This is perhaps the most pro-administration piece we ever wrote. Dr Thames had decided to host us in the dome, extend an olive branch, and answer a few of our questions. Instead, he sandbagged us and talked the entire time, so we couldn't get in a word edgewise. Probably a good PR strategy! Anyway, we wrapped our heads around the issue more, trying to see some silver linings in all this mess. So, we gave him some credit, whether deserved or not...

 PS. this version was edited in the office, so I'm sure it was reworked somewhat before publication...

Since his installment as the 8th president of the University of Southern Mississippi last summer, Shelby Thames has led one of the most controversial administrations in USM history. Thames inherited a campus deeply divided by a previous presidential crisis, and created one himself with a his own candidacy and appointment to the office in the face of highly vocal opposition.

And as should be expected, there have been a number of growing pains. Facing perhaps the worst budgetary crisis in school history when taking office, the Thames administration responded with a sweeping plan for academic reorganization that will purportedly save the university up to $2 million.

Yet while the plan looked good on paper, the way it was carried out caused a traumatic fissure between campus constituencies that have been at loggerheads for months. The failure to consult USM stakeholders in major decisions has left Dr. Thames under a barrage of criticism from students, faculty and staff alike.

In a turnaround of previous efforts, USM President Shelby F. Thames addressed the Student Printz editorial board last week both to respond to critics as well as lay out the case for future restructuring efforts. If there is one point that is consistently hammered home by Thames, it is his express desire to put students first in every aspect of university life.

It is his concern for students, in Thames own words, that drives every decision from his office. Thames wants to take this concern for students and translate that into radical overhauls of every aspect of university life. Part one was the restructuring of colleges and departments announced in January. The next phase, according to Thames, will undoubtedly involve student services.

In his own words earlier this year, Thames has said that “no stone on Hardy Street would be left unturned.” Thames also stressed his major goals for the future of USM, including an ambitious plan to increase enrollment to 20,000 students by the year 2007, thereby becoming the largest university in Mississippi.

His administration sees the increased revenue from a higher student population as a key element in funding higher salaries for university professors. While not offering an outright apology,

Thames made some effort to respond to criticism of his actions surrounding university restructuring. In a subdued tone Thames said he “wished we would have had more time” to organize and lay out restructuring plans, but if he had taken time to consult with others “we may not have ever done it.” He further justified his plan by saying that he hoped to “establish an environment that allows faculty to advance themselves professionally, and not be hindered by the university.”

In total, the Thames administration offers a mixed bag for the USM community. Thames himself is clearly ambitious, thoughtful, and tireless in getting his proposals into place. He genuinely believes his administration can tackle each and every one of the universities problems, and consequently acts with unprecedented speed in implementation of his proposals.

Yet this lighting action has come with a cost, as many in the USM community feel shut out of decision making process. When the Thames administration believes it has the answer, it acts decisively, with or without approval from the stakeholders of the university.