Thames resigns! - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: May 19, 2005

Thames resigns!

Date: May 19, 2005

the clarion ledger reports he will step down in May 2007.

Date: May 19, 2005

Here are links:

HA: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050519/NEWS01/50519001

CL: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050519/NEWS01/50519003

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"the clarion ledger reports he will step down in May 2007."

Has anybody here worked for a lame duck administrator for two years?

Date: May 19, 2005

"I'm thrilled to death!" he says...AND SO AM I!!!!!!

Date: May 19, 2005

Let the blood flow!

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Oh Boy
"Has anybody here worked for a lame duck administrator for two years? "

Prediction: SFT will serve one full year and then step down as soon as a new president is appointed within that second year. In other words, we may not have to deal with 2 more full years of this hell.

Date: May 19, 2005

At first I assumed that the heading of this thread was a prank. It's still hard to believe it's true. I'm glad he's going; I only wish he were going sooner. Still, it's hard to believe that he will have anything like the power he has had before now; no one will want to stick out his or her neck for Shelby any longer. It will be interesting to see how the henchcrew begin to react. Congratulations to everyone at USM. It looks as if your long institutional nightmare is beginning to be over . . . .

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
" It looks as if your long institutional nightmare is beginning to be over . . . ."

In TWO years!!

Two years is a LONG leeway for a resignation announcement. I can't think of another University president who gave two years' notice. I've heard of year-long notifications (when Rudin left the University of Pennsylvania; when Keohane left Duke; when Broad announced she's leaving UNC-CH), but never two years.

Do you think they told him it was either this "resignation plan" or he was getting the pink slip?

P.S. How many professors are ready to leave now that the end is 2+ years away? and a LAME DUCK at that? Not that he ever DID care about faculty, but Thames is going to have absolutely no reason to do anything in their best interests now. Expect lots of bureaucratic flops and hell to go through.

Date: May 19, 2005

FireShelby, are you out there?

Thank you.

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Oh Boy
"Has anybody here worked for a lame duck administrator for two years? "

Does this means there will be no coming put party?

Date: May 19, 2005

Let us never forget.

From the CL story:

The Thames file

Thames caused an uproar in March 2004 when he suspended two tenured professors who investigated the credentials of a top USM administrator. The action ignited student-led protests and faculty no-confidence votes.

USM's Faculty Senate unanimously voted no confidence in Thames in March 2004. The faculty responded with a 430-32 vote days later.

In May 2004, the senate voted 39-1, with one abstention, to ask the College Board to request Thames resign and return to the faculty.

This February, the senate voted 39-2 to ask the board for a national search to replace Thames.

In December, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools put USM on one-year probation. SACS' Commission on Colleges has asked USM to evaluate its distance-learning activities.

Date: May 19, 2005

WOW!

You can see just how good I am at predicting the actions of the IHL Board...

Obviously Thames had enough protection remaining to get two years of lame-duckitude instead of the one that is customary.

It is still great news.

But now those faculty remaining at USM must prepare to fight the spiteful and destructive actions that will surely be coming... and to clear out what's left of the henchcrew. The best outcome would be for the entire crew to be gone before Thames' successor arrives in Hattiesburg; for without his crew to do his dirty work, Thames' destructive capability will be substantially diminished.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: realist
" In TWO years!! ... Do you think they told him it was either this "resignation plan" or he was getting the pink slip? ... Expect lots of bureaucratic flops and hell to go through. "

Of course it was forced. You think he would step down voluntarily when he's having so much fun? I'm hopeful that the board will keep him on a short leash--he's been told to focus on re-accreditation during his remaining time here. Call me foolishly optimistic, but I bet if he has another major screw-up (and I hope the board told him so), they will send Crofts to be interim president.

When's the celebration?

Date: May 19, 2005

Extending his contract another year is a slap in the face to those who love USM and USM itself. But then, the board is really good at that motion: They've been doing it a long time. The whole thing just makes me so sad. Nothing the board does now will bring back what USM was. Nothing.

Date: May 19, 2005

Do you expect all of the deans will now have 2 years to find another position? We can't get another provost until the new president gets here?

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Polyonymous
"FireShelby, are you out there? Thank you."

DITTO!

Date: May 19, 2005

No administrator should inflict the organization with two years of lameduckidness, unless it is a very successful leader (CEO) in industry and who is highly regarded by the corporation's board of directors.

Date: May 19, 2005

http://southernmiss.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=1355&mid=52949279&sid=&tid=52949279&style=1

Date: May 19, 2005

The EagleTalkers who have commented so far don't know what hit them.

RC

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"The EagleTalkers who have commented so far don't know what hit them. RC"

They seem to exist in a parallel universe in which up is down and down is up. I always feel as if I'm on a different planet when I visit there.

Date: May 19, 2005

I think the IHL Board waited too long. Too little too late. The exodus from USM will continue for two more years. Recruitment will be difficult until our national image improves.

If SFT promises to stay off of the football field, I will renew my tickets for next season.

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Prediction: SFT will serve one full year and then step down as soon as a new president is appointed within that second year. In other words, we may not have to deal with 2 more full years of this hell."

I agree.

Date: May 19, 2005

What will now happen to all my horses and all my men? Not that I really care, you understand.

Humpdy Dumpty

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Prediction: SFT will serve one full year and then step down as soon as a new president is appointed within that second year. In other words, we may not have to deal with 2 more full years of this hell."

Meant to say: I agree and don't think it will be even that long.

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Prediction: SFT will serve one full year and then step down as soon as a new president is appointed within that second year. In other words, we may not have to deal with 2 more full years of this hell."

Angeline,

I hope you're right.

But no one should take anything for granted.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 19, 2005

I didn't see anything about when the search for a new president will begin. That is (or will be) a very key point, and when that tidbit is announced then we may have a much better idea regarding how long Thames' tenure will stretch. I agree with another poster that a new president could be in place to take over before we get to then end of this 2-year swan song.

Date: May 19, 2005

Thames will be on a short leash, that is my bet. I am going to celebrate like there will be no two more years! Thanks to all of the folks who have fought the good fight, though some fighting might still be in order.

Date: May 19, 2005

Expect full court press to quietly transfer power to Lassen and Malone behind the scenes while causing public confrontation with disposables like Exline and Grimes. Moore will continue to stab people in the back, with charm of course.

Date: May 19, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Yahweh
"Thames will be on a short leash, that is my bet. I am going to celebrate like there will be no two more years! Thanks to all of the folks who have fought the good fight, though some fighting might still be in order."

The board did very explictly state that Thames would focus his efforts on accreditation. I think your short leash idea is right on the money. Why else would they say something like that unless they wanted to reign him in?