Executive Council met at 9 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Donald Zacharias, presiding, Dr. Rodney Foil, Dr. Billy Ward, Larry Templeton, Ms. Leah Norman, Dr. Roy Ruby, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Leslie Bauman, Ms. Patsy Douglas, Dr. Melvin Ray, Mike Richardson, Mike White, Paul Welch, Charles Guest, Dr. R. D. Ikenberry, Joe Farris, Gaddis Hunt, Bob Palmer, Dr. Nancy Cox, and Bob Luke.

Mr. White and architect Bob Luke presented the site plan for an addition to McArthur Hall. The planned $3 million addition funded by EBC bonds would be located to the north of the existing building and adjacent to Collegeview Drive. Construction is expected to start in summer 1998 and require 12 to 14 months. The recommended site plan was approved.

Mr. White recommended that new shuttle stop shelters be located at the Coliseum and at the Zeta house and that two of the shelters be located at the cafeteria. He further recommended that a shuttle route be extended through the parking lot between the cafeteria and McCool Hall, connecting Lee Boulevard and Creelman Street and providing a link between two shuttle routes. The connector route would be limited to shuttle traffic and would be protected by a mechanical crossing guard arm. The council recommended approval of the shuttle shelter locations and the route modification.

Dr. Ray presented for information and discussion the proposed Action Plan developed by the Mississippi Science and Technology Commission. The plan proposes creation of a coordinating agency called Mississippi Technology Incorporated as a partnership of public, private and education sectors to manage state science and technology initiatives. Concerns were expressed concerning the impact of the proposed plan on university research programs. A meeting of state science and technology leaders is scheduled for Dec. 17 for discussion of the proposal.

Dr. Zacharias announced that the President's Commission on the Status of Women will sponsor a speaker and staff development workshop during the spring.

Dr. Ray recommended approval of a revised Policy and Procedure Statement on Radiological, Chemical and Lab Safety. The proposed policy would expand the Radiological Safety Committee to a Radiological and Chemical Safety Committee, with two subcommittees for radiological issues and chemical issues, and expand the membership of the committee to include members familiar with chemical hazard issues. The council recommended approval of the policy.

Dr. Ward recommended approval of a procedure for accepting gifts-in-kind donated to the Mississippi State Foundation for transfer to the university. The procedure would require the vice president for institutional advancement to consult with appropriate persons to determine the usefulness or potential liability of a proposed gift and make a recommendation on its acceptance by the foundation. The council recommended approval of the procedure.

Dr. Hodgson announced that Dr. Garry Smith has been named interim dean of the College of Business and Industry. Dr. Bill Graves chairs a search committee to seek a successor to Dean Harvey Lewis.

Mr. Templeton sought clarification of an item reported in the minutes of the University Budget Committee concerning scheduling of the Newell-Grissom Building. The council recommended that the minutes of the Budget Committee be amended to omit an inadvertent statement that use of the building is scheduled by Facilities Use. The building will continue to be scheduled by the Department of Athletics. The council recommended approval of the amendment.

Dr. Ruby distributed a market analysis of the Mississippi high school graduating class of 1997 prepared by ACT Enrollment Information Service. The report shows that Mississippi State is the most popular college destination among those taking the test.

Ms. Douglas distributed letters sent by the Mississippi Association of Staff Council Organizations to the IHL Presidents Council endorsing the Adequate Funding Study recommended by the institutional financial officers and expressing support for market-based compensation plans for staff employees.

Mr. Richardson reported that Student Association studies on athletics and campus safety will be forthcoming in January.

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