Below is what the FS Executive Committee has sent to the IHL Board:
The Faculty Senate of The University of Southern Mississippi is disappointed that the Board members of the Mississippi IHL declined the opportunity on February 17th to send a clear message of support for committed USM faculty members who have championed integrity at our university. We agree that the university and the IHL Board should remain focused on accreditation issues at The University of Southern Mississippi. In our opinion, issues affecting accreditation need to be dealt with honestly and openly. To do otherwise puts the university at further risk of retaining its ignominious probationary status, or losing accreditation completely. Also, for the good of our university we recommend that the IHL Board support by its actions the Faculty Senatešs motion of February 2, 2005, which stated that the Board should initiate a search for the successor to Dr. Thames as President of The University of Southern Mississippi.