The continued use of letters-to-the-editor, public demonstration and public statements by friends and allies of two terminated professors at the University of Southern Mississippi compels me to make a statement on behalf of USM President Shelby Thames. As the two professors await the hearing of their appeals, their friends seek to influence the public's opinion as well as that of members of the IHL board by using tactics that Dr. Thames is not at liberty to use.

Without the professors' permission, Dr. Thames is legally and ethically prohibited from disclosing facts of the case against them. Some people are seeking to take advantage of that circumstance by pre-trying the case on something other than the facts. I have confidence in Dr. Thames and believe he did not take the drastic action of firing two professors without having certain and convincing evidence of wrongdoing on their part. The goal of them and their friends is to distort the real issue of this alleged wrongdoing with a smokescreen of propaganda.

Since their friends, rather than addressing the specific issue of the professors' alleged wrongdoing, continue to expound publicly about other differences, I am likewise compelled to call attention to some equally pertinent matters.

The fact is that USM has been encumbered for a number of years by abuses on the part of a few faculty members in areas such as tenure. From the beginning of Dr. Thames' term, some of these faculty members opposed him and have sought to undermine him. In their efforts to defend a system that permitted their abuse, these professors have constantly complained and whined about Dr. Thames' corrective actions.

Tactics used by friends of the two professors highlight their own selfish interest, as they resort to public demonstration, distractions of the students and disruption of the learning environment at the university to accomplish their purpose.

For now, let us get back to the specific matter of the appeal of the two terminated professors and allow the system, as improvised by the IRL board, to hear their appeals and determine whether the alleged acts justify termination.

Kenneth B. Shearer, past president, USM Alumni Association (1970-71), Jackson