Angeline,

I hope this is true.

Maybe enough Board members are now sick of the adverse publicity that Thames keeps bringing them.

Klumb's complaint that the Board wouldn't have had to deal with probation for USM if the media hadn't made such a big deal out of it is at least consistent with that analysis.

While increasing the heat on the Board is far from guaranteed to work, nothing short of inducing the board to fire Thames is going to remedy the situation at all.

No Quarter,

Robert Campbell

quote:

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Originally posted by: Used Car Salesman
"I just noticed that the Google advertisements at the top of this particular thread are for Shelby Cobras. "

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. . . and Shelby Mustangs.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Angeline
"This is a "reliable" rumor, so don't necessarily take it for more than that and I cannot reveal my source, but the IHL Board is getting tired in a major way of catching the heat of Shelby's screw-ups and they may soon make a change in USM's Presidency to shine the light back on the institution rather than on themselves.  I have no inside information, however, about what way this will be done or exactly how soon Shelby will be gone.  Obviously, not every Board member is at the point of replacing Thames yet, but all are fed up with the adverse attention he has brought them the past three years.  "

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Klumb is not nearly so important as some have suggested.  He is merely the face of the board,  and while historically a Thames supporter, he wields little power as board president.  Patterson is new to the IHL and is still assessing the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow board members.  He's relatively soft spoken and not prone to acting rashly,  but he's a no-bull$hit manager who isn't afraid to make hard decisions (check his resume).  He gets things done. It appears that Patterson, Newton, and McGee found Thames' explanation and excuses re the SACS probation so lame and implausible as to merit his termination, which was discussed last week. These members are ready to make the change alluded to by Angeline's source, but are not willing to formally introduce a motion until seven votes are locked up and an interim plan for USM's administration is in place.  Expect the board's dialogue and lobbying to continue behind the scenes until the January meeting.  Whether or not a change is made soon will depend on the intractability of the undecided board members.  And yes,  they do hear you, so continue with the letters and e-mails;  they read the short letters and discount long diatribes.   When writing, remember that the issue that has traction with the board is SACS probation, the ignored warning letters to Thames,  and the (unnecessary) cost to Mississippi taxpayers of  resolving the problem.  They're not interested in rehashing the Glamser-Stringer debacle.  Stay focused--the SACS problems will do the trick.  NO QUARTER !!!

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Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Insider, Who are the undecided Board members?  And how many are there? Robert Campbell"

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First the obligatory disclaimers. I do not sit on, nor do I meet with the IHL board. I do have a friend who is a board member, who will on occasion share what has proven to be reliable information.  Moreover, from what I know now, the board is very fluid with respect to its thoughts concerning the Thames problem. Whatever I say is based on current "best available" information, but alliances may shift before I even complete this e-mail.  For what it's worth even Klumb has privately expressed exasperation with Thames bungling the SACS reporting requirements, and the embarrassment cast back upon the board.  With that backdrop, with the prior warning that this information is only a step or two above gossip, here's what I've gleaned.

No confidence in Thames, ready to move him out--Newton, Magee, Blakeslee, Patterson.

Still behind Thames, but with growing reservations--Klumb, Robinson, Colbert, Davidson.

Undecided, but skeptical that Thames is the answer--Neely, Owens, Ross, Whitten.

Note that three of the undecided are attorneys who are inclined to approach matters in terms of facts and evidence, rather than personalities and good-ole-boy connections.  I'm told that their questions to Thames concerning the SACS notifications and subsequent probation were blunt and incisive, not unlike a courtroom cross-examination, and that they seemed singularly unimpressed by his responses.

As I said earlier, NO QUARTER !

 

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Originally posted by: Insider
" Still behind Thames, but with growing reservations--Klumb, Robinson, Colbert, Davidson.  "

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I don't understand why Robin Robinson has lined up with Thames. She's a USM grad and a very astute businesswoman of considerable accomplishment so I'd think she would recognize his incompetence.  Does anyone know of any personal or social connections she may have to the Thames family?  Isn't she from Laurel?  I'm seriously flirting with the idea of paying her a visit if I'm able to make it to Laurel during the holidays.  Wonder how that would fly, if I shifted into my phony suave persona before making the call? Anyone here acquainted with her?

AE

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Originally posted by: Emma
"She is in THICK with the Thames family. THICK."

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But did you read the popular story about me when you were a child? Lots to be learned from my story - which is my name, of course.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Emma
"She is in THICK with the Thames family. THICK."

