Reasons Pood should not be provost - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jul 23, 2004

Reasons Pood should not be provost

Date: Jul 23, 2004

I believe he was quoted in the HA as saying it was "discussed"

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"I'm starting this thread because I think Pood would not be a good provost. My reasons: 1) I have seen him handle several _simple_ situations very poorly and without integrity. 2) He's supposed to be an expert in conflict management, and he hid under his desk during the Stringer/Glamser crisis. 3) He does not seem to have much intellect, and in general, seems over his head in the CoAL. 4) He does not appear to go to bat for faculty. 5) He rambles on and tells the same three stories about himself over and over. (I know this is trivial, but I'm tired of hearing them, and the rest of the campus would be too.) Anyone else? Also, wasn't Pood the one who suggested that the faculty senate be wiped out? Or was he merely the one who confessed that this had been mentioned in the H-American?"

Most be nice to hide behind an anonymous handle on a message board and spew venom about people. Make you feel tough?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Wondering
"Most be nice to hide behind an anonymous handle on a message board and spew venom about people. Make you feel tough?"

Elliott? Is that you???

Actually, I think Pood sounds like he all the qualities SFT will be looking for in a new Provost:

1)Total loyalty to Shelboo

2)Total loyalty to Shelboo

3)He's breathing

4) Total loyalty to Shelboo

Wanna bet that the "national search" will turn up a "worl' class" candidate right in Hattiesburg, MS?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: foot soldier
"Pood . . . hid under his desk during the Stringer/Glamser crisis."

foot soldier,

From my perspective, foot soldier, you have identified the litmus test regarding a dean's fitness to be provost. Gary Stringer and Frank Glamser were senior faculty members in the College of Arts and Letters. They were honorable, loyal, and competent members of COAL, each with twenty to thirty years of service to USM. Each was highly regarded in their respective academic discipline. It is my understanding that Dean Pood was not consulted regarding the termination decision. If that is the case, did he or did he not support that decision when he learned of it? If he did not support it, did he try to intervene on their behalf? Did he protest the decision or the unorthodox manner with which it was handled? Or did he simply do nothing? Did he ever once contact them to express his concern for their situation or welfare during that crisis, or did he abandon them? I am inclined to believe that these two men were deserted and left swinging in the wind by their own dean. Yes, foot soldier, you have identified the litmus test.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

foot soldier (or anyone on the thread)--are you talking interim or something more permanent?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Wondering
"Most be nice to hide behind an anonymous handle on a message board and spew venom about people. Make you feel tough?"

Wondering,

If you have reasons that Pood would make a good provost, please cite them here, and I'll be more than happy to read them.

My experience of Pood has not been good and many of my colleagues have had similar experiences. (If you want venom, I can suggest the numerous threads on Doty!)

Date: Jul 23, 2004

i hear that Pood would be willing to serve as interim provost. i don't know that he'd put his "hat in the ring" for the non-interim position, but i know that he really emphasized to SLT that a national search needed to be conducted.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"foot soldier (or anyone on the thread)--are you talking interim or something more permanent?"

Do you think, after the past year, USM can attract anyone from outside to be provost?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

foot soldier--good question. i was asked that question today. my response is that there are people out there that believe they can make a difference, even with SLT as president. it remains to be seen.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"foot soldier--good question. i was asked that question today. my response is that there are people out there that believe they can make a difference, even with SLT as president. it remains to be seen. "

An aside...by "SLT" do you mean "SFT?" Or is this an acronym referring to some other name we're not aware of?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
" Do you think, after the past year, USM can attract anyone from outside to be provost?"

No one, in their right mind(s), would apply for this position if they had any core values or academic competence about them. If they won't give up their souls and integrity to Shelboo, Shelboo won't want them anyway. Do you imagine there is some way to elevate his daughter to this position if Pood's bid doesn't pan out? Now that would make some sense. No experience? Not to worry . . . Nepotism? Oh, no one will notice . . . National search? A charade in the making.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

sorry--i mean the current president. no one new (that i know of)!

