And tell them to look at the article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Some of what Hanbury says is true or true from the viewpoint of the SFT's administration.  His point about the "Fire Shelby" petition may be true.  Many confuse the FireShelby Website Board with the petition.  They are separate.  Many have used both that board and this one and yet never read the petition.

His statements about Mississippi are true.  His opinion about SFT's reorganization is true except it was the method that the faculty objected to, not the reorganization.   The reorganization process lacked shared governance. 

His claim, "Was there controversy? Indeed. In fact, a group of faculty members decided to attack a certain member of the administration, questioning her academic credentials. They illegally obtained her social security number, represented themselves as a "hiring committee," and illegally tried to obtain her prior employment information.",  is where he goes wrong.  The S.S. number was given to the press by the administration.   It was never established that they did any illegal actions.   Hanbury also fails to mention the reading of emails of faculty and students. 

Hattiesburg American

Sunday, May 11, 2003

USM Adviser Raises Faculty Concerns; Thames-hired Lawyer Says he Only Analyzes

Janet Braswell
American Senior Writer jbraswell@hattiesb.gannett.com


Nobody knew who Jack Hanbury was when he showed up at a special Faculty Senate meeting last month at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Many faculty and staff still don't know him but they've heard of the new lawyer who drives a gray BMW convertible with the Kentucky license plate that says APPEAL.

Hanbury's official title is director of resources and risk management, a new position USM President Shelby Thames created and only the second at a state-supported university.

"I advise the senior administration on a wide variety of legal issues," Hanbury said. "I'm generally involved in analyzing situations and helping the university to avoid legal liability."

Hanbury denied he was hired to find a legal way to fire tenured professors.

"That is absolutely incorrect," he said. "I have not been instructed by anyone to fire anyone, nor anything to that effect."

Hanbury attended a special meeting of the Faculty Senate April 23, 10 days after starting his new job. He tried to stop the group from holding an executive session, pointing out that the senate's constitution states all meetings shall be open.

"People are just kind of wondering, a new person, an attorney who's at the Faculty Senate meeting," said Myron Henry, senate president-elect.

Hanbury also sat in on the senate's May 2 meeting when the group debated and approved a resolution asking Thames to meet with faculty and a facilitator to improve communication.

"Being a professionally trained mediator myself, I have discussed that with President Thames," Hanbury said. He wouldn't say what advice he gave Thames.

And he couldn't provide an answer when asked how attending Faculty Senate meetings is part of the risk management job.

"Anytime that an institution, whether it's a corporation or a university, has to undergo significant changes that are necessary to improve the institution, that's necessarily going to create legal issues and cause concerns among members of the institution," he said.

Understanding the issues is a major part of risk management, said university spokeswoman Lisa Mader.

"In response to questions that have been raised to the administration by Faculty Senate members, it is appropriate for Mr. Hanbury to attend Faculty Senate meetings so that he can provide clarification," she said.

Lee Gore remains university counsel, Mader said.

"There was one vacant attorney's position under legal counsel, but that position hasn't been filled," she said. The position has been open since April 2001.

Hanbury is admitted to practice in the courts of Kentucky and Ohio but hasn't been admitted in Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the only other state-supported university with an attorney hired specifically for risk management, said Pam Smith, assistant higher education commissioner. The state College Board will officially approve USM's new position and Hanbury to fill it this week, she said.

Conversations about Hanbury reflect the uncertainty change generates, said Dave Duhon, associate marketing and management professor.

"We've talked that it's interesting that we have another attorney," he said.

Hanbury practiced in his own firm in Ashland, Ky., before USM hired him for $140,000 a year. Since taking on the job April 14, he has spent much of his time rewriting the faculty handbook with the help of personnel and human resources staff.

The administration discontinued the work of a handbook committee after a disagreement with the Faculty Senate about the number of faculty on the committee. Both the USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Faculty Senate have discussed the issue repeatedly.

"I don't know the guy, but I can't imagine that he has much of a background in higher education," said Frank Glamser, president of the AAUP chapter. "This represents a dramatic change in how we do business here. As a policy matter, this represents a dramatic change if it's going to be imposed."

But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said.

"It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said.

The original resolution considered by the Faculty Senate on May 2 called for a moratorium on five issues, including the handbook, last revised about six years ago. But the language was removed before the resolution was passed.

