Presidental Search Process - Take 2

So here we are again in the process of seeking a president for MSU. Below is a press release from the Institutes for Higher Learning, IHL, detailing their plans to have the search committee visit campus and compile a list of desired job qualifications from various MSU groups. Below that is also a link to the IHL website where people from the general public can submit their own ideas. I noticed the recurring use of the word transparency in their press releases. I imagine they're still reeling from some of the negative attention gained last time by having a totally secretive search process. Indeed, continually using the word transparent to describe that process is a bit reminiscent of 1984 doublespeak.


BOARD SEARCH COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH MISSISSIPPI STATE CONSTITUENCY
GROUPS

Jackson, MS-The Board Search Committee for the next president of
Mississippi
State University, chaired by Trustee Scott Ross, along with
Commissioner of
Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith, will meet with various
Mississippi
State constituency groups on Monday, April 28, 2008, beginning at 7:45
a.m. in
the Hunter Henry Center on the Mississippi State campus, 1 Hunter Henry
Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, to hear what qualities the
Mississippi State community is looking for in their next university
president.
These qualities will be used to draft the profile and job description
for the
position of president at Mississippi State University. Members of the
Mississippi State Board Search Committee include Committee Chair and
Trustee
Scott Ross of West Point; Trustee Ed Blakeslee of Gulfport; Trustee
Aubrey
Patterson of Tupelo; Trustee Robin Robinson of Laurel; and Trustee C.
D. Smith
of Meridian. All meetings are open to the media. The schedule, subject
to
change, is below:

7:45-8:45 a.m.: Breakfast and listening session with Vice Presidents
and
Athletic Director; Shackouls Room, Hunter Henry Center

9:00-9:45 a.m.: Listening session Deans and Associate Deans; Parker
Ballroom;
Hunter Henry Center

9:45-10:30 a.m.: Listening session with Faculty Senate Advisory Group;
Parker
Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

10:30-11:15 a.m.: Listening session with Academic and Non-Academic
Department
Heads; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

11:15 a.m.-noon: Listening session with General Faculty; Parker
Ballroom;
Hunter Henry Center

12:15-1:10 p.m.: Lunch and listening session with the Bulldog Club
Board of
Directors; Correro Room, Hunter Henry Center

1:15-1:45 p.m.: Listening session with Professional and Support Staff
Advisory
Council and Staff Members; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

1:45-2:30 p.m.: Listening session with the Division of Agriculture;
Parker
Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

2:30-3:15 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Alumni Association Board of
Directors; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

3:15-4:00 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Alumni, Community Leaders,
and
General Public; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

4:00-4:30 p.m.: Listening session with MSU Foundation Board of
Directors;
Shackouls Room; Hunter Henry Center

4:30-5:00 p.m.: Listening session with Undergraduate and Graduate
Student
Leaders and General Student Body; Parker Ballroom; Hunter Henry Center

*All sessions in Parker Ballroom will be webcast; link to be provided
on
Mississippi State main web page closer to April 28.
**Interactive video links and locations will be provided to
MSU-Meridian, MSU-
Extension, and MSU-MAFES employees on the Mississippi State main web
page
closer to April 28.

Members of the general public interested in submitting their ideas on
the
qualities of the next president of Mississippi State may do so by
visiting
http://www.mississippi.edu/ieo. The Board of Trustees of State
Institutions of
Higher Learning's institutional executive officer search process allows
Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber
professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and
representative-based, and works in accordance with today's recruitment
standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more
information
on the Board's institutional executive officer search process,
including a
timeline of events, visit http://www.mississippi.edu/ieo/.

1% Food/Bev/Hotel Tax

Readers of this blog may be confused to see that, after raising some concerns in my mind in the previous post that I voted, along with the board, to petition the legislature to allow the 1% tax to come up for an election. The board voted 6-0, with Alderman Perkins leaving before the discussion for no provided reason, to proceed with bringing the issue up. There's the potential for some rather significant development to come out of the project, which could make a serious impact on the city's budget and therefore allow more money to be put towards streets and other issues. I think that since it's up for a public election anyway, after time goes by and the proposal is brought before the public it would be worthwhile to see if the citizens of Starkville are willing to support such an endeavor. I, as a voter too, find myself asking the same questions.

Board Meeting Tonight

We have a number of items to discuss at tonight's board of alderman meeting. One item on the agenda is the municipal complex, which is long overdue for more discussion and, more importantly, action. Second is a item of increasing our hotel/food/bev tax by 1% to be earmarked towards a convention center. Now, I would really like to have a convention center, but this is the first move towards that I've heard and I'm not sure this is the step we should take. My biggest concern is that, as nice as having one would be, it seems like a secondary issue compared to the problems we are facing with our streets and drainage. I was knee deep in water a month ago when it rained and flood someone's house. If we were to go up on that tax at all, I'd personally rather see it earmarked towards streets or another critical area, and fund the convention center through some other means. Perhaps through some public/private partnership between the city/county/university and an investment firm. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm certainly willing to listen to any input from readers of the blog and people in attendance at tonight's meeting.

