Commercialization of Universities

Date: May 24, 2004

Commercialization of Universities

Date: May 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
"Perhaps you folks will be interested in recent developments at our neighborhood, "first tier" university...from this morning's Austin American Statesman: OPENING UT's TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VAULT University Inventors (Professors) Will Pitch Work to Investors at Commercialization Event.... UT (The University of Texas) is pushing harder than ever to get its inventions into the marketplace while keeping its inventors working on campus. "UT is a phenomenal source of research," says Neil Iscoe, director of the school's Office of Technology Commercialization. "We hadn't taken advantage of economic development and commercialization. Now we are. If we do our job properly, we can have a serious impact on the Austin and Texas economies" "This conference is about deals," Iscoe says. "Deals we have made in the past and deals we want to do in the future." The school has struck 15 licensing deals so far this fiscal year and has others int the works. Iscoe said UT expects to receive more than $5 million in licensing income this year....After expenses are deducted, the school evenly splits licensing income with inventors.... "Schools like Stanford and MIT are pros at this....the University of Texas has a real shot at being a leading university in the technology transfer and commercialization arena." Does this sound familiar? What's USM's share of the commercialization deals that Thames and his research cronies are cutting? Does the IHL, or any other official regulatory or watchdog group, review and approve the USM contracts before they're executed? I wonder if they'd withstand scrutiny? Just curious... AE "

Good points, Austin Eagle, and very timely. Your questions about USM's deals are interesting. Seeing that Lee Gore (university counsel) has been cut out of most of the university's legal work (plus I do not believe that he is an expert on tech transfer), I would be willing to bet that the only "eyes" who see these deals are SFT, Angie D, and perhaps Ken Malone (and Jack Hanbury until a few weeks ago). A cozy little group, wouldn't you think? And all beholden to Papa Shelboo for their jobs, their homes (in Angie's case), etc. etc.

Does the larger community even know that Papa Shelboo was Ken Malone's dissertation director? Does anyone even care about the level of cronyism at USM right now? As I've said before, follow the money. Someone (AAUP?) needs to keep the pressure on with the FOIA requests. All of the expense accounts for SFT's lab, deals, etc. are matters of PUBLIC RECORD. Someone needs to go over these with a fine-toothed comb.

Date: May 24, 2004

I heard that Angie and Shelby were cronies long before he was named pres---that she helped him get the paint contract with the Pentagon. Anyone know if that is true? Have I missed it on the board? Does Angie actually have that much influence? Doesn't look like it from watching her work here.

Date: May 24, 2004

Yes, Austin Eagle does raise some good points about people of a University that is trying to hide something. I honestly do not beleive that USM is trying to hide something.

As I have watched this board and have commented on certain aspects herein and in support of Frank and Gary, I have also noticed that certain people including TRUTH4USM are bound and determined to make slamming remarks about people or projects at this University. I happen to have to deal with these folks and frankly my work deals with issues such as the ones you are saying might be illegal.

I kindly HATE that someone would by way of Sh*tty, synical remarks allude to my character.

You guys went out front for Gary and Frank to defend their character and defend USM.

Coments as the one above not only side track the purpose of this board and not only make that person look really stupid because these chose to speak on issues without factual support. These comments defeat our cause and purpose of this board and tend to make inncoent people like me not only feel bad but look bad.

Please take notice that alot of people read this board and know some of us on campus and know where we work. When these comments are made we have to hide in shame.

Kick SFT's a$$ and talk about the issues relevant to this board. But for goodeness sakes quit dreaming up stuff that is rediculous. The contracts we deal with are put to the highest scrutiny more so than Ole' Miss and MSU in fact. As for the Poly Lab I would not know, that is Federal Money and only SFT and those employed directly in the Poly building deal with those funds.

I wish someone would audit the contracts here it would maker me feel better to know that it was proven to pass the smell test and then you could apologize for the off color comment.

cordially

Date: May 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Stamp of Approval
"Yes, Austin Eagle does raise some good points about people of a University that is trying to hide something. I honestly do not beleive that USM is trying to hide something. As I have watched this board and have commented on certain aspects herein and in support of Frank and Gary, I have also noticed that certain people including TRUTH4USM are bound and determined to make slamming remarks about people or projects at this University. I happen to have to deal with these folks and frankly my work deals with issues such as the ones you are saying might be illegal. I kindly HATE that someone would by way of Sh*tty, synical remarks allude to my character. You guys went out front for Gary and Frank to defend their character and defend USM. Coments as the one above not only side track the purpose of this board and not only make that person look really stupid because these chose to speak on issues without factual support. These comments defeat our cause and purpose of this board and tend to make inncoent people like me not only feel bad but look bad. Please take notice that alot of people read this board and know some of us on campus and know where we work. When these comments are made we have to hide in shame. Kick SFT's a$$ and talk about the issues relevant to this board. But for goodeness sakes quit dreaming up stuff that is rediculous. The contracts we deal with are put to the highest scrutiny more so than Ole' Miss and MSU in fact. As for the Poly Lab I would not know, that is Federal Money and only SFT and those employed directly in the Poly building deal with those funds. I wish someone would audit the contracts here it would maker me feel better to know that it was proven to pass the smell test and then you could apologize for the off color comment. cordially"

Wow, you sound like you have a lot to deal with (job-wise). If you'll re-read my post above, I said nothing about anyone's character. Since I don't know what dept. you work for, I have no idea how to respond to your post. All I can say is that my post was not a slam on anyone's character, it was a direct request for people to find out what *is* going on with SFT's various financial dealings at USM. This information is public knowledge, and should be out in the open (especially, if there is nothing to hide, as you say). In my experience, people with nothing to hide usually don't respond so vehemently to requests for public disclosure.