GULF PARK IN SHAMBLES

Date: Mar 11, 2004

GULF PARK IN SHAMBLES

Date: Apr 7, 2004

Now that things have calmed down a bit in Hattiesburg (rally over), thought it was time to ask how things are going on the coast?

Date: Apr 7, 2004

All is not well on the coast, and the problem stems from Ken Malone. My understanding is that he was named Chief Operating Officer with authority over non-academic functions there. He was granted this authority (naturally, without anything resembling a national search) by his former professor and best buddy, Shelby Thames. He made some questionable closures by fiat (i.e., without any faculty input) basically overnight. But NOW the story I hear is that he is radically overstepping his pre-defined bounds. He is stepping into academic functions, which is supposed to be the territory of their Provost, Jay Grimes.

I heard a related anecdote involving a recent faculty candidate who visited Malone as part of the coast campus tour. I don’t have direct quotes, but Malone basically told the candidate that HE calls the shots on the coast. If he wants faculty to teach a Saturday class, he won’t ask them...he’ll TELL them. If he wants to close facilities and eliminate staff jobs (including the child care center, I hear), he won’t ask for faculty input, he’ll just DO it. HE believes that online education can be more effective than direct, face-to-face pedagogy, so he’ll MAKE faculty move that way. After all this, he ended the meeting abruptly with “I’ve got to go” and left the candidate sitting in his office. The candidate returned a touch shell-shocked and told the search committee that Malone was an arrogant jerk and should really be taken off of the rotation if the coast ever expected to recruit qualified faculty. I hear it is highly unlikely this candidate will accept an offer, simply from dread of Malone.

That’s just one of the stories I’ve heard. I hear coast faculty members are really hoping that if Thames is ousted, Malone will go too. One wonders where Jay Grimes is in all of this. The rumor I heard is that he’s looking for a job (surprise surprise). One also wonders what the Deans think about Malone calling the academic shots on the coast. Who knows? Maybe they don’t care. Out of sight, out of mind.

Date: Apr 8, 2004

I asked in a previous post why the VP for Research and Development at USM was in the loop for decisions about faculty tenure and promotion.

Now it comes out that the "Chief Operating Officer" at USM Gulf Park is making all kinds of academic decisions.

Any university that allows non-academic administrators to make academic decisions is seriously screwed up.

Date: Apr 8, 2004

And, in this particular case the VP of Research described the COO as a "new and innovative talent..." See www.pinebeltpacers.org/Members/KMalone.html

Since when have words like "innovative" and "entrepreneurial" come to be synonymous with slipshod and inferior?

Date: Apr 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Mediahound
"And, in this particular case the VP of Research described the COO as a "new and innovative talent..." See www.pinebeltpacers.org/Members/KMalone.html Since when have words like "innovative" and "entrepreneurial" come to be synonymous with slipshod and inferior? "

And don't you love how both he and his wife's new positions were funded by "private donations channelled through the USM Foundation"????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Apr 8, 2004

What are the faculty ranks of Dvorak and Malone? The USM website seems to keep changing regarding their descriptions.

Date: Apr 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Hilda'sfriend
"What are the faculty ranks of Dvorak and Malone? The USM website seems to keep changing regarding their descriptions."

On the Economic Development Dept. website, Malone is simply listed as "Chair" with no professorial designation. Dvorak is listed as "Adjunct Faculty Member"--a non-tenured position by design. So, the answer to your question going by this information is: they have no faculty rank at USM.

Date: Apr 8, 2004

Then, administrative responsibilities aside, one certainly has to question how they can teach graduate level courses, serve on dissertation committees, and evaluate faculty members!

Date: Apr 9, 2004

Dr. Richard Hadden is listed on the PhD Program in International Developmet website as a faculty member in Ken Malone's Economic Development department. That listing reads:

Richard Hadden, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Economic Development

There is a link to his resume, which says that from 10/03 to the present he has been the Director of Strategic Development at USM, responsible for "developing strategic plans and relationships for university development and business ventures."

In a press release, issued by Marketing and Public Relations at USM on November 17, 2003, Hadden was reportedly hired to "help direct its efforts to strengthen health care service and opportunities for veterens and residents of the Gulf Coast." There are some interesting quotes by Angie Dvorak, Shelby Thames, and Hadden himself.

This resume does NOT list a PhD but rather an MD. And when (how?) did he get faculty rank as a Professor? Is this another website error or another example of the economic development department believing that it doesn't have to play by the rules?

Date: Apr 9, 2004

So how did this medical doctor become a faculty member (listed as a Professor in the economic development department)? What are the details of this national search? Let's add this one to the list of cronies... Exactly how much influence does Angie exert over Shelby Thames? Who is really calling the shots at this university?

