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A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Dear Ole Miss Family,
Several days ago I wrote to you about the decision by the IHL Board not to renew my contract to serve as Chancellor. Last week, Dr. Jim Borsig, Commissioner-elect for the Board, approached me with a “compromise offer.” The Board was willing to extend my contract for 21 months if I committed to retire in June of 2017. My performance or effectiveness up to that date would have no impact on whether I could continue to serve as Chancellor after June of 2017.
Over the last several days, Commissioner Borsig and I have continued conversations, and this week we traveled to meet individually with a number of Board members. In doing so, I hoped to determine if Board members would consider an extension that would allow me to serve as Chancellor without the outcome of my leadership predetermined. From these meetings it has become clear that the Board is not willing to do so.
I feel strongly, as do most of my advisors, that serving two years as a lame duck would make it difficult to recruit and retain key leaders and continue our momentum in private giving. More importantly, it is clear from the Board’s position that the Board would not support my leadership during any extension. For the University to thrive and succeed, the University needs a leader who has the support of its governing board, which I clearly do not enjoy. For these reasons, it is in the University’s best interest for me not to accept the Board’s offer.
I cannot sufficiently express the gratitude Lydia and I feel for the amazing outpouring of support for us personally and for our beloved University. We will leave our position in September with a deep love for this place and, most especially, the people of the Ole Miss family. Let me encourage all of you to follow closely the search process for the next Chancellor. The IHL Board will make a better decision knowing that you are engaged and that they are accountable to all constituents of the Ole Miss family.
Let me also encourage us all to follow our creed and treat Board members with civility and respect. I encourage any communication to the IHL Board members to be in that spirit. During the last few days, Commissioner Borsig has dealt with me in a candid and transparent fashion. Please remember that he was thrown into the middle of a difficult situation and was not involved in any of the decisions about my future.
My decision not to accept the Board’s offer may disappoint some of you. Please know the decision is made in the best interest of Ole Miss and out of love and respect for her. Lydia and I look forward to our last few months of service to the University and opportunities to visit with you.
Sincerely,
Dan Jones, Chancellor
| Mon, Nov 4 |  | vs Long Island University | W, 90-60 |
| Fri, Nov 8 |  | vs Grambling | W, 66-64 |
| Tue, Nov 12 |  | vs South Alabama | W, 64-54 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Colorado State | W, 84-69 |
| Thu, Nov 21 |  | vs Oral Roberts | L, 100-68 |
| Thu, Nov 28 |  | vs BYU | W, 96-85 OT |
| Fri, Nov 29 |  | vs 13 Purdue | L, 80-78 |
| Tue, Dec 3 |  | @ Louisville | W, 86-63 |
| Sat, Dec 7 |  | vs Lindenwood | W, 86-53 |
| Sat, Dec 14 |  | vs Southern Miss | W, 77-46 |
| Tue, Dec 17 |  | vs Southern | W, 74-61 |
| Sat, Dec 21 |  | vs Queens University | W, 80-62 |
| Sat, Dec 28 |  | @ Memphis | L, 87-70 |
| Sat, Jan 4 |  | vs Georgia | W, 63-51 |
| Wed, Jan 8 |  | @ 23 Arkansas | W, 73-66 |
| Sat, Jan 11 |  | vs LSU | W, 77-65 |
| Tue, Jan 14 |  | @ 5 Alabama | W, 74-64 |
| Sat, Jan 18 |  | @ 17 Mississippi State | L, 81-84 |
| Wed, Jan 22 |  | vs 13 Texas A&M | L, 62-63 |
| Sat, Jan 25 |  | @ Missouri | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 29 |  | vs Texas | 8:00 PM ESPN2 |
| Sat, Feb 1 |  | vs 2 Auburn | 3:00 PM TBA |
| Tue, Feb 4 |  | vs 10 Kentucky | 6:00 PM ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 8 | | @ LSU | 7:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 12 |  | @ South Carolina | 6:00 PM SECN |
| Sat, Feb 15 | | vs 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Feb 22 |  | @ Vanderbilt | 2:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 26 | | @ 2 Auburn | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 1 |  | vs 12 Oklahoma | 1:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Mar 5 |  | vs 1 Tennessee | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |
John Thomas
April 3, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Dr. Jones – I wrote to you a few weeks ago when this IHL imbroglio first began. Mary and I are terribly heartbroken and extremely disappointed in the way the board has treated you, particularly after you’ve made so many positive changes while advancing Ole Miss into the 21st Century with class and dignity. To me, the board’s disregard of your many accomplishments strikes a severe blow to the values and principles that we alumni hold close to our hearts: recognition and reward for hard-earned achievements, diversity of ideas as well as students, general fairness, forward-thinking suggestions and generosity of both time and money. Our family will always cherish the deep family connections we have to Mississippi and Ole Miss, but this thoughtless and cruel action by the board will unfortunately have certain consequences that may take years to reverse. We will always support the neediest and brightest journalism and IMC students through our existing Thomas Family Scholarship endowment; however, the other major gifts that we decided on directly in partnership with you (endowed chair re: Barnard Initiative) are likely not going to happen. It’s the only way we know to protest this reckless board decision. It’s a shame that for many of us, this is our only recourse. But we simply cannot support the IHL action and so we’re voting with our future funds. These more-limited funds will be targeted only toward our existing family scholarship endowment, but nothing else – at least for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your fine service to our university – and we wish you and Lydia our most sincere blessings for continued health and happiness. John and Mary Thomas ’85.
