In yesterday's article, Thames says

"Southern Miss will seek their advice and if given the green light will move forward," Thames said. "If not, we will wait until the Southern Association is satisfied with the program, the location and the way it will be offered."

And on the WDAM website,

"USM President Shelby Thames says only if the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is satisfied with the program will Southern Miss move full speed ahead."

Which shows he may be showing some serious caution in this matter, which would be a substantial change from past actions.

However, COB Dean Harold Doty says

"I am going to move forward until I am ordered to stop," Doty said. "I don't know about an appeal, but I believe the state Supreme Court would uphold this ruling."

So Doty apparently has no qualms about SACS. Let's just move ahead until the courts say stop.

I think Doty tries to take an opposite stance from Shelby every chance he gets. In this instance, he may be setting himself up to look like the unreasonable administrator.