Grab your coffee and check out the papers. Shelby's "time to move on" quote is noted in the Quote of the Week hard copy section of the HA. The on-line version has an article and a new poll "Will the next two years be divisive?" Janet Braswell wins an award for 2004 coverage of the USM controvery (before flamers start, KW was really active in 2005). The CL has a great editorial by Eric Stringfellow. Here's my favorite quote:
"What's happening with USM's leadership now is wrong. Delaying the transition puts USM in limbo for two years with a lame-duck chief executive and a faculty united against his leadership."
Among his goals are seeing the end to the university’s academic probation, creating a new feel for the campus and continuing to improve programs.
I read the HA article and this sets's the tone for the next two years. SFT is a man in a hurry to accomplish his "goals" and given his past history, it sounds like a "slash and burn, scorched earth" policy in his attempt to get everything done in the little time IHL has given him. I base my thoughts on the following quote from the HA: “We’re not going to remain stagnant,” he said. “I’m going to make the changes that are necessary to move this university forward. I’m not going to sit here for two years and waste taxpayers’ money doing nothing.”
He's a man on a mission.
My next observation is regarding the quote the HA mentioned about the "deal" he made with IHL. Based on the next quote from the HA; "Thames struck a deal with the state College Board on Thursday in which he will step down as president in May 2007 after overseeing the completion of several projects he initiated." the media knows that this IHL's decision was full of backdoor politics.
Hey, people! He's got two years and he's not waiting for retirement! Watch your backs and continue to use your cell phones, he's (SFT) still alive and kicking. A wounded SFT, yes but still a dangerous guy........
Wasn't it Bud Holmes who compared SFT to an old turtle? Just keeps sticking its head out and keeps on going? There is a short story by Lillian Hellman about a turtle. It is caught for turtle soup and its head is cut off. The people go to bed and when they wake up the next morning the turtle is gone but leaving a trail. The headless turtle has crawled back to the brush.