Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> Faculty Senate View of Thames' Legacy
Post Info TOPIC: Faculty Senate View of Thames' Legacy
Reporter


Status: Offline
Posts: 322
Date:
Faculty Senate View of Thames' Legacy
Permalink Closed

http://www.usm.edu/fsenate/

A Faculty Senate View of the Legacy of the Thames Administration

An Abbreviated Review of a Five Year Presidency
 
Overview.  Much has been and will be written about the five-year presidency of Dr. Shelby F. Thames.  Members of the Faculty Senate are concerned that the written history may feature only events and successes as they are portrayed by the Thames Administration.  To ensure that important aspects of the Thames years that directly impacted faculty are not lost to selective omissions or creative reconstructions, members of the Faculty Senate feel compelled to present brief commentary on a number of prominent events and outcomes resulting from decisions and actions by the Thames Administration.  Our selection of topics has been influenced by input from many USM colleagues.  We acknowledge that the list of negative actions that follows could have been longer.  However, we have restricted ourselves to topics that have been mentioned frequently in the print and broadcast media and that seem to loom largest in the minds of our colleagues.  More detailed information can be found within the Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes of the past five years found on the Faculty Senate website (http://www.usm.edu/fsenate/).
 
There are two actions on the part of the Thames Administration that many faculty feel warrant positive comments. First, no USM Gulf Coast faculty members were terminated as a result of Hurricane Katrina-generated enrollment declines.  In contrast, hundreds of faculty members were furloughed at New Orleans universities.  Second, physical improvements at the Hattiesburg Campus are quite noticeable.

At the other end of the spectrum are a set of negative impacts of the Thames Administration.  In the minds of so many faculty and other university constituencies, these negatives are representative of the real Thames legacy.  The list is basically in chronological order from earliest to most recent.  Again, the list is not intended to be all-inclusive.
 
