle Hymn of The Republic my Southern ass!

Ophelia said...

I was casting about for an apposite quote about PC pussies, and could think of nothing, so I'll go with the commenter above who so aptly noted, "THIS IS A LOAD OF HORSESHIT." Well, well said!

Anonymous said...

I attended one of the best colleges in Texas - rated far above UM in academics and athletics. A guy invited me to an Ole Miss game, so I accepted. The Grove atmosphere and the way people acted was so SILLY it was hard to believe. Can't understand alumni bragging about it.

Where's Colonel Reb? said...

That there are more whites in this state receiving welfare and food stamps is a myth. Correction, it's a lie.

I do like the notion of replacing Jones with a person of color. Perhaps a black, handicapped, female, Jew. That should cover most of the bases. And put Jones back in charge of grave-discovery at the corner of Woodrow and State.

Anonymous said...

They really don't need to hire another administrator. Most universities have too many well-paid administrators already. However, many of the comments here by purported supporters of Ole Miss/UM are making the case that it does has a problem with race. It's one thing to uphold university traditions that some may find uncomfortable. It's another to defend them by resorting to welfare, food stamps, intergenerational insults and mockery.

Deo Vindice said...

11:18; You ain't frum round here, are ya? After you've had your nose shoved in reparations (great society), demands, charges of racism, quotos, goals and diversity for fifty years, you become sorta entitled to a joke or mockery here and again.

Nobody in this state was EVER offended by any of these relics, symbols, memories, traditions, and heritage UNTIL some liberal yankee told our citizens they OUGHT to be offended.

It's a matter of "Hell, I don't have a clue why offended, I just know I'm 'pose to be."

Pappy Odaniel said...

Damn I hate I am so late to this topic! Diversity and its mother multiculturalism is a lie and a fraud. It is solely an institutional method to introduce liberal Marxist, anti-Western civilization propaganda on campus. Because you don't want to be undiverse do you? Well, Mr Diversity Chancellor will your first event be a Jewish Heritage and Israeli State education Day...or an I production to the Southern Baptist Faith Day, I would guess not, but Kwanzaa and Eid al Fitr better be on the calendar and you will observe it...screw these people

Anonymous said...

Ole miss is just a nickname for mississippi
It is NOT the name a slave gave to the mrs of a plantation. That myth has been de bunked ten fold.

Deo Vindice said...

Please present evidence of that, 7:18. As much as I honor and revere the 'name' Ole Miss, it is indeed how slaves were allowed to address or speak of the wife of a plantation owner a hundred and fifty five years ago.

Let us know when you find where it was once debunked, much less ten times debunked. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Maybe some of you have never been around farm families? These tend to be multi-generational. The 'OLE Miss' would be the widow or wife of the Senior Plantation Owner. The Wife of the younger Owner would be 'Young Miss', and little girls would be 'Little Miss.'

I don't think that slavery or race had much to do with those appellations. If so, then "Little Miss Farm Bureau" is a racist institution.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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