USM cannot survive large-scale faculty loss

Virtually everyone agrees that what makes a state economy great is big businesses. To that end, we compete relentlessly with neighboring states to attract new factories, branch offices, and perhaps even headquarters of national and international firms. To lure them to Mississippi we bend over backward to offer these firms tax incentives, favorable real estate and infrastructure, and even go as far as to rewrite our tort laws on their behalf.

To that end, how long would a governor or state legislator last if he or she was responsible for more than 30 percent of the state's businesses closing their doors? Even a governor as popular as Mr. Barbour would be quickly run out of office if he was to cause a mass exodus of some of the biggest and most influential businesses in our state. Not many people would dare tell Nissan to stop being such a crybaby and let the governor be the boss!

Great universities throughout the South are no different. Each tries to lure in top faculty from neighboring states and institutions by offering solid pay packages, research opportunities and, most importantly, an environment conducive to teaching and research. As businesses are the foundation of a solid economy, great faculty are the cornerstone of a world-class university.

Just as no state has ever become an economic miracle by forcing one-third of its businesses to close their doors, no university that wages war on its own faculty will be able to recruit and retain anything like what it lost.

If the IHL board does not act soon, instead of seeing Southern Miss climb to the top, USM students and alumni will be forced to endure its race to the bottom under the catastrophic leadership of Dr. Shelby Thames.

ADAM SENCENBAUGH
Hattiesburg