Two new anti-SFT (i.e., pro-USM) letters

Date: May 14, 2004

Two new anti-SFT (i.e., pro-USM) letters

Date: May 14, 2004

These two letters in the Clarion-Ledger should be a tonic to everyone who's sick of the recent wave of pro-Shelby missives.

And it's good to see Stephen Judd out there with a letter.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 14, 2004

Here's one I just sent off to the CL; let's hope they print it.

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The recent dismissal/resignation (whatever it was) of the University of Southern Mississippi's "risk manager" gives USM President Shelby Thames a wonderful opportunity to make good on his reputation for fiscal belt-tightening. I have never understood why USM needed a "risk manager" (whatever that is) when it already employs a university lawyer and when it already has access to the services of the state attorney general's office.

The reported salary of the "risk manager's" position is $140,000, which is far more than many college presidents earn. The position seems tailor-made for the kind of cronyism and nepotism that seems to be flourishing right now at USM -- a tendency that is encouraged by the administration's apparent lack of interest in conducting genuine national searches to fill important positions. President Thames should abolish the "risk manager's" position, thereby saving the taxpayers of Mississippi a sizeable sum while also saving himself from further risk of further public embarrassment.

In addition, the money allocated to employ a risk manager can now be allocated to try to find three new brave, foolhardy, wet-behind-the-ears professors to replace some of the senior, experienced teachers who are fleeing USM as quickly as possible.

Date: May 14, 2004

Go for it!

Date: May 14, 2004

USM Sympathizer,

Well said. Why limit your prose to the the Jackson paper? What about the HA, and the Gulfport Sun Herald? All Mississippi taxpayers should be made aware of the excessive cost of Thames courtiers.

This reminds me of a line from a classic song by the late Texas troubador, Townes Van Zandt: "If you want good friends, they're gonna cost ya!"

By the way, does anyone know how much Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak are being paid by USM? Is that a matter of public record?

AE

Date: May 14, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
" By the way, does anyone know how much Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak are being paid by USM? Is that a matter of public record? AE"

It is, though I don't know the exact figures. Hasn't someone reported them on the board before? Weren't they both in the $150,000/year range?

Date: May 14, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
"USM Sympathizer, Well said. Why limit your prose to the the Jackson paper? What about the HA, and the Gulfport Sun Herald? All Mississippi taxpayers should be made aware of the excessive cost of Thames courtiers."

Thanks for this suggestion. I sent a DIFFERENT letter to the HA yesterday, so I thought I'd give them a respite from me for a while. It will be interesting to see whether either of these letters is actually printed.