Have you guys heard about new PolySci Chair? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 11, 2004

Have you guys heard about new PolySci Chair?

Date: Jun 11, 2004

if it's doug wicks he was hired about 2 years ago, at $250,000. all external money.

Date: Jun 11, 2004

I believe Lochhead, the former dean, is now chair of Poly. Sci.

Date: Jun 11, 2004

Does the average log truck driver have any idea that these guys are being paid a quarter of a mil to be "lazy professors"?

This is absolutely incredible.

For that kind of money, poli sci should be doing SERIOUS economic development. We shouldn't be bragging about bringing in ONE company, we should be getting 8 or 10 a week.

What do other profs in CoST think about this? It sounds awfully divisive.

Date: Jun 11, 2004

lockhead was chair before he became dean. thames then became chair. when thames became president, then doug wicks became chair.

Date: Jun 11, 2004

Then what does Lochead do now?

Date: Jun 11, 2004

RE: RE: Have you guys heard about new PolySci Chai

Date: Jun 11, 2004

RE: Have you guys heard about new PolySci Chair?

Date: Jun 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: underdog
"lockhead was chair before he became dean. thames then became chair. when thames became president, then doug wicks became chair."

This is the correct information. I used to work for Doug Wicks (until October 2003 when I took the job at Vanderbilt), and, as far as I know, he is still chair of PSC. He came from industry, not academia (but he *was* the product of a national search). And he is a good guy...was always wonderful to me and had the best interests at heart for that department. He even reached out to other USM departments (and other universities) on collaborative projects Don't knock him just because he is in PSC. There are some good folks over there (i.e. don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!).

Date: Jun 11, 2004

RE: RE: RE: Have you guys heard about new PolySci

Date: Jun 11, 2004

RE: Have you guys heard about new PolySci Chair?

Date: Jun 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"i just heard that Lockhead replaced him as well. Wicks wasn't happy as chair."

I don't blame Wicks for stepping down as chair *at all.* Like I said above, he's a good guy caught in the middle of some nasty business. The irony of it all is that the PSC department is as dysfunctional as they come (not some "model" dept. for others to follow at USM). Read the new "rumor" in the rumor box to learn more (not posted by me, BTW).

Date: Jun 11, 2004

i heard a polymer science faculty member once describe their governance options--dictatorship or anarchy. at the time of shelby as chair, he said they opted for dictatorship. another one described it as a "nest of snakes." competitive in the worst way.

Date: Jun 11, 2004

to add to my prior comment--just read rumor #4. So true. some of the polymer science people will stab other polymer science faculty in the back so easily you wouldn't believe it. they will even try to steal graduate students from other COST departments. "den of snakes"