latest HA articles - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 10, 2004

latest HA articles

Date: Dec 10, 2004

According to the last of the four articles scm linked, Horace Fleming ate Shelby's homework.

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 10, 2004

Hattiesburg American, and especially Kevin Walters, has been doing an excellent job.

Thanks.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

what i find noteworthy is that a SACS official confirms that USM was put on notice in 2002. That's 7 years into an reaffirmation cycle, which means that things had not been done appropriately until then. This plays into Klumb's statement that all of the problem can't be laid at Thames feet.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

Shelby has abosolutely no shame or class. If this were football, USM would be cited for lack of institutional control.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"what i find noteworthy is that a SACS official confirms that USM was put on notice in 2002. That's 7 years into an reaffirmation cycle, which means that things had not been done appropriately until then. This plays into Klumb's statement that all of the problem can't be laid at Thames feet. "

While it is true that all of the problems probably can't be laid at Thames' feet, the germane question is: how can he say that he knew *nothing* about these problems? It is one thing to say that he didn't cause the problems, and it is quite another to say that he didn't know that the problems existed.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

I used to hate it when my mama told me not to make excuses. This is thin gruel, Dr. T. Transparent. SACS says they have been calling for two years, and you say the paperwork got lost four years ago. Who should we believe?

BTW, good quotes from Anne Wallace and Stephen Judd.

Even Melanie J. Norton's opinion in not entirely off point: it is more important to fix the problem than assign blame. But those actions need not be mutually exclusive: fix the immediate problem, sure, but fix the underlying structure that created the problem, too. If you don't take care of the latter, be prepared for more of the former.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

It doesn't matter that Shelby came into the 7th year of a 10-year cycle, it was his job on day 1 of his presidency to protect and preserve the academic integrity of this university. He has failed (miserably) to do so. He chose his priorities and neither rankings nor accreditation was one of them, Now, he needs to live with the consequences.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

So, when Thames took office in 2002 (according to the HA interview), he "made it the responsibility of the provost's office to handle accreditation paperwork." How convenient. Let's see...who was the provost in question? I'm certainly no cheerleader for the unctuous Uncle Tim, but I'd think Shelby could surely have come up with another scapegoat by now. This latest attempt to shift blame would be funny if it weren't so pathetic. Is this clown willing to take responsibility for anything? I can't help wonder what level of incompetence must be demonstrated to the IHL before Thames is given his walking papers. If USM were a corporation he'd have been terminated long ago. If it were a naval ship he'd be relieved of his command and facing a court martial, if not a firing squad. GRRRR...

AE

Date: Dec 10, 2004

From one of the HA articles:

Finding the money, Thames said, may mean spending some of the the university’s reserve funds or making cutbacks.

“We may not mow the yard quite as often,” he joked.

Why can't Roy Klumb just snap his fingers and give USM twice the amount they need?

Date: Dec 10, 2004

Now, who is lying here?

"In terms of the procedure itself, they had run the string out," said Gerald Lord, SACS associate executive director who is the accrediting group's liaison to Southern Miss. "They had exhausted the maximum two-year monitoring period and had not come into compliance."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asked about SACS monitoring of Southern Miss, Thames said he had never been told by any SACS officials - or staffers at the school overseeing the 10-year accreditation process - that Southern Miss was under scrutiny.

"I didn't understand that," Thames said. "It was never explained to me that way. I knew that we had some issues that we needed to resolve. I didn't know it was defined as a monitoring period. That term was never used."

Are we really to believe that Shelboo didn't know that USM was under a 2 year monitoring period by SACS??? Did he never speak to the designated liaison to SACS??? Shelboo, watch out...you're spinning out of control.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

the way i look at it is this. accreditation is a 10-year process anymore, not a "get geared up three years out" process as it used to be. that means you need stable and effective leadership at a university. we haven't had it. the IHL is to blame for this.

and to truth--maybe Roy can mow the lawn. string trim too. he has a degree in horticulture.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

From the American:

"In terms of the procedure itself, they had run the string out," said Gerald Lord, SACS associate executive director who is the accrediting group's liaison to Southern Miss. "They had exhausted the maximum two-year monitoring period and had not come into compliance."

GERALD LORD?!?!?

Shelby is screwed. Totally & irrevocably screwed.

He should have been listening to "The Lord."

Shelby is screwed. The University will survive, but Shelby is screwed.

Trust me. I've been there & done that.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"From the American:"In terms of the procedure itself, they had run the string out," said Gerald Lord, SACS associate executive director who is the accrediting group's liaison to Southern Miss. "They had exhausted the maximum two-year monitoring period and had not come into compliance." GERALD LORD?!?!? Shelby is screwed. Totally & irrevocably screwed. He should have been listening to "The Lord." Shelby is screwed. The University will survive, but Shelby is screwed. Trust me. I've been there & done that. "

LOL! Vic, I knew you'd have us laughing about something before the day was over! This is too good...thanks!

