Business Community Divided over future of USM, by Bob Pittman

While the ten hosts of a Thursday evening meeting in Hattiesburg have labeled the session as a "brief" meeting to consider "the future" of the University of Southern Mississippi, the 12-item agenda indicates the meeting will be anything but brief since most of the subjects involve highly controversial issues.

And, the most controversial of issues may be the growing division within the area's business community relating to the future direction of the University.

Even though the hosts for the meeting have labeled it as a session for the discussion of the "future of the University of Southern Mississippi," one of the group, Jan Lacy, has acknowledged that all the members of the group "are Shelby (Thames) supporters."

And Bonnie Drews, one of the sponsors of the meeting, has said a major issue is about the direction of the University, whether "liberal arts" will continue to dominate the campus or whether the University will focus on applied research and technology.

Also at issue is the role of the University leadership in the meeting.  University spokeswoman Lisa Mader has said that USM is not involved in organizing the meeting but she acknowledged that she invited at least one of the sponsors to serve as a "host" for the meeting.

Meeting sponsors have said Dr. Thames has not been invited to the meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Bottling  Company offices just off U.S. Highway 98 west.  Hosts for the meeting include Drews, Lacy, Brad Brian, Bobby Dews, Gwen James, Richard Jones, Bob Mixon, Carl Nicholson, Dr. Doug Rouse, and Lawrence Warren.

The agenda calls for "brief" discussions related to the accomplishments of Dr. Thames, a "brief" report on science and technology, and a "brief" discussion of economic development.

But the agenda also includes such highly inflammatory subjects such as "athletics and construction," a "new look" at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the institution that has placed USM on academic probation for a year; a "new look" at the most recent flare up on campus which related to the direction of the College of Business; and a discussion related to the "shaping of the media reporting."

Also, while the meeting was earlier described as a meeting of a few friends of the University, reports are some 250 "friends" have been invited to the session.  And Lacy said others in the community who are interested in attending should contact one of the sponsors of the session.

Mader said she understood the meeting as a group of business leaders "talking with other business leaders in the community."

If business leaders are "talking to other business leaders," some expect strong words.  Sources in the business community who were not invited to the meeting said the principal issues are whether "liberal arts" or "research and technology" are going to be the University's focus and whether Thames is going to continue as the leader of the University.

The fact that three presidents of the Area Development Partnership, the region's economic development arm, are hosting the meeting, one source said, is an indication that the group is attempting to move the University in the direction of technology at the expense of liberal arts.

"Few of them realize the value of liberal arts to the University and to the community," said one source who asked not to be identified.

Significantly, the agenda includes discussions on "science and technology" and the recent conflict between the University Provost and the Dean of the College of Business over the direction of the department.  Dr. Harold Doty, the Dean, stood his ground as Provost Dr. Grimes ordered the College to turn its research and philosophical direction to a more technical curriculum.  Doty resisted and Grimes was instructed to withdraw his demands on the College of Business.

Also of significance is the agenda which includes a discussion of "Shaping of the Media Reporting" while the media has been told it will not be admitted to the meeting.

Included as an item for discussion is the University's probation status with the SACS and a report on the institution's economic development efforts.

"Liberal arts" is not included on the agenda.

Athletics is, however, with Athletics Director Richard Giannini invited to speak.  Giannini was one of the leaders in the University's campaign to win approval of a bond issue by Hattiesburg voters to provide funds for improving athletic facilities on campus.  The proposal was soundly defeated last fall.

Indicating that the Thursday meeting is just the beginning of a campaign to control the direction of the University, the agenda closes with "plans and subcommittees" to be discussed by Dews.

The Senate faculty met last week to discuss the Thursday meeting but declined to make any statement after a sometimes heated session.