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Originally posted by: Reporter
"H.A. Update USM probation hurts hiringhttp://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041212/NEWS01/41212001"

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“The status had nothing to do with our integrity or the quality of our academic programs,” Grimes said

But everything to do with whether a new faculty member believes he/she is coming into a good situation. Acting as though issues of administration and management are separate from what goes onin the classroom is just BS -- and perceptive potential hires are will be quick to suss that out. They won't be impressed if they feel as though they are being misled . . .

I hate to say it, but USM already has problems recruiting simply because it is in Mississippi.
Ten years ago I beat out 129 people for a position teaching the most classes per year I have ever taught at a fairly average liberal arts college in a town of 3500 in the middle of a midwestern cornfield. Not a terrible job, but not fabulous either. Running a search at USM years later for a similar position in a big, very strong department, we got about 30 applicants. We should have had 150. I have several young colleagues in temporary positions at my new institution who are on the job market. One, in particular, would be a good fit for USM, and a fabulous addition to the faculty. Is he applying? If he's been wavering, I'm sure the SACS mess pushed him over the line against it. Honestly, is it fair to ask a young person to risk his career and his family's future on the mess at USM? I am sympathetic to the overworked USM faculty and the needs of the students, but would you tell a fresh young PhD to go to USM right now?

Probation certainly DOES hurt hiring! How on earth could any person with even half a brain think otherwise?

Prior to the news of probation, I had heard from a few younger colleagues interested in applying for the position I left at USM. I told them about the excellent colleagues at USM with whom I worked closely. I also told them why I left (#1 reason: Shelby Thames).

After the news of probation, these colleagues are seriously wondering whether to apply -- even at a time when the job market in my field is pretty slim.

What would YOU tell them? Would you lie to them (as our administration would) so as to get applicants other than those who are desperate enough to apply for anything?