University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones’ announcement Thursday that he could not accept the offer of the state’s Institutions of Higher Learning board for a limited contract without the possibility of further renewal was one side of a ragged and jarring conclusion in a two-way broken relationship that stirred widespread strong reactions.
Jones, the first physician to head the university in its 167 years, was hired in 2009, succeeding the esteemed Robert Khayat, the man who had hired Jones as vice chancellor of the university’s medical center and health-related schools in Jackson.
Trustees on what’s usually called the College Board split with Jones over how the medical center had been financially administered. There was no suggestion of illegality, just violation of the way the trustees said affairs should be handled.
Jones disagreed. The impasse developed. Trustees, by a 9-2 vote, authorized a search for a new chancellor, effectively refusing to extend Jones’ contract at its Sept. 14 expiration. Reaction, largely from within the ranks of Ole Miss’ alumni, supporters and friends, clearly exceeded anything anticipated by the trustees.
Jones had established his own strong record as the university’s leader. He was open, engaged and popular among students, faculty and in the leadership ranks of the alumni association.
If there were doubts before about the need for greater transparency they were erased by IHL’s seemingly clumsy handling of the controversy, which has confirmed in the minds of many a view that changes are needed in the governance structure for all the universities.
That may be correct, but it is a complex issue that should be methodically examined with participation at several levels including but not confined to the current IHL trustees. The IHL Board was created to shield universities from political interference, and a knee-jerk political reaction shouldn’t drive hasty change. Nevertheless, every public institution should undergo periodic scrutiny that may lead to change if there is good reason.
The first course must be finding the university’s next chancellor, one who carries forward the exceptional progressive vision and inclusiveness created by Khayat and Jones. Given the circumstances, IHL should consider a more open process than it has used in the past.
There’s no turning back for Ole Miss or any other Mississippi university. The world is the changing doorstep for graduates, and every “next” leader must be on the cutting edge of empowering new knowledge built on intellectual boldness and ethical integrity.
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