Blogger Reports Jones Ole Miss Tenure May Be Nearing End

Jackson-based political columnist Wayne Weidie in the Weide Report posted a column this morning stating the trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions for Higher Learning tabled, at the last moment, a decision to not extend the contract of University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones.
Here is the column:
Handwriting on the Wall? Leadership Change at Ole Miss?
There has been controversy surrounding Dan Jones from almost the time that he was named chancellor of the University of Mississippi in 2009. I heard reports almost two years ago that there was an effort by Ole Miss alumni to replace Jones. There was even some buzz last week before the trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning held their regular meeting in Hattiesburg. Rumors and some confirmed reports said that during an executive session of the college board a move would be made to end Jones’ tenure at Ole Miss and his contract would not be extended.
According to several sources, a very prominent Mississippian made calls that caused the motion to replace Jones to be tabled, or for the board not to move forward with a motion to replace Jones. It seems apparent to many people that Jones’ days as chancellor at Ole Miss are nearing an end. It has also been rumored that Gov. Phil Bryant is not a supporter of Jones and future appointments to the college board will reflect his position. Will Jones gracefully exit as chancellor? That’s a key question. It could also be a very touchy question for the Ole Miss family. How will the national media report any move to oust Jones? Even if there are solid reasons that Jones should be replaced, in light of other negative publicity, will the national press report that Jones was forced out because the Ole Miss old guard was successful and they opposed various changes that Jones implemented which shed too many of the Ole Miss traditions?
While such reports would be unfair to the university, the reporting by the press would certainly be predictable and not what the vast majority of Ole Miss alumni would like to see happen. There are a lot of good things taking place at Ole Miss. Stay tuned, but for the sake of Ole Miss, let’s hope there is a positive ending to any change at the top in leadership of the university.

Courtesy of the Weidie Report