Date: Jul 23, 2004

i believe some genuine people will apply (don't flame--maybe i'm a pollyanna; but if my wife saw me saying that she'd beat me--i'm pretty much a cynic).

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
" i believe some genuine people will apply (don't flame--maybe i'm a pollyanna; but if my wife saw me saying that she'd beat me--i'm pretty much a cynic). "

Actually, I agree with you, SCM. And I'm no Pollyanna, either.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

Perhaps Jay Grimes could serve as provost. After all, he is being paid to be a provost, and he did participate with TH in the provost cross-training program, so he has dual-campus provosting experience.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

a good thought. i just think he wouldn't want to do it. which brings up the question of what he does on the coast. the dual provost concept is/was a mess from the beginning.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

There are plenty of administrators out there that want the line experience as provost and figure they can put up with anything for a couple of years. The fact that TH was able to use it as a stepping stone within two years is probably a good example of what others would like to do.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

i agree that there a number of people who would take it for a couple of years in order to move on. TH is a different issue--since he applied for the presidency he didn't plan on moving on. plus, he has been at USM for years. he realized he should move on.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: asdf
"There are plenty of administrators out there that want the line experience as provost and figure they can put up with anything for a couple of years. The fact that TH was able to use it as a stepping stone within two years is probably a good example of what others would like to do."

True. TH had no intention of being a "career provost." He knew he needed that line experience in order to move upward.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: asdf
"There are plenty of administrators out there that want the line experience as provost and figure they can put up with anything for a couple of years. The fact that TH was able to use it as a stepping stone within two years is probably a good example of what others would like to do."

Resume entry:

Survived two years as provost at the most notorious academic institution in its region.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

TH had no intention of moving on if he didn't have to. if he could "submarine" Thames, he wouldn't have to move. he is connected to this university like a calf is attached to a milk cow.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

The provost position was established during the Fleming administration (in 97 or 98). According to my count, there have been four provosts-- Myron Henry, Andy Griffin, Jay Grimes, and Tim Hudson. Did any of these guys serve more than two years?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

i don't think so. but i've heard some of the list say they were never allowed to be provost. meaning--they weren't allowed to be the chief academic officer. that includes both administrations (fleming and thames).

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"The provost position was established during the Fleming administration (in 97 or 98). According to my count, there have been four provosts-- Myron Henry, Andy Griffin, Jay Grimes, and Tim Hudson. Did any of these guys serve more than two years?"

The term Provost is simply another term for Vice President for Academic Affairs. By whatever name, it is the title of the Chief Academic Officer. When Dr. Sims was here (prior to any of those you name above), he was VPAA. At USM, of course, the "Academic Affairs" component of the position seems mute. That role seems to have been taken over by the president.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"TH had no intention of moving on if he didn't have to. if he could "submarine" Thames, he wouldn't have to move. he is connected to this university like a calf is attached to a milk cow. "

Move or moove?

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"The provost position was established during the Fleming administration (in 97 or 98). According to my count, there have been four provosts-- Myron Henry, Andy Griffin, Jay Grimes, and Tim Hudson. Did any of these guys serve more than two years?"

The provost's position was originally the VPAA--Vice President for Academic Affairs. Before Fleming, USM had never had a provost, to my knowledge. David Huffman held the position of VPAA for many years.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

i am technologically impaired. where do you people find these "emoticons"? i'm still stuck in straight text.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"he is connected to this university like a calf is attached to a milk cow. "

Mr. Wonderful, please take note of this quote.

Date: Jul 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Anna
"The term Provost is simply another term for Vice President for Academic Affairs. By whatever name, it is the title of the Chief Academic Officer. When Dr. Sims was here (prior to any of those you name above), he was VPAA."

I understand that, Anna. I remember Dr. Sims and David Huffman, too, when they served as the VPAA. In any event, it seems that ever since the CAO position was retitled provost the incumbents have had about a two year life span in the position, and yes, I agree that the provost position at Southern Miss is a relatively weak position.