His first review of the handbook is almost finished, but Hanbury doesn't know what will happen when he completes the first draft.

"It's really premature for me to say what the administration will do once it gets drafted," he said.

Hanbury said he sees his role as resources and risk manager as part of the restructuring Thames has orchestrated since he became president a year ago.

"I have a broad range of experience on different legal issues," he said. "Any given situation can often present multiple legal issues that the lay person might not realize. So my job is to assess the situation and tell senior administration what legal issues may or may not be presented and advise them of the appropriate course of action so that we do things the right way."

Changes as well as concerns voiced by the Faculty Senate create the possibility of a variety of issues coming up, he said.

"As an attorney, you often advise clients on matters that are more practical than purely legal," he said.

Hattiesburg American

Friday, May 7, 2004


Faculty: USM problems remain
Lawyer's departure seen as move in right direction

By Janet Braswell
American Senior Writer jbraswell@hattiesb.gannett.com


The resignation Thursday of risk manager Jack Hanbury relieves some of the tension on the University of Southern Mississippi campus but doesn't eliminate the cause, several faculty members said.

Hanbury, instrumental in an investigation that included e-mail monitoring and led to the attempted firings of sociology professor Frank Glamser and English professor Gary Stringer, resigned to pursue other career opportunities, a two-sentence university news release said.

"It's one step in the right direction but there have got to be some more steps in there," said Amy Young, associate professor of anthropology and sociology and president of the USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Glamser was president of AAUP when Thames suspended him and Stringer on March 5 and started the process of firing them. Stringer had headed an AAUP investigation which Thames testified last month resulted in the improper use of the university e-mail system to obtain information into the academic background of USM vice president Angie Dvorak.

USM and the professors reached a settlement that pays them for two years but prevents them from working on campus.

"I think clearly from what I've read of that memo Hanbury sent to the deans he was out of line legally and perhaps the president as well," Young said. "I don't think Jack Hanbury is the only source of the problems here. We still have a long way to go."

Graduation overshadows the controversy, said senior journalism student Davia Lassiter of Jackson.

"It's unfortunate what's been happening but I won't be here after two weeks," she said. "I guess those who had negative things to say about him, for them he's out of the picture. It's hard to be upset about somebody who's not there."

Political science student Jennifer Morgan said she reported Hanbury's e-mail to the Mississippi Bar Association earlier this week because it denied the deans due process.

"His presence was very disturbing to both faculty and students and his absence might set the university back on the right path," she said.

But Hanbury is merely a scapegoat, English professor Noel Polk said.

"Anybody who thinks that he and not Shelby Thames is responsible for the attempted intimidation of the deans simply underestimates Shelby Thames," he said.

Originally published Friday, May 7, 2004

info wrote:

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Hattiesburg American Sunday, May 11, 2003 USM Adviser Raises Faculty Concerns; Hanbury practiced in his own firm in Ashland, Ky., before USM hired him for $140,000 a year. Since taking on the job April 14, he has spent much of his time rewriting the faculty handbook with the help of personnel and human resources staff. The administration discontinued the work of a handbook committee after a disagreement with the Faculty Senate about the number of faculty on the committee. Both the USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Faculty Senate have discussed the issue repeatedly. "I don't know the guy, but I can't imagine that he has much of a background in higher education," said Frank Glamser, president of the AAUP chapter. "This represents a dramatic change in how we do business here. As a policy matter, this represents a dramatic change if it's going to be imposed." But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said. "It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said.

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What? 

Is he back at USM or somethin wrote:

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I guess I don't get why this is relevant to us...

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Could it be that he is still bashing current and former faculty?

May be a lifetime in between, but comment wasn't very astute even for then.  Glamser knew the score.  Why not Duhon?

What's the deal with Jack Hanbury trying to get black coaches fired everywhere?

Southern Justice wrote:

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jiminy wrote: May be a lifetime in between, but comment wasn't very astute even for then.  Glamser knew the score.  Why not Duhon? If you knew Dave Duhon, you'd know that the attributed quote is pretty indicative of his whole being. Uninformed and talking loud.

