Executive Council met at 9:30 a.m. in 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Donald Zacharias, presiding, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Roy Ruby, Ms. Leah Norman, Ms. Patsy Douglas, Dr. Rodney Foil, Dr. Leslie Bauman, Dr. Billy Ward, Larry Templeton, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Dr. R. D. Ikenberry, Skip Gardner, Mike White, Sam Hogue, Bill Broyles, Robin Remotigue and Christy Criss.

Ms. Remotigue and Ms. Criss reported on the Campus Sweep '97 clean-up effort of the previous week. About 600 volunteers collected 500 bags of trash, among other beautification efforts. The Campus Beautification Committee has been made a standing committee.

Dr. Ruby reported that the fall Discovery and Parents Weekend activities were successful and well attended.

Mr. White and Mr. Hogue presented the schematic drawings of the landscaping plan for Mitchell Memorial Library. The total project, at a cost of about $62,000, will be implemented in three phases. The council recommended approval of the plans. Implementation of Phase I, the area on both sides of the main front entrance, is to begin this fall.

Mr. Gardner reported on discussions among representatives of Human Resources, Sponsored Programs, Internal Audit, and the University Counsel concerning the handling of public records. The group recommended that an umbrella operating policy be developed concerning the different types of records covered by existing specific policies. The vice presidents and the chair of the Faculty Senate are to recommend to the president by Oct. 24 prospective members of a committee to draft the proposed policy.

Dr. Ward presented a recommendation from the Alumni Office that the campus observe "Maroon and White Day" on Oct. 24 by wearing maroon and white clothing in celebration of Homecoming. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Ward presented a summary of employer and employee deductions required from awards to employees from private donations. Employer deductions for Social Security and Medicare taxes, workman's compensation, and the state retirement system total about $213 per $1,000 award. The Office of Development will work with donors to ensure that they understand the actual cost of making an award of a given amount. The possibility of paying employer costs from university E&G funds or college or department funds was discussed. No action was taken.

Dr. Ray reported on grants and contracts received in September. Awards for the month totaled about $6.7 million [revised the following week to $9.3 million] bringing the total for the fiscal year to $16.5 million [revised the following week to $19.3 million].

Dr. Ward presented the private fund-raising report for the July-September 1997. Total funds raised amounted to $8.5 million.

Dr. Bauman noted that the deadline for filing an application for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter on campus is 10 days away. The council discussed the advisability of preparing an application. Dr. Bauman is to lead a discussion of the idea with faculty in Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Zacharias requested that vice presidents provide by Oct. 17 a list of approximately 10 "selling points" in support of the university's legislative budget request.

Dr. Zacharias distributed the Board of Trustees agenda for the October meeting.

Dr. Zacharias reported that he and Dr. Bauman have discussed prospective faculty members who might serve on a committee to develop a reduction in force policy.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:55 a.m.