A THAMES LEGACY
1.      After three presidential candidates, including Dr. Thames, interviewed on the Hattiesburg Campus in spring 2002, the USM Chapter of AAUP conducted a preference poll among faculty.  A total of 85% (157 out of 184) faculty who participated in the poll found Dr. Thames to be unacceptable for the presidency.  This vote was apparently ignored by those who selected Dr. Thames as president, even though it was his fellow faculty members who so emphatically stated their choice.  Both of the other candidates were found to be acceptable. 
2.      When it comes to filling top leadership positions, national searches are the norm at most universities.  The beginning of the Thames years (summer and fall 2002) saw many appointments to senior administrative positions, but there were virtually no national searches. Nor was campus input sought on the selection of senior officers for the University.  Had there been a national search or even more campus involvement in the selection of Administrative officials, perhaps questions on credentials and competency might have been addressed then rather than later.
3.      A talented set of deans and associate deans was in place at the start of the Thames years.  This cadre of deans was terminated en masse at a sudden breakfast meeting in January 2003.  Superb leadership and history were lost in an instant.  These deans earned and deserved more respect than they were accorded.  Virtually all of them were excellent USM leaders and citizens.
4.      The restructuring of all academic colleges was announced in January 2003 along with the termination of the deans.  This restructuring occurred without input from faculty and with virtually no thought about the impact on curriculum and assessment.  The claim that approximately $2 million in administrative costs were saved and reallocated has not been documented and is at best questionable, whereas the turmoil caused by the sudden joining of previously-separate academic units, along with searches for new deans and new administrative staff, caused months and years of lost time.
5.      A Graduate School enrollment scandal occurred in fall 2003.  At first there was a denial by the Thames Administration that there was any inflating of enrollments. However, it was admitted later that there was a significant over count and that over 700 graduate students were enrolled in one class without their knowledge; some of them were no longer connected with the university at all.  The director of graduate studies resigned because of the miscount.  Ironically, she was back as director of graduate studies within just a few years of the enrollment scandal. 
6.      In spring 2004, the Thames Administration attempted to fire two distinguished senior faculty members, Dr. Frank Glamser (Sociology, and president of the USM Chapter of the AAUP) and Dr. Gary Stringer (English) for conducting an inquiry about the credentials of the vice president for research and economic development (Dr. Angie Dvorak) that the Thames administration should have conducted itself.  Locking the professors out of their offices, seizing their computers, and attempting to terminate them transformed an already skeptical campus into complete turmoil.  The Thames Administration used the USM Media and Public Relations Unit to assert that Drs. Glamser and Stringer had been engaged in criminal activities. Eventually there was a settlement (April 2004), and all three of the Kentucky trio President Thames had hired without searches (Mr. Jack Hanbury, Mr. Mark Dvorak, and Dr. Dvorak) left USM along with Drs. Glamser and Stringer.  Over the next year, so did scores of excellent faculty who were completely disillusioned with the Thames Administration.  The whole unnecessary incident cost the taxpayers nearly half a million dollars, as reported in the Hattiesburg American.  The Thames Administration failed to publicly clarify the confusing/misleading information on Dr. Dvoraks vita/resume.  Such explanation would have been far preferable to locking distinguished professors out of their offices and attempting to fire them.
7.      During the April 2004 Board of Trustees mandated hearings on efforts by the Thames Administration to terminate Drs. Glamser and Stringer, the Thames Administration admitted that it had been secretly monitoring faculty and student email messages.  Secret monitoring of email messages has no place in the academy without proper oversight by a committee that includes faculty as well as members of the administration.  This revelation contributed significantly to feelings of fear, intimidation, and low morale on campus.
8.      In spring 2004 no-confidence votes against President Thames and his administration were taken by the Faculty Senate (40-0) and by the whole faculty (430-32 or 93%) in a special convocation of March 10, 2004.  Such unanimity among faculty is nearly unprecedented and revealed the deep gulf between the universitys officers and the faculty.
9.      Very large and periodic stealth raises for a select group of administrators, faculty and staff during the Thames years have been the rule.  Comparatively speaking, most continuing faculty and staff on average have received small raises, including several years in a row of no raises, over the five years of the Thames Administration.  Apparent favoritism in the awarding of raises further eroded morale at the university.
10.  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) instituted accreditation probation against USM in the fall of 2004.  The initial response from the Thames Administration was to say they found no evidence that the previous administration had communicated with SACS officials on important matters.  However, SACS officials publicly stated that all reporting requirements had been met by the previous administration.  The accreditation probation resulted in the creation of entirely new administrative offices and administrators and the hiring of consultants.  The cost to address the issue of probation was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
11.  Just before the December 2005 holiday season, it was learned that the Thames Administration was proposing that comprehensive Physical Plant services be outsourced to a private company.  Many faculty and staff believe this initiative was begun with the full intent of awarding outsourcing operations to a favored vendor.  The outsourcing effort was initiated after the tremendous services provided night and day by Physical Plant employees to help the University recover after Hurricane Katrina.  Outsourcing was also begun without an analysis that would suggest such a move might be warranted.  After significant opposition and questions surfaced, the outsourcing initiative was derailed by the Board of Trustees.
12.  The Thames Administration has periodically and publicly criticized the College of Business and the Department of Psychology in spite of data suggesting good productivity from these academic units.  This public criticism was neither professional nor helpful to the units or the University.
13.  The Thames administration actively encouraged Dean Willie Pierce from the College of Education and Psychology to resign in early 2007, just months before a new president was to assume leadership of the University.  The effort to force the resignation of Dean Pierce was unwarranted and unwise.  Replacements (the dean and associate dean) were from the same specialization within the same department, and neither individual had notable experience in higher education. The interim department chair of the unit from which the associate dean came was not even in a tenure-track position (but was a candidate for a USM tenure track position).  Little or no input was sought by the Thames Administration on who the interim chair or associate dean should be.
 
There was a pervasive feeling among faculty and staff that the Thames Administration did not lead by example nor feel a need to account for its actions.   It chose not to seek meaningful input from those who would be affected by its decisions.  Faculty and staff (e.g., Physical Plant staff) left in droves (for other positions and to retirements they might not normally have pursued as early as they did).  Some have said that the quotes attributed to Dr. Thames in the March 3, 2007 issue of the Hattiesburg American captured a lot of what the legacy of the Thames Administration should be.  "You've got to step on some cheeks to get things done.  If (the new president) isn't stepping on some cheeks and making people feel uncomfortable, something is wrong."  Dr. Thames was subsequently quoted as having stated that Anybody who controls the gold controls the place.  Indeed, secrecy and favoritism in resource allocations was a trademark of the Thames administration.

Many if not most faculty and staff believe "stepping on some cheeks and making people feel uncomfortable" are words spoken by those who do not lead by example.  Instead, these words characterized an administration bent on forcing its will by using threats and intimidation.  This list of significant events will be vividly remembered by the hundreds of faculty members whose personal and professional lives were adversely affected during the five-year Thames reign.  So will the unprecedented spring 2004 no-confidence votes against the Thames administration by the Faculty Senate (40-0) and faculty at large (430-32 or 93%).


