Board does NOTHING - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Board does NOTHING

Date: Feb 17, 2005

The link: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050217/NEWS01/50217001

The title: College Board chief: Time to move past accreditation problems
I'll stay 'as long as I’m having fun,' Thames says

Date: Feb 17, 2005

THIS MAN IS INSANE!!!! How does a university president have fun while his faculty leave in droves and his programs face losing accreditation and his library is able to buy no books!!!

This is so, so, so, so very awful....

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Who in their right mind would term serving as president of a university as "fun"?
Especially when USM is having such problems?

I think, honestly, either Thames is (a)suffering from some sort of mental problem, (b) or is simply too stupid, simpleminded and arrogant to even see what is going on around him. How could he have been having 'fun' while standing outside the closed session.

I don't want to believe in conspiracy theories, especially this one, but we are almost left with no choice.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

And as for Klumb...we can't 'move beyond' accredation problems like it is wreck in the road. This is more like being warned that an asteroid is about to hit USM and we can avert it or not. We can't simply hope that because Klumb wants to fly right by it, that it doesn't effect him (and by him, I mean the College Board and every institution it oversees).
This is not something that if left alone will heal. This sore will only continue to fester.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

This is pretty much the outcome I expected. However, it's POSSIBLE that more is going on behind the scenes than has been announced publicly. In other words, don't despair just yet. Perhaps the board doesn't want to be seen to be caving into pressure from faculty and thus setting a "bad" precedent in their dealings with the faculties at the other state universities. It is hard to imagine, though, how they can in good conscience allow this wound to fester -- unless the conspiracy theorists are correct.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
" State College Board president Roy Klumb of Gulfport said the board during a 90-minute closed door session Thursday had “deliberately and thoroughly” discussed conflicts at the University of Southern Mississippi and said the board remains focused on moving beyond accreditation issues.No action was taken on President Shelby Thames."

Let's entertain a different interpretation of what's just happened. If the IHL board has decided to terminate Thames but allow him to make a graceful exit, they certainly would not have emerged from the closed-door session trumpeting his immediate dismissal. They'd wait, and let him make his own announcement, for whatever reasons he and Mader are able to contrive--failing health, new opportunities, whatever. I'm not saying it'll happen, but it's plausible.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

When does Klumb's term as Board President end? Isn't it soon? Maybe that is when the real action will occur. Am I remembering correctly that Virginia Shanteau Newton is the Board member that will "speak for the Board" next?

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Maybe, maybe, maybe the reason that Virginian Shanteau Newton so horribly referred all questions to Klumber is because there is something in the works for the near future and Klumb didn't want that revealed by having various members answering probing questions?

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: HUH?
"Let's entertain a different interpretation of what's just happened. If the IHL board has decided to terminate Thames but allow him to make a graceful exit, they certainly would not have emerged from the closed-door session trumpeting his immediate dismissal. They'd wait, and let him make his own announcement, for whatever reasons he and Mader are able to contrive--failing health, new opportunities, whatever. I'm not saying it'll happen, but it's plausible. "

Like tomorrow morning he'll wake up and decide that he is not "having fun?"

My life isn't actually very fun right now. Having sat through a chair/director's meeting in CoAL and getting a new set of things needed urgently for SACs and getting yet another request fromthe Provost for "urgent" SACs information that, because of how many hands it must pass through is due next week . . . isn't my idea of fun. We are working our asses off to do what should have been done in the last five years in the space of five months.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: HUH?
"They'd wait, and let him make his own announcement, for whatever reasons he and Mader are able to contrive--failing health, new opportunities, whatever."

Well, that job at Harvard MAY be coming open, and there are many, many buildings at Harvard that could stand a paint job. Painting that Houghton Library lime green would be a nice start.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

I gotta go have a drink.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

If it emerges that the board's (in)action today must be taken at face value, then hasn't the board now crossed a Rubicon? Can't any future mess at USM be laid squarely at the feet of the IHL itself? In other words, hasn't the IHL now set itself up to lose whatever respect it may once have enjoyed in the state? It is the realization that it would be positively foolish and counterproductive to put oneself in such a position that makes me hope that today's announcement is only window-dressing. In any case, from this point on the main blame has to be directed mainly at the IHL, not SFT.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Could it be?
"Maybe, maybe, maybe the reason that Virginian Shanteau Newton so horribly referred all questions to Klumber is because there is something in the works for the near future and Klumb didn't want that revealed by having various members answering probing questions?"

