Not if the salary (from each account) is only $49,900!

Any self-respecting university that has a football team has GOT to have a plane; isn't this obvious?

In states not large enough to have pro football teams, with folks not rich enough to own pro teams, university teams are the next best form of ego gratification.  Imagine how important Shelby will feel when flying around in that plane.  Can't a boy have some toys (even if he IS 69)?

Books can (and have) been written on the multiple ways such sports-obsession has corrupted the American academy.

But I digress . . .

 

quote:

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Originally posted by: stephen judd
" I believe so Robert -- I thnk that was one of the issues taken up in executive session. I believe the salary was $65,000 and his name is (Tom)? Snodgress. (Now other members of the board don't go picin' on Mr. Snodgrass -- I'm assuming that he is just a guy trying to get a job. Some interesting questions: The University spend around $75,000 on trips -- mostly to Washington DC. I believe the number of trips I heard mentioned was 80 or so. Don't know if that was seats or number of trips. Maybe someone can ask Kevin to find out. The plane is 20 years old and is a prop plane. It is not likely they are going to use it to go to Washington -- too slow. Maybe also not so dependable either? So how is it going to save them money? At 300,000 = insurance + 65,000 for the pilot (sabs benefits) and then fuel/maintence/storage costs ....... we are probably looking at half a million. I suspect Senate will be inquiring into this one.    "

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Given the size, type of plane and the flight radius, this plane has just enough range to reach Memphis, Houston, Nashville and maybe Atlanta and other limited cities north...........Why buy this type of plane with a limited flight range, unless SFT is just using it to go on his Texas hunting trips?????   

The thing the Senate should require a itemized list of trips and expenditures charged to the university when ever it is used.  I think you'll see the trips by upper administration are questionable at the very least.

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Originally posted by: Jameela Lares
"So, when are we getting books for the library?  SACS will require that our library resources match our academic mission. . . . Jameela Lares"

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Jameela,

Apparently you haven't heard: this will be a FLYING LIBRARY.  *The Complete Papers of Shelby Freland Thames* (in the red-letter, leather-bound edition) will be prominently available, as will an engraved granite version of the recent list of USM accomplishments (similar to Alabama's Ten Commandments Monument).  These will be flown from town to town to help spread the "good word" (so to speak) about USM. 

I am surprised that you are so far out of the loop . . .

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Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"It should have dawned on me a long time ago... Some participants here believe that Thames and his immediate henchpeople (e.g., Lassen and Malone) have adopted the University of Phoenix as their model.  It was even cited in the Black Friday Memo from Grimes to Doty, cc'd to Malone. Does the University of Phoenix participate in NCAA athletics?  In any division? And has Bob Mixon thought about that? Robert Campbell"

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There's the competitive advantage for USM - Phoenix with a football team!

Remember the questionnaire?

Professor Judd, check your email.

Home

quote:

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Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"
Jameela,
Apparently you haven't heard: this will be a FLYING LIBRARY.  *The Complete Papers of Shelby Freland Thames* (in the red-letter, leather-bound edition) will be prominently available, as will an engraved granite version of the recent list of USM accomplishments (similar to Alabama's Ten Commandments Monument).  These will be flown from town to town to help spread the "good word" (so to speak) about USM. 
I am surprised that you are so far out of the loop . . ."

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I LOVE IT!!!

I  have recently had the honor and privilege of flying in  Southern's new airplane, which I believe is now called "Lucky Shelby" after Charles Lindberg's famous plane. I found it to be quite comfortable, and the stewardesses were all lovely and charming, a credit to our great university. This plane will be a valuable asset to the university and Dr. Thames as he travels throughout the country promoting Southern and it's world class programs.  Owning a plane is common in the business world, and Dr. Thames tells me it is not unusual for university presidents to have a plane at their disposal.  I'm sure that he intends to make the plane available for faculty junkets when it isn't being used by the USM administration. 

W.J. Johnson 

Sorry: "missing" should be " missin' ".  Mea culpa.

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Originally posted by: OLDIEGOLDIE
"The plane is 20 years old and is a prop plane. It is not likely they are going to use it to go to Washington -- too slow. Maybe also not so dependable either? That plane should get about 210-215 knots, and it does have a Golden Eagle on the tail (I hear). The pilot is very well respected.  Let's focus on things that make a difference, if the plane is not cost effective, let the bean counters make that public."

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FYI, I've posted this on a separate thread:

http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/FlightService/kingair/

 

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Originally posted by: Hop Harrigan, Ace of the Airways
"W.J., they're called Flight Attendants. Not stewardesses. "

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Yes Sir, I understand that is the current term and  I appreciate your attempt to educate me. I guess you'd have to say that I'm just an old fossil who hasn't come around to being politically correct.  Those folks were called stewardesses when I  started flying back in the 1950's and that's still the way I think of them. Plus, the attendants, or whatever you want to call them, are all gals on the Lucky Shelby, handpicked by Dr. Thames himself. They sure know how to mix a fine mint julep too. 

W.J.

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Originally posted by: Just an opinion
"Sorry: "missing" should be " missin' ".  Mea culpa."

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That's all right Mea, I understood you the first time and I do thank you for your kind words.  To answer your question, the little woman and I decided it would be better to delay our move to Hattiesburg until my new office in the Trent Lott Center is completed.  In the mean time we've been traveling a bit on assigments from Dr. Malone. We made a brief visit north to study the business climate in D'Lo, where Dr. Thames has expressed an interest in establishing a new USM branch. Then we attended an international summit on economic development in Geneva, Switzerland.  Both trips were very informative, and we were proud to be there representing our great university.

W.J.

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Originally posted by: Just an opinion
"Is there any truth to the rumor that Shelby has nicknamed the plane "Stuka" and has taken to test-flying it over the palatial AAUP headquarters complex/compound in Hattiesburg?"

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Oh! So that explains the irritating noise we've been experiencing! We dispached our helicopter to take care of the annoyance sometime just after midnight. Seems to have worked, too!