Anybody.

I think the faculty would swarm to work 24/7 to assist anyone who would afford a modicum of respect and ask for a little help.

Myron is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in higher education. He has been involved with SACS in the past, and he has been a real champion for the faculty and students over the past two years to the point of risking his health. He is a gentleman and a scholar. I believe Myron would enjoy great support from the faculty who have gotten to know him over the past few years.

quote:

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Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Myron Henry, if I am remembering correctly, was once the provost and has been president of the faculty senate.  Would he make an acceptable interim president?"

---

Of course he would.  But can you really see Klumb agreeing to that?  Last year both he and SFT were blaming Henry for the faculty "uprising".  They may know what's good for the institution, but they just can't swallow the medicine.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Anonymouse
"It would be Aubrey Lucas - he has the credibility with IHL, the trust of faculty and the decency that is sorely lacking USM. He would have everyone marching together and eager to help. "

---

No it wouldn't be Aubrey.  He has lost much respect among faculty for coddling Thames.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Retirement Interlude
"Invictus had the right idea last week.  There are retired presidents, with extensive accreditation experience, ready to step in at practically a moment's notice.  I have the utmost respect for both Aubrey and Myron but it's time for some experienced outside eyes with no baggage, allegiances or ambitions.  This person would not be a candidate for the permanent replacement.  "

---

Agreed. Dr. Henry made questionable overturns of faculty and college tenure and promotion recommendations while Provost, was not viewed as a friend of faculty by many of us while Provost at USM, and the reasons for his termination at Kent and USM are still unclear (this is relevant information only if he would be considered for President, else it is his business). So, Dr. Henry may have accomplished some good things in the past couple of years, but his long term history in higher ed admin would strongly dampen my enthusiasm for his return to the Dome. There are other "retreads" who would make a better choice (Andy G or Don C for example). However, an outsider with a good academic pedigree, values, and people skills would be a god-send.   

quote:

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Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"it's not even a year. reports will have to be submitted to SACS before its December meeting. Realistically, 10 months."

---

"I've always said I could manage Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hirohito. That doesn't mean I'd like them, but I'd manage them."

 

He came back to manage the Yankees five times. Maybe he can come back from the grave to manage SBT.

quote:

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Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"it's not even a year. reports will have to be submitted to SACS before its December meeting. Realistically, 10 months."

---

According to this morning's HA, the report is due AUGUST 2. With the holidays on us, realistically it is not 10 months, but SEVEN months until the report is due...followed by a site visit.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041218/NEWS01/412180303/1002

As far as Shelby's replacement is concerned, it needs to be someone from the outside.

Someone who can spend a couple of years in Hattiesburg, take care of institutional evaluation, get rid of the remaining henchcrew, take the heat for acting, when necessary, against other pro-Shelby constituencies, and move on.

Robert Campbell

scm,

Thanks.  I won't quote that 50-year claim on Liberty and Power without corroboration.

Robert Campbell

quote:

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Originally posted by: Not 10 but 7
"
According to this morning's HA, the report is due AUGUST 2. With the holidays on us, realistically it is not 10 months, but SEVEN months until the report is due...followed by a site visit.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041218/NEWS01/412180303/1002"

---

Since this is effort is reputed to require effort by the entire faculty, it really isn't even seven months. Faculty return during the second week of January; assuming Dr. Joan has her ducks in a row, operations might start during the third week of January. Subtract a week for spring break, and three weeks in May between semesters. Plus don't count on faculty employed on a per-course basis to be enthusiastic about helping out.

Hold that last thought.....Cynthia sent around a memo last summer requiring faculty to attend the Monday summer commencement as part of their summer "teaching duties". Perhaps she could do the same: "Faculty wishing to teach in the summer are expected to participate in all committee assignments made during the period of summer employment." Problem solved.

Oh yes, remember that NCATE accreditation is staring us in the face, so don't put those education faculty on any SACS committees...they'll be up to their elbows putting together monsterous NCATE portfolios and syllabi. Maybe we can just put NCATE on the back burner for now - after all, NCATE should give us a year or so of probation in which we can address whatever issues we're cited on. After all, it doesn't make sense to address EVERYTHING when we can wait and just concentrate on the necessary stuff.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Huey Long
" I believe the last time a public university was on probation in the state of Mississippi was 1932"

You may be correct, Huey, but what happend to a private Mississippi institution, Mary Holmes, does show that SACS can not be taken lightly:

 

 

[PCUSANEWS] Mary Holmes loses accreditation appeal

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From PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>
Date 15 Apr 2003 14:53:36 -0400

Note #7665 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Mary Holmes loses accreditation appeal
03188
April 9, 2003

Mary Holmes loses accreditation appeal

Loss of U.S. funds could be fatal to beleaguered racial-ethnic school

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - The future of troubled Mary Holmes College, a historic
Presbyterian-related institution in West Point, MS, grew murkier this week
when an appeals committee upheld a previous ruling stripping the small school
of its accreditation.

