The HA reported that Blount will be able "to speak" to classes in his areas of expertise.  This implies he won't have any classes of his own.  The end of the article says he will help "USM" secure dept. of defense contracts.  This implies he will be in Washington constantly, seeking pork.

So, if I'm in COAL and I call Pood's office to schedule a lecture to my class from Blount, I'm very likely to be told he's unavailable (in Washington).  It's very likely he'll go before a class only very rarely.

Any $ from Defense he gets will go to COST, and his salary line is coming out of COAL's hide.  I suspect his salary line is somewhat inflated as well.  Sounds great for Shelby and Lassen and Malone and Blount, and even lapdog Pood.

A few questions:

Can Blount vote in any upcoming faculty-wide no confidence votes?  Is Blount one of the young, progressive new faculty members Sanford (from Columbia) and Qbert were hoping to snag?