AAUP-USM web site

http://aaup-usm.org/

Feb. 12, 2007 Motion Expressing Concerns Regarding Recent Activities by the Thames Administration

In this semester of transition, the USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors calls upon the Thames administration to refrain from making major and far-reaching administrative reorganizations, personnel actions, and budget decisions that may impact the choices available to the next president. The membership of the USM Chapter of the AAUP call for the suspension of:

. the reorganization of academic units, programs, or departments;
. changes in administrative appointments such as deans or chairs; and
. significant alteration in the departmental allocations of currently available graduate assistantships.

USM is now only three months from the transition to a new administration. In this context, it is appropriate to defer major organizational, administrative, and budget decisions until the next president takes office. While the membership of AAUP-USM encourages and supports the present administration in its efforts to maintain the excellence of our academic programs and the good standing of those programs with accrediting agencies, at this time our joint focus should be on planning for a smooth transition to a new administration and welcoming the next president of The University of Southern Mississippi in the spring of 2007.