-- Edited by Reporter at 20:03, 2007-05-09

-- Edited by Reporter at 20:43, 2007-05-09

__________________
Incredulous


Status: Offline
Posts: 154
Date:
Permalink Closed

One positive aspect of the Thames era is a greatly strengthened and energized Faculty Senate. Over the past four years the Senate has been blessed with courageous, tireless, and talented officers who have provided strong leadership. The faculty is in their debt.

__________________
LeftASAP


Status: Offline
Posts: 146
Date:
Permalink Closed

Incredulous wrote:

One positive aspect of the Thames era is a greatly strengthened and energized Faculty Senate. Over the past four years the Senate has been blessed with courageous, tireless, and talented officers who have provided strong leadership. The faculty is in their debt.


Agreed, Incredulous. I heard it said that Thames' greatest positive contribution to USM was that he united the faculty like it has never been united before. I bet it doesn't last long under a talented, real leader. smile Faculty Senate meeting will soon again be BORING meetings debating parking and seating arrangements at graduation.biggrin

 



-- Edited by LeftASAP at 21:55, 2007-05-09

__________________
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

i see that at least one item omits significant information about an IHL investigation.  but that wouldn't support the conclusion in the senate report.  but president saunders can get that cleared up.

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
LeftASAP


Status: Offline
Posts: 146
Date:
Permalink Closed

stinky cheese man wrote:

i see that at least one item omits significant information about an IHL investigation. but that wouldn't support the conclusion in the senate report. but president saunders can get that cleared up.


SCM, I must not be up to speed on the latest.  Can you give more details about "an IHL investigation"?

 



__________________
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

you have to know the history of the last 5 years.  if the authors of this report don't know it (or choose to omit it), then so be it.  saunders will be availed of the report. 

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
LeftASAP


Status: Offline
Posts: 146
Date:
Permalink Closed

stinky cheese man wrote:

you have to know the history of the last 5 years. if the authors of this report don't know it (or choose to omit it), then so be it. saunders will be availed of the report.


By report are you refering to the IHL investigation or the F.S. article? Can you say what the topic of the IHL investigation was?

 



-- Edited by LeftASAP at 22:21, 2007-05-09

__________________
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

i am referring to an IHL investigation that was covered by the press.  saunders will be able to talk with the person at the IHL that conducted the investigation.  but the authors of this "summary" know of it, or should know of it.  

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Incredulous


Status: Offline
Posts: 154
Date:
Permalink Closed

SCM may be referring to the inflated enrollment report that was chalked up to "human error" by the administration. In spite of the facts that the course number in question had never been used for that purpose, the class never met, the students did not know they had been enrolled, the students never were billed, the students were not informed when they were dropped, and the drop took place the weekend after the count was made, after a brief visit the IHL representative determined that there was no intention to deceive. Had the determination been otherwise, the IHL would have had to deal with Thames. As their inaction after the SACS probation later demonstrated, they were not prepared to do that. The administrator who quietly took the hit for the "error" was later restored to her position.

__________________
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

no i wasn't thinking of that.  but since you brought that up, i noticed at least one factual error in both your account and that of the senate. 

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Godless Liberal


Status: Offline
Posts: 91
Date:
Permalink Closed

stinky cheese man wrote:

no i wasn't thinking of that.  but since you brought that up, i noticed at least one factual error in both your account and that of the senate. 


One error in the FS account is that the dean and associate dean in COEP have interim qualifiers. In the SAS account, was the error that the formal title of the position she holds now is different from her previous position? With respect to the IHL investigation teaser, did it have to do with G&S? Or is it something to do with the BG issue?



__________________
"Bluto's right. Psychotic, but absolutely right."
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

i frankly don't care about it. i view the FS "review" as an oped piece or a curio. i think saunders got her cue from meredith when he said around the time she was picked--there's a reason a windshield is bigger and wider than a rearview mirror (my paraphrase). for many of the people i talk with, we're looking forward.

-- Edited by stinky cheese man at 08:53, 2007-05-10

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Curmudgeon


Status: Offline
Posts: 180
Date:
Permalink Closed

The past actions of the administration are important because many of the actors are still in place in hopes of participating in the future. As was the case in South Africa, the sins of the past must be exposed and rectified to clear the way for a better future.

