Standing Ovation? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Standing Ovation?

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Oops. Last line of the short was "Thames received a standing ovation."

Make of it what you will . . .

Date: Apr 22, 2005

He gets to share that distinquished news briefs page with child pornography, bribery and unfilled temporary positions in the government. Does anyone else think he fits right in?

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Must have been from the people he had bussed in.

Date: Apr 22, 2005

When I visited the IHL last month, two awards were presented, and both people got a standing ovation. I think it's just something that's "done" -- although the timing of someone from the Legislature "dropping by" was interesting. Gee, on my way to lunch, let me run by the IHL and present this resolution . . .

Date: Apr 22, 2005

remember, Khayat wanted the legislature to be included as one group that should be included in the evaluation of the presidents.

Date: Apr 22, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"remember, Khayat wanted the legislature to be included as one group that should be included in the evaluation of the presidents. "

If you read the resolution, it was NOT a glowing review of his presidency. My reading of the resolution was that the legislature agrees with faculty; that Dr. Thames shines in his research contributions and his business sense in polymers. Faculty believe he should return to the job he so obviously does so well.

Amy Young

Date: Apr 22, 2005

but amy, timing is critical. i don't think those legislators who drafted the resolution were encouraging him to return to the laboratory.

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Stinky Cheese Man,

As usual I have to agree with you. Timing was most important. It will be remembered as support for his presidency.

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, dropped by the state College Board meeting at Jackson State University on Thursday to present Thames with the resolution.

We need to remember that Gordon also came out publicly for Shelboo last spring during all the troubles. Do they have business relations, or are they just birds of a feather--or was this whole thing orchestrated by some 3rd party who supports the 'boo and has an in with Gordon? In any case, this is about connections and not substance--what does Gordon know about USM or Shelboo's performance, really?--and shows that at least some MS state legislators are for sale. Also shows that what faculty think isn't on their radar screen. Does anyone still wonder why we're LAST?

Date: Apr 22, 2005

Isn't Gordon the mastermind of the beef plant boondoggle that cost MS taxpayers $50 mill? If so, I'd say "birds of a feather."

Date: Apr 23, 2005

This whole thing smacks of the Bilbo debacle in the 1930s? when the esteemed governor of Mississippi fired most of the college presidents and some of the faculty. If my memory is correct, weren't our college accreditations threatened because of improper meddling of the governor in the governance of our institutions of higher learning?

Does anyone else see parallels here, with the chair of the Senate appropriations committee showing up at an IHL meeting with a resolution honoring a university president whose behind is on the hot seat and whose job may be in jeopardy. Could Gordon's action be perceived as an implied threat that IHL appropriations might be affected if SFT isn't allowed to keep his job?

Or maybe it's too early on a Saturday morning and I've just had a bad nightmare.

Date: Apr 23, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Magnolia
"...Could Gordon's action be perceived as an implied threat that IHL appropriations might be affected if SFT isn't allowed to keep his job? Or maybe it's too early on a Saturday morning and I've just had a bad nightmare."

I'm we're LIVING a nightmare, Magnolia. And, seriously, I think you are right on with this history lesson. Until I read your post, I hadn't put together all the similarities between this situation and the Bilbo one. But you're exactly right. Scary.

Date: Apr 23, 2005

That 1st sentence should read "We're living...." (I don't want to hog the nightmare all to myself)

- RK

Date: Apr 23, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: No Ovation
"It will be remembered as support for his presidency."

I hope it will be remembered by the IHL as an improper attempt to influence their decision making. I hope it will be remembered by the voters when those legislators run for re-election. I hope it will be remembered by SFT as the final public show of support from his cronies.

Other than that, who remembers?

As Magnolia and Rudy point out, seems to me there is some potential downside to this kind of "support."

Date: Apr 23, 2005

We may not like some the IHL guys, and may be mad at them, but they've all been around Mississippi politics, and I bet they recognize manipulation when they see it.

Date: Apr 23, 2005

I think there is a lesson in here somewhere. I think the lesson is, the public and the IHL Board like swarmy politicians more than they do faculty.

Date: Apr 23, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Cossack
"I think there is a lesson in here somewhere. I think the lesson is, the public and the IHL Board like swarmy politicians more than they do faculty. "

The IHL Board members are beholden to swarmy politicians for their appointments, so of course they like them.