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
" While it is true that all of the problems probably can't be laid at Thames' feet, the germane question is: how can he say that he knew *nothing* about these problems? It is one thing to say that he didn't cause the problems, and it is quite another to say that he didn't know that the problems existed."

I just noticed the link included in the sidebar to one of the HA pieces. USM's own records contradict SFT. He knew something. He would have known more if he had not silenced those who spoke up.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/assets/pdf/DB1210.PDF

Date: Dec 10, 2004

can you explain what exactly this chart is and how the HA got it?

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"can you explain what exactly this chart is and how the HA got it?"

Like Will Rogers said, "All I know is what I read in the papers." The subtitle of the headline says "Link included to USM's timline of events on accreditation." Then, over to the right, there is this link: Read USM's timeline of accreditation communication here

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"can you explain what exactly this chart is and how the HA got it?"

I'll bet it came straight from Darth Mader's office. It has "spin" written all over it. Also, "Bad decision, lie, cover-up," too.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"LOL! Vic, I knew you'd have us laughing about something before the day was over! This is too good...thanks! "

If you knew Gerald Lord, you would not be laughing. I didn't mean my post to be funny. Shelby has met his match. He is screwed.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" If you knew Gerald Lord, you would not be laughing. I didn't mean my post to be funny. Shelby has met his match. He is screwed."

Irresistible force meets immovable object, huh?

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
"Irresistible force meets immovable object, huh?"

Two short bald-headed men with dangerous tempers, each of whom has never met anyone as remotely as intelligent as himself.

The main difference is that Thames tends to be crude, while Lord is as socially polished as Lucifer himself. An ordained minister, to boot.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

Actually, Austin Eagle, it's worse than that. The Provost on the H'burg campus would have been Grimes then--that was in those fabled days of dueling provosts and massive remodeling--and THEN it would have been Hudson and now it's Grimes again . . .

Go, Invictus!

NO QUARTER.
Anne Wallace

Date: Dec 10, 2004

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041210/NEWS01/412100303

Stephen Judd's comments at the FS meeting are right on point.

"Let's say what the truth is," said Stephen Judd, associate professor of theatre. "We've been told that this administration are great managers. That's what they're supposed to be known for great managerial strength and administration, and we're not seeing that here. We're not getting the benefit of that."

Date: Dec 10, 2004

And a basic premise of management is that "authority can be delegated, but never responsibility"

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Advocate
"http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041210/NEWS01/412100303
Stephen Judd's comments at the FS meeting are right on point.
"Let's say what the truth is," said Stephen Judd, associate professor of theatre. "We've been told that this administration are great managers. That's what they're supposed to be known for great managerial strength and administration, and we're not seeing that here. We're not getting the benefit of that."
"

Steven Judd (and others) have hit the nail on the head. The bad news is SFT will blame everyone but himself. This happen on his watch.............

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Green Hornet
" Steven Judd (and others) have hit the nail on the head. The bad news is SFT will blame everyone but himself. This happen on his watch............."

It is aggravating that he will have it both ways. He'll say, "I take full responsibility." But then he says, "Not to point fingers, but nobody told me what was going on." Either you take responsibility, or you don't.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" Two short bald-headed men with dangerous tempers, each of whom has never met anyone as remotely as intelligent as himself. The main difference is that Thames tends to be crude, while Lord is as socially polished as Lucifer himself. An ordained minister, to boot. "

Vic, I was laughing over the "Lord" point...remembering how Shelboo said that he listened to his "Lord" back in an interview sometime this past spring. Guess this was the "Lord" he should've been listening to.

Go, Gerald Lord!

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Go, Gerald Lord!"

He needs no encouragement.

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Alum
"If this were football, USM would be cited for lack of institutional control."

Enhancing enrollment figures = fumbling the ball

Confiscating faculty computers = Unsportsmanlike conduct

Unsubstantiated charges against two tenured faculty members = Roughing the kickers

Ignoring AAUP chapter = Off sides. False start

Two lawyers in the dome = extra man on the field

Failure to file proper reports = delay of game

Date: Dec 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Think Tank on Hardy Street
" Enhancing enrollment figures = fumbling the ball Confiscating faculty computers = Unsportsmanlike conduct Unsubstantiated charges against two tenured faculty members = Roughing the kickers Ignoring AAUP chapter = Off sides. False start Two lawyers in the dome = extra man on the field Failure to file proper reports = delay of game "

Mr. Wonderful - either your award or our award but this must get some recognition!!!