Go look at the "Q & A" column on page 3A of Friday's (May 20th) HA. There is an intriguing question and answer:
Q: What did the College Board think of the announcement?
A: While Thames said he spoke with Higher Education Commissioner Richard Crofts and former board president Roy Klumb, Newton and other board members said the announcement came as "somewhat of a surprise" this week. Although they were evaluating Thames for possible contract renewal, they had not necessarily anticipated a resignation of this sort.
What I'm wondering is was this some sort of strategic move by Klumb and his IHL supporters? In essence, did they produce a resignation that steals an extra year without even going through Newton and the others on the board? Things seem sketchy to me now.
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Third Witch
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RE: Intriguing passage in Friday's print version o
Thanks for bringing that up. I was intrigued by it, but didn't know what to make of it. Someone suggested to me yesterday that the board must be split 6-6, hence this compromise which is not really what anybody wants.
We should focus on the fact that Horace Fleming had too much dignity to stay for the extra one year, unlike ST who is grabbing at every moment in the spotlight he can get.
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kick kid
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RE: Intriguing passage in Friday's print version of HA
Even if the two-year deal were Klumb's brainchild, as is widely supposed, and he worked it out without talking to the anti-Thames faction on the Board, the full Board would still have to accept it, would it not?
A Board that was deadlocked 6-6 on everything pertaining to Thames wouldn't be able to fire him now and also wouldn't be able to renew his contract... leading to an exit date of May 2006, not May 2007.
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Campbell ".... leading to an exit date of May 2006, not May 2007. Robert Campbell"
I guess that means the sequel to Exit 13 is getting longer and longer. Much too long. The publisher may require the IHL to convene again, reconsider the matter, and try to do it right this time.
quote: Originally posted by: Robert Campbell "Even if the two-year deal were Klumb's brainchild, as is widely supposed, and he worked it out without talking to the anti-Thames faction on the Board, the full Board would still have to accept it, would it not? A Board that was deadlocked 6-6 on everything pertaining to Thames wouldn't be able to fire him now and also wouldn't be able to renew his contract... leading to an exit date of May 2006, not May 2007. Robert Campbell"
So if a true deadlock would have produced a May 2006 departure, why would a majority of the board go for May 2007? Robert, does this seem reasonable to you? Your assessment would be appreciated.
If there was a 6-6 split over extending Thames' reign or firing him, at least one pro-Thames Board member was willing to agree to give him the boot after another year instead of running the risk of losing him in May 2006... breaking the deadlock and leading to at least a 7-5 result. Or at least one anti-Thames Board member was willing to give him an extra year in the hope that the constant infighting over Thames would thereupon cease ...again leading to at least a 7-5 result.
Or, 7-5 against Thames on May 4 went to a near-unanimous vote for giving him one more year to exit after Klumb offered the compromise deal on May 19.
It's too bad that the one thing the Board does consistently well is prevent leaks
Robert Campbell
PS. While a 6-6 deadlock would have ended Thames' term in office in May 2006, no one one either side could have been too confident that it would stay at 6-6 between now and then.
When the name of a candidate for a faculty position is presented to the department for its input, and the vote is very close (e.g., 15-14), it is usually not a good idea to offer that candiate the position. Most of the time it wouldn't be good for the department and it wouldn't be good for the candidate. USM would have been much better off had the IHL applied that principle in its search for a president.
quote: Originally posted by: 15-14 or bust "When the name of a candidate for a faculty position is presented to the department for its input, and the vote is very close (e.g., 15-14), it is usually not a good idea to offer that candiate the position. Most of the time it wouldn't be good for the department and it wouldn't be good for the candidate. USM would have been much better off had the IHL applied that principle in its search for a president. "
15-14? The faculty vote resulted in a much wider gap that that!
quote: Originally posted by: 15-14 or bust "When the name of a candidate for a faculty position is presented to the department for its input, and the vote is very close (e.g., 15-14), it is usually not a good idea to offer that candiate the position. Most of the time it wouldn't be good for the department and it wouldn't be good for the candidate. . . "
Departments still vote on candidates for faculty positions?
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Voter
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RE: RE: RE: Intriguing passage in Friday's print v
quote: Originally posted by: 15-14 or bust "When the name of a candidate for a faculty position is presented to the department for its input, and the vote is very close (e.g., 15-14), it is usually not a good idea to offer that candiate the position. Most of the time it wouldn't be good for the department and it wouldn't be good for the candidate. USM would have been much better off had the IHL applied that principle in its search for a president. "
This is essentially the Thomas Jefferson principle --- don't make sweeping changes or big decisions on slim (i.e., single vote) majorities.
quote: Originally posted by: Disenfranchised " Departments still vote on candidates for faculty positions?"
I wouldn't exactly call it a "vote," but experienced department chairs do present for discussion and opinion matters pertaining to faculty acquisitions. Normally, the departmental search committee would make their recommendation(s).
Originally posted by: Disenfranchised " Departments still vote on candidates for faculty positions?"
quote: Originally posted by: End Run "I wouldn't exactly call it a "vote," but experienced department chairs do present for discussion and opinion matters pertaining to faculty acquisitions. Normally, the departmental search committee would make their recommendation(s). "
Originally posted by: Disenfranchised " Departments still vote on candidates for faculty positions?"
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Originally posted by: End Run "I wouldn't exactly call it a "vote," but experienced department chairs do present for discussion and opinion matters pertaining to faculty acquisitions. Normally, the departmental search committee would make their recommendation(s). "
Now the matter is decided, and I have to hand it to Shelby. He has outwitted everyone. You see, he never intended more than another couple of years. Now, he has it, and he even has his most ardent critics claiming victory. Poor Amy. Poor Faculty Senate. Poor USM. But you got to give Shelby credit. He has told everyone he ain't going nowhere until he is ready. He says he will be ready in another two years. And that is a USM victory? Nope. But congratulations, Shelby, you are a master. As for the rest of you, quit your bitching. You got what you deserve. And, by the way, you got him for two more years!!!!
quote: Originally posted by: Hamlet's Ghost "Now the matter is decided, and I have to hand it to Shelby. He has outwitted everyone. You see, he never intended more than another couple of years. Now, he has it, and he even has his most ardent critics claiming victory. Poor Amy. Poor Faculty Senate. Poor USM. But you got to give Shelby credit. He has told everyone he ain't going nowhere until he is ready. He says he will be ready in another two years. And that is a USM victory? Nope. But congratulations, Shelby, you are a master. As for the rest of you, quit your bitching. You got what you deserve. And, by the way, you got him for two more years!!!!"
Meet me back here in 2 years. Shelby will only be a memory, he will never stay another year much less 2.
SFT would never accept 1 year contract if he had a choice. Fleming considered it an insult to be offered a 1 year extentsion. Is Shelby not the red blooded male Horace was?
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Robert Campbell
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RE: RE: RE: Intriguing passage in Friday's print version of HA
quote: Originally posted by: Hamlet's Ghost "Now the matter is decided, and I have to hand it to Shelby. He has outwitted everyone. You see, he never intended more than another couple of years. Now, he has it, and he even has his most ardent critics claiming victory. Poor Amy. Poor Faculty Senate. Poor USM. But you got to give Shelby credit. He has told everyone he ain't going nowhere until he is ready. He says he will be ready in another two years. And that is a USM victory? Nope. But congratulations, Shelby, you are a master. As for the rest of you, quit your bitching. You got what you deserve. And, by the way, you got him for two more years!!!!"