Thread by @ashtonpittman

NEW: The University of Mississippi is investigating the group of whistleblowers who helped us break the story about racist emails between former journalism dean Will Norton and a wealthy donor who referred to Black women students as "Black hookers." 1/
mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Some faculty and officials at the school are now accusing the whistleblowers, known collectively as Ole Miss Information, of creating “a hostile work environment.” #UMEmails 2/
mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

As UM investigates the #UMemails whistleblowers, ex-journalism dean Will Norton, who resigned in May when a public records request brought the racist emails to light, continues to earn almost $20,000 a month—even though is not teaching classes. 3/ mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

ICYMI:
The #UMEmails Part I: The Fabric Is Torn In Oxford’: UM Officials Decried Racism Publicly, Coddled It Privately
mississippifreepress.org/4876/the-fabri…

The #UMEmails Part II: ‘The Ole Miss We Know’: Wealthy Alums Fight To Keep UM’s Past Alive
mississippifreepress.org/4950/the-ole-m…

The #UMEmails Part III: UM’s ‘Culture Of Secrecy’: Dean Quit As Emails Disparaging To Gay Alum, Black Students Emerged
mississippifreepress.org/5004/ums-cultu…

If you support the work we do to hold power & public institutions in Mississippi accountable, please support paywall free, non-profit journalism at mfp.ms/donate

NOTE: We don't know who university officials actually believe the anonymous whistleblowers are or if they have even identified them.
mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Source(s) have expressed concern that UM may be targeting "innocents" who are not even involved in the whistleblower group's activities to peg for the group's activities.

But we simply do not know. The school isn't giving us any info. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

When I first investigated the #UMemails, multiple sources told me they & others feared retaliation if they spoke out publicly.

Some claimed a "witch hunt" ensued after a tape leaked to a reporter that almost revealed the Norton/Tartt story in 2018. 👇🏻 mississippifreepress.org/4950/the-ole-m…

In an email to journalism faculty, Provost Wilkin acknowledged an EORC investigation into whistleblowers & cited "ongoing, persistent, and accusatory emails from an anonymous source."

As provost, Wilkin is the final line of appeal after any EORC decision. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Since Norton resigned as dean and returned to the faculty, the whistleblowers have questioned UM's decision to continue paying Dr. Will Norton a salary that retains the extra administrative pay he received as a dean.

They claim that violates IHL policy. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

The whistleblowers cite IHL Board of Trustees Policies & Bylaws Section 402.01 B, which says “additional salary” for holding an administrative position “shall not be paid to the faculty member when he or she ceases to hold the administrative position.”
mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Norton didn't teach classes over the summer or in the current fall semester.

A September budget projection doc lists Norton as continuing to receive $65,378.59 in yearly “fringes” since stepping down as dean, his additional administrative salary intact. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Whistleblower OMI: “For years...Ole Miss has violated this clear & unambiguous policy language. In the process, countless former administrators have been enriched with ‘additional salary’ well beyond the time they cease serving as administrators.”
mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

OMI: "Despite being chased from his job in disgrace" UM "allowed Dr. Norton to retain his additional salary" resulting in him "being paid more than 2x the salary paid to any other 9 month" j-school professor—"over $200k to NOT perform any teaching duties.” mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

On Oct. 22, Provost Wilkin told the MFP that the university policy that allows Norton to keep his pay has existed since at least 2005. He sent a copy of the policy, which isn't listed in any publicly available documents. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

The decades-old policy Provost Wilkin cited only refers to "department chairs," though—not deans or other types of administrators.

Wilkin said UM has "been principled" by applying that policy to all administrative roles beyond the single one it describes. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

“In the absence of a policy for every administrative title or role we have applied the approach outlined in the chair’s policy consistently with all administrative positions."

Wilkin couldn't say which UM body had created or approved the hidden policy. mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…

Wilkin: "According to the system, the policy...predates the policy directory that was populated in 2005 with existing policies. The original bodies that would have approved policies that predate the policy directories would be difficult to ascertain." mississippifreepress.org/7134/um-probes…