The committee's action, announced on April 7, affirmed a December decision
from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It could be a
fatal blow to the financially strapped racial-ethnic college.

Officials of the primarily African-American school appealed the SACS decision
in January.

Without accreditation, Mary Holmes would be ineligible for crucial federal
funding, and its 256 students would lose access grants, loans and other
financial aid.

However, college officials said it is too soon to tell whether the latest
setback will force the 110-year-old institution to close.

"The decision will be up to the (Mary Holmes) board of trustees," said the
Rev. Floyd Rhodes, the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s interim associate director
for higher education. "The board will make the decision about what to do."

College officials said no action would be taken before the board's next
meeting, scheduled for May 1. The board's executive committee will discuss
the matter during a conference call this week.

"We would like to figure out a way to keep it open, and keep it going as a
viable institution," said Board Chairman Jack Baugh. "Not one of us really
knows what God wants. So we have to come together around the table and
wrestle with it. Hopefully  we'll figure out what it is the Lord wants us to
do, and go from there."

Despite recent improvements, the school's financial condition has been eroded
by more than $1 million in debt and deterioration of its physical plant.

Last year Mary Holmes nearly lost vital funding from the PC(USA) after a
denominational work team examined its cash-flow problems and liabilities of
$2.3 million.

Even with a new business plan, reduced staff and the clearing of $300,000 in
debt since October, Mary Holmes fell short of the accreditation criteria of
SACS, which accredits universities and colleges in the South.

"I'm disappointed, naturally," said board member Thomas L. Hood, of St.
Louis, MO. "The group that was there (at the appeal hearing) thought they had
presented a pretty good case. They thought they answered the questions (of
the appeals committee) fully, and it seemed as though there was some degree
of satisfaction around the table with the responses that they gave."

The regulations of the SACS Commission on Colleges provide no further appeal.
Mary Holmes could reapply for accreditation after addressing its
deficiencies.

The accreditation officially ended on April 1, the date of the appeal hearing
in Atlanta.

Mary Holmes President Nathaniel R. Jackson said school leaders are seeking a
temporary injunction in federal court to allow the college to continue
receiving federal money for the time being.

"If the action of SACS goes unchallenged," Jackson said, "then as of
yesterday we would have been cut off from all federal funding."

He said an injunction would enable Mary Holmes to "maintain our eligibility
for federal funds over the next couple of months," which he said is
"critically important to the institution."


Jackson said the loss of accreditation will not affect the rest of the school
year or commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 3. If Mary Holmes is forced
to close, he said, it will help students transfer to other institutions.
Officials were upbeat about the school's survival.

"I'm optimistic," Jackson said, "because I think there are some options.
Especially that of affiliation whereby the college would serve as a branch of
another institution, preferably a Presbyterian institution."

Mary Holmes' accreditation has been on probation mainly because of concern
about its financial condition. The January appeal of the revocation preserved
its probationary status while the case was reviewed.

The Commission on Colleges said its decision can only be appealed if Mary
Holmes can prove that SACS failed to follow proper procedures or that the
decision was arbitrary or unreasonable. The commission's executive director,
James T. Rogers, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

School leaders hope the federal court action will bring a chance to present
information on financial improvements and other progress that was ruled
inadmissible during the appeal hearing. The trustees have said they believe
Mary Holmes was denied due process in defending its accreditation.

"There was information that could have been presented that would have clearly
demonstrated that Mary Holmes was making significant progress on its return
to financial viability," Jackson said, adding: "We simply have not gotten a
fair shake, we think, and that's the reason we're going into federal court."

When he became the school's president in July 2000, Jackson said
accreditation officials had identified 37 deficiencies. By December, he said,
"We basically had one issue to deal with, and that was finances, and we had
made progress on that."

Jackson said the college has held no formal merger discussions with any
institution.

He said the school's debt, which he said fluctuates between $1.2 million and
$1.5 million, could be an obstacle, along with the fact that the PC(USA) owns
the school's property.

"There would be some pretty ticklish issues that would have to be addressed,"
he said, "but that, as I see it, right now might be the most viable option
for the institution, and one that I think would please most of the people
involved. It would certainly protect the students, which is a primary
concern."

Last June, the General Assembly Council set four conditions for continued
PC(USA) funding of Mary Holmes: a comprehensive fund-raising strategy; a
business plan addressing its financial problems; a vision for changing its
image and mission through new programming; and a 10-percent increase in
enrollment for the fall semester.

