These latest developments are a real victory for Glamser and Stringer.  Appointing a hearing officer who will have real power takes power away from Thames.  You can tell that he wasn't happy because his lawyer, Jim Keith, was saying how this sets a bad precedent, etc. in the C-L today.  Shelby didn't see this one coming, and I think they must be scrambling now to get all of their "evidence" together.  Supporters of the professors seem to be more optimistic now that this new process has been established.