Waide adding 'students' attorney' to responsibilities
A Mississippi State faculty member named last year as the university's professor of the year is taking on some additional duties.
Political science instructor Whit Waide is assuming the part-time role of students' attorney in the Division of Student Affairs. He will provide free legal advice and consultations to enrolled students from an office in the division vice president's suite at 115 Lee Hall.
A University of Mississippi Law School graduate, Waide has taught law and government classes at MSU since 2006. He is a West Point native and Millsaps College alumnus.
"He will work eight hours a week in this role," said Bill Kibler, student affairs vice president.
There are two important limitations on Waide's new duties, Kibler added.
"The office cannot provide legal advice to a student who has a potential legal issue with MSU or with another student," he explained. "In those cases, Mr. Waide will refer the student to off-campus attorneys."
Kibler said Waide's student affairs role will "in no way interfere with his teaching responsibilities" in the department of political science and public administration.
"The Division of Student Affairs is very excited to be able to offer this new service to the students of Mississippi State," he said.
In addition to teaching, Waide currently serves as his department's student pre-law adviser. He also is chair of the publication board for the Reflector student newspaper and faculty adviser for Kappa Alpha social fraternity.
He is a former member of the campus Honor Code Council.
Based on a nomination and selection process, the MSU Professor of the Year Award Waide received last year is given annually by the Student Association to "the individual considered by the student body as the most influential teacher who makes an exceptional impact on their lives on a daily basis."
Sammy McDavid | University Relations
