Crofts for Interim President? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 21, 2004

Crofts for Interim President?

Date: Dec 21, 2004

Nothing appears to stand in his way:

Board of Trustees, Policies and Bylaws

www.ihl.state.ms.us/admin/downloads/policiesandbylaws.pdf

301.0702 DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER

A. To serve as system executive officer of the university system and to perform such services assigned by the Board as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the Board was established, namely the management and control of the several state institutions of higher learning and other like bodies presently existing and any which may be hereafter created by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi.

B. To maintain an office for the Board and be responsible for efficient functioning of the Board's staff.

C. To conduct constant inquiry and studies into the problems of higher education.

D. To survey and study carefully the organization, management, and all other affairs of each institution under the control of the trustees, and report all findings to the Board.

E. To recommend such changes as will increase efficiency and economy in the operation of each institution.

F. To compile and distribute to responsible officials copies of the laws, rules, and regulations for the governance of the state institutions of higher learning.

G. To employ such other personnel as may be required from time to time to carry out the functions of the Board and may assign to the personnel so employed such functions and duties and may delegate to other personnel such powers as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the Board was established.

H. To make those financial decisions that are commensurate with the efficient management of the Board office and in support of the activities of the various institutions.

I. The Commissioner is authorized to apply for and receive grants and contracts on behalf of the Board. The Commissioner is further authorized to execute any and all documents relating thereto on behalf of the Board. Applications for and receipt of grants and contracts shall be reported to the Board.

J. The Commissioner is authorized to conduct the day to day administrative affairs of the Board and staff of the Board.

(BT Minutes, 9/90; 2/98; 4/2001)

Date: Dec 21, 2004

info,

Thanks--it looks as though becoming Interim President of USM is consistent with Crofts' rather broad job description.

So... would anyone at USM trust Crofts, if the Board made him Thames' replacement for a year or two?

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"would anyone at USM trust Crofts, if the Board made him Thames' replacement for a year or two? Robert Campbell"

Yes, Yes, Yes. But have him wear something other than a Poly-ester Suit when he visits the campus.

Date: Dec 21, 2004

Crofts is supposed to be interim for a "few months" as the Board seeks a new commissioner. Perhaps appointing him interim was a prelude to a hiring him permanently. I don't know. But if he's done with being commissioner by, let's say, February or March, there's no reason the Board couldn't make him USM president then, maybe as an interim as a new USM president is sought.

If the Board likes what it sees in Crofts, he could be their exit strategy.

Whether he's up to the task is anybody's guess. He's never been a university president before, despite a lot of administrative experience:

Dr. Crofts has nearly 36 years of experience in higher education. He comes to Mississippi after serving as Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana University System since 1996. Prior to that term, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana University System for two years. He has also worked as Assistant to the Chancellor for the Minnesota Sate University System, Vice President for Academic Affairs for Mankato State University in Minnesota, Associate Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at East Tennessee State University, and Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Director of the Office of Research at The University of Toledo in Ohio. Dr. Crofts began his career as a professor of history at The University of Toledo in 1968 and served as the chairman of the department from 1971-1979 before moving into larger administration roles.

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=298

Would anybody trust Crofts? Hard to say. He'd be appointed by the very Board, excepting the four new members, that gave USM Thames. Any replacement would have to earn faculty trust. Would faculty try to work with Crofts (or any replacement)? Of course.

Date: Dec 21, 2004

info,

I doubt that Crofts' not having a been a president before would pose an obstacle. From his bio it appears that he's been just about everything in academic administration except president.

That, being the Board's guy, Crofts would have to earn the trust of USM's faculty, goes without saying. But unless the Board brings in a capable USM insider with a track record of good relationships with the faculty, it's also inevitable. And the supply of such USM insiders is sorely depleted, as became clear very quickly on another thread.

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 21, 2004

Croft applied for the president job last time around. He was on the short list interviewed by the IHL. Granted, the IHL picked him for an interview despite the fact that he was not recommended by the advisory committee (i.e. he did not make their top 10). He wanted to leave Minnesota because of the politics. Boy, did he pick the wrong state.

Date: Dec 21, 2004

asdf,

Any idea why Crofts wasn't rated more highly by the advisory committee?

Robert Campbell

Date: Dec 22, 2004

Robert,

Actually, I am getting conflicting information now. I now believe that he was not even on the IHL short list. I now know for a fact that he was not on the CAC final list. I don’t know what was lacking about his application. Possibly that he did not have prez experience or the reason he was leaving his old job. I know that he applied without being nominated and he applied right off the bat, some people thought that lowered his application (the consultant kept telling them that the best people would not apply and would have to be recruited at the last minute...sounds like a good way to justify his consulting fee).

Date: Dec 22, 2004

Bah humbug!

Date: Dec 22, 2004

Bah humbug?

I thought a troll could do better than that!

RC

Date: Dec 22, 2004

I think we should hire Dr. Seals and Dr. Crofts.

Date: Dec 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Dr. Do Little
"I think we should hire Dr. Seals and Dr. Crofts."

Whadayaknow? Trolls got a sense of humor.

I agree Dr. D! Even those two aging musicians Jim and Dan could do a better job than the current administration.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing thru the jazz men of my mind?

Date: Dec 22, 2004

Jim and DASH. Dan is Jim's brother. As in England Dan and John Ford . . oh, nevermind.

Date: Dec 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
Even those two aging musicians Jim and Dan could do a better job than the current administration

My personal choice is Homer and Jethro - if we can't get Abbott and Costello.

Date: Dec 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Jump, Jive, 'n Stomp
"My personal choice is Homer and Jethro - if we can't get Abbott and Costello."

I'm partial to Flatt and Scruggs. If not they, then how about Simon and Garfunkle?

Date: Dec 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Jump, Jive, 'n Stomp
"My personal choice is Homer and Jethro - if we can't get Abbott and Costello."

We can't. Trust me on this. They have both achieved equilibrium; that is to say, reached room temperature.

Date: Dec 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: ram
"We can't. Trust me on this. They have both achieved equilibrium; that is to say, reached room temperature."

They're working at IHL now, huh?