USM: More Thoughts about the Nursing Program

A couple of further thoughts about the Nursing program at the University of Southern Mississippi, which has gone into steep decline under the rule of President Shelby F. Thames.

First, I referred to the School of Nursing's current home, Harkins Hall, as a" crumbling building." There is no shortage of those at USM, most of whose physical plant is in deplorable condition. (Greene Hall, which houses the College of Business, would be a typical example.) But Harkins Hall, a 2-story building that dates from 1975, is no longer habitable. Constructed during the days of thermostat fascism, it has windows that don't open and no forced-air ventilation. The walls, ceilings, floors, and ductwork are full of mold and other fungi, to such an extent that it now qualifies as a"sick building." Over the last few years, the hot-water pipes have started giving out; pipe breaks that leave an inch or two of water on each floor, and require carpets to be ripped out, are now commonplace, and an inspection has shown many more places where the pipes could break in the future. 15 minutes in some of the offices is enough to get people coughing. It was because of the health hazards posed by Harkins Hall that Marie Ferrell, the last dean of the old College of Nursing, agreed to a move to the former Albertson's grocery store, even though it is a long way off the USM campus. But after architectural plans were drawn up and approved, the Thames regime pulled the plug on the project, and is now publicly admitting that nothing will be happening.

Second, there's another statement by Peter Fos, the Dean of the College of Health, that deserves examination. When interviewed by Kevin Walters for Tuesday's story in the Hattiesburg American,

[Fos] said he wants to focus on improving students' future scores and return the school to a place of prominence:"I want you to write a story about me two years from now where (Southern Miss) school nursing scores are higher than the state average. That's my goal."

If Fos really meant that, he would be working day and night to get Shelby Thames replaced. For if Thames is still in power two years from now, nursing board examination scores will have plummeted on down, and the program will be on the verge of extinction.