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S.J.,

It is understandable when a poster on this board wishes to remain anonymous when discussing sensitive issues or personalities who might be able to retaliate.  However, to likewise disparage a colleague is just plain gutless and says a lot more about you than him--I believe that if he had something nasty to say about you, he would say it to your face.  And besides, his statement was basically that "nobody can figure out why USM needs two attorneys."

Unless you are willing to identify yourself (ha! ha!, fat chance), why don't you quit these cowardly attacks on fellow facutly members.  

 

 

But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said. "It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said.

Yes. He has some experience in contract law. So does every law student. They take at least 1 class in contracts at every reputable law school. Furthermore, my real estate closing attorney has a whole lot of contract experience! She closes 10-15 real estate sales per month for over 20 years! The quote above shows (1) little depth of thought, (2) an inability to avoid making a statement when you have nothing substantive to add, and (3) a positive spin on SFT's decision to put Hanbury in place. Let me ask you this, Big Boy. Did any 'good thing' come out of Hanbury's association with USM? Who was more correct: Duhon or Glamser?

tired of the weasel wrote:

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Southern Justice wrote:
But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said. "It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said. Yes. He has some experience in contract law. So does every law student. They take at least 1 class in contracts at every reputable law school. Furthermore, my real estate closing attorney has a whole lot of contract experience! She closes 10-15 real estate sales per month for over 20 years! The quote above shows (1) little depth of thought, (2) an inability to avoid making a statement when you have nothing substantive to add, and (3) a positive spin on SFT's decision to put Hanbury in place. Let me ask you this, Big Boy. Did any 'good thing' come out of Hanbury's association with USM? Who was more correct: Duhon or Glamser?

Weasel,
Duhon is quoted more than once on this thread.  On the one I referred to he questions why USM needed two attorneys; on the one you are quoting he says that an attorney ( even Hanbury) may have had some useful ideas related to constructing the handbook.
Whatever, you have, as I knew you would, ignored my point, which to reiterate that your anonymous attack on a colleague is deplorable.  You are dishonorable.

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Oh, I am mortally wounded by your verbal spear! There must be no greater dishonor than to be called dishonorable by one who knows not the meaning of honor. Whatever. You're trying to obfuscate the issue at hand by being a ... Toadie!

Southern Justice wrote:

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tired of the weasel wrote: Southern Justice wrote: But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said. "It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said. Yes. He has some experience in contract law. So does every law student. They take at least 1 class in contracts at every reputable law school. Furthermore, my real estate closing attorney has a whole lot of contract experience! She closes 10-15 real estate sales per month for over 20 years! The quote above shows (1) little depth of thought, (2) an inability to avoid making a statement when you have nothing substantive to add, and (3) a positive spin on SFT's decision to put Hanbury in place. Let me ask you this, Big Boy. Did any 'good thing' come out of Hanbury's association with USM? Who was more correct: Duhon or Glamser? Weasel, Duhon is quoted more than once on this thread.  On the one I referred to he questions why USM needed two attorneys; on the one you are quoting he says that an attorney ( even Hanbury) may have had some useful ideas related to constructing the handbook. Whatever, you have, as I knew you would, ignored my point, which to reiterate that your anonymous attack on a colleague is deplorable.  You are dishonorable. Oh, I am mortally wounded by your verbal spear! There must be no greater dishonor than to be called dishonorable by one who knows not the meaning of honor. Whatever. You're trying to obfuscate the issue at hand by being a ... Toadie!

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Weasel,

You don't have a clue as to my identity so how can you deem me dishonorable?  But if you will identify yourself, I will do likewise; then we can have a face to face discusssion.

You are an "unobfuscated" lowlife. 

 

tired of the weasel,

You have continued a troll-like assault on my today for responding to another's post and question. Just what is your issue with me? That I have contributed to a discussion you don't like? Any face to face discussion would be fruitless, as you would no doubt rely on emotion, friendship, or some other intangible to support your flimsy arguments.

Since I am "unobfuscated" why don't you stop by and see me at work this week? I'll give discussion with you a try. If you show, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

SJ

jiminy wrote:

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May be a lifetime in between, but comment wasn't very astute even for then.  Glamser knew the score.  Why not Duhon?

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tired--Here you go. If you'd like, I'll explain the post word for word. PS-If you know who I am then just stop by my office anytime you like. If you don't know who I am then just continue to wallow in ignorance.