After reading the above post, I made a call or two. While I cannot pin down the particulars, one of my sources in the COB information network mentioned overhearing a heated conversation between two administrators today. He/she could not hear exactly what was being said, but there was mention made of a "'GD' press conference."

Maybe related, maybe not: Groundbreaking on the Lott building is set for Feb. 24.

I spoke with a friend from the CBED last night about this, but he didn't have any more info than I did.  He did say that he was praying that the Lord was going to send Moses to lead the business faculty down sun-scorched Hwy 49 South to Albertson's and the waiting arms of MSU and its central administration.

Man, I feel like I'm back in the wrasslin' game! I called Mama and she told me that it wasn't fair for some USM faculty to get out of this hellhole they call USM. The whole campus is just like a pro wrasslin' show! You've got Shelby "The Gnome of the Dome" Thames, Lisa "the Lush" Mader, Greg "The Weasel" Lassen, Ken "The Snake" Malone, and Roy "The Genius" Klumb. It's like I'm back in the old days!

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Originally posted by: trumped
" I just heard what sounded like confirmation of this story.  I also heard that the press conference had to do with the MSU story, and that the word  "(tentative)" actually means that the PC might be pushed back a few weeks to warmer weather so it can be held outside of the TLC construction site.  In that way the PC would have a "more positive feel" by indicating what new great things are coming to USM (i.e., quasi b-school run by economic development group) rather than what might be leaving.  I have been told that SFT believes he can give the b-school to MSU only to steal back most of its students through his new quasi-bschool thing with Malone.  Lassen is his point man on this project --- Lassen has become very, very close to Klumb over the past few months."

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Trumped, don't believe for a minute that SFT will be able to "steal" those students back.  When these students sit down in their new classrooms and look around and realize that they are actually attending MSU, they'll think they've died and gone heaven (heck, the H'burg branch of the MSU CBI will be at least as good as its Starkville home base).  SFT better be working on a plan to keep students in his remaining colleges and schools from majoring in business over at the MSU branch in Hattiesburg.  That is the more likely of the two phenomena.

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Originally posted by: estimator
"Trumped, don't believe for a minute that SFT will be able to "steal" those students back.  When these students sit down in their new classrooms and look around and realize that they are actually attending MSU, they'll think they've died and gone heaven (heck, the H'burg branch of the MSU CBI will be at least as good as its Starkville home base).  SFT better be working on a plan to keep students in his remaining colleges and schools from majoring in business over at the MSU branch in Hattiesburg.  That is the more likely of the two phenomena."

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Question: Are we starting to see the break up and re allocation of programs to MSU and Ole Miss??????????????????

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Originally posted by: Captain Redneck
"Boy, you ain't been payin' no attention, have ya? Jus' look at a few of these here threads and you'll have yer answer. Tell 'em Dusty."

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Yes, CR, I've have been paying attention, my comment was more a statement than a true question.

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Originally posted by: Green Hornet
" Yes, CR, I've have been paying attention, my comment was more a statement than a true question. "

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It was a Rhett-orical question, CR, like in Gone with the Wind.

When pursuing a takeover, it has been my experience that the quicker a deal goes down the less likely valuable assets walk out the door. In this case it is likely that faculty members are starting to get job offers from other places, perhaps their decisions would be different if the future were a little more certain. Keep in mind that the bulk of the operating budget for any B-school is in payroll so the assets that are important to a raider in this situation are all human capital related. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that JGH is not the undervalued asset MSU is looking for. Based on my research, if I were MSU I would make sure I didn't pay too much for this asset, because faculty retention could become a serious problem. It wouldn't surprise me if the B-school had 6-10 departures this spring. It appears they are particularly at risk in Marketing, Management, and Finance.

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Originally posted by: T. Boone Pickens
"When pursuing a takeover, it has been my experience that the quicker a deal goes down the less likely valuable assets walk out the door. In this case it is likely that faculty members are starting to get job offers from other places, perhaps their decisions would be different if the future were a little more certain. Keep in mind that the bulk of the operating budget for any B-school is in payroll so the assets that are important to a raider in this situation are all human capital related. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that JGH is not the undervalued asset MSU is looking for. Based on my research, if I were MSU I would make sure I didn't pay too much for this asset, because faculty retention could become a serious problem. It wouldn't surprise me if the B-school had 6-10 departures this spring. It appears they are particularly at risk in Marketing, Management, and Finance."

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By the same token if the actual goal is to reduce costs by lowering payroll, the creating a lot of uncertainty is a good strategy. I wouldn't be surprised if all this b-school flap is pure FUD stuff. Fear, uncertainty & doubt = higher faculty attrition = lower payroll costs.

Shrewd management practice, huh?

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Originally posted by: T. Boone Pickens
"TS, I encourage you to compare the research productivity of the MSU faculty relative to those at USM. You will find that USM has consistently outpublished MSU over the years despite being smaller in size. If MSU was wanting to make a run at being Tier 2 (or at least securing a spot in Tier 3) it is my opinion that overall the USM faculty would prove to be a valuable asset for such a goal."

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But nobody is indispinsable, TBP:  no faculty member, no vice president, no provost, no president. It all depends on what the new owners want. Given a good working environment, faculty recruiting is not as difficult as some might have you believe.

I just started my soph year in business at USM.  I saw all the stuff about the MSU deal, and have heard more from other students.  Last night my parents said I could cut back to part-time in order to wait for the deal to go through.  Several of my friends are either doing same or going back to Jones to wait it out.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

 

 

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Originally posted by: scotchguard
" TS, but TBP just told you that MSU has never recruited as well as USM or else their faculty would be better.  Here's a quick chance to jump to Tier 2.  Attriting the USM group to "recruit" your folk would only "f" that up.  "

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I heard what TBP said. But, as I responded, it all depends on what the new owners want. You're only assuming that MSU's goal of a takover would be that of jumping to Tier 2. That may not be MSU's immediate goal. Even if it were, Tier 2 ranking is not determined solely by the performance or status of only one department or college within the university. Perhaps MSU would like to begin at the beginning and do it its own way. Those folks up in the pastureland are smart - real smart. Let's not try to second guess them. All of this speculation may be nothing more than eyewash anyway.

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Originally posted by: Hogwash
"I believe much of this is Hogwash.  Another university's degree offered at another school?  If this happens this is crazy.  If this happens, anything can happen.  I think there is a prankster trying to waste our time."

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I agree. If this rumor were true somebody from business would have undoubtedly confirmed at least a portion of it. Their silence suggests that they are probably sitting around laughing at all of this speculation. All we have to go on at this time consists of postings on this board, posting which are not backed up with any level of support or confirmation.