Excerpts from the university press release(www.usm.edu/pr/prnews/nov03/hadden)

"Dr. Hadden is an extraordinary individual," Dr. Dvorak said. "He has a unique skill set, both as a medical doctor and a true scientist, as well as an entrepreneur and visionary. I've had the opportunity to work with him on other projects, and he's very professional and very bright. We are fortunate to attract him to work on our team."

Southern Miss' president, Dr. Shelby Thames, said "We are excited to bring Dr. Hadden on board to spearhead our efforts to create better health care opportunities on our Gulf Coast. He is exactly the person we need to get this job done the right way. He has numerous contacts throughout the health care community in South Mississippi, which will really work to the advantage of our efforts."

Hadden looks forward to getting down to work. "It is a wonderful opportunity to pursue strategic development working with Dr. Thames, Dr. Dvorak, and the entire outstanding team at Southern Miss," he said.

Hadden said the Southern Miss project will involve many different entities working together to make things happen. "Development of a center to full potential will require everyone to make a long-term commitment to improved health care for veterans, better education for our students, better health care for residents, as well as economic development for all in the region," he said.

Dr. Dvorak agrees. "In terms of our university, (Dr. Hadden's) coming here to work on this project shows that people are fully embracing our role as a comprehensive research university," she said. "It does demonstrate that people are excited about this university, which proves that we are truly on the radar screen of the best and brightest ready to do almost anything possible" to advance the university's research possibilities in serving its stakeholders.

Date: Apr 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Mediahound
"Dr. Richard Hadden is listed on the PhD Program in International Developmet website as a faculty member in Ken Malone's Economic Development department. That listing reads: Richard Hadden, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Economic Development (snipe) This resume does NOT list a PhD but rather an MD. And when (how?) did he get faculty rank as a Professor? Is this another website error or another example of the economic development department believing that it doesn't have to play by the rules? "

You are very right, Mediahound. Fire Shelby, looks like another investigation into "inflated resumes" or "automatic professorships" is warranted. Wonder if USM's Faculty Senate knows anything about this guy?

FS, can you take a screen shot of these pages before they are surreptitiously "removed" as others have been?

International Development Faculty/Staff page:

http://www.usm.edu/idv/pages/fac_staff.html

Richard Hadden's resume (with NO mention of a Ph.D. or even a Master's that I can see):

http://www.usm.edu/idv/files/CVRes/HaddenCV.pdf

Date: Apr 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm
" Wonder if USM's Faculty Senate knows anything about this guy?

I think I can say "not much, if anything." But maybe someone from the Gulf Park side of the FS is listening in . . . and can find out more. Faculty Senate meets again next week.

Anybody out there?

Date: Apr 9, 2004

According to sources close to the USM Graduate Council, Richard Hadden, M.D. has no faculty rank, no graduate faculty standing and no official relationship to the College of Business and Economic Development.

Date: Apr 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Lumiere
"According to sources close to the USM Graduate Council, Richard Hadden, M.D. has no faculty rank, no graduate faculty standing and no official relationship to the College of Business and Economic Development. "

Well, it is listed as such on the International Development website (he is listed with a "PhD" after his name and as a Professor). You can see the links above as proof (do it quickly, before they change the site!).

Date: Apr 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"I asked in a previous post why the VP for Research and Development at USM was in the loop for decisions about faculty tenure and promotion. Now it comes out that the "Chief Operating Officer" at USM Gulf Park is making all kinds of academic decisions. Any university that allows non-academic administrators to make academic decisions is seriously screwed up."

Quite obviously, someone in economic development is not only playing fast and free with the rules but doesn't even understand the importance of some achievements like "faculty rank"... From Robert Campbell's post above, there is clearly a problem with non-academic administrators at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Hey Truth...notice that Angie is no longer listed as even an "adjunct" on that page (I think it was only last night that you referenced her adjunct status). Listings have changed from "associate professor" to "adjunct" to simply her VP title on that page in the past couple of weeks as FS inspired scrutiny has increased. Sanitization!

Date: Apr 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Lumiere
" Quite obviously, someone in economic development is not only playing fast and free with the rules but doesn't even understand the importance of some achievements like "faculty rank"... From Robert Campbell's post above, there is clearly a problem with non-academic administrators at the University of Southern Mississippi. Hey Truth...notice that Angie is no longer listed as even an "adjunct" on that page (I think it was only last night that you referenced her adjunct status). Listings have changed from "associate professor" to "adjunct" to simply her VP title on that page in the past couple of weeks as FS inspired scrutiny has increased. Sanitization!"

She's still listed as adjunct faculty member here: http://www.usm.edu/ecodev/pages/faculty.htm

I think this is the main page for the department. She may be listed differently on the International Development PhD website.