http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080608/NEWS01/806080308&s=a

..."She's doing a wonderful job," said Stanley Hauer, English professor. "It's a joy to work here. It's a change from the past. She's also an optimist."

Hauer and other faculty members say Saunders gets things done not by bullying people but by encouraging them.

This is in contrast to what the professors said about President Shelby Thames during his administration. It was an often contentious relationship that closed faculty members out of meetings and decisions while scrutinizing their loyalty and profitability.

"One thing that is dramatically different (from the Thames administration) is that Dr. Saunders believes in shared government," said Stephen Oshrin, president of the Faculty Senate....

...Unlike Thames, Saunders has frequently visited Faculty Senate meetings.

So has the new provost, Bob Lyman, who was at Friday's Faculty Senate meeting.

Following glowing remarks from the senators about the courage and civility professor Myron Henry showed during the "dark days" of the Thames administration, Lyman spoke to the group.

"I hope those days don't come again," he said, adding that he and Saunders seek a true partnership between the administration and faculty.

"I look forward to all the input I can get," Lyman said....