- Target:
- Students, Alumni and Fans of Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi aka Ole Miss)
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- www.twitter.com
Friends and supporters,
Your voices have been heard! As you probably heard this afternoon, our petition was successful and Dan Jones will no longer be our Chancellor effective September 2015. This is why I chose this time to “officially” close the petition.
http://www.wapt.com/news/mississippi/-ole-miss-chancellor-fired-dan-jones/31927666
I want to thank all of you who supported this petition. Many of you not only signed the petition, but were involved with sharing the URL with friends through email and social media. I want to especially thank the organization "We Love Ole Miss" (https://www.facebook.com/WeLoveOleMiss ) for the support and for helping bring attention to our movement. Some very special individuals who wish to remain anonymous have been a personal strength and support for me throughout this effort. You know who you are, and I want to wish a special “Thank You” to each of you. My prayer is that each of you who signed and supported this effort – the Alumni, Fans, and supporters of Ole Miss – are involved in choosing our next Chancellor of the great University of Mississippi.
The number of signatures grew from 1 to 2,000 in only a few days and was over 3,000 signatures within a month. While it didn't get much above 3,000; the quick growth of its support was noticed by the Alumni Association, Ole Miss Administration, and the state College Board. I want to thank each of you for your love for Ole Miss!
While I disagreed with many decisions that Dr. Jones made on behalf of Ole Miss; I was saddened to hear of his Lymphoma diagnosis this past November. I would not wish that upon anyone, and I'm thankful that he was found to be cancer free last month. I pray that Dr. Jones remains in remission and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!
Sincerely,
Bart Wilbanks
Hotty Toddy!
Chancellor Dan Jones has done more to divide the fans, alumni, students, and supporters than anyone in my lifetime. He is abusing his power as chancellor of the University of Mississippi with zero regard for the will of the majority of the Alumni, fans, and students. The final straw was August 1, 2014 when Chancellor Jones announced an action plan including discouraging use of the nickname "Ole Miss" when talking about the University of Mississippi.
The following list represents other actions taken and/or enforced by Chancellor Dan Jones which the majority of the Alumni, fans, and students did not support:
-Banning the tradition of playing the song "From Dixie with Love" at football games.
-Supporting the removal of the University's mascot Colonel Reb and further preventing a student or fan from wearing a Colonel Reb costume to any sporting events.
Regardless of our opinions on these actions, the manner in which said actions were carried out promoted divisiveness among the people who are "Ole Miss". We need a chancellor who can unite the fans, alumni, student body, and supporters; and Dan Jones does not appear to be that man.
By signing this petition, I certify that I am an Alumni, Fan, Student, or supporter of The University of Mississippi aka "Ole Miss", and that I support the unrestricted use of the nickname "Ole Miss" as an interchangeable alternative to "The University of Mississippi."
Further, we demand the resignation or if necessary termination of Chancellor Dan Jones for abusing his power to push an agenda that is not supported by the majority of the Alumni, Fans, Students, and other supporters. And that he be replaced by an alumnus who has enough sense to listen to the voice of the majority of the Alumni, Fans, Students, and supporters!
We are "Ole Miss"!
The Calling for resignation of Dan Jones petition to Students, Alumni and Fans of Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi aka Ole Miss) was written by Bart Wilbanks and is in the category Culture at GoPetition.