__________________
Godless Liberal


Status: Offline
Posts: 91
Date:
Permalink Closed

stinky cheese man wrote:

i frankly don't care about it. i view the FS "review" as an oped piece or a curio. i think saunders got her cue from meredith when he said around the time she was picked--there's a reason a windshield is bigger and wider than a rearview mirror (my paraphrase). for many of the people i talk with, we're looking forward.

-- Edited by stinky cheese man at 08:53, 2007-05-10


When you chimed in with your post, it seemed to me that you cared about it. Maybe I was wrong. I think that all of us are looking forward to Dr. Saunders' arrival--but I am not sure if my reasons are the same as yours (your posts tend to be either supportive of the current administration or neutral--which is your right).

The faculty senate piece may have some factual errors, but calling it an "op-ed piece" or "curio" serves to minimize the FS attempt to record the destruction the little fella left in his wake--and which should never be forgotten. I agree that it is important to look through the windshield (after cleaning off all the garbage the last owners left behind)--but not with blinders on. Only a fool would drive without using his rear view mirrors also.



__________________
"Bluto's right. Psychotic, but absolutely right."
USM Alum


Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Date:
Permalink Closed

Like SCM, I am disappointed in the report.  It was not substantiated by facts (statistics etc.)and basically amounted to a bunch of p*##ed off people's opinion.  FS can, should and must do better.  While you did include a couple of positives, I think a balanced report thoroughly cited would be a tremedous help to the FS's reputation as opposed to the piece you've put out.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is generally agreed upon that Thames's administration has brought USM to it's knees, the faculty's reputation isn't that good either, which hurt your (our) cause and made it harder to get rid of Thames.  Make no mistake about it Thames is out because he is an idiot and had no business being a university president to begin with, which became abundantly clear even to his initial supporters on the college board, not because the faculty wasn't included in every decision as you would like or people agreed that the faculty got a raw deal.  Albeit part of his incompetence was his total inability to lead, which would certainly include consulting the faculty.  However, final decisionare the President's to make.  That's why he gets paid the big bucks.

I was in a conversation this weekend with three other Alumni who are under the impression that professors leave their teaching to grad students, don't do research that amounts to much and play golf all the time when they should be at work.  That is the overwhelming perception alumni that I run in to, and Shelby was going to straighten them out.  I graduated from two different schools at USM and that was not my experience in either.  Professors showed up, taught and were avaible to answer questions after class and during office hours.

I'll do what I can to help you as a group, but you, the FS, have to also help yourselves.  This report does not help you.



-- Edited by USM Alum at 09:45, 2007-05-10

-- Edited by USM Alum at 09:47, 2007-05-10

__________________
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

GL--i don't agree with your characterization of my posts, or support or lack thereof of administrators, but you're entitled to it.  maybe i try to avoid stereotyping or painting with a broad brush too much.

my area of research expertise doesn't allow me to view the FS "review" as anything but an oped piece.  it's a political statement, as is anything that comes from administrators or faculty groups (or Republicans and Democrats).  there are some nice social-psychological models/theories that explain all of this. 

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Jameela Lares


Status: Offline
Posts: 64
Date:
Permalink Closed

I'm both a bit puzzled and a bit dismayed by the response to the Faculty Senate's list.  Surely our first response should be thanks to a group of well meaning and overworked persons/colleagues who, after years of career-delaying service, are taking out yet more time from their research, teaching, and personal lives to compile what is surely a useful list for future reference.

If those of you who are faculty have items to add, delete, or modify, I hope you are also sending them to your representatives on the FS.  The rest of those posting might do well to be more specific in what you think needs work.

But let us not find fault with others for doing what we haven't taken the time or energy to do.

Jameela

__________________
History


Status: Offline
Posts: 53
Date:
Permalink Closed

Incredulous wrote:

SCM may be referring to the inflated enrollment report that was chalked up to "human error" by the administration. In spite of the facts that the course number in question had never been used for that purpose, the class never met, the students did not know they had been enrolled, the students never were billed, the students were not informed when they were dropped, and the drop took place the weekend after the count was made, after a brief visit

Many students were billed!!!  My wife was one of them...



