The Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at 611 Allen Hall in a special session to review a planned Educational Building Corporation bond issue for campus building and renovation projects. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Larry Templeton, Dr. Roy Ruby, Ms. Patsy Douglas, Ms. Leah Norman, Dr. Billy Ward, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Leslie Bauman, Brad Sweet, John McRae, Ms. Liz Brister, Roy Decker, Wayne Bland, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, and Dr. R. D. Ikenberry.

The council heard a presentation from School of Architecture representatives McRae, Decker and Brister on plans to develop donated buildings on Capitol Street in Jackson for use of the school's fifth-year program, the Jackson Community Design Center, student housing, and additional office and meeting space for university use or rental. The council recommended approval of plans for development of properties at 509 East Capitol Street (Phase One) and 507 and 508 Capitol Street (Phase Two), provided the school increases its private fund-raising goal to assist with financing of the projects from $500,000 to $1 million. Other financing would come from savings on rent currently paid for commercial space in Jackson and from rental fees for student housing and office space, as well as limited university E&G funds.

The council recommended approval of a bond issue of approximately $34.4 million to include funding for additional renovation of McCain Engineering Building, $2.25 million; apartment-style student housing, $10 million; residence hall repair and renovation, $6.5 million; renovation of School of Architecture properties in Jackson, $4.7 million; an addition to McArthur Hall, $3 million; new construction at the College of Veterinary Medicine, $1 million; Memorial Gardens start-up costs, $1 million (pending approval of the project); and additions to Polk-DeMent Stadium, $3.45 million. Self-generated funds associated with each of the projects are available to finance the bond issue, with limited university E&G support required only for residence hall repairs and architecture building development in Jackson. Excluded from the bond issue was proposed funding for a new outdoor swimming pool, pending further planning for that facility. The proposed bond issue will be reviewed at the University Budget Committee meeting set for January 16.

Mr. Templeton distributed for information the draft report of the peer review team of the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification that visited the university in November 1997, and a compliance report on gender equity and sports management prepared by a private consultant.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 3 p.m.