WDAM 6:00 news Thursday.

Top story.

WDAM website, with bracketed additions.

http://wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=2703214&nav=1Pw1UHvD

December 16, 2004
College Board Grills Thames


The State College Board probed Shelby Thames Thursday, questioning why the University of Southern Mississippi is on probation.

[Outsider has been appointed to monitor SACS compliance.]

The USM president told the College Board that early in his presidency, he was aware the university was already way behind in reporting data to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, but he thought his staff was correcting the problem.

[Thames, Exline at his side, testifying before board about discovery that there had been a "lack of reporting."]

Thames said he had directed his provost to make up for any lapses, and the provost led him to believe it was taken care of [throughout 2003 all the way to mid-2004].

[First Grimes, then Hudson. Mention of March 2004 "all is well" email. But now that USM is on probation, it's obvious that all is not well.]

College Board Vice President Virginia Newton says she's deeply disturbed by USMs probation.

[Newton: "Embarrassed for the Univ. of Southern Mississippi, embarrassed for the state of Mississippi...unconscionable...Jan. 2004 letter...warning ...this was coming down."]

[Reporter: "And while Dr. Thames indicated in the board meeting that his provost office misled him, when we asked him if former provost Dr. Tim Hudson was responsible, Dr. Thames took the heat." Reporter trying to question Thames as he waits for elevator. Thames says he's "ultimately responsible, and we'll fix it." Thames presses already lit elevator button to hurry along the elevator, which finally arrives, and Thames quickly says "Let's go" to someone off camera (Exline?) and boards.]

[After Thames testified, board voted to have Richard Cross, interim commissioner, monitor USM's progress towards SACS compliance over next year.]

Thames left immediatly after the College Board session to meet with the SACS executive director in Atlanta.

[WDAM tried to contact Hudson. He hasn't returned calls.]