__________________
History has the relation to truth that theology has to religion-i.e., none to speak of.
Godless Liberal


Status: Offline
Posts: 91
Date:
Permalink Closed

stinky cheese man wrote:

GL--i don't agree with your characterization of my posts, or support or lack thereof of administrators, but you're entitled to it.  maybe i try to avoid stereotyping or painting with a broad brush too much.

my area of research expertise doesn't allow me to view the FS "review" as anything but an oped piece.  it's a political statement, as is anything that comes from administrators or faculty groups (or Republicans and Democrats).  there are some nice social-psychological models/theories that explain all of this. 


I agree that such communications have a strong political aspect to them (as do most posts on this board). Some are more subtle, and some more obvious. 


Thank you for correcting me on my interpretation of your posts. Your posts are generally cogent and thoughtful. Your earlier posts in this thread were vague teasers, and perhaps I misread your intent.

MB



__________________
"Bluto's right. Psychotic, but absolutely right."
Incredulous


Status: Offline
Posts: 154
Date:
Permalink Closed

History wrote:

Incredulous wrote:

SCM may be referring to the inflated enrollment report that was chalked up to "human error" by the administration. In spite of the facts that the course number in question had never been used for that purpose, the class never met, the students did not know they had been enrolled, the students never were billed, the students were not informed when they were dropped, and the drop took place the weekend after the count was made, after a brief visit

Many students were billed!!! My wife was one of them...





That was a long time ago, but my recollection is that students who were registered for no other course were not billed. AAUP contacted some former students on the roster who were out of state at the time who reported they never received a bill or any notification that they were enrolled. My recollection could be wrong.

__________________
Reporter


Status: Offline
Posts: 322
Date:
Permalink Closed

I was certainly glad to see at least an incomplete list of some major events in the Thames' administration put on public record in one location. Yes, it was mostly negative, but the positive things are consider business as usual at most Universities and hardly worthy of special comment.  If one just complied a list of article titles from the Hattiesburg American, Clarion Ledger and Sun Herald on the faculty vs. Thames' Administration conflict for the past five years, you would have a record many academic institutions could never have survived.   USM has survived, but I expect it will suffer post traumatic stress for some time.

__________________
History


Status: Offline
Posts: 53
Date:
Permalink Closed

There is one gaping hole not addressed by the FS. Administration


  • A. The selection of G Lassen as CFO was promulgated by Pileum.

  • B. The loss of Thomas, Cooksey, Keith and Mowdy is directly attributable to their recommendations.

  • C. Reorganization of iTech, Office of Contracts and Grant accounting is also because of their recommendations.

  • D. The dismantling of Distant Learning and International Eduction.

  • E. Reorganization of Gulf Park.


__________________
History has the relation to truth that theology has to religion-i.e., none to speak of.
LVN


Status: Offline
Posts: 408
Date:
Permalink Closed

That's several gaping holes. Thanks for the reminders. I'll be especially interested to see what's done about Continuing Education.

__________________
Love your enemies.  It makes them so damned mad.  ~P.D. East
Cossack


Status: Offline
Posts: 126
Date:
Permalink Closed


I doubt that the new President is going to be all that receptive to listening to a discussion of how bad Shelby acted.  I suspect she alrady has a good idea of his shortcomings.  She would likely be more recepetive to a well thought thesis on how to improve the academic side of the house.  Probably the most important step she could make to restore faculty confidence in the administration is too send a message that all administrators from provost down to chairs should consider their job as temporary.  The deans and chairs who are doing a good job will be supported by faculty and likely retained.  However I suspect that most should be replaced.  She could initiate a straw poll of each college and department where each faculty could evaluate their chair and dean with a statement of "he/she goes or stays".  The President does not have much time to convince faculty that things will change.  Most faculty have run out of patience and pleas that "we need time" will fall on deaf ears.

__________________
Professor of Finance COB USM
Godless Liberal


Status: Offline
Posts: 91
Date:
Permalink Closed

Cossack wrote:


I doubt that the new President is going to be all that receptive to listening to a discussion of how bad Shelby acted.  I suspect she alrady has a good idea of his shortcomings.  She would likely be more recepetive to a well thought thesis on how to improve the academic side of the house.  Probably the most important step she could make to restore faculty confidence in the administration is too send a message that all administrators from provost down to chairs should consider their job as temporary.  The deans and chairs who are doing a good job will be supported by faculty and likely retained.  However I suspect that most should be replaced.  She could initiate a straw poll of each college and department where each faculty could evaluate their chair and dean with a statement of "he/she goes or stays".  The President does not have much time to convince faculty that things will change.  Most faculty have run out of patience and pleas that "we need time" will fall on deaf ears.


