The Executive Council met at 9 a.m. in 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Donald Zacharias, presiding, Dr. Mike Couvillion, Dr. Melvin Ray, Larry Templeton, Dr. Rodney Foil, Mike Richardson, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Leah Norman, Dr. Roy Ruby, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Christy Criss, Mike White, and Sam Hogue.

Mr. White and Mr. Hogue recommended that the Centennial sculpture now located in front of Allen Hall be moved to the lawn in front of the Colvard Union, near the intersection of Lee Boulevard and George Perry Street. The council recommended approval of the location, subject to its compatibility with plans now in progress to further develop the adjacent street.

Dr. Zacharias noted that members of the Board of Trustees have expressed concern about late submissions of requests for foreign travel, and urged council members to remind faculty and administrators of the need to file requests well in advance of planned travel.

Dr. Foil recommended approval of the architects' schematic designs for the first phase of the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center to be located adjacent to the main campus of Hinds Community College. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Richardson reported on communication with the mayor of Gravesend, England, concerning a possible exchange agreement with a British university. Mr. Richardson will continue the communication, in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Zacharias reviewed the schedule of meetings for the Board of Trustees in 1997-98. The board will meet at Mississippi State in October.

Dr. Hodgson announced that Frances Coleman has been named Dean of Libraries, effective July 1.

Dr. Hodgson announced that Dr. Billy Smith has been named interim dean of Continuing Education, effective June 1.

Mr. Templeton reported that members of the NCAA certification site visit team have been named. The visit is planned for November.

Mr. Templeton reported that Mississippi State is one of four sites that will participate in a cooperative project between the NCAA and the national Writing/Thinking Project.

Dr. Foil reported that the formal transfer of the Crosby Arboretum to Mississippi State is expected to be completed this week.

Dr. Ray noted that creation of the Mississippi State Research Corporation was approved at the May meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Ray reported that a proposal may be raised by another institution to give the Institute for Technology Development greater responsibility for technology transfer in the state.

Dr. Hodgson discussed the state Board of Education's review of administration and supervision programs at state colleges and universities.

Dr. Couvillion distributed a list of members of the Presidential Search Campus Advisory Committee.

Ms. Norman distributed a summary of funding comparisons for the eight state universities as reflected in a funding model being studied by the chief financial officers of the institutions. Mississippi State appears to be underfunded relative to other state institutions according to each of the four measures employed.

Dr. Foil reported that a proposed tuition increase by the College of Veterinary Medicine has not been acted on by the Board of Trustees, and further discussion is planned.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:35 a.m.