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USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> Response from W.J. Johnson
Post Info TOPIC: Response from W.J. Johnson
W.J. Johnson

Date:
Response from W.J. Johnson
Permalink Closed

I have spent some time on this board and the USM website over the last day or so.  I must say that I am even more convinced that what Dr. Thames is doing is the right course.  I am also positive that his task is a gigantic one, given the attitude of the USM faculty towards change that I detect here.  I and several others will be traveling to Hattiesburg today in order to participate in the events surrounding the new economic development facility.  Those of us from the Coast will certainly have an opportunity to speak with Dr. Thames this evening, and we will assure him that he has our full support.  One thing that I have seen in numerous places here is that the IHL board somehow handcuffed Dr. Thames during its closed meeting last week.  Let me tell you once and for all, nothing of the sort happened.  I spoke with Roy Klumb by phone yesterday evening and he assured me of this.  He also spoke with me briefly about several things the IHL has been working on to further empower board system presidents.  One of these is a new system for presidential grants of tenure and promotion in certain circumstances.  Let me tell you, the system you all are used to is being rained in by Mr. Klumb and some of the other members on the IHL board.  The board now has good stewards of taxpayers monies.  Finally, I want to say that we will also get to meet with other USM officials, such as Dr. Grimes and Dr. Malone.  If I get a chance to speak with Dr. Grimes, I will let him know how I feel about that recent situation in the media involving the dean in business.  Where I have worked in my liftetime, nothing of that confrontation sort would have happened, period.  If it did, the lower level individual would have been sent packing.  Our message to Dr. Grimes will be to remind him of that, a fact I am sure he is quite aware of anyway even though I have never met the man.  Dr. Malone, on the other hand, is well known down along the Coast.  Dr. Thames has done a fantastic job of teaching him the responsibilities of leadership, and he is carrying out the task very well down here.  I and others believe he would make a fine president later on. 



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The Right Side

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Mr. Johnson,

You and I met at the Jamestown reception following the hiring of Coach Eustachy last spring. I want to say a special thank you to you for standing up for Dr. Thames. While many here can not see it, I believe Dr. Thames has a clear path in front of him to do the kinds of things he has spoken about often. Today's dedication of the Lott Center will be one more step in the direction of making Southern Miss the top university in the state. Because I work in Hattiesburg, I am hesitant about using my name here. USM faculty have become much angrier since the IHL refused to discipline Dr. Thames at its last meeting, and as you know, my business relies heavily on faculty support. Thanks again for your strong public stance. Stop by sometime and I'll buy you a drink on the house.

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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed


quote:

Originally posted by: W.J. Johnson
"One thing that I have seen in numerous places here is that the IHL board somehow handcuffed Dr. Thames during its closed meeting last week.  Let me tell you once and for all, nothing of the sort happened.  I spoke with Roy Klumb by phone yesterday evening and he assured me of this.  He also spoke with me briefly about several things the IHL has been working on to further empower board system presidents.  One of these is a new system for presidential grants of tenure and promotion in certain circumstances.  Let me tell you, the system you all are used to is being rained in by Mr. Klumb and some of the other members on the IHL board."


Mr. Johnson,


Thanks very much for sharing this information, for making it part of the public record, and for using your own name -- so that if Mr. Klumb tries to deny having said it, he will essentially be calling you a liar.  Your report should be of great interest to faculty not only at USM but throughout the state.  I want to thank Mr. Klumb for granting you this exclusive interview, and I want especially to thank YOU for reporting the interview so openly and candidly.  I hope that Kevin Walters and other newspaper reporters try to do follow-up interviews with Mr. Klumb.  It would be wonderful if he would speak as candidly to them as he has spoken with you.



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UnconTROLLable Laughter

Date:
Permalink Closed

Wait, wait...so the same person logs on using a different name and just starts talking to himself, roflmao....


I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.
I will not feed the trolls.

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We'll entertain questions now

Date:
Permalink Closed

Mr. Johnson,


You said that Mr. Klumb informed you that the IHL is considering a new system for presidential grants of tenure and promotion in certain circumstances. Did he also say anything about the possibility of them considering a new system for presidential stripping of tenure and promotion?



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LVN

Date:
Permalink Closed

I will assume that Mr. Johnson is not a troll, for the time being. I am quite surprised, however, that Mr. Klumb was so free with his information and his vision, when talking to a private citizen on the telephone. Possibly Mr. Klumb has overlooked the fact that his is a PUBLIC appointment to a PUBLIC body. Such a private conversation would be highly inappropriate, if not illegal.

