'Montgomery is nothing like Siberia.

But it might feel that way if you're Thomas Petee.

Officially, Montgomery is where you'll find the former chairman of Auburn University's sociology department these days.

Last summer, Petee was accused of handing out high grades to students in independent "directed reading" courses that required little work and no attendance.

Because athletes were found clustered in these classes, some suspected that the sociology department was actively working to keep players eligible.



An investigation conducted by Auburn faculty decided there was no favoritism by the sociology department toward athletes, and [though] the faculty inquiry dismissal committee agreed Petee should step down as chairman of the school, they didn't think he should lose his position as a tenured professor.

That didn't satisfy former Auburn President Ed Richardson, who made the decision to disregard the faculty committee recommendation and go ahead with dismissal proceedings against Petee.

Petee countered by suing Auburn.



Last month, after Richardson stepped down as Auburn president, the school reached a settlement with Petee. In exchange for dropping his lawsuit, the school agreed to allow Petee to retain all-important tenure status, his salary of approximately $90,000 a year, and all the back pay that had been withheld since May.

However, Petee will not teach, but instead serve as a "consultant" to Auburn's extension campus in Montgomery.

Petee would not comment on the settlement. His attorney, Davis B. Whittelsey of Opelika, said Petee is "going to be maintaining an office at the main campus. However, technically, he is an employee of Auburn-Montgomery, in a consulting capacity. He will work to obtain grants and do research. He will not maintain a capacity as professor, although he is tenured."

In other words, Petee becomes professor in exile, paid to disappear.

"Let me just say that it was resolved in the mutual best interest of both parties," Whittelsey said.



While Auburn's investigation decided the substantial benefit received by athletes was purely accidental, it is hard to believe the "mutual best interest" didn't include what was in the best interest of the football team. After all, despite Richardson's effort to change the image of Auburn as a school run by athletics, others familiar with the inner-working of the school continue to say that the football program is considered in every major decision at Auburn - as it is in most big-time football-playing schools.

What kind of details might have come out in a lawsuit? Would a lack of oversight of the sociology and criminology departments have painted a picture of a much cozier relationship with the athletic department than Auburn administrators wanted to admit?

Is it coincidence that the settlement with Petee did not come until Richardson was out of power? And is this a sign that, with Richardson having done his job in restoring Auburn's accreditation, the school will revert back [Revert back is redundant. Just write revert.] to the old ways Richardson worked so hard to clean up?



Keeping someone on the payroll while no longer expecting that person to do his job ... does that sound familiar?

Petee keeps his benefits, but is exiled to Montgomery.

At least it's not cold.'