That's possible.

Unfortunately, it's also possible that Klumb has a solid majority of the Board behind him and trustees who might even consider dissenting are being told to keep their criticisms to themselves--or else.

Robert Campbell

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Let's be honest. The board doesn't care about USM. That's it, that's all. Good luck to everyone in finding a new school.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
" That's possible. Unfortunately, it's also possible that Klumb has a solid majority of the Board behind him and trustees who might even consider dissenting are being told to keep their criticisms to themselves--or else. Robert Campbell"

Robert,

What kind of action could be taken against board members who speak out? Klumb couldn't fire them, could he? I assume that the governor or legislature might be able to do, but is that likely?

Date: Feb 17, 2005

i think that shanteau-newton is just stating board policy. last year when klumb was not board president but he loved to shoot off his mouth, the board met and i remember amy whitten saying that only the board president should speak for the board. there's little the board, or governor, or the legislature can do if a board member runs his or her mouth.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Board members can't be fired--by Klumb, by the Governor, by the legislature. I haven't heard that they can be impeached.

(I don't even know whether the legislature could pass a bill that eliminates the Board. Is there language about the Board in the state constitution?)

What Klumb and enough supporters could do is threaten to block any measure that a dissenting Board member wants passed, keep the dissenting member out of a significant role on any subcommitee, etc. And they could blame the dissenter for any adverse publicity the Board gets--even when the policy that is being dissented from is what's attracting the adverse publicity.

Robert Campbell

Date: Feb 17, 2005

robert--the board is created in the state constitution. legislature couldn't eliminate without a constitutional amendment. i don't think people would support its elimination.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Outrageous! Unbelievable! The Board does nothing.

And Shelby Thames is STILL having fun.

I guess we really ARE inmates! I'm on the SACS chain gang.

Amy Young

Date: Feb 17, 2005

... significant role on any subcommittee...

Then again, as scm indicates, Klumb may have just reminded Newton to abide by the same Board policy that was previously used against him.

There's not enough to go on here, but it doesn't look good.

Robert Campbell

Date: Feb 17, 2005

don't forget as well, last year there was an aborted attempt to keep shanteau-newton from assuming her role as board president. she may not have much support among board members.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Either one of two things is true:

1. There is a facing-saving secret exit plan for SFT

or

2. There really is a conspiracy to destroy USM

But how does USM get "beyond" the elephant in the room, SACS? That may be the very stupidest thing RK has ever said.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

1. Sending out my vita

2. Sending out my vita

3. Sending out my vita

Date: Feb 17, 2005

let me try two "readings" of klumb's comment.

1. (the more negative reading) the IHL sees the issues as only accreditation and they feel that it is under control, so they want to move beyond accreditation problems. they don't want to have to get involved in these sorts of problems any more (kind of an anti-micromanaging statement).

2. (the more positive reading) the IHL sees the issues as being more than accreditation problems and they realize there are serious leadership problems.

don't ask me which reading is more accurate.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Either one of two things is true:

1. There is a facing-saving secret exit plan for SFT

or

2. There really is a conspiracy to destroy USM

But how does USM get "beyond" the elephant in the room, SACS? That may be the very stupidest thing RK has ever said."

Given the actions of today's IHL Board meeting, I firmly believe in the conspiracy theory and will continue to until otherwise proven wrong.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

My only advice to those that remain is "escape while you can".

It's beyond sad...it's hopeless.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Why is anyone surprised? Why is anyone disappointed? This is logical.

Given the behavior of the board in the past, what did you (we) expect? They are heavily invested in this horse, and they are going to ride him till he drops or till he wins, wiping out everything we believe in as he crosses the finish line.

Seriously, they could not afford to let their horse be embarassed. Even if something is in the wind, the board has to save SFT's face. That is the board. he is their horse. This is Mississippi.

Date: Feb 17, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Spock
"Why is anyone surprised? Why is anyone disappointed? This is logical. Given the behavior of the board in the past, what did you (we) expect? They are heavily invested in this horse, and they are going to ride him till he drops or till he wins, wiping out everything we believe in as he crosses the finish line. Seriously, they could not afford to let their horse be embarassed. Even if something is in the wind, the board has to save SFT's face. That is the board. he is their horse. This is Mississippi. "

a quote from Bill the Cat is most appropriate for discribing my feelings "ACK"

Date: Feb 17, 2005

I guess this means you won't be buying anything from me in the near future.