THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Interoffice Correspondence

President’s Office

Box 5001

February 11, 2005

TO:                 Drs. Harold Doty, Farhang Niroomand, Alvin Williams, Roderick Posey,

                        Mark Klinedinst, and President’s Executive Cabinet

FROM:            Shelby F. Thames

                        President

I am sorry that there has been so much misunderstanding with respect to plans for an alternate delivery of your MBA program.  Clearly, all aspects of the MBA degree are the responsibility of the faculty of the College of Business and include but may not be limited to curriculum, method of delivery, locations or sites offered, course schedules, faculty selection, and faculty credentials.  When you and your colleagues have completed your work, we will, of course, pursue any necessary approvals from the IHL Board of Trustees, AACSB, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and any other necessary accrediting body prior to implementation.

As University administrators you are acutely aware of our funding needs and the continual decline in state support for our University system.  It appears this year will be no exception to the recent past and more budget cuts are expected.  I have stated many times that the support of our educational mission primarily originates from three sources--tuition, state support, and external sources such as contracts, grants, and charitable foundations.  Over the last several years, state support has declined, tuition has risen, and external funds have increased substantially due principally to the growth of our research component.

It is my belief that universities hold a unique position and responsibility to perform theoretical and fundamental research, as knowledge is created within our university borders.  Therefore, we must continue our pursuit of theoretical and basic research in order to create knowledge for generations to come.  Theoretical/basic research is the genesis of applied research and thus is indispensable to our economic and academic well being.  I applaud your strong fundamental research component and encourage its propagation to societies’ needs.

Please know that I, as President, appreciate and support your efforts, and I encourage you to share this memorandum with your faculty.