Executive Council met at 9 a.m. in the Giles Electronic Classroom of Mitchell Memorial Library. Present were Dr. Donald Zacharias, presiding, Dr. Roy Ruby, Larry Templeton, Leah Norman, Dr. Billy Ward, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Debbie Baker, Dr. Mike Couvillion, Dr. Rodney Foil, Greg Threatt, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Dr. R. D. Ikenberry, and library staff members Frances Coleman, Eula Betts, Stephen Cunetto, Susie Turner, June Breland, Debra Fairbrother and Susan Hall.

Library staff members gave a presentation on electronic document delivery services now available. The practice has the potential to allow the library to release its subscriptions to some high-cost journals.

Dr. Zacharias distributed the schedule of Board of Trustees committee meetings planned for March 19.

Dr. Zacharias distributed copies of the obituary of his former professor, Dr. Robert Gray Gunderson, emeritus professor of history at Indiana University. Dr. Gunderson died Nov. 24, 1996.

Dr. Ray reported that contracts and grants for February totaled approximately $4.5 million, bringing the year-to-date total to about $30.5 million.

Dr. Hodgson presented the report of a consulting firm engaged to study the feasibility of developing a Starkville meeting center. The PKF Consulting firm found insufficient market support for the proposed facility for it to be economically sustainable.

Dr. Foil presented for initial review a proposed policy on publications for the Forest and Wildlife Research Center.

The Council agreed to reschedule a planned April 1 visit by a state newspaper publisher to allow members to attend the Continuing Education awards luncheon on April 1.

Dr. Zacharias reported that the search committee for the position of vice president for research soon will be in place.

Dr. Zacharias commented on a proposal to expand efforts to present information about the university.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:20 a.m.