Most search committee meetings are not open.  I would guess that this one is also closed, but I don't know.

Amy Young

Something is definately afoot.

Search committee-recommended provost candidates went to Shelby months ago; none were internal.

Shelby twisted arms to get the CoST dean Gandy in the mix; committee didn't buy in.  

Months of silence.

Grimes, originally an opponent of Thames, increasingly became a puppet of the Thames regime - most notably kow-towing to "administrator without portfolio" Malone on the coast.

Grimes makes an arguably out of character, career sabotaging move that under normal circumstances would eject him from a job he doesn't seem to like or be particularly well-suited for with no repercussions.

When Shelby is clearly told from Jackson not to lay blame off on anyone else, Grimes is protected.

Now, the search is halted?  The committee dissolved?

Shelby is in danger of not receiving a second term but appears to have won the battle (Metaphor Alert) about not getting immediately ousted.

How long before Grimes, who has now saved face, gets to quietly resign and Shelby gets to just as quietly handpick a new interim provost (who subsequently just happens to become the provost)?

When Cecil Burge replaced Angie Dvorak as interim VP for Research, wasn't there supposed to be a nation-wide search?  Wasn't a committee formed?  What's the status on that?  (Don't get side-tracked on credentials - not the point.)

What's the status on replacing Angie Dvorak in the foundation role?

Academic processes are a sham at the University of Southern Mississippi under Shelby Thames, but why would that even surprise us anymore. 

Shelby is (once again) several weeks overdue for for his bi-monthly loveletter to faculty and staff, so we should be receiving the perfectly credible explanations soon.

 

 

quote:

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Originally posted by: Sponsored ORCA
""When Cecil Burge replaced Angie Dvorak as interim VP for Research, wasn't there supposed to be a nation-wide search?  Wasn't a committee formed?  What's the status on that?  (Don't get side-tracked on credentials - not the point.)" Actually the announced nationwide search was for an assistant VP. Cecil was already doing the VP of Research job before Angie left."

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Mea culpa.  You are right, of course.  I had forgotten that a popular internal promotion had been made by presidential fiat - making it perfectly acceptable. 

What was it that a poster said yesterday in the context of a different discussion?  "however, knowing a little of how things work here, things may be being done in private to try to change some minds.  however, always remember that if this is happening, it is a "family fight" among the old guard powers that be and changes little in the overall operation of the place."

Principles or people?  As long as people, even good people, win out over principles at USM there will never be shared governance in the true spirit of the academy.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Neal Kirby
" Hello.  First time posting here. I wanted to inform you all that the halted search is no rumor.  I spoke with Dr. Joe Paul yesterday at Tuesdays at 2 with Thames and he confirmed that the search has been put on the back burner for some time now because of the SACS Accreditation problems that have occurred.  He did not elaborate any further than the fact that there are in fact candidates for the position and that the issues regarding SACS have put this process on hold for the time being."

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There is only so much bs one can stand.

So the SACs thing is so unimportant and of such a "technical" nature that it actually has the power to stop a Provost search?

Here is an alternate scenerio --

 

the Board has already let the Presdient know he will not be renewed.

Whether he stays for a year or goes in the summer, no one will come in to be other than aninterim provost if they know the President is leaving.

Thus halt the search and either keep Grimes in place or put in an "interim" provost while the Presdiential search happens.

Thoughts?

Since Thames has had "covosts," which Provost position is the search actually for?  Just for Hattiesburg?

Of course, if Thames were told he was a lame duck, it would make sense to postpone the search, because anyone hired during Thames' last year in office could expect to be replaced by the new president, after a term in office of two years max.

But if Thames has been already told that he is a lame duck (...or will be getting his walking papers early), how long can such news be contained?

A Provost search at USM under Thames is really odd anyway.   What's the point of having a separate provost for Gulf Park?  What's the point of becoming a Provost under Thames when you know that you will never be able to carry out most of the normal duties of the office, because Thames makes the academic decisions himself, or his surrogates (mainly Ken Malone) actually make them?

Robert Campbell

Can someone please explain what we know now that we didn't know in December regarding SACS probation that would cause the Provost search to be cancelled now rather than then?

Robert,

I can't put my hands on the original notice, but I seem to recall that the advertised position is/was for a single provost for both campuses. With so many day-to-day coast decisions being made by COO Malone, what would be the point of a separate coast provost? Then again, what's the point of a coast COO?

quote:

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Originally posted by: Amy Young
"The deans were all called into a meeting with the President today at 4:45 - right after the provost search committee meeting. I confirmed this by going to my dean's office and talking with a secretary. I hope we hear more about this very soon. Amy Young"

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Amy, 

Have you - or has anyone else on this board - heard what this meeting with the deans was about yet?  Does anyone have any information on the PUC meeting this morning (besides that it was brief)?  I'm starting to get my hopes up that something is in the air......

No Quarter!

quote:

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Originally posted by: Let Freedom Ring
"
Amy, 
Have you - or has anyone else on this board - heard what this meeting with the deans was about yet?  Does anyone have any information on the PUC meeting this morning (besides that it was brief)?  I'm starting to get my hopes up that something is in the air......
No Quarter!"

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I talked briefly with someone about PUC today. Evidently SFT was questioned quite a bit about the Coke/Warren Paving Meeting. Thames was evidently annoyed by this line of questioning. He as also annoyed by the questions about why Thames himself didn't respond to the attack on faculty instead of Pood having to do it - that it would have been better coming from the President. He was evidently annoyed and cut the meeting short.

I would guess that the general feeling from PUCers is that this is just about over. It'll just fade away. April's meeting is cancelled and we'll just have to wait to see ifthere really will be a May meeting.

I do not thing there was a connection between today's PUC, it's possibly fading, and the provost "announcement."

I have heard one hint that there IS a connection between the deans meeting and the provost search. A hint from outside my college, only.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Amy Young

quote:

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Originally posted by: Reporter
""

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I understand that Tammy Greer and Marybeth Applin were very vocal particularly on the issue of the administration's (read Presdient's) failure to defend liberal arts.

kick

March 23, 2005





Dear Department Chair:

In light of our intense institutional focus on SACS and the uncertainty of our legislative budget appropriations, I have decided to close the current Provost/VP for Academic Affairs search process. Dr. Jay Grimes will remain in the Provost’s position and will serve concurrently as the Vice President for Academic Affairs, serving both Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast. This will provide both continuity and cost savings that will allow continuation of our singular focus on SACS issues during this critical year.

I met with the Provost Search Committee on Wednesday to inform them of my intentions, thanking them for their service and soliciting their thoughts. After the search committee meeting, I informed our academic deans. I ask that you share this information with your faculty and staff making them aware of my decision.

I want to thank each of you for your ongoing hard work and vigilance in supporting the SACS processes. I am fully confident that because of your work and cooperation we will exceed all expectations.

Please feel free to direct any questions or comments regarding this issue to me.

Very truly yours,

Shelby F. Thames
President

po

quote:

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Originally posted by: Funny Money
"A university that does not have funds for a provost search is in worse shape that I ever imagined. Where does your money go?"

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If I had to wager a guess, I would say into a certain persons pocket after being laundered.  I've heard rumors, and that is all they are is rumors that a particular person has pocketed a couple of millions from skimming grants and what not and then has the money laundered so it can't be traced.

"In light of our intense institutional focus on SACS"

Could it be true that we are still initiating new distance learning programs???