saunders18

(November 19, 2008 ) Politically astute (note from the editor -- the following letter was written in response to an email received from an untenured assistant professor. The professor in question did not respond to the letter nor did he communicate further with usmnews.net.) Dear Dr. _______________, We are planning to request publication information (vitae) from the faculty via usmnews.net to follow up on your suggestion. We were in the process of updating your information and realized that to do so would not only identify, but highlight you. The question our colleagues at USM’s CoB would likely ask is why did Dr. ___________ provide information to usmnews.net? I do not believe my concerns are unfounded. Not long ago, another untenured assistant professor who communicated with usmnews.net providing thoughtful input and advice was handed a terminal contract, only six months before he went up for tenure. To be clear, the young faculty member had an almost certainly tenurable record.

(November 24, 2008) CoB News, 24 November 2008 The Beechcraft Queen Judging by the behavior of USM president, Martha Saunders, one would never believe that Mississippi is in the grips of major economic crises. Yet despite the realities all around her, Saunders recently convinced Mississippi's IHL to get behind her idea to lease a Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft for the period 1-Dec-2008 through 30-Nov-2013. And, according to the insert below, the cost to USM of the lease agreement is projected at $1,890,169.67.

(November 25, 2008) Letters to the Editor Dear USMNews: Has the IHL given an indication as to the budget cuts that USM and other institutions can expect for next year? I thought it was interesting that in the Big 3 bailout hearings, Senators asked the Big 3 CEOs if they planned to liquidate their jet fleets. All responded “No.” I guess [USM President] Martha [Saunders] needs that plane to get to all of her important functions. It may also be useful in getting to the New Orleans Bowl IF USM beats SMU next weekend. Possession should be taken just in time to keep her from having to make that tiring drive.

(November 25, 2008) Guest Editorial Happy Thanksgiving Even with the bad national news all around us, CoBers and USMers alike have lots to be thankful for this year. First, in such harsh economic times we are fortunate to have such a budget-conscious president in Martha Saunders. The decision to lease a $2 million airplane is a stroke of genius, especially now. I had heard a rumor that USM was considering reopening its old USM-Natchez branch, and now I think it is probably true. What a brilliant way to raise tuition dollars!

(November 30, 2008) Jackson Hole How Ill-Advised Administration Staffing is Stifling the CoB The recent decision of USM president Martha Saunders to have political scientist Tom Lansford serve as the new dean of academics down at USM-GC is yet another indication of how USM has lost its way. Having an academic (not administrative) dean for the Gulf Coast reeks of separatism and special consideration for Gulf Coast students and faculty. With this latest decision we now know that all of the words about there being one USM, and not USM-H and USM-GC, were just that -- words. Now we are left to believe that there must be separate admissions/retention, curricula and tenure/promotion standards for GC students and faculty. If otherwise, wouldn't simply having USM provost Robert Lyman around suffice?