Economic Development

So yesterday we also had an economic development seminar. It was an educational experience, in that I did learn a few new things as I was taking notes. Also, I was glad to have finally met a few representatives from the Mississippi Development Authority. There's good and bad things going along with this. I think it would be beneficial to make a checklist of the items most stressed at the conference and work to get all of them accomplished.

If anyone is interested, I have a scanned copy of the documents given at the event. There were powerpoint slides that the various speakers used that I have not gotten a copy of yet.

Economic Development Handouts (link)

Campus Shooting

So there was a campus shooting last night around 9:30pm near Ruby Hall. The shots were supposedly fired into the air so no one was injured. Two people have been suspended pending a campus judicial hearing. The two were also on the football squad. The official university press release can be found here. The Commercial Dispatch also already has a story on it here.

The one question still left lingering in my mind is why wasn't campus crisis management contacted. Is there the possibility that special discretion was used because football players were involved?

Kudos to Camgian Microsystems, a low power minature circuit company who is locating their office in the Cotton District. It's a further demonstration of the interesting effect of multi-use development, a style highly emphasized by famed and recently deceased planner Jane Jacobs in her book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities"

Commercial Dispatch Article

Doc Stepping Down?

Word all around is that Doc Fogelsong is stepping down as MSU President. So far this has not been officially confirmed; however, if the rumors are correct he should be issuing a press conference or release about this sometime today.

Clarion Ledger Story

Special Called Meeting 3/11/08

Most people that following the city meetings are aware that we meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month. However, we occasionally have need for special called meetings like the one being scheduled for next Tuesday. Here is a copy of the agenda. It looks to be an opportunity to clear up a few issues left lingering. These meetings are open to the public.

OFFICIAL AGENDA

THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN

OF THE

CITY OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008

3:00 P.M., CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL

101 EAST LAMPKIN STREET

I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

II. APPROVAL OF THE OFFICIAL AGENDA

III. DISCUSSION OF THE RATE INCREASE FOR STARKVILLE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT AND TVA.

IV. DISCUSSION OF THE EXECUTION FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE UTILITIES UNDER GROUND ALONG HOSPITAL DRIVE.

V. CONSIDERATION OF ADVERTISING FOR THE POSITIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER AND HEARING ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR.

VI. ADJOURN UNTIL MARCH 18, 2008 @ 5:30 AT 101 LAMPKIN STREET IN THE CITY HALL COURTROOM.

Public Money Part 1

The state of Alaska is working on a project that I applaud them for. I heard on NPR [story link] that they have set up a website that allows people to pull up where and how the state's money is being spent. Any expense at or over $1,000 is listed, although I think there are allowances for certain types of confidential which may, in my opinion, cause problems for such a project. It's referred to as Alaska's checkbook online, similar to how people can check their bank accounts online. 10 other states have similar websites. From what I can tell, Mississippi is not one of those 10 and it is something I feel strongly enough about that I may write a formal letter to our state treasurer, Tate Reeves, asking he consider this concept.

On a local level, the city's yearly budget is always available both in city hall and on our website. Here is a pdf [link] of the 141 page city budget. Matt Cox, budget committee chairman, does a powerpoint presentation that gives a good brief overview. If I can find a copy of it I'll post that too in a follow up.

Souper Bowl

Meant to post on this earlier. We (Starkville Young Professionals) had a very successful event to help raise funds for the United Way. Special props go to Jeremiah Dumas, who introduced the idea and nurtured it through to the very end. I was able to serve on the committee that worked on the program and had a great time.

Over $2,600 was raised for the United Way. Likely this will become an annual event. There were 4 prizes awarded:

1st Place: Bin 612
2nd Place: Harvey's
3rd Place: Ole Venice
Best of Show: Dave's Darkhorse Tavern

As a point of pride, I'd like to point out that 3 of the 4 awards went to restaurants in Ward 4.

Here is an incomplete list of the soups available:

Bin 612
Roasted Sweet Potato Soup with Goat Cheese Mousse Topped w/ Fried Jalapenos

City Bagel
White Bean Chicken Chili

Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern
The Taverner

Front Door (Columbus, MS)
Tortilla Soup

Green Olive (Columbus, MS)
Italian Meat Trio Soup

Harveys
Crawfish Chowder

Oby’s
Turnip Green Soup

Old Venice
Spinach, Feta, Bacon, and Artichoke Soup

Sweet Peppers Deli
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Rock Bottom Bar and Grill
Venison and Wild Duck Gumbo Topped with Fried Okra

Shaherazad’s
Red Lentil Soup

Veranda
Purple Peruvian Potato and Pancetta

Wasson’s
Brunswick Stew