Student numbers at USM under fire

	Posted on Sat, Dec. 06, 2003
	MISSISSIPPI STEVEN A. McCALEB 103 ALVERADO DRIVE LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI 39560 PHONE & FAX: (228)-868-8428 E-MAIL: mccaleb4thdist@aol.com or mccaleb4thdist@aol.com WEB SITE: www.mississippiwebsite.com Faculty to ask for audit of school report This is another reason not to consider USM as your first or last choice to obtain an education. By MELISSA M. SCALLAN THE SUN HERALD GULFPORT - A faculty group at the University of Southern Mississippi will ask the state College Board to investigate enrollment numbers reported by the school. The USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors voted unanimously at its meeting Thursday to ask for an audit, and chapter President Frank Glamser said Friday the group will make its request in writing. Members believe university officials listed more than 700 students in a class and then dropped the majority of those students after enrollment numbers were reported. "We have seen computer printouts of course rosters before and after the enrollment count," Glamser said. "We would like the College Board to appoint some agency to come to the university and look at the numbers." The state's eight universities are required to report enrollment numbers on the 10th day after classes start each semester. When the numbers were made public, Southern Miss was the largest university in the state, jumping ahead of Mississippi State. USM had 16,662 students, compared to MSU's 16,236. Universities must report official enrollment figures to the College Board by Dec. 15. Southern Miss officials said Friday there was nothing wrong with the way students were counted in September. "That is a snapshot of what enrollment is on that day at that time," said Lisa Mader, university spokeswoman. "There was nothing wrong with what we did." Graduate students who are not taking classes but who are working on a thesis or doing an internship still must be enrolled at the university, according to the College Board. The AAUP is alleging that officials put 723 students in a general graduate class at the beginning of the semester and then dropped 674 of them after enrollment numbers were reported. Glamser said some of the students didn't even know they had been enrolled in the class. Mader disputes the group's claims. "There were a group of students who were not enrolled but who were doing graduate work," she said. "They were put in this class, and when they saw it on their schedule, this should have triggered them to check with their college to make sure they were enrolled in the correct college and the correct course." Pam Smith, spokeswoman for the College Board, said members will decide after Dec. 15 if the numbers need to be audited. "Our office is collecting the data, and the College Board could request such a thing," she said. "Now that this has come up, it will be discussed at the next meeting." The next meeting will be held the week of Dec. 15, and Glamser said the AAUP should have its formal request in by then. "This calls into question the integrity of the entire system," he said. "At this point, how much can you believe?" Melissa Scallan can be reached at 896-0541 or at mmscallan@sunherald.com.

Sunday, May 11, 2003

USM adviser raises faculty concerns

Thames-hired lawyer says he only analyzes

Janet Braswell
American Senior Writer jbraswell@hattiesb.gannett.com

Many faculty and staff still don't know him but they've heard of the new lawyer who drives a gray BMW convertible with the Kentucky license plate that says APPEAL.

Hanbury's official title is director of resources and risk management, a new position USM President Shelby Thames created and only the second at a state-supported university.

"I advise the senior administration on a wide variety of legal issues," Hanbury said. "I'm generally involved in analyzing situations and helping the university to avoid legal liability."

Hanbury denied he was hired to find a legal way to fire tenured professors.

"That is absolutely incorrect," he said. "I have not been instructed by anyone to fire anyone, nor anything to that effect."

Hanbury attended a special meeting of the Faculty Senate April 23, 10 days after starting his new job. He tried to stop the group from holding an executive session, pointing out that the senate's constitution states all meetings shall be open.

"People are just kind of wondering, a new person, an attorney who's at the Faculty Senate meeting," said Myron Henry, senate president-elect.

Hanbury also sat in on the senate's May 2 meeting when the group debated and approved a resolution asking Thames to meet with faculty and a facilitator to improve communication.

"Being a professionally trained mediator myself, I have discussed that with President Thames," Hanbury said. He wouldn't say what advice he gave Thames.

And he couldn't provide an answer when asked how attending Faculty Senate meetings is part of the risk management job.

"Anytime that an institution, whether it's a corporation or a university, has to undergo significant changes that are necessary to improve the institution, that's necessarily going to create legal issues and cause concerns among members of the institution," he said.

Understanding the issues is a major part of risk management, said university spokeswoman Lisa Mader.

"In response to questions that have been raised to the administration by Faculty Senate members, it is appropriate for Mr. Hanbury to attend Faculty Senate meetings so that he can provide clarification," she said.

Lee Gore remains university counsel, Mader said.

"There was one vacant attorney's position under legal counsel, but that position hasn't been filled," she said. The position has been open since April 2001.

