Robert Khayat Resigns

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 6, 2009 10:40 AM EST

From a friend on campus:

This message is being sent using E-mail to Groups ( UM Employees, Faculty).

The foundation of any great university is the faculty bright, well-educated women and men who have chosen to devote their lives to teaching, research, scholarship and service.

When we elected to pursue the academic life, I doubt we fully appreciated the opportunities available to us. Most of us wanted to know all we could learn about a particular field of study, and we wanted to share that knowledge with students and colleagues. Throughout our careers we are fortunate to continue that focus.

We are a diverse group of men and women who invest ourselves in our students, colleagues and areas of interest. We are a collegial group that firmly and aggressively asserts its beliefs without sacrificing the cherished value of respect for others who differ with us or from us.

On June 30, I will leave the university with a deep sense of gratitude and respect for each of you. The progress we have made over the past 14 years would not have been possible without your commitment to the highest standards of performance in all areas of the professorial life.

You are the reason Ole Miss and many of its programs accountancy, forensic chemistry, honors, pharmacy, physics, risk management and insurance are among the nation's top 25. You have earned the respect of fellow faculty members across the nation as well as within our campus community.

For your support, patience and understanding of my work, I am profoundly grateful. I hope to see you this spring.

Warmest regards,

Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor

What does this mean for our athletics department and, most importantly, our athletics director? I've obviously got my opinions but I'd like to hear yours first.

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Comments

Sad day. Khayat worked wonders for our University. The only bright side of this is that maybe we'll get a new AD, too.

by ericwindham on Jan 6, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions

E-ric Till-man. (cha cha... cha cha cha)
E-ric Tillman.

No. Not for Chancellor. For replacement AD.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 11:21 AM EST reply actions

I'll weigh in.

Chancellor Khayat was honestly one of the nation's best university managers. I earnestly mean that. A lot of people knock him for being tapped into the G.O.B. network and dragging a reluctant Ole Miss into the realm of political correctness (no more Colonel Reb or Confederate Flags) but, outside of that, what is there not to love?

Looking at our university's hosting of a Presidential Debate, increased endowment, Phi Beta Kappa chapter, campus beautification (there were always a dozen or so rennovation projects going on during my undergrad years), Honors College, and increased enrollment among many, many other things, I think it's fair to say that Bobby Khayat hit a grand slam as our Chancellor.

Ok, the whole Coach O thing... Yeah, that was bad. Also, his unwavering support of Pete Boone was rough at times but I'll cut him miles of slack on those.

He has improved our university's academic standing and national reputation, both of which are way more important than the culture of alcohol or a guy wearing a foam head.

Chancellor Khayat, thank you. Thank you very, very much.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 6, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions

He was the best we have ever had. Many thanks

by Patridge for Heisman on Jan 6, 2009 1:04 PM EST reply actions

He will be a very tough act to follow.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 1:51 PM EST reply actions

Hasta la bye bye Pete Boone.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions

No Eric Tillman

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions

Wow, I skip one morning of lazy Arpanet browsing, and I miss this? Surely, Khayat was the best Chancellor at Ole Miss. His vision was incredible, and he accomplished an extremely large chunk of that vision in his time here. I honestly think that if we carefully select a younger successor, he might generate some new ideas that better Ole Miss, but it'll be a big mistake if we don't find someone who thinks with the same set of ideals as Khayat. And yeah, Boone isn't terrible, but if we drop him and pick up Tillman, that'd be pretty clutch.

by Whiskey Wednesday on Jan 6, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Sterling Kidd for Ole Miss Chancellor.

by Hunter on Jan 6, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions

Dickie Scruggs for chancellor. Oh yea wait... for 3-5

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions

I think Jim Barksdale would be a great choice. He is very loyal to the University and he has been very successful in multiple careers. Also, he's not a politician like Trent Lott and Ronnie Muscrove.

by Charles on Jan 7, 2009 8:17 AM EST reply actions

A source close to the Cup and Robert Khayat has suggested that the chance of them going outside of "The Ole Miss Family" for our new Chancellor is very, very high. A quick look accross the SEC will reveal the simple truth that most university administrators are NOT almuni of whatever university they're administrating.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 7, 2009 9:11 AM EST reply actions