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Originally posted by: Herald
"http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/10489100.htm"

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Dear Ms. Scanlan,

I assume you must be a student on a journalism internship, or a cub reporter at best, because you have a long ways to go before qualifing for entry into the big leagues. If my suspicions are correct, the Sun-Herald is to be commended for publihing an editorial written by someone in training. With all due respects, I must say that your piece in this morning's Sun Herald is just about the shoddiest and most incomplete of all the editorials I have seen pertaining to this matter.

"While some people disagree with some of Thames' decisions, they do not dispute his contributions to the university."

It's what we call a "sum zero game," Ms. Scanlan. The contributions of which you speak pale by comparison with the contributions of those two professors which USM tried to terminate.

"He founded the department of polymer science, which U.S. News and World Report rated in the top 10 in the nation. That department is now named for him."

I recall that U.S. News ranking. Those data are archival now. Take another look at that report if you can find it.  Weren't there only three or so departments cited in polymer science at that time?

"Thames has been described as a "can-do" guy who isn't afraid to make decisions he believes are right, even if he takes criticism for it."

A "can-do guy?" As I recall, the president of the college board phrased it like this in his advice to the USM president:  "Damn the torpedos; full speed ahead!"  Are you aware that the torpedos have just about sunk the boat?

"He often says Southern Miss is a world-class university and wants to make it even better."

Yes, to our shame and embarrssment, he has used that term more than once. We, however, call it "wurl' class" so that our peers nationaly will know that what we say is said in jest and so that they will not take our use of that term seriously.

"Even though we've had a fair amount of dissent and some disruption, we've still made tremendous progress," he said."

"Progress"? What progress? Name one.  Be specific. Do you recall the enrollment inflation fiasco? Do you recall the failed drug & alcohol policy? Do you recall the abmush of the deans and their assistants?. Are you aware that USM has dropped from 3rd tier to 4th tier on those rankings? Do you realize that on the peer evaluation dimension alone, only 17 schools in the nation are now held in less disregard than USM? It did not used to be that way. Are you aware that the major regional accrediting body, SACS, has placed USM on probation? Do you know how serious that is? And what I have cited here is just for starters!

If I were your instructor (if you are an intern), or if I were your supervisor (if you are a cub reporter), I would engage you in a dutch uncle talk.

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