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Thanks Emma. Sounds like paying a call on Ms. Robinson would be a complete waste of  time. I'd like to know more about her Thames family connections just for future reference, if disclosure wouldn't violate any confidences.

I'll devote any spare time during my next Mississippi visit to boosting the revenues at 206 Front.  I'm assuming they're still in business?

AE 

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Originally posted by: Polyonymous
"Do it, AE.  I happen to think that she is more reasonable than the rest of this board thinks that she is.  "

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On the other hand, maybe I will pay her a call.  I think her office is sort of on the way to our house anyway.  Couldn't hurt, so long as I'm polite and respectful. Right?  I have this crazy idea that a plea from one who is neither a USM alum nor a faculty member, but simply a concerned Mississippi taxpayer, might have some impact.

AE

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Originally posted by: Polyonymous
"Pounding away at thick makes thin."

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Poly - I want it to be thin, but have you ever looked at their ways of association. Tell me I'm wrong and show me how I am. I want this IHL board member to be true to this state. I don't want to take potshots, but she's in thick with the Thames. Tell me why what I've said isn't true. I want to believe in her. Tell me how I can.  Please be specific as you can be. My sources say she's in the deep pockets of the Thames clan. Please show me how wrong I am to be saying that. I can be a smart aleck - but I'm being honest right now. Give me a better vision on this.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Emma
"Poly - I want it to be thin, but have you ever looked at their ways of association. Tell me I'm wrong and show me how I am. I want this IHL board member to be true to this state. I don't want to take potshots, but she's in thick with the Thames. Tell me why what I've said isn't true. I want to believe in her. Tell me how I can.  Please be specific as you can be. My sources say she's in the deep pockets of the Thames clan. Please show me how wrong I am to be saying that. I can be a smart aleck - but I'm being honest right now. Give me a better vision on this."

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I didn't say that what you said wasn't reasonable or true.   What I said was that I thought she was reasonable.  MANY people who started off supporting Thames no longer do.  Meeting with the people who are already lined up against him doesn't help - preaching to the choir and all that.  AE has nothing to lose.  A reasonable person with credibility and passion speaking to someone who may be on the fence or AT LEAST less supportive now than last spring cannot hurt.

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Originally posted by: Polyonymous
"Emma, Retired Prof, and AE - I have another obligation and need to leave the board right now.  Don't mean to leave in the middle of a discussion - will check back later."

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Duly noted. AE - try to talk to her. I agree with the others that you ought to do that. I didn't mean to be discouraging, I just wrote of which I know. But, that doesn't mean people can't change stances, and it also doesn't mean that we should shut down communication with people who have, at times, appeared to be designated as a Thames cheerleader. Perhaps, her viewpoints have changed enough to at least to be open to listening to a different viewpoint. Go for it. It's pretty important for those of us who can act - To act!!!

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Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
" ..  It would help immensely if I had some clue as to the nature of the Thames-Robinson family connections before my visit, if anyone knows. AE"

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AE, you may be able to ask SFT when you visit.  He could be "visiting" at the same time.  If so, just ask him to step outside to settle an issue you have with him.

Emma,

Didn't it take more than 2 and a half years to get rid of Diamandopoulous, who was an outright crook?

I don't recall Adelphi getting into trouble over accreditation before he was ousted, though.

Robert Campbell

quote:

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Originally posted by: Insider
"No confidence in Thames, ready to move him out--Newton, Magee, Blakeslee, Patterson. Still behind Thames, but with growing reservations--Klumb, Robinson, Colbert, Davidson. Undecided, but skeptical that Thames is the answer--Neely, Owens, Ross, Whitten.  "

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Insider,

Thank you.

Newton and Magee have been quoted in the media sharply criticizing Thames' performance.  If Patterson is with them in opposing Thames, at least in private, that cannot hurt.

Ross (in a senior moment, I called him West on a previous thread) was quoted before the last Board meeting downplaying the significance of SACS probation.   Perhaps now he's beginning to understand what's at stake.

Klumb is becoming exasperated with Thames... what a concept! It's hard to muster any sympathy, though.  It would serve Klumb right if his former supporters were to desert him, leaving him to twist slowly, slowly in the wind.

What do you think about Crofts becoming Interim President of USM?  Would the undecideds on the Board be happier with removing Thames if they could put Crofts in to replace him?

Robert Campbell