"Effective May 2007" - Why do we need 2 years? This is ridiculous. The Board BETTER decide that 2007 is too far away.
To have a two year lag time before the henchbunch is gone basically puts USM in neutral for effectively 3 years. We still have a Provost search that was suspended. Do we wait 3 years to find a Provost?
Does the Board really want the institution to sit still for three years? No concrete decisions will be made as long as SFT is around - It means that we can't "move forward".
The Board should start a national search NOW. If we find a suitable replacement, then SFT should finish this next year. If not, then I guess he can hang around for another year.
quote: Originally posted by: Some Beach "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. "
Did he indeed get his contract extended another year? or did he just assume he will be "needed" another year. The IHL allowed him to make this announcement to save face.
My prediction: By this time next year physical plant will be painting on Jamestown Rd for the new occupants
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Campbell "The EagleTalkers who have commented so far don't know what hit them. RC"
Some of the posts on EagleTalk sound like they've been kicked in the head by a wild stallion. There have been only a few posts there. I'll bet that board will liven up tonight!
I wonder if anything can be done to prevent another selection fiasco like this last one. Will the college board actually listen to the recommendations of the search committee?
quote: Originally posted by: USM Staffer "I wonder if anything can be done to prevent another selection fiasco like this last one."
One poster on EagleTalk has already spoken of increasing their political power. I predict that the problems associated with that past USM presidential search will pale by comparision with the next one.
So what's the mood on campus? Jubilant? Apprehensive? How do the henchcrew look? Worried? Cocky? How are the deans reacting? With relief? With concern? How are the folks in the AAUP feeling? What about the putschers?
As I'm trying to process this news and what it means, I'd like to understand the accountability issue. It's frightening to imagine that SFT will not accountable to anyone over the next two years; are those two years guaranteed--regardless? or does he still have to be evaluated, according to new IHL board policy? I want to be happy about this--I'm happier, of course, than I would be if the outcome was four more years, and I'm hoping that having the end in sight, however distantly, will stem the flow of blood from USM. But I'm trying, as I think we all are, to make sense of what is clearly a compromise (and I presume the result of a lot of "heated" discussion) at and with IHL . . .
He will still be reporting to Crofts as of July 1, won't he? What will that mean in terms of leash-shortening.
Cautious joy and optimism for now. No coming out party yet. You Tolkien fans, do not forget "the scouring of the Shire."
(Wasn't in the movie. In the book, Saruman and Wormtongue escape, and while Frodo and friends were attending the coronation and weddings, and then a long journey home, the two baddies were damaging the Shire.) In other words, do not cease vigilance.
Effective July 1, he reports to Dr. Crofts, Commissioner (with Interim removed from his title). The new board governance policy is in place. The new Commissioner will be hired under this policy.
Today's announcement must be a face-saving compromise that gets around what would be an embarassing evaluation by the commissioner and a public fight once V S-N takes over the board presidency. As "Angeline" was the first to point out, he is unlikely to actually serve out this term. As someone else pointed out, he'll be on a short leash.
Now, the bad news. He's going to use the time to further his agenda and promote his people. I don't know whether to rejoice or grieve either but, for the moment anyway, I'm opting to celebrate.
quote: Originally posted by: Any excuse for a party "Now, the bad news. He's going to use the time to further his agenda and promote his people. "
Will promoting his people do much good if "his people" realize that he is a goner and that they will be held accountable once he is gone? I am clutching at reasons to optimistic (and I really do think there are a few).
quote: Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer "Will promoting his people do much good if "his people" realize that he is a goner and that they will be held accountable once he is gone? I am clutching at reasons to optimistic (and I really do think there are a few)."
"His people" are not academics. One had the good sense to move to Wesley. We'll know more when we see who makes the decisions. Lassen and Malone have no real academic options. Moore would probably do well as a profesional party planner.
quote: Originally posted by: Any excuse for a party ""His people" are not academics. One had the good sense to move to Wesley. We'll know more when we see who makes the decisions. Lassen and Malone have no real academic options. Moore would probably do well as a profesional party planner."
Lassen and Malone are dead men walking (metaphor alert). Moore is a joke of an administrator...everyone knows that. She only got to be an administrator because she had a connection to Thames (I think she was the interior decorator for the Polymer Palace?). Grimes will be lucky to simply go back to the faculty unscathed (and his college has already been abolished, as others have pointed out on the Grimes thread). Cecil Burge and Joe Paul will weather the storm...they are true administrator-types and good at it.
It's almost a Pyrrhic victory at this point...we've won, but look at what we're left with...scorched earth and all that.
I feel like a European in WWII. The shooting has slowed down and the surrender is coming soon. But we live in a bombed out city that will take years to rebuild. Refugees are still leaving trying to get to the west as the Russians (SACS) come knocking at the door. Who wants to stay to greet the Russians and try to rebuild? I'm taking the boat to the west.
Is it just me or did the IHL board basically give Shelby a one year contract extension?
It most definitely is not a retirement announcement. It's an announcement that he's been given an extra year before he has to retire.
And hey, in about a year, you can bank on Shelby's buddies all doing a big hoo-ha to get him another one year extension. And of course, when he sees how bad the applicant pool looks, he'll be right in the thick of it like he was 3 years ago. For the "good" of the university he loves, of course.