Faculty surprised by dean's resignation

"Provost Jay Grimes said the leadership change came after talks with Pierce about "recent happenings in the college," including the successful completion of an accreditation cycle, an increase in external research grants and contracts and the recent ranking of Southern Miss' doctoral teacher education program in the top 10 nationally in scholarly output.

Still, Grimes said there were "certain indicators (the administration) wanted to see go up" and that both top administrators and Pierce "felt it was time for him to return to scholarship."

"We felt some things needed to be improved in the college," Grimes said."

"Obviously, the university's business needs to go on and it doesn't stop because we're about to have a change in president, but we've been clear ... about minimizing the changes that probably should belong to the next president," Faculty Senate President-elect Stephen Judd said.

"There is a fear that the shoe has not dropped and that there are other shoes that are going to drop."

Faculty and staff have reasons to fear that shoes are going to drop and be stomped on!!