Just a few weeks ago, the staff of The Daily Mississippian expressed its shock and indignation at the decision of the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees not to renew the contract of our beloved chancellor, Dr. Dan Jones. And now, though it breaks our hearts, we understand Jones’ decision not to, as he so eloquently put it, work in the position of chancellor as either lame duck or lamb.
Jones won’t let them play with him. And in his dedication to his job and with his authenticity of character, he has refused to settle for less.
We, the staff of The Daily Mississippian, will not begrudge him the decision to act, as he always has, with charm, dignity and strength. We will, however, begrudge the IHL’s poor handling of this decision that made Jones’ actions necessary.
IHL has demoralized the faculty, staff and students at Ole Miss and essentially given the beating heart of this school the silent treatment. The IHL claims in an article by our publication that they would hire the next chancellor based on the needs of the university’s constituents.
We are not convinced.
If the IHL were more concerned with the constituency of the university as opposed to the mysterious supporters of their less-than-transparent actions, then Jones would have remained with us as the effective and sensitive leader he was in the first place. With rally after rally, letter after letter and donor after donor insisting that Jones’ presence was desired and needed, the IHL board petulantly turned its head and forced the constituency it claims it wants to now serve toward this less-than-ideal outcome.
Jones’ leadership has spoiled us with accountability, whereas the IHL board has spoiled our perception of theirs.
We encourage The University of Mississippi and all who support it to remain vigilant in demanding transparency and respect from the IHL board. Their blundering has lost us not only a perfectly capable leader but a sense of control or meaningful influence over those whom we choose to lead us.
We encourage students to write with and to us in our efforts to cover the IHL board’s continuing action concerning the selection of a new chancellor.
We encourage the IHL board to keep its word.
