H.A 1/4/05 - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 4, 2005

H.A 1/4/05

Date: Feb 4, 2005

It's nice to see concerned (and appreciative) students being quoted; I hope their comments have some impact on broader public opinion.

On another note, what has happened to Bobby Chain? A year ago he seemed ready to lead the charge against SFT, but I have seen no references to him lately.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050204/NEWS01/502040326/1002 Thames"

"Elizabeth Damron, 21, a senior sociology student, called Frank Glamser "the best professor I ever had."

I am not now and have never been affiliated with the sociology department. Nonetheless, during the past decade or so I have heard this type of comment about this faculty member from numerous non- sociology majors. These were very stong students from a variety of disciplines. Is USM continuing to devour it's own? When Stringer and Glamser were eaten alive it gave USM a case of acid reflex disease from which it may never recover.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

"If I were distracted every time something from the external forces came about, then I would never get anything accomplished," Thames said.

Yikes. Did he just refer to the Faculty as "external forces?"

Date: Feb 4, 2005

"If I were distracted every time something from the external forces came about, then I would never get anything accomplished," Thames said. "We're going to move forward and make Southern Miss that world class university we talked about."

God, this is so ridiculously sad. Every time I think SFT can't come up with something more egotistical and lame, he does. Amazing, utterly amazing.

Wonder if he includes SACS in The External Forces??? Is this like the Axis of Evil?

Also, I noticed that in this quote, instead of saying that USM *is* "wurl' class," he says that "we're going to...make [USM] that world class university we talked about." Who's talked about it, Shelboo? You and Kenbot?

How much longer do we have to put up with this man????

Date: Feb 4, 2005

For me the most significant statement was made by Commissioner Crofts.

"The Faculty Senate was "probably wise" in not calling for a no-confidence vote, Crofts said, given that Southern Miss is currently serving a one-year probation from its accreditation agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It was cited because of deficiencies in tracking the university's distance learning programs.

That matter is what SACS is concentrating on, although Crofts said that could change.

"It doesn't necessarily mean that SACS could not subsequently raise governance issues," Crofts said."

The IHL Board has received the message. Governance has always been the issue with the Faculty. The Board now realizes (through Crofts) that SFT has not been using Shared Governance, which could be a major issue with SACS.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

reporter--i'm not sure the IHL or Crofts has learned anything. Crofts is simply repeating SACS policy. When they visit, they are not limited just to what was in the January letter.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Tinctoris
""If I were distracted every time something from the external forces came about, then I would never get anything accomplished," Thames said. Yikes. Did he just refer to the Faculty as "external forces?""

Ah, Tinctoris. I always knew you and the Mrs. were clever and perceptive.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"reporter--i'm not sure the IHL or Crofts has learned anything. Crofts is simply repeating SACS policy. When they visit, they are not limited just to what was in the January letter. "

SCM,

I hear you. However, this was said to a reporter interviewing him about an effective "No Confidence" vote by faculty. Most, if not all, the faculty issues can be summarized under the terms "Shared Governance and Crofts has the academic experience to explain this to the Board. I guess I'm trying to stay positive and looking for any bright spots I can find that they are getting the message, like Klumb not praising SFT during an interview.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"reporter--i'm not sure the IHL or Crofts has learned anything. Crofts is simply repeating SACS policy. When they visit, they are not limited just to what was in the January letter.
"

SCM, will there be a visit prior to the August submission by the university?

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"reporter--i'm not sure the IHL or Crofts has learned anything. Crofts is simply repeating SACS policy. When they visit, they are not limited just to what was in the January letter. "

Dangummit, SCM! Will you quit putting me in the position of having to agree with you again!

As a side note, when the phrase "governance issues" comes up, it includes the governing board. In SACS parlance, "governance" usually does refer to the board. Taking that a half-step & a stumble farther along, it's pretty easy to argue that SFT's position on shared governance is one major reason that IHL hired him in the first place.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

Let me ask you a question Invictus based on your last post.

Could that be construed to mean that if a goal of the IHL were to eliminate tenure in the state of Mississippi (AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT IT IS) and Shelby's behaviors were consistent with that goal, then SACS would see congruence and be ok with it?

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Tinctoris
""If I were distracted every time something from the external forces came about, then I would never get anything accomplished," Thames said.

Yikes. Did he just refer to the Faculty as "external forces?""

Of course, SACS and AACSB are "external forces." Look how hard it was for SACS to finally get Thames' attention.

And of course the faculty is an external force. I don't need to spell out the rest of the analogy...

In his own mind, Shelby Thames is the university. That's narcissistic logic at work.

Robert Campbell

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dipstick
"Let me ask you a question Invictus based on your last post.
Could that be construed to mean that if a goal of the IHL were to eliminate tenure in the state of Mississippi (AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT IT IS) and Shelby's behaviors were consistent with that goal, then SACS would see congruence and be ok with it?"

I'd have to dig back through my SACS books to say this with certainty, but I don't believe that SACS mandates that tenure exist at all. If it did, every community college in Mississippi would be in violation of SACS rules. That isn't what really bugs me about the governance system in Mississippi. Read this excerpt from the Principles:

The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familiar financial interest in the institution. (Emphasis added.)

I'm not 100% confident that the emphasized part is true for IHL.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

Hmmm... I wonder if Klumb Lumber sells building materials to any IHL institutions...

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familiar financial interest in the institution. (Emphasis added.)I'm not 100% confident that the emphasized part is true for IHL."

Wasn't the controlling role of one Bobby Lowder the main reason why Auburn got put on probation?

Robert Campbell

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Tinctoris
""If I were distracted every time something from the external forces came about, then I would never get anything accomplished," Thames said.

Yikes. Did he just refer to the Faculty as "external forces?""

Probably not just the Faculty, Deer. More likely all those not a part of the Inner Cabal.