Once again we have a situation where a citizen (Mr. Johnson, again assuming this is legit) obviously does not understand how a university is structured and governed. Mr. Johnson, it is a community of scholars, not a paint factory. Dr. Thames is not supposed to be the "boss" with the kind of power a plant manager has. Faculty are not worker bees. May I respectfully suggest that you go back on this board and, ignoring the late night silliness we sometimes fall into, read some of the deeply thoughtful essays herein.

By the way, we are still waiting for specific details of the good things Dr. Thames has done for USM, besides eliminating the purchase of library books, decimating programs, destroying the College of Nursing, and buying an airplane.

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sugjester

Date:
Permalink Closed

Keep kicking up the "why faculty will lose the war" thread.  These guys are united and steadfast, unlike the faculty, who cant seem to stay out of Einstein or Starbucks, even if it helps the cause.


Congrats on a well fought victory Mr. Johnson.



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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: sugjester
"Congrats on a well fought victory Mr. Johnson."

Actually, I think Mr. Johnson (assuming he and the conversation with Roy Klumb are real) may have provided the ammunition that will move this whole discussion way beyond the borders of just USM.  Thanks again, Mr. J!


 



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jonesin

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
" Actually, I think Mr. Johnson (assuming he and the conversation with Roy Klumb are real) may have provided the ammunition that will move this whole discussion way beyond the borders of just USM.  Thanks again, Mr. J!  "
This poster [Mr. J] is a hoax.  Just board fun.

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Advocate

Date:
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When a newspaper prints a letter to the editor that has a signed name, do they check to make sure that person really exists?  Wouldn't it be possible to put in a fake address, and with today's cell phones, etc., set up a phone line with minimal effort?


Just wondering.


 



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customer

Date:
Permalink Closed

The Right Side writes: Because I work in Hattiesburg, I am hesitant about using my name here. USM faculty have become much angrier since the IHL refused to discipline Dr. Thames at its last meeting, and as you know, my business relies heavily on faculty support. Thanks again for your strong public stance. Stop by sometime and I'll buy you a drink on the house.


So what kind of hypocrite strongly supports the views of the elusive Mr. Johnson, but doesn't have the courage to use a real name (or business name)? Exactly who does Right Side think will come to replace the faculty who will quit frequenting the establishment once they know what it is? (It probably won't take a lot of imagination to figure it out).




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donald

Date:
Response to Mr. Johnson
Permalink Closed

Thames teaching someone else leadership?  This is frightening!

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Cinderella

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: donald
"Thames teaching someone else leadership?  This is frightening!"


Yeah, nice to know the COO had no skills to begin with and those he has he got from papa Thames...

excuse my punctuation please!

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USM Sympathizer

Date:
RE: RE: RE: RE: Response from W.J. Johnson
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: jonesin
"This poster [Mr. J] is a hoax.  Just board fun."

I hope you're wrong.  I'm actually hoping Mr. Johnson is real.  At first I said to myself, "Self, would Roy Klumb REALLY be dumb enough to say something like this to a member of the public and NOT tell the person NOT to repeat it in public?"  And then I said to myself, "Self, yes, why are you doubting Roy's stupidity?"  PLEASE let Mr. Johnson and his phone conversation be for real!  (I have to admit, however, that parts of Mr. Johnson's initial message on this thread sounds too good to be true.)


 



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Loose Sleuth

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: The Right Side
"Mr. Johnson, You and I met at the Jamestown reception following the hiring of Coach Eustachy last spring. I want to say a special thank you to you for standing up for Dr. Thames. While many here can not see it, I believe Dr. Thames has a clear path in front of him to do the kinds of things he has spoken about often. Today's dedication of the Lott Center will be one more step in the direction of making Southern Miss the top university in the state. Because I work in Hattiesburg, I am hesitant about using my name here. USM faculty have become much angrier since the IHL refused to discipline Dr. Thames at its last meeting, and as you know, my business relies heavily on faculty support. Thanks again for your strong public stance. Stop by sometime and I'll buy you a drink on the house."
From the end of the passage it sounds like The Right Side is one of the two guys at the CC/MB/PP.

__________________
Robert Campbell

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: W.J. Johnson
"One thing that I have seen in numerous places here is that the IHL board somehow handcuffed Dr. Thames during its closed meeting last week.  Let me tell you once and for all, nothing of the sort happened.  I spoke with Roy Klumb by phone yesterday evening and he assured me of this.  He also spoke with me briefly about several things the IHL has been working on to further empower board system presidents.  One of these is a new system for presidential grants of tenure and promotion in certain circumstances.  Let me tell you, the system you all are used to is being rained in by Mr. Klumb and some of the other members on the IHL board."


Mr. Johnson,

I also urge you, if you are for real, to encourage Roy Klumb to tell the press exactly what he has told you.

And... since Roy Klumb is willing to divulge so much behind-the-scenes Board business to you... maybe you could tell us what his future plans for USM are.

