In Other News ... - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jul 3, 2005

In Other News ...

Date: Jul 3, 2005

We're spreading that Mississippi Mud all over the place.

Date: Jul 3, 2005

Has the dreaded MIDAS virus reared its ugly head again?

Date: Jul 3, 2005

I see that our fearless State Auditor is busy making the state safe for higher education. I think he flew over Hattiesburg without landing.

Date: Jul 3, 2005

SFT has nothing to fear from the state auditor. That's been apparent for a couple of years.

Date: Jul 4, 2005

fiduciary responsibility wrote:

SFT has nothing to fear from the state auditor. That's been apparent for a couple of years.

Do you mean that Thames has run a financially responsible and honest administration or do you mean that Thames has committed financial improprieties and the state auditor is negligent or is in collusion with Thames? If you mean the latter your duty is to provide specifics and to report the improprieties to legal authorities. Otherwise it's just cheap innuendo and rumors.

Date: Jul 4, 2005

Everything at USM has been rosy since the former staff members at Financial Affairs left for other oranizations or institutions.

Date: Jul 5, 2005

As one of the former staff members, who now proudly serve at an institution of higher learning outside of the great state of Mississippi, I assume that "fiduciary responsibility" is jesting when he suggests that the individuals who have left Financial Affairs/Budget Office/Bursar, etc. were the problem. Having worked with these individuals in the trenches, I am acutely aware of how these individuals fought to maintain the integrity of the financial records of USM. Many of us tired of the fight with the dome and went elsewhere. Most of the faculty will never know what a quality group of individuals was once assembled to protect the financial interest of USM. The dome successfully decimated our ranks. I am gravely concerned for those who are left behind, both from a brain drain perspective and because I am aware of the pressures that they are constantly under.

Date: Jul 5, 2005

Financial Acumen wrote:

As one of the former staff members, who now proudly serve at an institution of higher learning outside of the great state of Mississippi, I assume that "fiduciary responsibility" is jesting when he suggests that the individuals who have left Financial Affairs/Budget Office/Bursar, etc. were the problem. Having worked with these individuals in the trenches, I am acutely aware of how these individuals fought to maintain the integrity of the financial records of USM. Many of us tired of the fight with the dome and went elsewhere. Most of the faculty will never know what a quality group of individuals was once assembled to protect the financial interest of USM. The dome successfully decimated our ranks. I am gravely concerned for those who are left behind, both from a brain drain perspective and because I am aware of the pressures that they are constantly under.

I think "fiduciary responsibility" was being a tad sarcastic. By systematically "cleaning house" on the financial side, the Thames administration has erased a significant amount of institutional memory.

Date: Jul 5, 2005

Invictus,

"Tad sarcastic" is an understatement.

Financial Acumen,

There are a LOT of people at USM (both faculty and staff) who understood the necessity of the flight from financial affairs. When the internal controls break down, it's time to hit the road (or greener pastures). One can only imagine the plight of the poor souls left there.

Best Regards to all of you,

FR

Date: Jul 6, 2005

FR,

Thanks for your reply. It is a travesty what has happened over the last two years. It was a painful decision to leave, but undecidedly the correct one for me and my family. The reason that I still monitor this board is that I continue to be hopeful that the ship can be righted. I know that this will only occur with SFT's departure.

I know that many faculty are aware of the precarious situation of staff, but I just wanted to send a reminder that once all of this is over, they need to be your allies. A house divided will not stand, nor can it be repaired unless all parties that are interested in progress unite. Please recognize that the staff does not have the same ability to vocalize their fears and concerns, but they have suffered as well.

I remain hopeful for a better tomorrow for all of you.