<p>Thanks for the review. It’s a tough decision with no wrong answers! Both schools are wonderful. Good luck.</p>
<p>First, let me say that I am thrilled that @chesterton and family enjoyed their visit to the UM campus! I’m glad you found it a place that was welcoming. That’s what’s most important for a site like this to discuss not trying to tear universities down. If I can answer any questions, please let me know. </p>
<p>Now, @cg123 What issues would you like me to acknowledge? I have always agreed that UM isn’t perfect - no school is. We are just willing to discuss our issues and are under an unusual amount of public scrutiny that other institutions don’t seem to receive. With the flag, I assume you mean the Mississippi state flag? While I don’t agree with the flag personally, we would obviously fly the state’s flag as the state’s flagship institution. So, we do not have the “Confederate flag” on campus. While some of our alumni are resistant, many students, alumni and families have embraced Rebel the Black Bear. I see them posing for pictures with the mascot regularly at sporting and other events. The kids love him. UM can’t force alums to support it. Our history is a tough one, but we are working daily to better our institution. </p>
<p>My role joining this site was to help give a factual response to many of the things posted here. I have seen a number of just outright falsehoods posted on this website about UM. A lot of people don’t seem to love my posts, but I will continue to post factual information as long as I see incorrect information being given to students and their parents. One person’s opinion, experience or situation doesn’t make it true for everyone. It makes it true for that one person. </p>
<p>Yes, we really did have a great time, Ole Miss and its students are very impressive, and my son is still conflicted. Even if he had to make a decision based on which place had a favorite restaurant, it would be tough! LOL In Ruston, LA, there’s Dowling’s sandwich to die for. In Tuscaloosa, my son loved Bob’s Victory Grill. And in Oxford, Ajax Diner was likely the best Southern food restaurant we’ve ever eaten in while living in the South. Even the Taco Shop, which we made sure to find, had the best tacos I have ever eaten, and I grew up in California eating authentic Mexican food every week. Whodathunk we’d find even more authentic food in Oxford MS. Only regret is that we ran out of time to find some tamales (a personal favorite and something I use to judge every new Mexican food restaurant I go to, so I would have loved to have eaten some Mississippi tamales.)</p>
<p>Of course, in all towns, he will be just another starving college student, mostly eating off the school meal plan, but still :)</p>
<p>As far as the confederate symbol on Mississippi’s flag, would forcing a change make the history go away? Sure, Mississippi was part of the Confederacy, but I know that many of the Northern Mississippians on my husband’s side of the family did not join the Confederacy to fight for slavery. They had no slaves. They were dirt poor, and had more in common with the slaves than the plantation owners (yes, I realize the obvious difference was that they were free.) They joined the Confederacy to fight against a federal government that they did not believe had the right to tell them how to run their state’s business. Actually, in many cases, I don’t even think that they thought much about the philosophy - it was a gut reaction to protect their lives, such as they were. Turns out they were justified in some of the fears of such a government - look what the federal government allowed to happen to the South after the war was over. Cousins of my husband’s Northern Mississippi ancestors, who lived an hour away in Northwest Alabama fought for the Union, and they, too, were dirt poor and had never owned slaves. They were not fighting against slavery when they were drafted or joined. They were fighting to protect their families and what little they had. When it was all said and done, their loyalty to the Union did not leave them in a better place than their Confederate cousins. They all remained dirt poor, even poorer than before (poorer than dirt?) and, especially after Emancipation, they had far more in common with the freed slaves than the white powers that be. If only those dirt poor, white Mississippians and white Alabamans had joined with the freed slaves, things for the south might have been much different. But the elite came through, whether from the North, or the existing ones in the South, and they stirred up division, and made sure that all of those dirt poor people of all colors would not unite. The powers that be often do that, because it keeps them in power, and leaves the powerless to blame their powerlessness on each other, and not the true problem - the elites.</p>
<p>I realize that for some, the Confederate symbol evokes immediate hurt, and for others a sense of pride. I think the folks in Mississippi, both black, white, and other, ought to get to make the decision about their state flag. Not some lawyers out in California or some federal bureaucrats in Washington DC. Ole Miss is dealing head on with the fools who violated that statue and hurt so many fellow students with their foolishness. Stupid people do stupid things and what else can Ole Miss do but punish them for the stupidity. That stupidity was hardly an expression of the campus as a whole, or even the state as a whole. The church where my son will attend (if he goes to Ole Miss) is composed of a very diverse group of people. Decades ago, it probably was not so diverse, so progress is being made.</p>
<p>Back to Ole Miss, how to decide? One of my younger kids (two years away from college) loved the Ole Miss education program and the scholarships available, and she loved that the campus is so safe. Oh boy, will I be glad when this decision-making process is over!! :)</p>
<p>I’ve been going to ole miss my whole life. My mom and dad went there and we live about 3 hours away so we go up a lot. The university is very open about its past and tries to educate people on it. greek life is NOT the only way to get involved on campus and make friends because there are a ton of clubs and organizations. it does not matter how you dress or your race. Ole miss is very diverse, all fifty states and 94 countries are represented there. You will fit in fine! Just find the people that make you feel at home! Good Luck!!</p>