Season's Greetings.

I just sent a letter to the editor of the Hattiesburg American. Aren't they doing a great job? While I know it is a little long, I hope they print it. Here it is:

It will take true leadership to coordinate the faculty’s efforts to remove USM from SACS probation. Yet, since he became USM’s president in 2002, Shelby F.Thames has demonstrated again and again his refusal to work with or even listen to faculty. After radically restructuring the university without faculty input, he did not engage the faculty in meaningful dialogue to develop a new vision for the university with clear goals and a strategic plan that would allow us to assess, adjust, or realize those goals, necessary principles for SACS accreditation. He sought no input from faculty as he hired administrators who made critical errors, and did not have the appropriate credentials. He did not ask for input or advice with his outrageous drug and alcohol policy. He didn’t even consult chairs and the dean as he tried to fire two respected full professors who spoke out against this administration’s shenanigans. He did not follow through and seek expert advice from faculty when he was repeatedly warned about problems that threatened USM’s SACS accreditation. Why does the IHL Board of Trustees think Thames, with this long record, will suddenly change and work with faculty to get USM off probation? Why continue to risk the reputation of Southern Miss? Why endanger the education of USM’s students? The faculty working to remove USM from probation need a president who knows how to listen and take advice.

Amy L. Young