Hanbury is admitted to practice in the courts of Kentucky and Ohio but hasn't been admitted in Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the only other state-supported university with an attorney hired specifically for risk management, said Pam Smith, assistant higher education commissioner. The state College Board will officially approve USM's new position and Hanbury to fill it this week, she said.

Conversations about Hanbury reflect the uncertainty change generates, said Dave Duhon, associate marketing and management professor.

"We've talked that it's interesting that we have another attorney," he said.

Hanbury practiced in his own firm in Ashland, Ky., before USM hired him for $140,000 a year. Since taking on the job April 14, he has spent much of his time rewriting the faculty handbook with the help of personnel and human resources staff.

The administration discontinued the work of a handbook committee after a disagreement with the Faculty Senate about the number of faculty on the committee. Both the USM chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Faculty Senate have discussed the issue repeatedly.

"I don't know the guy, but I can't imagine that he has much of a background in higher education," said Frank Glamser, president of the AAUP chapter. "This represents a dramatic change in how we do business here. As a policy matter, this represents a dramatic change if it's going to be imposed."

But Hanbury may bring needed expertise to the project, Duhon said.

"It may be a good thing because he has some experience in contract law," he said.

The original resolution considered by the Faculty Senate on May 2 called for a moratorium on five issues, including the handbook, last revised about six years ago. But the language was removed before the resolution was passed.

His first review of the handbook is almost finished, but Hanbury doesn't know what will happen when he completes the first draft.

"It's really premature for me to say what the administration will do once it gets drafted," he said.

Hanbury said he sees his role as resources and risk manager as part of the restructuring Thames has orchestrated since he became president a year ago.

"I have a broad range of experience on different legal issues," he said. "Any given situation can often present multiple legal issues that the lay person might not realize. So my job is to assess the situation and tell senior administration what legal issues may or may not be presented and advise them of the appropriate course of action so that we do things the right way."

Changes as well as concerns voiced by the Faculty Senate create the possibility of a variety of issues coming up, he said.

"As an attorney, you often advise clients on matters that are more practical than purely legal," he said.

University of Southern Mississippi President Under Fire from Faculty
Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger ^ | 05-01-02 | Kanengiser, Andy

Posted on 05/01/2003 6:29:21 AM PDT by Theodore R.

Thames' 1st year: Driven or dictatorial?

By Andy Kanengiser akanengiser@clarionledger.com

HATTIESBURG — Some faculty members at the University of Southern Mississippi are fed up with President Shelby Thames.

Joe Ellis / The Clarion-Ledger

University of Southern Mississippi President Shelby Thames, who took office on May 1, 2002, reflects on the successes and challenges of his administration's first year.

Highlights

Aug. 19, 2002: First freshman class enrolls at USM's Gulf Park campus at Long Beach with 80 students.

Oct. 18, 2002: Thames unveils model of $47 million student life center to be built on Hattiesburg campus.

Jan. 17, 2003: Thames announces plan to trim colleges from nine to five to improve student services and save money.

April 10, 2003: USM unveils plans to renovate football stadium, enhance other athletic facilities.

April 17, 2003: USM announces incentive pay plan to reward faculty and staff for winning contracts and grants.

April 24, 2003: USM creates six $5,000 awards to recognize distinguished professors for innovations in teaching.

Source: University of Southern Mississippi

He is heavy-handed, they complain. He doesn't communicate, he's isolated, he demands too much and listens too little. All his changes have been too much, too fast for some people.

Thames, 66, listens to the laundry list of complaints.

Then, seemingly unfazed, he shoots them down one after another.

"That door is wide open to the faculty and staff," said Thames, 66, who took over the presidency a year ago today. "I do want to talk about constructive issues. I have no patience for nonconstructive issues."

On Friday, the university's Faculty Senate plans to take up its continuing grievances about Thames. Some members are pushing for a vote of no-confidence, a largely symbolic measure because only the state College Board can do anything to remove Thames. And, so far at least, his support from his bosses is solid.

Even some faculty members think a vocal portion of the faculty is gunning for Thames, who has shaken up things on this campus. He's reorganized and consolidated the university's colleges, forced deans to reapply for their jobs and demanded professors make detailed reports to him.

In a sudden move, Faculty Senate President Don Cabana resigned his post Wednesday. He said he "can no longer, in good conscience, preside over a Senate that is on a path that will only lead to escalating conflict with administration officials" without resolving problems.

Cabana, whose resignation becomes effective May 12, said he sees an "increasingly hostile tone and substance of Senate debates" and objected to "demeaning comments that question the integrity of presidents and provosts without factual information."

In Cabana's resignation letter he said Faculty Senate debate about a possible "no confidence" vote needs to swiftly come to an end.

