The Executive Council met at 7:30 a.m. at Bryan Athletic Administration Building. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Billy Ward, Ms. Patsy Douglas, Larry Templeton, Ms. Leah Norman, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Roy Ruby, Dr. Dr. Leslie Bauman, Mike Richardson, R.D. Ikenberry, Charles Guest, and Joe Farris.

Dr. Hodgson presented for concept approval a proposal by Air Force ROTC to build a jump pit for physical training adjacent to Middleton Hall. The council approved the project in concept and referred the proposal to the Campus Planning and Development Committee for review.

Dr. Portera reported that he has requested a meeting with representatives of the College of Education, the Meridian Campus, Academic Affairs, the College of Engineering and others concerning the planned B.S. degree in manufacturing technology to be offered at Meridian.

Mr. Richardson presented a proposal from students seeking university support for a dance marathon to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. The university will provide staff support for the event and will consider a policy exception to permit the April 18-19 event to continue for 24 hours at McCarthy Gymnasium.

Mr. Richardson presented a Student Association Senate recommendation concerning road and parking lot repairs at four campus sites. Dr. Portera requested a Business Affairs presentation on overall roads and parking needs and priorities; the Student Association recommendations will be considered along with other needs.

Dr. Ruby presented enrollment projections for fall 1998 based on separate analyses by Enrollment Services and the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Institutional Effectiveness. The projections indicate a likely increase of 120 to 450 students; the number of applications already received is 3 to 4 percent greater than the comparable number last year.

Dr. Portera reported on a conversation with a prospective student at the previous weekend's Invitational Physics Examination.

Dr. Portera reported that it appears likely the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine will be spared a proposed 1-percent across the board budget cut in legislative appropriations for the next year.

Dr. Ikenberry reported that he expects to have a report on teaching loads and faculty salary averages by mid-week. Dr. Portera proposed a series of half-day planning sessions on salaries, teaching loads, and academic infrastructure.

Dr. Portera reported on a discussion with the Deans Council concerning replacement of E&G-funded scholarships with private scholarship funds. He also said he expects an agreement with other universities limiting the use of E&G funds for scholarships.

The IHL budget and planning staff will visit the campus on March 2. Dr. Ikenberry and Dr. Rent will present findings on faculty salaries and teaching loads and Dean Frances Coleman will report on efforts to meet Association of Research Libraries criteria.

Dr. Ward announced plans for a February 25 pre-basketball game reception for area media representatives.

Dr. Hodgson reported that he and Dr. Portera will meet with Dr. Charles Pickett of the IHL staff concerning summer developmental programs.

Dr. Hodgson reported that the Asian financial crisis might jeopardize the enrollment of some students from Malaysia, who make up the largest contingent of international students at the university.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 a.m.