The Executive Council met at 9 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Donald Zacharias, presiding, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Rodney Foil, Dr. Roy Ruby, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Billy Ward, Dr. Marion Couvillion, Dr. Debbie Baker, Dr. R. D. Ikenberry, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Mike White, Sam Hogue, Gaddis Hunt, Patsy Douglas, and John Tomlinson. Special guests were Sen. Grey Ferris and Sen. Glenn Hamilton.

Dr. Zacharias introduced Sen. Ferris and Sen. Hamilton, who spoke briefly on the need to expand support for K-12 education and the impact of the new Adequate Education Act.

Mr. White presented a status report on various projects being monitored by the Campus Planning and Development Committee. A special meeting of the Council and the CPDC will be planned to discuss parking in the vicinity of Allen Hall. Mr. White also discussed preliminary plans to consider building lodges which would be available for leasing to student organizations.

Mr. White presented a CPDC recommendation that the planned outdoor swimming pool be located in proximity to the outdoor recreation fields now under construction on the South Farm. The Council endorsed the location.

The Council approved in concept a proposal to build bleachers at the women's soccer field and referred the proposal to the Campus Planning and Development Committee.

Mr. Hogue presented design plans for the Keep the Flame burning monument to be erected in honor of university supporters. The proposed red granite obelisk with a gas flame would be surrounded by an annual flower bed and benches, with English oaks planted nearby. The estimated cost is $30,000-$35,000, to be provided by the Campaign for Mississippi State. The Council recommended approval of the design plans.

Mr. Hogue presented a proposal for the relocation of the Centennial sculpture on the corner of Colvard Union plaza and the addition of a water feature to the design. The Council recommended that the sculpture be placed temporarily in a prominent place on the campus grounds pending further study of the Union plaza location and the availability of funding for that project. The CPDC will recommend a temporary location for the sculpture.

Dr. Zacharias reported that the Hearin Foundation probably will not act on distribution of grants to state universities at least until June.

The Council recommended approval of the Endowment Earnings Spending Policy previously recommended by Ms. Norman. The policy generally restricts annual spending from endowed funds to an amount equal to 5 percent of the previous three-year moving average of fund earnings.

Dr. Baker recommended approval of the revised constitution of the Professional and Support Staff Advisory Council, including a revised version of Article II dealing with the Section of Members as suggested by a Council subcommittee of Dr. Ward, Ms. Norman and Dr. Baker. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Baker introduced Ms. Patsy Douglas, who will begin a one-year term as Staff Council chair on July 1.

Dr. Ray reported that grants and contracts for April totaled $3.145 million, bringing the total for the fiscal year to $34.4 million.

Dr. Ray reported that a recent National Science Foundation review of the Engineering Research Center was extremely successful.

Dr. Hodgson reported that the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has notified the university that teacher education programs will be reaccredited for a five-year period.

Dr. Zacharias noted that the fall faculty welcome event is planned for Aug. 28.

Dr. Couvillion reported on the progress of the Presidential Search Committee in establishing a Campus Advisory Committee and planning a timetable for the search.

Dr. Couvillion announced that Faculty Senate officers for 1997-98 will be Dr. Leslie Bauman, chair; Dr. Euel Coats, vice chair; and Dr. Beverly Howell, secretary. They will take office July 1.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:45 a.m.