IHL Vice President Alan Perry, who voted for non-renewal of Jones’ contract, speaks during the meeting Monday in Jackson. DM Photo | Logan Kirkland
JACKSON – The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees cited concerns with the financial management of The University of Mississippi Medical Center as the basis for the non-renewal of Chancellor Dan Jones’ contract in a meeting Monday.
When the public was informed of the non-renewal of Jones’ contract Friday, a summary of explanations was not provided, leaving many questions unanswered.
“Perhaps we should have said more earlier,” said Alan Perry, vice president of the board.
Perry began the explanation of the non-renewal by stating that the decision was not “a right-wing political plot.”
He instead claimed the board’s concerns stemmed from the financial management of UMMC and what was perceived as Jones’ reluctance to make changes to those issues. The board, according to Perry, believed it was a necessary duty for them to see that this was fixed to their satisfaction.
“We do want to exercise our appropriate control over financial transactions,” Perry said.
The vice president of the board admitted “it’s a logical question” for people to ask why Jones’ contract was not renewed when the board openly supports all the success Jones has had on the Oxford campus.
Perry emphasized, however, that the medical center is an increasing business, becoming more competitive and important for the state of Mississippi.
Perry said board members often received “incomplete,” “inaccurate” and also “otherwise defective in some way” reports from UMMC.
In the meeting, Perry referenced an audit that lists several violations, such as the UMMC not getting board approval for contracts in excess of $250,000 or for leases in excess of $100,000 and not being able to produce specific documents related to contracts the board and auditors wanted to see. The audit also signaled out a gamma knife, a piece of medical equipment used to operate on tumors. Perry said the knife was purchased but never installed.
“The entire board expects that UMMC be effective and efficient when dealing with its financial matters,” Perry said.
Helen Barnes, a concerned university parent present at the meeting, said she is obviously frustrated with the board’s decision but is not surprised by it at all. Barnes believes through this change, the university will see more negative response.
“I don’t think they are going to back down,” Barnes said. “I think the school is going to suffer horribly.”
Barnes said seeing the support of the students and faculty proves Jones is a great leader.
Barnes said it is a “slap in the face” for his non-renewal to be blamed on something as vague as issues at UMMC.
“They are losing everything they have gained in the last 20 years,” she said.
Sarah Stewart, a sophomore accountancy major, drove to Jackson for the board meeting to show her physical support for Jones, even though she does not know him personally.
“I want to hear from them, face-to-face, and I want some transparency,” Stewart said.
Dan Harden, an alumnus from the class of 2014, attended the meeting because he was outraged over the board’s decision. Harden hoped there would be an opportunity for the public to share their feelings about the entire process.
“The IHL board has acted with no concern for the stakeholders of the university, with no thought for openness in a public institution,” Harden said. “The only rational thing for them to do is to come back here and tell us that they have reinstated Chancellor Jones.”
Perry said he is worried about any relationship going forward that is as fraught with tension as this one, and the board is going to continue to do the best it can to be transparent.
“Bad publicity is always detrimental,” Perry said. “I believe we will get through this. Ole Miss is bigger than one person.”
In response to the public support of resolutions and a student-led rally, Perry said he will continue to “wait and see” but believes it will not help the university move forward.
“It will do no good to anyone, least of all Ole Miss, to continue in a prolonged and rancorous public dispute,” Perry said.