Does Roy Klumb

* want to close USM down entirely
* arrange for it to be taken over by a university that he and his fellow Board members deem more important--i.e., Ole Miss, or his alma mater, Miss State
or
* drop USM down to the level of a Jackson State ?

If you know as much as you claim to, about Roy Klumb's plans and intentions, and the degree of support he currently enjoys from other Board members for his crucial project of keeping Shelby Thames in control of USM, I'm sure you'll be able to answer this all-important question.

I'm sure you'll also be able to impart to you us Mr. Klumb's answer to this question:

Would he ever have considered someone like Shelby Thames for the top position at Ole Miss or Miss State?

For if Thames genuinely had all the wonderful qualities that you and Mr. Klumb attribute to him, wouldn't he be the best leader for either of those universities?

After all, their presidents aren't trying to "destruct" their faculties, and you seem to admire Shelby Thames precisely because he is intent on "destructing" the faculty of USM. Don't Ole Miss and Miss State urgently need some "destructing" of their own?

Robert Campbell


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Miss Information

Date:
Permalink Closed

Dr. Campbell,

As the late Lewis Grizzard used to say, "Never rassle with a pig. You get all muddy & the pig enjoys the attention."

DON'T FEED THE TROLLS.

Sincerely,
Miss Information

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Robert Campbell

Date:
Permalink Closed

Miss Information,

You don't mean to tell us that Roy Klumb has been visiting in person, do you?

Robert Campbell

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Not in with the In Crowd

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Don't expect much response this hour.  It is 2:12 CST and the trolls are all over at the TLC groundbreaking.

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Invictus

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Roy Klumb is a person? I thought he was a cartoon character.



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USM Sympathizer

Date:
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Robert,


I have seriously begun to doubt that W. J. Johnson really exists.  I have done some checking with my "sources" in Gulfport, where he claims to be from, and there doesn't seem to be much evidence of his actual existence.  Perhaps he is just a sophisticated troll.  Certainly he spells better and has better grammar than the trolls we are used to!  If he is indeed a troll, sn't it kind of sad that Shelby can't round up a few real people with brains to defend him?  (Notice I said "with brains," so that leaves out Roy Klumb.)



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foot soldier

Date:
Permalink Closed

Okay, so maybe he is a troll, but the supposed comments by Klumb are in character. Just go listen to what he has to say about "changing the culture of tenure" on the Why We Fight website. It is for me, the scariest of the sound bites. I really do think that Klumb would like to get rid of tenure in Mississippi. Heck, it was okay with the board for Shelby to fire Frank and Gary. The board wanted Shelby to go for some tenured professor. He was looking for someone to fire . . .
I think the board didn't realize how bad a prez Shelboo would be (SACS probabtion, tier drop, etc.)

I also think that Ole Miss and MSU should not keep their heads in the sand.

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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

FS,


If Mr. Johnson is, like Shelby, a "red-blooded American male," surely he will step up to the plate and prove that he really exists.  Until he does, though, I'm beginning to suspect that he's Clyde or Albert using a grammar checker.



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Invictus

Date:
Permalink Closed

Is there not a William Johnson who has written several glowingly pro-Shelby letters to the editor in the Hattiesgulch American?

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Shrimp Picker

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"I have seriously begun to doubt that W. J. Johnson really exists.  I have done some checking with my "sources" in Gulfport, where he claims to be from, and there doesn't seem to be much evidence of his actual existence."


Check your sources in Biloxi.



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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Is there not a William Johnson who has written several glowingly pro-Shelby letters to the editor in the Hattiesgulch American?"

Not sure; is there any quick way to search the archives?


 



__________________
liberal arts

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Is there not a William Johnson who has written several glowingly pro-Shelby letters to the editor in the Hattiesgulch American?"

wasnt there a johnson fella(student) years ago (70's/early 80's??) very active writing letters to ha and printz critizing lucas, et el?  not suggesting this is the same person, the man i speak of was very articulate.


as i recollect, he was one of my students and took great pleasure in challenging those in adminstration.



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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Is there not a William Johnson who has written several glowingly pro-Shelby letters to the editor in the Hattiesgulch American?"

Invictus,


You are right!  A "William Johnson" of Hattiesburg was the author of the famous HA letter on February 11 that compared faculty to convicts; here's the closing line: "You would not let the inmates pick the next warden, would you?"


I thought, though, that W. J. Johnson said he was from Gulfport. 



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USM Sympathizer

Date:
Permalink Closed

Just checked, and W. J. Johnson DID identify himself as a citizen of Gulfport.

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Robert Campbell

Date:
Permalink Closed

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"I also think that Ole Miss and MSU should not keep their heads in the sand."

Is there any circumstance under which the presidents of Ole Miss and MSU would criticize Thames in public?


Robert Campbell



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