For whatever it's worth, here's a note I just sent to Mr. Agnew:

 

Thank you for your column on Shelby Thames.  Shelby Thames would be much better back as a researcher than as President of USM.  I hope the whole CL editorial board will soon urge him to resign, or urge the IHL to replace him (since he is unlikely ever to resign).  As an academic from outside Mississippi, I can tell you that he is destroying the reputation not only of USM but of Mississippi as a whole.  Or, rather, he is confirming the very worst prejudices that outsiders have of the state. 

Thanks again for addressing the crisis at USM.

Robert Evans

quote:

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Originally posted by: Another View
"Robert, I don't know about you, but I don't buy the notion that "Shelby Thames loves USM" that others do.  In this sense, this editorial harps on the idea more than anyone I have ever heard.  In my mind, this column did as much harm as good (for the cause).  The little fat guy is using the place to launder taxpayer money.  It's that simple."

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You may be right.  Certainly I have lost all respect for Shelby Thames -- especially because of his recent comments that he will stay on because he is "having fun."  It is hard to imagine a more small-minded and trivial comment.  I suspect, though, that in his heart of hearts he does have some real (if perverse) sense of loyalty to USM.  He simply has the attitude of a well-known French monarch: "USM, c'est moi."

i skimmed the CL this morning and because of this board went back and read the column. it is a heartening sight to see the CL now commenting more on USM's situation.

does thames love USM? yes. maybe to a fault. i've seen parents love their children but be bad parents, just like i think he is a bad president. what the CL columnist doesn't realize is how competitive thames is. he wants USM to be better than MSU or Ole Miss. he pits grad students in his lab against each other. i've heard the polymer science department is highly competitive. it's the competitiveness that gets him in trouble.

i've said this before but i think thames has spent his political capital with the IHL. i heard the other day that the IHL has given USM an accelerated schedule to get SACS materials to them. so, if you're a SACS committee member and wondering why you're "busting your hump" it's because of the schedule dictated by the IHL. given the date, i predict that if the IHL thinks we're doing the things we need to do to get reaccredited, then the faculty senate will get its wish and and USM will be looking for a new president. (caveat--i've been wrong so many times that you should take my prediction with more than a grain of salt. )

quote:

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Originally posted by: Robert Evans
" Certainly I have lost all respect for Shelby Thames -- especially because of his recent comments that he will stay on because he is "having fun."  It is hard to imagine a more small-minded and trivial comment.  "

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I can't help but wonder if his vocabulary (both literally and emotionally) is so limited that he cannot express himself otherwise.  Where someone more articulate might say, I feel productive, gratified, rewarded, able to contribute, vigorous, challenged, fulfilled, actualized -- whatever -- SFT can only think in terms of "having fun."

Whatever the reason, it does not play well with the general public. The parking lot attendant where I work was ridiculing the statement just last week.