The Executive Council held its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the President’s Conference Room in Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Mark Keenum, presiding, Dr. Jeremy Baham, Dr. Tracey Baham, Ms. Ra’Sheda Boddie-Forbes, Dr. Keith Coble, Ms. Leslie Corey, Dr. Whitney Crow, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Mr. Keegan Figueroa, Dr. Jason Hernandez, Mr. Brandon Jolly, Dr. Julie Jordan, Dr. Stacy Haynes, Ms. Ashley Patterson, Mr. Les Potts, Dr. David Shaw, Ms. Erica Way, Mr. Lee Weiskopf, Dr. Scott Willard, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Christine Jackson was unable to attend in person, but she submitted her votes in support of the policies via email.

Dr. Keenum opened the meeting by noting it was Ms. Corey’s last Executive Council meeting before retiring and thanked her for her years of service. He also noted it was Dr. Hayne’s last meeting as president of the Robert Holland Faculty Senate. He welcomed Dr. Whitney Crow, the incoming Faculty Senate president, and Dr. Jason Hernandez, the new chief human resources officer, to their first Executive Council meeting. He also welcomed Ms. Patterson to her first meeting as incoming chair of the Staff Council.

Dr. Shaw presented:

-- AOP 13.21: Faculty Released Time for Specified Committee Chairs. In response to a request from the Faculty Senate, this update provides released time of 50% during fall and spring terms plus 16.67% for the summer for the chair of the University Committee on Courses and Curricula if nine-month faculty or 50% of their 12-month appointment if 12-month faculty. It provides the UCCC vice chair with 25% released time during the fall and spring terms plus 8.33% for the summer if nine-month faculty or 25% of their 12-month appointment for 12-month faculty. Council members voted to approve.

Ms. Ervin presented:

-- OP 01.19: Misuse of University Assets. This significant update is intended to clarify the policy. The revision includes updated definitions, specific examples, added reporting options, and other changes to make the process easier to follow. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 04.01: Internal Audit Services. This major update is intended to reflect the Office of Internal Audit’s current practices, IHL policy, state law, and the International Internal Audit Standards Board Global Internal Audit Standards. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Keenum thanked Ms. Ervin and the Internal Audit team for the good work they do, emphasizing how they are there to help and how important it is for MSU to be in compliance.

Mr. Potts presented:

-- OP 61.01: Account Reconciliation. This minor update adds clarity to the deadline information for departmental/unit account reconciliation to ensure it is completed in a timely manner. Council members voted to approve.

On behalf of Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt, Dr. Jeremy Baham presented:

-- OP 91.120: Possession of Weapons including Firearms. This update consists of an addition stating that university medical and mental health care facilities are campus spaces where firearms are prohibited. 

-- OP 91.304: Free Speech and Assembly. In this update, clarity about amplification equipment related to free speech and assembly events on campus has been added, in conjunction with the update to OP 91.310: Outdoor Amplified Sound. The update to OP 91.310 further explains the requirements that must be met when seeking approval of outdoor amplified sound usage by registered student organizations and university departments.

Council members voted to approve all three policies as presented by Dr. Baham.

Additionally, a minor, technical change was noted for AOP 12.04: Final Examination. “Reading Day” was changed to “Reading and Reflection Day.” No concerns or objections were raised, and therefore a vote was not required.