quote:

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Originally posted by:
"...someone mentioned the USMAA in another thread.  Here is the official position of the USMAA, from www.southernmissalumni.com. ******************************* "

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Here is a copy of the email that I received on March 12:

Southern Miss Alumni,

Most of you are familiar with the events of the past week surrounding
the
suspension of two faculty members here at The University of Southern
Mississippi.  This is a very unfortunate situation and is one we hope
will
soon be resolved.  I am writing to provide information at the request
of
University President Dr. Shelby Thames.  On Thursday, March 11, Dr.
Thames
issued an open letter to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and
friends
of the University.  The text of that letter follows.

I am also enclosing a link to our Alumni Association Web site where you
can find a statement issued on March 10 by the Executive Committee of
the
Alumni Association Board of Directors addressing this situation.  You
can
find the statement at:

http://www.southernmissalumni.com/press.htm

As alumni of this great institution, we appreciate your support and
understanding as we navigate through these trying circumstances.  Your
Executive Committee has implored the IHL Board of Trustees to proceed
as
expeditiously as possible in resolving this matter.

Southern Miss to the Top!

Bob Pierce
Executive Director
Southern Miss Alumni Association

P.S. Due to the nature of the distribution of this e-mail, you cannot
reply to this message.  I apologize for this inconvenience.
____________________________________________________________

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends of The University of
Southern Mississippi,

I want to share information essential for an informed dialogue about
the
current issue involving the suspension of Dr. Frank Glamser and Dr.
Gary
Stringer.  While limited by the privacy and legal rights of the parties
involved, it is important to set forth the facts of the situation.

I ask that you not make a final judgment on this issue until all of the
information has been presented and the prescribed Institutions of
Higher
Learning process, which is designed to ensure fairness, is complete.

The decision to initiate termination proceedings with Dr. Gary Stringer
and Dr. Frank Glamser on Friday, March 5, 2004, was not made without
careful  examination of the evidence.  Given the ongoing issues on this
campus, we would have preferred a different path.  However, there is a
point where constructive criticism turns to destructive and
inappropriate
actions, which can have corrosive effects on university morale.

In accordance with the Institutions of Higher Learning policies, these
individuals are now both on suspension, with pay, and will remain under
this status throughout the process.

Dr. Glamser and Dr. Stringer have 10 days from March 5, 2004, to ask
for a
hearing (as outlined in the IHL guidelines).  I have strongly
encouraged
them to do so.

I publicly call upon them to agree that the hearing be open "not
closed"
so that everyone can hear the facts and see the documented evidence.

Issues and activities should be evaluated in the light of day, without
rhetoric and within the forum created by IHL to address such matters.

>From the Administration's standpoint, the initiation of these
unfortunate
proceedings was based upon solid evidence, and followed an extensive
six-
week  investigation period that included the review by outside
attorneys,
who advised us that the facts constituted grounds for termination.  The
findings that resulted from this investigation were extensive and
surprising as the facts fell into place.

>From a personal perspective, understand that this has been difficult
for
me, having been a member of the faculty at The University of Southern
Mississippi since 1964.  I am a tenured, full professor.  I know what
it
means to achieve this rank, and I know the responsibility and
expectations
associated with it.  All of us understand the gravity of this situation
because initiating termination proceedings for tenured professors is
very
serious business.  Tenure provides for and offers many freedoms. 
Tenure,
however, does not absolve people of responsibility for inappropriate
actions and violations of law.

The repeated actions of these individuals left us no other option but
to
begin this process.  Believe me, I would rather have taken any other
route,
but the actions of these individuals leave this university with no
other
choice.

IHL has a definite process in place to address sensitive situations
like
this.  I ask that you reserve judgment and allow the system to work. 
Please understand that only the personnel involved can request this
process to be open for public scrutiny.

I challenge them to join me in the open as it relates to their actions.

Until then, I ask that you keep in mind that we have a duty and
responsibility to continue educating the students we serve.  We cannot
allow our distractions to derail our efforts in the classroom, lab or
field.  We are here to educate.  Let us not forget that.

At The University of Southern Mississippi, we celebrate and encourage
open,
honest debate, engagement, participation and constructive
conversations. 
These are the hallmarks of an educational institution and a free
society -
values that we as Americans hold dear; values that as a scientist,
teacher
and administrator I have spent my life advancing.

Reasonable people can disagree, but there are rules of conduct, ethics
and
behavior that guide and protect the rights of everyone.

My door is open and I want to visit with as many people as I possibly
can. 
Please feel free to e-mail me or stop by my office.  I want to share
everything I can with you within my legal limits.

Please understand, this is a difficult position for everyone in our
university family.  We are in difficult times; accountability is not a
luxury, but a necessity.  We must let the process run its course.

The future is bright for Southern Miss, and we have much to do to
forward
our university mission.  You have my pledge that I will continue to
work
with the  legislature to secure raises for our faculty and staff.  I
will
continue to tout the great work of the faculty, staff and students at
Southern Miss.  I will continue to utilize every resource possible for
additional funding and support for our institution.  I hope you will
actively join me in helping our university reach new heights.

Sincerely yours,

Shelby F. Thames

This is the only email that I have received from the Alumni Association.  I am also an out-of-town lifetime member and I have made small financial contributions in the past, but I didn't get the recent "talking points" email.

We have a local alumni association dinner meeting in June (with the Athletic Director).  This will be the first meeting since the the current controversy began.   It will be interesting to see if anyone at the meeting received this new email and also what the general reaction is among the DC alumni.