Chain upset with Dean Doty

Date: May 19, 2004

Chain upset with Dean Doty

Date: May 19, 2004

For those of you "on the ground": what is the realistic likelihood that Mr. Chain is likely to be able to exercise sufficient influence to return SFT to polymer production?

Date: May 19, 2004

In conversation today Mr. Chain wanted the faculty to know how much he appreciates everything we are doing, and to know how very much he wants things cleaned up in the dome so USM can get back to business. "The faculty are the heart and soul of the university," he said. He's long been a friend and supporter of USM, and it's nice to have him on our side.

quote:
Originally posted by: friend of a friend of his
"Some of you may recall the snipet from yesterday where Chain linked Dean Doty to Thames' plan to thwart his efforts on the Lott Center by trying to wrap the center up with the business school. I hear Chain may have two targets."

Date: May 19, 2004

I heard from someone in the marketing department that Doty is fully on board with Thames now --- he helped him out by coming up with the PUC idea.

Date: May 19, 2004

I heard that all of the deans were working hard to get Thames to be more responsive to faculty concerns. Seems that the deans got SFT to make concessions on some of the issues that were most important to the FS and other faculty members. Those were the items of agreement at the last PUC meeting. Isn't that what good deans should do? Is there a faint glimmer of hope for USM? Could we live with Thames if he listened to the deans rather than to Hudson and team Dvorak?

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: hope springs eternal?
"I heard that all of the deans were working hard to get Thames to be more responsive to faculty concerns. Seems that the deans got SFT to make concessions on some of the issues that were most important to the FS and other faculty members. Those were the items of agreement at the last PUC meeting. Isn't that what good deans should do? Is there a faint glimmer of hope for USM? Could we live with Thames if he listened to the deans rather than to Hudson and team Dvorak?"

yeah, right . . . . .

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: hope springs eternal?
" Could we live with Thames if he listened to the deans rather than to Hudson and team Dvorak?"

Dr. Hudson does not believe this arrangement would be acceptable. He wishes to remind all FS followers that the stepford deans were hand picked by Dr. Thames. He also wishes to inform you that Dr. Thames does not now, nor has he ever, "listened" to Dr. Hudson (or anyone else, save Ms. Dvorak). He would also like you to know that he, Dr. Hudson, will, upon assuming office, immediately institute an open door policy, and pursue with vigor his vision of a kinder, gentler USM. In closing, he wishes to assure you all that he's a uniter, not a divider. That is all. Thank you; Thankyouverymuch.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: The Messenger
"Thank you; Thankyouverymuch."

Is that you, Elvis? Where have you been all these years?

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
" Is that you, Elvis? Where have you been all these years?"

USM Symp, thanks for the early AM laugh!

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: hope springs eternal?
"I heard that all of the deans were working hard to get Thames to be more responsive to faculty concerns. Seems that the deans got SFT to make concessions on some of the issues that were most important to the FS and other faculty members. Those were the items of agreement at the last PUC meeting. Isn't that what good deans should do? Is there a faint glimmer of hope for USM? Could we live with Thames if he listened to the deans rather than to Hudson and team Dvorak?"

The only item of agreement at the last PUC meeting was restricting email surveillance. And the only reason email surveillance was on the table, as far as I can see, was pressure from the Attorney General (who recently sent Thames a strong signal by firing Jack Hanbury).

Robert Campbell

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"
Is that you, Elvis? Where have you been all these years?"

Yes Ma'am, it's me all right. I been hangin' out at Dr. Hudson's castle, over there in France. It's very relaxin. He's a real nice fella, and if ah sing a few of my hits fo his guests, ah git all the fried nanner sanwiches ah kin eat. Oops, time fo high tea with Miss Holly. I'll talk to y'all later.

E

Date: May 20, 2004

Elvis,

I hope you will become a regular poster to this board. Apparently you have extremely good access to the upper levels of USM administration, so your reports -- done as only you could do them -- would be most enlightening. You might be able to give Judge Cooley a run for his money! Meanwhile, I am envying you those fried nanner sandwiches. Do they fry them in lard at the castle? That's the best method.

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Elvis,
I hope you will become a regular poster to this board.....I am envying you those fried nanner sandwiches. Do they fry them in lard at the castle? That's the best method."

Thank you Ma'am, fo yo kind words. I will try to keep my ears open. Sometimes Dr. Hudson tells me stuff 'bout his doin's down at the college, an I guess I could pass along whut he allows. He specially likes drivin my big Caddy convertible and shootin' my guns. He likes practicin' his fast draw, and firin off my six-gun at a pitcher of a little short, bald man he has hangin in the basement of his castle. Says it relaxes him.