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63
April 3, 2015 at 3:04 pm
I hope we take this as an opportunity to change the way Ole Miss is governed. Action always trumps complaining.
Terry King
April 3, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Dr. Jones-I am so saddened by this news of your leaving. But I do think that I understand your frustration in the decision made by the IHL Board and its members. My husband Kerry and I have never been prouder of Ole Miss’s academic achievements, sporting achievements, and overall growth. We were honored to meet you personally last May, and you and Lydia made us feel welcome and at home. And to us, that is the most important thing about Ole Miss. It has been-and will continue to be-home to students, faculty, and friends for a long time. And you are a large reason for that. We wish you much happiness and success in the future. We are especially so glad that your health is improving. We will miss you-take care.
Lisa Gabbard
April 3, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Mr. Thomas, I understand completely how you feel, but withholding donations to the university doesn’t punish the board, it only punishes Ole Miss. If everyone feels as you do, funds will drop dramatically and I promise you the IHL won’t care. Support the legislators that will work to abolish the IHL and promote the schools having their own boards. But don’t hurt the university because of the idiots on the IHL!
Lori Parker
April 3, 2015 at 9:57 pm
I feel the board made the right decision to just “cut the ties” with you so you have an opportunity to go somewhere else and create havic for someone/something else. I realize that there are two sides to every story, but the side you were on has been very apparent with some of your decision making towards the traditions of OLE MISS. Best wishes elsewhere because I am glad to see you go. HOTTY DAMN TODDY and take your stupid black bear with you. Colonel Reb Forever !!!!!!
Doug Ingram
April 4, 2015 at 8:52 am
Dr. Jones:
Your leadership has been outstandinding. I wish you all the best for the future.
Doug Ingram, ’68
Maura Lambert
April 5, 2015 at 3:45 am
What a tremendous loss. My son is a Junior, and in just the three years he has attended Ole Miss, I have been extremely impressed with the leadership and integrity of Dr. Jones’, and the rise in stature of the school nationally. Sad to see this happened.
John
April 9, 2015 at 11:10 am
No fresh perspectives posted? I am not “saddened”, “disappointed”, or “impressed with the current leadership”, this is a time for change! What happened with the mismanagement of our tax dollars? Is that under the rug now? I pay dearly in taxes and contribute to these leaders’ excessive salaries. I am tired of supporting the lifestyle of prideful “leaders”
John
April 9, 2015 at 11:13 am
These boastful donors demanding to withhold their donations clearly reflects their intentions in some indirect way…… were they donating to the cause or to the “leader”. Were they getting anything in return???? HHmmmm… Makes you think doesn’t hit?? Hotty Toddy!!!!! Gosh a Mighty – Go Away Dan the Man !!!
John
April 9, 2015 at 11:18 am
These young folks “rallying” to the cause. Makes me just sick at my stomach! I am a hard working taxpayer with the creeping age of wisdom. These young folks are only rallying for Ole Miss and I understand this; however, how much do these young voices contribute to our workforce, how much money have they paid in taxes, how long have they been in the world to pronounce such a bold response? Not much. They don’t know the other side – words of wisdom – get all the facts from both sides before you make bold statements of support. It really makes you folks look so ..hhhmmm.. “greenish” behind the ears.