STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Combined Activity for Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options Excluding the Cash Component) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, number, ending balance	1,437,031
Exercisable, number	1,018,397
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$ 19.85
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$ 22.95
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 8 months 23 days
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 1 month 1 day
Stock appreciation rights and stock options excluding the cash component
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding, number, beginning balance	2,653,430	2,930,492	2,807,498
Granted, number	0	185,004	828,463
Exercised, number	(223,473)	(4,105)	(361,478)
Forfeited / expired, number	(992,926)	(457,961)	(343,991)
Outstanding, number, ending balance	1,437,031	2,653,430	2,930,492
Exercisable, number	1,018,397
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	$ 24.07	$ 24.81	$ 27.45
Granted, weighted average exercise price	$ 0.00	$ 14.25	$ 11.63
Exercised, weighted average exercise price	$ 11.84	$ 11.60	$ 12.34
Forfeited / expired, weighted average exercise price	$ 32.93	$ 24.91	$ 27.78
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$ 19.85	$ 24.07	$ 24.81
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$ 22.95
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 8 months 23 days	2 years 9 months 18 days	3 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 1 month 1 day
Outstanding, aggregated intrinsic value	$ 4,384,668	$ 2,867,175	$ 1,104,590
Exercisable, aggregated intrinsic value	$ 2,307,463
Remaining unvested stock appreciation rights and stock options expected to vest, number	397,703
Remaining unvested options and SARs expected to vest, weighted average exercise price	$ 12.32