Is the clock running out?

Date: Apr 14, 2004

Is the clock running out?

Date: Apr 15, 2004

This is what has me worried. Certainly Haley B's appointments don't betray any friendship or fellow-feeling for academic faculties anywhere, and in particular the person from USM seems to be a cavewoman.

Seems to me that the IHL has set this up as, at worst, a draw for Shelby, with the result that he's allowed to finish out his stint, 2 more years, and then go randy into that good night.

Meanwhile, the replacement is not likely to be an enlightened soul with the kind of outlook regarding higher education that would please the faculty. Apparently there was a good candidate in the last presidential race, and the IHL ran like rabbit.

I wish it appeared that there was a light at the end of this tunnel, but I am not seeing it now. I think Stringer/Glamser might be reinstated, though if the board believes it can't do that and keep Shelby, my money says that they figure out a way to keep Shelby. Power loves itself.

If S/G do not get reinstated there's the possibility of a civil suit, though that will take years, and in the meantime more damage to the university and its faculty.

The real problem seems to be that MS is not a very enlightened state, not even a state with powerful pockets of enlightenment, so that what we have is good old boys (still!) at the helm, still protecting their own. I hope I'm not too negative here (it's late; I'm tired), but I do not see this ending well for our side. We're right, of course, but they are powerful and well placed.

I wish more of Sheby's indiscretions would come out, thinking that in this Bible-thumping land they might have some effect, but if there is truth to the rumors, well, I've never seen anybody sew up a town this tight. If Lucas has that information he (at least) ought to leak it to somebody, so it gets some attention. If, as I gather is thought, there was some funny business about the quid pro quo for keeping things quiet that implicates Lucas, well, maybe it'll never come out.

We're just too polite here in south Mississippi to mention that our college president has a reputation for boffing various and sundry assistants and helpers on his various desks, far too circumspect, in my view.

Date: Apr 15, 2004

Think of it this way...we have less than two weeks to make a final impact while the attention is on USM. The hearings will be a media circus. If this administration makes it through (even if Drs. Glamser and Stringer are re-instated), there will not be another near-term chance to positively change the course of this institution. Two weeks to strategize and implement a plan to raise all of the issues to national awareness. For two days, the campus will be crawling with media. How can that best be used to the advantage of ousting the individuals responsible for the pervasive administrative corruption at USM?

Date: Apr 15, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: I forget my name
"We're just too polite here in south Mississippi to mention that our college president has a reputation for boffing various and sundry assistants and helpers on his various desks, far too circumspect, in my view."

Not to contradict what you are saying here, but Mississippians may be correct in being "circumspect" about this, since there is little if any hard evidence to prove the "boffing" allegation. An allegation without proof won't stand in court & opens the "allegator" to all sorts of countersuits.

Nobody with first hand knowledge will step forward. Why?

Because money has a way of erasing memories & most wealthy "bootyologists" know this very well. Frankly, the ladies mentioned in the various rumors have been "quid pro quo-ed" quite nicely. They got what they were after, too.

"God is in heaven & we all want what's his,
But power, greed & corruptible seed,
Seem to be all that there is."

To the point of the thread: I predict Thames will work out the remaining 2 years on his contract. By then, he'll be 70 years old & can be gracefully replaced without the IHL board having to demonstrate that it possesses any viscera whatsoever. If Stringer & Glamser are reinstated, which I doubt, I think they'd be insane to return to the classroom. They should hold out for a financial settlement & let the university rot. And in that vein, they would be better if the hearing went "unfavorably" for them.

More predictions: Within the next 10 years, USM will drop Div. I sports, turning the #1 issue for the staunch pro-Thames faction on its head. The university will become even more like Jackson State than Mississippi State in terms of funding, prestige & perception. And those are the real reasons for Thames being president now, whether he or anyone else chooses to recognize it or believe it.

Date: Apr 15, 2004

I'm as frustated as everyone else on the board. What can a a lowly foot soldier do? I plan to write to Robin Robinson (FS--do you have her address yet?). But what else can we do, if the powers that be are idiots?

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"I'm as frustated as everyone else on the board. What can a a lowly foot soldier do? I plan to write to Robin Robinson (FS--do you have her address yet?). But what else can we do, if the powers that be are idiots?"

Not yet. IHL probably will not list addresses of new members until they are confirmed. Their terms officially begin in May. We can do a little research, though...will update if I find anything.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by:
"Not yet. IHL probably will not list addresses of new members until they are confirmed. Their terms officially begin in May. We can do a little research, though...will update if I find anything."

Robin J Robinson - (601) 649-6103 - 300 Mason St, Laurel, MS 39440

Date: Apr 15, 2004

I thought alot of others would feel the same way, and I agree with the other posts, that the next 2 weeks are the last chance to get to the tipping point.

My only advice would be to dig deep into the grass roots. Concerned Students needs to organize broad student support across the college spectrum, and perhaps solicit some outside funding. The opposition is wholly entrenched, and all the political pressure points are well-insulated from local heat. I also agree with the idea of electing officers and chartering an official student organization. Creating official members on a database would help show how strong the feelings are. Also, create an alumni version.

Getting the chronicle involved was brilliant, but the ACLU helps as much as it hurts. We need PR victories and we need them NOW.

Final thought...the iron is cooling, and unless we strike again we'll be wholly out of steam.