"This topic needs to die the death it deserves," said Cabana, a criminal justice professor and former superintendent at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. "Absolutely no good, none can come of a no confidence vote — either now, or in the foreseeable future. But a great deal of harm can be done."

Those criticizing Thames say he deserves it.

"We are feeling alienated as faculty," said Michael Forster, director of the School of Social Work and head of the state conference of the American Association of University Professors.

"We call on the president to unite the community."

Some doubt that will happen anytime soon.

Frank Glamser, incoming president of the local AAUP chapter, said that in his 23 years at USM, "this is the lowest morale by a wide margin."

Thames, who was blasted for an autocratic leadership style when he was an administrator here, received little faculty support in a campus poll taken last spring before the College Board named him president. In a poll of the USM chapter of AAUP, 87 percent of the faculty who participated said Thames wasn't their choice as USM president.

Among the complaints leading to the discontent is Thames' demand for detailed activity reports that requires faculty members to go online to spell out their accomplishments in research, teaching and public service. They're also asked to spell out the work they do to boost economic development and make that information available to USM and the College Board.

"It is extremely appropriate," Thames said of such information requests during an interview Wednesday at his office at the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building. "This administration wants to help this faculty and staff be the best they can be."

His request for greater accountability comes as USM and many other institutions across the nation are enduring lean economic times.

"We're at a crisis in academics," Thames said. "It's like walking up to a patient that's bleeding in four different locations."

USM has seen $21 million in budget cuts over the past three years, while costs for electricity, water, gas and health insurance keep going up, Thames said.

"Is that bleeding or a little light fever?" asked Thames, whose total operating budget was $278.7 million in fiscal 2003.

While Thames is aware of grumbling about lean budgets and his administration, the bickering during his first year isn't stopping progress at his alma mater.

"USM is a very good institution," said Thames, noting such positives this year as the university fund drive that has raised $85 million and the stronger financial support from the 2003 Legislature than in previous sessions.

He's moving ahead with year two, which includes pressing for better salaries for employees. By 2005, he wants to see USM attract more than $100 million annually in research grants.

Some faculty members scheduled to be at the meeting Friday at USM's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory at Ocean Springs want a third party to step in to repair communications. They are asking Higher Education Commissioner David Potter or officials with a national higher education group to intervene.

"They ought to be working together," said Potter, who hopes both sides talk and smooth over their differences.

Despite the in-fighting here, state College Board members — Thames' bosses — say they back him. He was their pick last year by an 11-1 vote over two other finalists from Ohio and California.

"I think Dr. Thames has done exactly what we expected him to do," said board member Scott Ross of West Point. "I'm not surprised by the quick pace he's followed with the reorganization and emphasis on (USM) economic development."

Thames is a hard worker, said Ross, a former legislator.

"He has the odd notion of expecting a day's work for a day's pay," Ross said. "His style probably rubs some academics the wrong way. A lot needs to be done. He has the best interests of that university in mind."

Thames is "a man of action," said Robert Lochhead, who is resigning June 30 as dean of USM's College of Science and Technology to become a polymer science professor.

"He likes to get things done — and quickly. The challenge is that academia likes a lot of discussions."

Lochhead found out how quickly Thames, the former founder of USM's nationally recognized polymer science program, gets things done.

He was among the nine deans getting only a few minutes notice before Thames unveiled his plan Jan. 17 to chop USM's nine colleges to five to save money and improve student services. "It was disturbing at the time," Lochhead said.

Thames said the shakeup was badly needed and felt discussions would have dragged on endlessly if he opened it up for many in the USM family to debate bold changes.

Lochhead said his concerns about the reorganization were not the reason he withdrew after applying for one of the five dean posts. He was the only one of the nine deans to apply. He said he withdrew and will return to teaching after learning "someone good came along."

But faculty leaders say there was no point for any deans to apply because they would have only set themselves up for rejection.

The faculty rift with Thames is not the hottest issue with students. More parking spaces and better facilities are more important, some students said as the spring semester winds down. Graduation is next week.

"I'm still getting a good education — the teachers are great," said USM junior Terrell Hobbs, 21, of Centreville.

Andrew Penrow, a senior theater major from D'Iberville, still remembers the controversy surrounding Thames' predecessor, Horace Fleming, who resigned in 2001 under pressure from the alumni after declining a one-year contract.

"I know the faculty is not happy," Penrow, 24, said.

Sophomore Marilyn Leddy, 20, of Pensacola, said she understands why some faculty are upset.

"He's changed things," Leddy said of Thames. "I think he's done a good job. He's taken the initiative to make things happen."

But Thames needs to be more visible, said junior Marcus Osbey, 21, of Magnolia. "I'd give him a C plus, pushing a B," he said. "I've never seen him. He needs to be in more contact with students."

STEVEN A. McCALEB
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