It is precisely this issue of tenure and promotion that may be at the heart of USM's future, especially the future of faculty/administrative interaction.

If left to Shelby, Angie and those of their ilk (Ken Malone also comes to mind) for the long-term, tenure is likely to go away and be replaced by some sort of non-tenure track instructor model.  I think "Professor of Practice" was a term discussed on another string.  For the many who speculate that USM is the testing ground for this on the state level - there may be some truth.  It's not going to happen quickly, however.

If left to Tim Hudson, then tenure and promotion are the tools of manipulation to buy favor, reward loyalty, and punish opposition.  The mid-year raises recommended by the five colleges were changed at the Provost level.  Who did the Provost reward and punish?  Why did he do so?  Why are his decisions being kept a secret?  Right now, there are several individuals in COAL whose P&T decisions are resting in his hands and, again, he is buying favor with some and intimidating some others.  His mo is more insidious than Shelby's because he actually has people believing that nothing wrong is happening - a favor here, a reward there - it creates a culture of rationalization.  Good people for years hve been rationalizing bad decisions - decisions they have known to be wrong - because of Hudson's influence.  I disagree with any plan that places him in the role of President even on a temporary basis.

Academic integrity lies at the very heart of promotion and tenure decisions in a university.  What a corrupt process it has become at USM under this despicable administration.  The dome must be emptied - sweep them all out!