My impression is that Dr. Saunders is aware of the bad actors and acts, and is now spending a bit of time trying to fill in the holes and to get a balanced picture of our assets and liabilities before May 21. The critical marker for many of us is how long she takes to get her key direct reports in place, who she chooses, and how she makes those choices. The Provost and Ex-Assist to the Prez do not enjoy much faculty support at this time, and keeping them in their positions for any length of time puts her presidency at risk--and I think she knows this.

Her best option is to bring in a couple of key people she knows and trusts on an interim basis immediately who have the experience, ethics, and credentials to be warmly welcomed by the faculty. At this point, I even think that she would be given a pass to appoint a permanent Provost, if it is the right person. This would grease the wheels to accomplish national searches for the myriad other "open" positions on campus. Assigning a Provost out of the gate is not an ideal position to be in as a new President, but she will need a couple of trusted direct reports in house quickly (Provost and Ex-Assistant) who are committed to USM for the long haul. My prediction is that Joe Paul will serve this function on the student side.  

I hope that the accreditation/articulation/planning position gets shifted to one or two direct report(s) of our next Provost, and that we have a national search for this position(s). It is counterproductive and inefficient to have this position be a direct report to the president.   


 



__________________
"Bluto's right. Psychotic, but absolutely right."
Cossack


Status: Offline
Posts: 126
Date:
Permalink Closed

In Response to:

"Her best option is to bring in a couple of key people she knows and trusts on an interim basis immediately who have the experience, ethics, and credentials to be warmly welcomed by the faculty. At this point, I even think that she would be given a pass to appoint a permanent Provost, if it is the right person. This would grease the wheels to accomplish national searches for the myriad other "open" positions on campus. Assigning a Provost out of the gate is not an ideal position to be in as a new President, but she will need a couple of trusted direct reports in house quickly (Provost and Ex-Assistant) who are committed to USM for the long haul."

I have made the same observation elsewhere on the Board, so obviously your comment is brilliant.  I am not convinced that she will do as we hope.  In reality, she has not had much experience as a President and she may not ever been at a university that had our brand of problems at the time she was there.  Often times, the inexperienced do not realize how much a University can deteriorate over a five year period with a dysfunctional President at the helm.  The faculty who are partying because of the transition may get disgruntled if she elects to go slow based on the belief that if she discusses the problems and make promises (feels our pain) thinking that faculty will be satisfied for a couple of years.

__________________
Professor of Finance COB USM
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

i agree with both cossack and gl, but disagree with both.  what i wish for is not a "reverse rapture." (and i know i'll offend some with that expression).  by that i mean the evil ones are suddenly gone and then we have to fill their positions.  the emphasis here is on suddenly.  i can't imagine this university "running" for some time without some smooth, orderly transition.  it may take longer than some want, but to try and find some folks to manage all of the positions some want to see emptied quickly is not realistic (and i'm not arguing all or most want a lot of positions emptied quickly, but some do).  for example, i could see saunders saying to grimes that you're out, we're doing a national search, but in the transition i will sit in on every policy making discussion and oversee every decision and hear the discussion.  i am apprehensive about the rumors i hear--that folks like myron henry want to be interim provost.  change will occur, but the speed at which it occurs is important. 

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
History


Status: Offline
Posts: 53
Date:
Permalink Closed

i am apprehensive about the rumors i hear--that folks like myron henry want to be interim provost. change will occur, but the speed at which it occurs is important.
I have always wondered why his sudden departure as provost hasn't haunted him in his current life. Seems that the old saying " Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me!" should apply.

__________________
History has the relation to truth that theology has to religion-i.e., none to speak of.
Cossack


Status: Offline
Posts: 126
Date:
Permalink Closed

I also do not think it will happen very quickly and I expect to see the effort to bring in new administrators peter out before there really is much change.  New Presidents usually suffer the fate of Gulliver very soon and are tied down by the lilliputians.  If one administrator per month were fired, it would take a long time to replace them all.



__________________
Professor of Finance COB USM
stinky cheese man


Status: Offline
Posts: 93
Date:
Permalink Closed

to history--memory is short or has left.
to cossack--so what's the solution?  what about my notion that saunders sit in or run the provost's council.  maybe better, who are the lilliputians?

__________________
Never argue with a fool; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
1 2  >  Last»  | Page of 2  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> Faculty Senate View of Thames' Legacy
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard