Thames Asks For, Receives Contract Extension

WLBT-3 Reporter Ron Jackson sat down this afternoon with embattled USM President Shelby F. Thames for a brief interview.  Here is a transcript of that exchange.

Q: Dr. Thames, before we get into the events of the past 2 weeks surrounding your evaluation by the IHL, admittedly USM has been a firestorm of controversy over your 3-year tenure at the helm there.  What do you attribute that too?

A: I was put in charge of The University of Southern Mississippi by the IHL Board to get the university's fiscal house in order for the 21st Century.  That put me in a position as an agent of change from the very beginning.  Effecting change is always at least a little bit controversial, and we've certainly had our share of that since May of 2002.  Now, I hear some say the university is dying.  Putting all of that on me is a little far-fetched ... at least I think so.  If Southern Miss is dying, it's dying in the classroom.  That's a view I've come to recently.  I have expressed it on a few occasions since and will maintain that.

Q: The decision by the IHL today to extend your contract through May of 2007 was kept quiet until this morning.  How did that all come about?

A: I watch the television just like you, and when I heard that voices were raised in the closed door session the other day I picked up the telephone and called Roy [Klumb] and requested that I serve through May of 2007.  As you saw, the IHL supported that request.  They won't have to meet about me again, no matter what.

Q: Today's statement indicates that you will focus on SACS accreditation issues and completion of capital projects on campus.  How will that proceed?

A: There is still lots of paving needed on campus.  Roads, sidewalks, pathways, concourses, plazas, courtyards.  Lots of paving.  In fact, we'll probably still be paving when 31 May 2007 gets here.  Just today we had to replace some of the paving that was done in March, just two months ago.  These crews know we expect worldclass walkways, and we're making that happen.  You should see all the paving.  Blacktops, whitetops, smooth, course, all kinds of surfaces there on campus today.  Gravel mixes, tar-based surfaces --- an assortment of canvasses if you will.  It smells just like bacon and eggs.  It's wonderful, and we'll see it through to completion, you can take that to the bank.  As far as SACS, I want to stress that these problems don't come up on you overnight.  They go way back --- I would say as far back as from here to Houston, if that makes any sense.  We'll get this done.  Dr. Exline reports on her work every day.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?

A: Our position in the Carnegie Rankings.

Q: Your biggest failure?

A:

Q: Where does USM go from here?  What about the search for a new President?

A: I expect that search will begin next year.  No one doubts my love for Southern Miss.  I have already asked for, and gotten approval, to serve on the search committee for the new President.  I expressed that desire to the IHL, and even told them I would take on the arduous task of committee chairman.  I want to see the best candidate get the job.