Now as to my fried nanner sanwiches, which Dr. Hudson dearly loves, I like to use good ole American white bread, Wonder bread when my boys can find it over here. I put lots of mayonaise on the inside with the sliced nanners, bout 2-3 big ole spoons. Then I fry each sanwich in a stick of oleomargarine. That's my secret; use a whole stick of oleomargerine for each sanwich. Don't know about usin lard. My Mamma always used oleo, and so did 'Cilla, so that's the way I like it.

I'm sorry, but I have to go now. Dr. Hudson wants to take me over to the Archie de Triumfee this afternoon, says it'll count towards my doctor's degree in international economic develpment, whatever that is, so I'll talk with you nice folks later.

Your friend,
E

Date: May 20, 2004

I hope SFT doesn't realize there is another "King" in such close proximity. Watch your back, E! Remember what happened to all them innocents back in Bethehem when Herod got word that a new king had shown up!

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"I hope SFT doesn't realize there is another "King" in such close proximity. Watch your back, E! Remember what happened to all them innocents back in Bethehem when Herod got word that a new king had shown up!"

Good point Ma'am. I'm thankin I'll just go back into hidin for a while. Dr. Tim says I got to write him a five hunnert word disertashum and a check for ten thousand dollars to finish my doctors degree, so I need some quiet time. I just haven't decided on my medical speshulty yet. Don't worry, I won't forget to tell you if I hear anythang interestin bout Southern Mississipi from Dr. Tim.

Bye bye,
Elvis

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
" The only item of agreement at the last PUC meeting was restricting email surveillance. And the only reason email surveillance was on the table, as far as I can see, was pressure from the Attorney General (who recently sent Thames a strong signal by firing Jack Hanbury). Robert Campbell"

Actually Bob, it was on the table because the PUC delegation that developed the agenda insisted that it ber there and get some discussion.

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"Actually Bob, it was on the table because the PUC delegation that developed the agenda insisted that it ber there and get some discussion. "

Stephen,

What if the delegation had insisted and Thames had no interest in talking about it?

Robert Campbell

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Cambpell
" Stephen, What if the delegation had insisted and Thames had no interest in talking about it? Robert Campbell"

Maybe Thames is beginning to get some better advice...

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Sphere
"Maybe Thames is beginning to get some better advice..."

Sphere,

I think Thames' advice on this particular matter came, rather strongly phrased, from the Attorney General's office.

I don't see the advice coming from Roy Klumb, or from members of Thames' henchcrew. Do you?

Robert Campbell

Date: May 20, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Cambpell
" Stephen, What if the delegation had insisted and Thames had no interest in talking about it? Robert Campbell"

Don't know Bob. One of the things the PUC can tell us tactically is how much Thames thinks he can control the agenda. I think he had to accede to their requests to talk about email and some of the other things in order to get past this Board meeting. Now we'll begin to see how deep this conversion goes.

I kind of look at the PUC as a kind of early warning system -- we can gauge Thames' perception of his strength through his interactions with them.

The PUC needs to keep the agenda tough and push at him with good questions that demand answers and actions. His reactions to them may tell us how fast he is coming back and exactly when he begins to see his power beginning to return. The minute he starts to more aggressively control the agenda (or when he decides to send a lieutenant to meet with them) we'll know he will have decided the PUC has served its primary purpose of rescuing him . . . and we will probably find him ready for a confrontation.

I actually look for this to start happening soon. Unless the PUC keeps the pressure on and insists on meetings and putting its questions of the agenda, he'll let it wither.

I confess there is one small smidgin of Baptist left in me that looks for some sign of a genuine conversion (to adpting a more humane way of dealing with people). I realize that this is exactly the vulnerability that this kind of tactic plays on. None the less philosphically I cannot dismiss that possibility entirely or I would feel that I have crossed over to the dark side myself.

BUT -- I remind myself daily that we lost two compatriots and we might lose more if Thames stays. For me, the only acceptable redemption would be full reinstatement for them and that isn't going to happen.

So I suppose I can forgive -- but the only real chnage the institution can have that will benefit it is a regime change.

PUC: you cannot forget that. Two of our best and most experienced professors have been severed from the community because of one man. No amount of money can repay them for what they have lost. No amount of "healing" should let you forget that.

NO QUARTER.

Date: May 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
" Don't know Bob. One of the things the PUC can tell us tactically is how much Thames thinks he can control the agenda. "

Stephen,

You provided an excellent analysis of what Thames' handling of the PUC can tell us.

I see one of two things happening:

(1) The PUC members ask to be replaced by an elected body, Thames doesn't like it, and he calls the whole thing off.

(2) PUC members bring up any of a number of topics on which Thames doesn't want to be accommodating, even when he's under pressure to exhibit good behavior. Whereupon he starts sending a substitute to the meetings, he keeps attending the meetings but uses them to harangue the PUC members, or he throws a fit and disbands the PUC.

Whichever of the two happens, I doubt that it will take long.

Robert Campbell