The NMD committee reported in November that the college had met those
conditions and should be allowed to continue receiving funds from the annual
Christmas Joy Offering, which supports eight Presbyterian racial-ethnic

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Huey Long
" The Governor and the legislature need to impeach Klumb for malfeasance of duty. While the College Board has failed to meet their responsibility and continues to do so, it is now time for the Governor and the Legislature to hold the College Board responsible. Impeach Klumb and bring back Mr. Bobby Chain to the Board. He has the experience and knowledge to straighten this mess our before the reputation of the Governor is diminished.  "

---

Not that it'll ever happen, but what is the formal procedure for removal of an IHL board member?  Or is there such a procedure?  I don't know Mississippi statutes, but I don't believe an appointee can be impeached.  He serves at the pleasure of the official who nominated him, or his successor, in this case Barbor. More typically removal involves some face saving slight of hand wherein the Governor's Chief of Staff privately asks for a resignation, followed by the departing member (Klumb) announcing with great fanfare that the demands of running his business, spending more time with his family,  looking after his aging mother, tending his garden (...fill in the blank) now preclude his continuing participation on the board, and he regretfully but with a sense of great pride and satisfaction submits his resignation. This of course is followed by a commendation from the governor, a legislative declaration establishing Roy Klumb Day,  commission of a statue,  and the usual phony BS. 

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Huey Lewis
"Not that it'll ever happen, but what is the formal procedure for removal of an IHL board member?  Or is there such a procedure?  I don't know Mississippi statutes, but I don't believe an appointee can be impeached.  He serves at the pleasure of the official who nominated him, or his successor, in this case Barbor. More typically removal involves some face saving slight of hand wherein the Governor's Chief of Staff privately asks for a resignation, followed by the departing member (Klumb) announcing with great fanfare that the demands of running his business, spending more time with his family,  looking after his aging mother, tending his garden (...fill in the blank) now preclude his continuing participation on the board, and he regretfully but with a sense of great pride and satisfaction submits his resignation. This of course is followed by a commendation from the governor, a legislative declaration establishing Roy Klumb Day,  commission of a statue,  and the usual phony BS.  "

---

I doubt that Klumb, in his role as board president carries very much authority. He merely presides. All board members probably have equal authority. One man/woman, one vote. Let's not give Klumb too much credit. I dount that any one person on any such board can enact policy alone.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: ewe
"Blaming Klumb for everything would have the effect to getting the other board members off the hook. The other members, as a group,  are no more or no less responsible for what has happened to USM than is Mr. Klumb. His mouth  has already discredited himself."

---

I have always felt that the removable of the Kentucky cabal and other assorted henchmen associated with the Thames administration would be insufficient to right the listing ship. The captain, Shelby Thames, must go and should have been fired over the Glamser and Stringer debacle and certainly after the fudged enrollment figures. What has become imminently clear is the failure of the College Board to meet their responsibilities as a state agency and they should be held accountable by the Governor and/or the legislature. The Glamser and Stringer affair cost between $500,00-600,000 dollars. SACS is going to cost $500,000+ dollars. The myriad of lawsuits is going to cost an untold number of dollars. The College Board has failed to meet their fiduciary responsibility to the tax payers of the state of Mississippi and our elected official need to step up to the plate. The reputation of higher education in Mississippi has been severely diminished with Southern Miss going from a third their to a fourth tier university.

While the College Board is clearly responsible for allowing President Thames to run amuck, I do not feel the entire board should be replace. Replacing the entire College Board would likely cause even more problems with SACS as it will be perceived a meddling by the state legislature and/or the Governor. On the other hand, Mr. Klumb who is the President of the College Board should be singled out for reprimand , removal or resignation. He is publicly closely tied to President Thames in his uncompromising support and symbolizes the failure of the board. The removal of Mr. Klumb would send a message to all Board members and state agencies that they are accountable for how they spend the tax payers money and for the results. I believe the College Board does contain some talented individuals. Clearly, Ms. Virginia Newton has grasped the situation before President Thames was appointed. Mr. D. E. Magee appears to understand the situation. While we have not heard from Mr. Aubrey Patterson the CEO of Bankcorp South, I understand him to be a very talented and capable individual who came on the College Board last spring. He is probable moving up rapidly on the learning curve and should be a force on the board in the future. I could not imagine a corporate CEO retaining a manager where 93% of his followers voted no confidence in his leadership and that was before the fudging of the enrollment numbers, drop from tier 3 to tear 4, and the SACS probation Surely, Mr. Patterson must be appalled as well as other new members of the College Board.