Thames: "We took your CarryOver?" - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Sep 24, 2004

Thames: "We took your CarryOver?"

Date: Sep 24, 2004

I'll wager that SFT is lying. He knew that this happened. He's just in serious CYA mode, and will probably end up blaming Tim Hudson for the problem.

Date: Sep 24, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: What's That?
"In a meeting today with Department Chairs and various Deans, etc., President Thames was apparently completely surprised to hear that departments had their carryover monies wiped out recently (was that one source of the raises????)

Yes. Very risky to use non-recurring funds such as the carryover monies to fund recurring expenses such as salaries. Might be wise not to build the raise into your monthly budget, if you get my drift.

At first one person mentioned it as having happened at one department, then others chimed in to say it happened in all locations, and Thames behaved as if genuinely surprised that this had occurred. Um, that is a pretty major thing to ever happen without Presidential approval... Opinions? "

If the President and the CFO had told the chairs and deans their intentions to take the carryover, the chairs and deans would have gone on an end-of-fiscal-year spending spree.

Date: Sep 25, 2004

Thames did know about this. It was discussed at an open meeting he attended. When questioned the CFO responded that this is where part of the raise money came from. I think this decision can be changed with pressure from the chairs, the senate, and the PUC. Push gently at first, but push.

Date: Sep 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"I'll wager that SFT is lying. He knew that this happened. He's just in serious CYA mode, and will probably end up blaming Tim Hudson for the problem.
"

Why, Truth, I am shocked at your cynical attitude. The Supreme High Commander is not lying; he is dissembling. Be polite!

(But Book Keeper's post upthread suggests that you are, in fact, correct.

)

Date: Sep 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" Why, Truth, I am shocked at your cynical attitude. The Supreme High Commander is not lying; he is dissembling. Be polite! (But Book Keeper's post upthread suggests that you are, in fact, correct. )"

I'm in the middle of reading Straight Man by Richard Russo right now (thanks to a generous boardmember!), and I have to say that I would be laughing even harder if the portrayal of a small town university weren't so dead on. Supreme High Commander, indeed!

Date: Sep 27, 2004

Truth,

My mentor recommended Straight Man to me while I was in graduate school. I think I learned more about being a member of an academic department from that book than I did in all my graduate work. Besides, the longer I am in academia, the funnier the book becomes.

Thank you for reminding me of it. I must be about due for a re-read, because I am losing my sense of humor.

DG

Date: Sep 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Done Gone
"Truth, My mentor recommended Straight Man to me while I was in graduate school. I think I learned more about being a member of an academic department from that book than I did in all my graduate work. Besides, the longer I am in academia, the funnier the book becomes. Thank you for reminding me of it. I must be about due for a re-read, because I am losing my sense of humor. DG"

It definitely has its humorous moments...a must-read for anyone in academia (and I'm not even finished with it yet!).

Date: Sep 27, 2004

I reread Straight Man in June, and once again found it to be humorous and honest. What strange lives we lead.