Here are some interesting tidbits I gleaned from looking at the USM HR job listings:

1.  There is a job posting for an Instructor of English (not a tenure-track position, most likely).  Here's the job description: 

"The Department of English at the University of Southern Mississippi seeks an experienced secondary (grades 7-12) teacher with current Mississippi teaching licensure in English to begin full time fall semester 2004 teaching required courses in our English Education program and supervising student teachers in the field."

And here are the job requirements: 

"Master's degree in English or an M.Ed., supervising experience with student teachers, and expertise with state assessment instruments.  Send letter of application and resume to David Wheeler, English Education Search Committee, Department of English, the University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5037, Hattiesburg, MS  39406-0001.  Applications must be received no later than May 24, 2004, for full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience."

My thoughts:  This is the position that's supposed to take on Susan Malone's responsibilities?  If so, then the English Dept. is getting a raw deal...an Instructor for an Assistant Professor just isn't right.  This is the English Dept.'s loss.

2.  In contrast, here's a job listing in Ken Malone's dept. for a "Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurialism and Science":

"The Department of Economic Development at the University of Southern Mississippi invites applications for the position of Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurialism and Science.  The position will be supported primarily by long-term federal grants with supplements from industrial partners and the professor will participate actively in the execution of those programs with the grant recipients.  The successful applicant is expected to develop a vigorous research program related towards entrepreneurial training and facilitation of science students.  Teaching and developing graduate courses in entrepreneurialism for physical science Ph.D. candidates is also required. 

And the job qualifications for this job:

"A Ph.D. in the physical sciences is preferred.  Extensive business experience as evidenced by executive management of fortune 500 corporations, leadership of national business/technology organizations and creation of startup companies is required.  Qualified individuals should submit a curriculum vita with a statement of research and teaching plans, graduate transcript and three references to Dr. Kenneth Malone, Department of Economic Development, the University of southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5022, Hattiesburg, MS  39406-0001.  To receive full consideration, applications must be received by May 20, 2004; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled."

My thoughts:  A PhD is preferred, but business experience is REQUIRED??  This speaks for itself.  Note that, in many universities,a Professor of Practice is also NOT a tenure-track position. To wit (from the Vanderbilt Faculty Manual):

"The title Professor of the Practice of_______ designates full-time teaching positions that do not involve tenure. Ordinarily these positions are reserved for persons whose responsibility consists of instruction in professional practice activities and do not involve participation in faculty governance of the school. Professors of the Practice of_______ may be appointed for terms of not more than three years."

To my knowledge, this is the first use of Professor of Practice that I've ever seen at USM.  Expect more of these.

Betcha the Econ Development "Professor" will make a heck of a lot more than the "Instructor" of English, even though they are both non-tenured positions.