U. Machias Online
EDITORIALS
August 10, 2000
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EDITORIALS SECTION.
CONTACT: umm_issues@hotmail.com
THE UMM SPIRIT: WORKING ON RESURRECTION
By Reid D. AlbeeI am approaching what I hope is my last full time semester at UMM. I have been here off and on since 1993 and I have always been proud to be a student here and I still am. However, I feel the need to make some challenges to students and faculty and administration.
UMM is at a turning point in its history. Morale has been low for the past two years, reaching a
[record] low last spring. Anger and resentment ran rampant. The administration didn't seem
to really understand what was going on until this newspaper and other influences seemingly
shocked them to their senses. Even that took some doing. The official response to this
newspaper was, no official response. Instead of seeing it as a cry for help from students,
the administration saw it as a threat to the status quo, and the newspaper became the enemy
rather than the problems of the campus becoming the enemy. It's kind of like blaming the victim.All of a sudden there was a flurry of activity, the labs are being worked on, some critical computing work is being outsourced to a very capable consultant, and the administration seems to be a bit friendlier and more helpful.
But there is still much wrong here at UMM. When I enrolled in '93 administration and staff bent
over backwards to accommodate the needs of students. Now you practically have to beg to be noticed...unless of course you have done something wrong. Three weeks ago I went to the
registrar to check a grade. I was on break from work and really needed to know if the grade had been entered on the record. In the past the registrar has always greeted myself and other
students with a smile and friendly, courteous help. Not this time. I was told to walk over to
the library and use the distributed info page to check my grade. She was standing four feet from
the terminal when she told me this. I felt like crap and walked out. Sure we have the DSIS phone and the DSIS web, but why can't a student in a hurry be accommodated? It would have taken her
ten seconds to check the grade and I would have felt that someone had done something nice for
me as I was really pressed for time. All I wanted was to be greeted by a friendly face and get
that grade. Instead I was literally told to take a hike (to the library).What is wrong with this picture? What happened to personal, friendly service at UMM? It baffles me how things have changed since I came here in 1993. The registrar experience is but one example. There are many others. Some faculty members seem arrogant and condescending and you can hear others arguing with each other in the halls of Kimball. Everyone has a rushed, stressed out persona and hellos and friendly conversations have turned, in many cases, to a quick wave and a weak hi.
I love UMM. This school has been great for me, and to me. The Student Center and Radio Station jobs have been wonderful to me and I got back as much as I put in. But what has happened to morale?
I have been working here all summer and I have to say that things seem lighter and people seem
a bit more hopeful about the fall semester. I sure hope so.I would like to make the following challenges to administration:
Now that this newspaper is an official organization, deemed appropriate and urgently needed by
a vote of the Student Senate, I would like to make the following challenges:
President Joseph: A weekly column from your office offering an overview of current goings on that are of direct concern to students, etc. Dr Kemp: A weekly column concerning updates on Academic Computing and other issues related to academic affairs. Dr. Erickson: A weekly column concerning updates and proposed changes of interest to students such as residence life, dorm and drinking rules, etc. Residence Life: Weekly RL updates Student Activities: Weekly Calendar of events Remember, with this paper the UMM Community now has a voice that should and
can work two ways. Lets bind together and share information and ideas.
UMM has been in need of repair for far too long. Lets all work together and fix it.
Let's COMMUNICATE!I would love to find the UMM I used to know before I graduate.
Reid Albee is a behavioral science major at UMM.
Submitted to U. Machias Online by Reid Albee.
** EDITOR'S NOTE **
A spokesperson for the Registrar's Office informed U. Machias Online that it is department policy NOT to give out grades. They are unsure why this policy is in effect.
For students wishing to check their grades, any computer on or off campus may be used to do so through DSIS. In addition, IVR is accessible by phone for the same purpose.
Only the computers in Torrey 21 are equipped to register students for courses through DSIS. However, registration is possible by phone after obtaining a RAN from your advisor, selecting a PIN, and having the CRN of the courses you wish to enroll in.
Should you forget your PIN the Registrar's Office will change it back to your default.
To access IVR by phone call 255-1212
To access DSIS online visit
https://www.maine.edu/admin-s/techgrp/webdsis/cgi/index.html
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