Thames' Presidency Extended another Month

by S.B. James, C-L Reporter

For the second time in a month, University of Southern Mississippi President Shelby F. Thames' contract was extended by the Mississippi IHL Board.  Last month outgoing IHL President Roy Klumb announced to the media that Thames' contract, set to expire in May of 2006, would be extended for an additional year, until May of 2007, at which time Thames would return to his lab.  Just before last week's June meeting, the Board announced that Thames' contract would again be extended, this time through June 30, 2007, adding just over thirty days to last month's agreement.

"When we looked at the dates, it just seemed to make sense to do this because the fiscal year ends on 30 June," said Board member Stacey Davidson.  "We probably should have corrected this blip in the deal when Dr. Thames assumed the presidency back in 2002, or during last month's talks at least, but we didn't," added Davidson.

Reaction on campus to this latest announcement has been mixed.  The USM Faculty Senate issued a statement warning of the damage Thames can do, even in a period as short as thirty days.  In his own media release, Thames indicated that none of the additional period would be spent in a vindictive manner.  Thames' statement goes on to say that the extension "is simply a calendar adjustment, designed to compartmentalize the accomplishments of various USM presidencies." 

"As it stands, the next guy can come in here and claim all 2007 external support funding as his own.  We couldn't have that," Thames stated (by phone), when asked to explain the preceding statement (from the press release).

Current Board President Virginia Shanteau Newton declined to comment on the extension.  In a prior informal agreement with other members, Newton has agreed not to speak publicly for the Board in any way during her presidency, which ends in May of 2006.