The Executive Council convened at 7:30 a.m. at Bryan Athletic Administration Building. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. Billy Ward, Larry Templeton, Ms. Leah Norman, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. Rodney Foil, Dr. Roy Ruby, Brad Sweet, Dr. Leslie Bauman, Dr. R. D. Ikenberry, Joe Farris, Charles Guest, Mike White, Gaddis Hunt, and Richard McNeel.

Mr. White and Mr. McNeel presented the design of the planned north entrance road extending from Highway 82 at the entrance to the Research and Technology Park to Butler Hall in the central campus. The estimated cost of grading the entire site and paving one lane of the planned two-lane boulevard is $1.9 million. Mr. Hunt is to obtain a cost estimate for the entire project to present at the next meeting. The proposed routing of the northbound lane of the entrance road near its intersection with Hwy. 82 remains under study.

Dr. Hodgson recommended approval in concept for a proposed steel sculpture to be used as a teaching aid by the civil engineering department. The proposal was approved in concept and referred to the Campus Planning and Development Committee.

Dr. Foil recommended approval in concept for the construction of a metal building on Buckner Lane for use by Campus Landscape. The concept was approved.

Dr. Ruby presented a proposed revision of the Code of Student Conduct. The changes clarify that although students may be accompanied by an advisor in campus judicial proceedings, the advisor may not address the judicial board, and designate the vice president for student affairs, rather than the president, as the official to review the second appeal of a judicial board decision. The council recommended approval of the changes.

Dr. Ruby recommended approval of a proposed statement of responsibilities for the Student Publications Committee. The council recommended approval of the statement.

Dr. Portera reported on the April meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Portera reviewed the status of searches for vice presidents and deans.

Dr. Portera reported on recent meetings with individual members of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Starkville.

Dr. Portera reported on conversations with groups interested in possibly building a conference center near the campus.

Dr. Ray reported on the award of a planning grant to assist NASA in the area of jet propulsion. NASA's Stennis Space Center has been designated a center of excellence in jet propulsion and there are prospects of working closely with the university's Engineering Research Center and the Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory. Dr. Ray also noted progress on NASA-funded projects in the area of remote sensing.

Dr. Ward recommended that the Mississippi State University wordmark be painted on the new water tower nearing completion on Buckner Lane, rather than the M-State logo. A vote on the preferred symbol resulted in a 5-5 tie; Dr. Portera directed that the Mississippi State wordmark be used on the water tower.

Dr. Hodgson reported that the university will notify the Board of Trustees of its intent to seek approval for a new Ph.D. degree program in cognitive science and a new master's degree program in community college education. The two programs were selected as the top proposals among several submitted.

Dr. Hodgson recommended a change of title to associate dean for a staff member in the university library, following a waiver of affirmative action requirements. The associate dean will provide the library with representation currently lacking on the Associate Deans Council.

Dr. Hodgson presented for review a proposed revision to AOP 12.02 on withdrawal from the university. The proposed change would limit retroactive withdrawal to one calendar year.

Dr. Ward presented the fund-raising report for the first nine months of the fiscal year. Funds raised during the period totaled $20.9 million, a 1 percent increase over the same period in the previous year.

Dr. Ward presented a summary report on recent university newspaper coverage.

Dr. Hodgson presented a report on state university graduation rates taking into account the graduation of students who complete their studies at an institution other than the one initially entered. For the 1991-92 cohort, 53.5 percent of students entering Mississippi State have graduated from MSU or another state university; 47.7 percent have graduated from MSU.

Dr. Hodgson reported that the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges has produced an analysis of community college transfers to state universities.

Dr. Portera announced that the Hearin Foundation has requested up to five preliminary proposals for projects requiring funding ranging from $50,000 to $400,000. Suggested proposals should be forwarded to Dr. Ward within the week.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:55 a.m.