Is this news? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 22, 2005

Is this news?

Date: Mar 22, 2005

Minutes of IHL Board Meeting, February 21, 2005:

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/admin/downloads/BdFeb05-special.pdf

Date: Mar 22, 2005

Was Thomas Meredith (Chancellor of the U. of Georgia system) brought in as consultant to the board? It looks like some of the recent changes in the way the IHL board operates are directly related to his remarks here.

Also, his comments regarding no one person being more important than the institution (emphasis in the original) seem to be specifically aimed at the USM situation. This meeting summary seems to be very significant to me.

Date: Mar 22, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Magnolia
"Was Thomas Meredith (Chancellor of the U. of Georgia system) brought in as consultant to the board? It looks like some of the recent changes in the way the IHL board operates are directly related to his remarks here. Also, his comments regarding no one person being more important than the institution (emphasis in the original) seem to be specifically aimed at the USM situation. This meeting summary seems to be very significant to me. "

Yes, Dr. Meredith is head of the Georgia system and was explaining how the IHL "should" be operating. I too consider this presentation to our Board to be very significant. Did you notice that Newton presided at the meeting, probably as chair of the search committee for commissioner?

Date: Mar 22, 2005

this story about Meredith was covered by the clarion ledger about a month ago. robert campbell has a link to the report on his blog. meredith disavowed any link to USM. I've included a portion of his remarks as reported in the CL:

"The worst thing you can do is hire someone to do one job, and they come in and do another job. Then you've got a mismatch of talents and responsibilities," Meredith said.

In Mississippi, the commissioner and university presidents report to and are evaluated by the College Board. Presidents have four-year contracts.

In Georgia, presidents report to the chancellor, the same as a commissioner. The chancellor evaluates presidents, who have one-year contracts, Meredith said.

"If they're not any good, part of my job is to get rid of the president," he said.

Some University of Southern Mississippi faculty want the board to replace President Shelby Thames. His contract expires in May 2006. He will be evaluated later this year.

A resolution passed 39-2 earlier this month asking for a national search. The faculty senate cast a 40-0 no-confidence vote on Thames in March 2004. The faculty echoed the vote 430-32 shortly thereafter.

Meredith said later his comments weren't in reference to anything in Mississippi.

Date: Mar 22, 2005

scm,

I'm sure Meredith would disavow being there to advise the Board to discipline or fire any individual university president.

His message was nonetheless clear.

And two of Thames' loudest cheerleaders, Ross and Colbert, weren't there. Klumb pretty much had to be on hand... unless he wanted Newton to run the retreat.

Robert Campbell

Date: Mar 22, 2005

robert--i generally agree. i think folks have to be clear that they are "reading between the lines" and it's not something meredith said. and i agree it would be poor form for the chancellor of the georgia system to come in and take a shot at a president in mississippi. interestingly, and some on the board may not know it, but meredith was an administrator at ole miss before he became president at western kentucky.

Date: Mar 22, 2005

an additional tidbit on meredith:

A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Meredith served from 1988 to 1997 as president and professor of education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. He joined that institution from The University of Mississippi, where he had served as adjunct professor of higher education, executive assistant to the chancellor and vice chancellor for executive affairs from 1984 to 1988. Before that, Meredith had served as an academic programs officer and as associate director for programs and planning for the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1974 to 1984. The Chancellor has taught at Jackson State University, Mississippi State University and The University of Mississippi.

Date: Mar 22, 2005

Well, well, well...

It would have been hard for any Board members opposed to the strong-commissioner model to claim that Meredith doesn't understand the unique properties of the Mississippi state system.

Robert Campbell

Date: Jul 17, 2005

Kick for a good read if you missed this thread the last time around.