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Originally posted by: Just Wondering
"SACS has dropped off of this board and there is not much on the USM website of substance. I know an outside agent is in place to monitor the SACS work, but there is nothing out about who is in charge on campus. Is it still Exline? "

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All I know is the IHL Board has supplied an outside person to help USM with SACS.  Dr. Exline is in charge with Joy Hamilton under her.  SACS is scheduled to mail the letter with the exact information on the problems on Monday Jan. 10.  USM should receive it on Wed. Jan 12.  We hope it is supplied to the media ASAP.  The AAUP meets that week, but I forget the time and date.  Faculty Senate meets on Friday, Jan 14.  It should be an interesting week.

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Originally posted by the legendary stinky cheese man
"the SACS consultant is Margaret Sullivan. She is head of SACS consultant network and was/is SACS Director of Assessment. This was announced at the Council of Chairs meeting. Exline is the on-campus person heading up SACS. Has been meeting with the chairs of various colleges--met with COAL's chairs last Thursday."

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This is extremely good news! Dr. Sullivan is terrific! USM could not have gotten a better consultant.

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Originally posted by: Almost gone
"What is latest on the so called appointed SACS committees Exline talked about during Senate meeting in December?  THe task forces for addressing each deficiency?  I heard that Myron Henry was asked to join.  Are people being asked by any set criteria or just by their position?  I know that I am making a quantum leap here, as if there was some kind of organization and strategic plan.  Oops, I forget, that is why we are in this fix to begin with.  Hard to believe that senior faculty will just jump in and enthusiastically bail this administration out...what is the big payoff for USM?  Another contract extension for the very fine team that led us down this path of destruction???
Think there is another vote of no confidence in the future for Senate and AAUP?  SGA?  SGA hasn't said much?  Any demonstrations planned for first of year?  What about letter writing or clippings form local papers being sent to SACS? 
Just seems a bit too quiet.  "

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Call me crazy, but my guess is that whatever faculty jump into the fray on accreditation will, for the most part, do it out of love for the institution and for their students. Lay the blame for the problem where it belongs, but don't shoot those who will step up to solve a challenge not of their own creation. They are angels. Speaking as a student, I am grateful to them.

If Myron Henry and others like him stand up for the institution, it shouldn't be read as an endorsement or bailing out of the administration. If the process fails, it is not just SFT who will be hurt. Let's keep the baby whatever is done with the bathwater.

myron was used for a while. was sent to the SACS convention a year or two ago. don't know what is use is now.

This morning's article in the Hattiesburg American, "Thames put USM at risk" by Amy Young makes me proud to know her, even indirectly.

Dr. Young explains why she and others are stepping up to help with the SACS problem.  My summary and translation of her words is loosely converted to because it is the right thing to do.  She clearly states that the faculty who are working diligently to get the University of Southern Mississippi off of academic probation may be doing so at great personal risk and in opposition to the Thames administration.  She acknowledges that their efforts may end up saving his floundering  presidency.  Yet she and other faculty serve because they care more about the university than any individual administration.  Wow!

More pressure on the rest of us to spread the message, Thames has failed and the faculty are indeed rising to the challenge.

Kudos Dr. Young, you are a class act.

 

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Originally posted by: Class SACS
"This morning's article in the Hattiesburg American, "Thames put USM at risk" by Amy Young makes me proud to know her, even indirectly.
Dr. Young explains why she and others are stepping up to help with the SACS problem.  My summary and translation of her words is loosely converted to because it is the right thing to do.  She clearly states that the faculty who are working diligently to get the University of Southern Mississippi off of academic probation may be doing so at great personal risk and in opposition to the Thames administration.  She acknowledges that their efforts may end up saving his floundering  presidency.  Yet she and other faculty serve because they care more about the university than any individual administration.  Wow!
More pressure on the rest of us to spread the message, Thames has failed and the faculty are indeed rising to the challenge.
Kudos Dr. Young, you are a class act.
 "

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The IHL board could do its part to insure that faculty work hard to correct the accreditation problems caused by the administration's ineptitude: vote now to make next year Shelby's last. Faculty will run towards the light in the tunnel, doing whatever is necessary to meet SACS standards. Rewarding faculty efforts with another four years of Shelby would be the unkindest cut of all.