Valley - USM Forum -- Message Board

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Valley

LeftASAP · Status: Offline

It appears the IHL Board sure learned a lot about the administration of univerities over the pass five years. Too bad for USM that it took so long.

Curmudgeon · Status: Offline

It looks like the IHL went to school on Thames. They finally understand that when there is an overwhelming vote of no confidence that the president can not operate effectively. Too bad the Clyda Rent saga didn't get their attention so that USM could have been spared such pain and damage. Of course, Virginia Newton was aware from day one.

One can also surmise that Meredith is making a major contribution.

LeftASAP · Status: Offline

Curmudgeon wrote:

It looks like the IHL went to school on Thames. They finally understand that when there is an overwhelming vote of no confidence that the president can not operate effectively. Too bad the Clyda Rent saga didn't get their attention so that USM could have been spared such pain and damage. Of course, Virginia Newton was aware from day one.

One can also surmise that Meredith is making a major contribution.

Yes, and in addition, you don't have the "distinguished leadership" of Roy Klumb to help manage. smile

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Greenwood Commonwealth, 6/22/07

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18507865&BRD=1838&PAG=461&dept_id=104621&rfi=6

Newman resigns as Valley president

By: Amy McCullough, Staff Writer
06/22/2007

Mississippi Valley State University President Lester Newman resigned this morning, almost four months after a faculty vote of no confidence in the university leadership and ensuing campus controversy....

...Newman said he based his decision on the need for both him and the university to move forward, and he was excited about exploring other opportunities that have been presented to him....

...However, at a Feb. 27 meeting, faculty members voted 33-1, with one abstention, that they had no confidence in the university leadership.

Faculty cited complaints such as a lack of professional courtesy to employees, faculty contracts being issued late, changes in the academic calendar and inconsistencies in faculty pay as reasons Newman should be removed.

Following the vote, Newman established a special advisory committee of 10 faculty members to provide suggestions for resolution to campus issues. A final report, based on surveys of 94 faculty members, called for Newman's immediate removal....

...At a College Board meeting Wednesday, Newman's position was discussed. At the meeting, "no action was taken," said board spokesperson Annie Mitchell.

Mitchell said Newman informed the board of his resignation this morning.

"Dr. Newman indicated his desire to seek other opportunities," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said she did not know whether board members pressured Newman to step down....

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CL, 6/23/07

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070623/NEWS/706230367

Valley leader to step down
'Beginning of better things,' professor says

The resignation of Mississippi Valley State University's embattled president gives the institution a chance to heal and move on, say some faculty members .

Lester Newman announced his resignation, effective July 15, Friday morning.

The announcement came after an hourlong, closed-door meeting Wednesday with the state College Board. Officials said no action was taken at that meeting, and board president Dr. Stacy Davidson has said higher education leaders were attempting to reach an amicable solution to satisfy all parties....

...Plans for restructuring the university, which Newman had developed, have been put on hold. The board won't meet again until August.

Annie Mitchell, spokeswoman for the College Board, said it would be up to Valley's new interim president to bring the restructuring plan before the College Board if he or she wanted to follow through on it. Mitchell said the College Board plans to find an interim president by July 15....

...Emmitt Riley III, a Valley senior from Itta Bena who will be student government vice president for the coming academic year, said students and faculty felt marginalized when Newman presented his reorganization plan to them without asking for any prior input....

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GC

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18523323&BRD=1838&PAG=461&dept_id=104621&rfi=6

No decision yet on Newman's replacement
By: Amy McCullough, Staff Writer 06/27/2007

The state College Board has made no decisions regarding an interim president for Mississippi Valley State University. MVSU President Lester Newman, who joined the university in 1998, resigned Friday, more than four months after a faculty vote of no confidence.

"I do not have an update on when the board will choose an interim president at Valley," said Annie Mitchell, College Board spokesperson.

When the interim president is chosen, it is unknown how long he or she will serve.

"The timeline has not been established," Mitchell said. There also have been no decisions made regarding the selection process, Mitchell said.

Recent presidential searches for openings at Mississippi State University, Alcorn State University and the University of Southern Mississippi have been confidential processes. The public was not informed of the candidates until a lone finalist was determined. The process has received some criticism for being too secretive....

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http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=496

IHL PRESS RELEASE
BOARD TO CONDUCT TELECONFERENCE MEETING JULY 9

Media Contact: Annie Mitchell
Phone Number: (601) 432-6493

7/3/2007 ()

Jackson, MS - Dr. L. Stacy Davidson, Jr., President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), has called a special teleconference meeting of the Board. The purpose of the meeting is to appoint an interim president of Mississippi Valley State University due to the resignation of President Lester C. Newman. The teleconference will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007. An executive session may be held in accordance with the Mississippi Open Meetings Act.

Members of the public or press who would like to attend the teleconference may do so by coming to Room 935, on the ninth floor of the Paul B. Johnson tower building located in the Education and Research Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Mississippi.

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http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=499

IHL PRESS RELEASE
BOARD NAMES DR. ROY C. HUDSON INTERIM PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY

Media Contact: Annie Mitchell
Phone Number: (601) 432-6493

7/9/2007 ( )

Jackson, MS - During a special monthly meeting via teleconference, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) unanimously named Dr. Roy C. Hudson Interim President of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), a position he will assume effective July 15 following the resignation of current MVSU President Dr. Lester C. Newman.

Dr. Hudson has served MVSU in various capacities since 1973, including Director of Student Teaching; Assistant to the President; Vice President for Administration; Vice President for Institutional Advancement; and his current position as Vice President for University Relations, a position he has held since 2000. A native of Itta Bena, Dr. Hudson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi Valley State University; a Master of Arts for Teachers degree from Mississippi State University; and an Ed.D. from Rutgers University. He is married to Ms. Dorothy Hudson, and they have two children and one grandchild.

"The Board appreciates Dr. Hudson's service to the university and the state," said Board President Dr. L. Stacy Davidson, Jr. "We are confident he will provide effective leadership as we begin the process of searching for the sixth President of Mississippi Valley State University."

"I am very pleased to serve MVSU as Interim President at this time," said Dr. Hudson. "I consider this a responsibility rather than a privilege."

The Board will announce next steps with regard to the MVSU presidential search process as they are determined. The Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

A photo of Dr. Roy C. Hudson can be found here: http://www.mississippi.edu/hudson_lg.jpg.

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CL, 7/9/07

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070709/NEWS/70709033

Interim MVSU leader says students are his first priority

The goals for his tenure reflect the needs of Mississippi Valley State University, said Roy Hudson, the newly appointed interim president of the school....

...Hudson said he did not know whether he would pursue a permanent position as president....

...Sam McNair, one of several Valley professors and administrators present at the meeting, said Hudson should focus on getting the university back on track.

McNair, an associate professor of industrial technology and a former student of Hudson's, said his "fair" demeanor makes him the man for the job. "I can't think of a better person to lead us out of our difficult situation," he said.