Executive Council met at 7:30 a.m. in 255 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. Roy Ruby, Larry Templeton, Dr. Derek Hodgson, Patsy Douglas, Dr. Billy Ward, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Leslie Bauman, Leah Norman, Dr. R.D. Ikenberry, Joe Farris, Mike Rackley, and Clay Vaughn.

Mr. Rackley demonstrated the electronic classroom recently completed in 255 Allen. It is the sixth interactive video classroom on campus.

Ms. Norman presented for approval in concept plans to install a prefabricated shuttle bus stop shelter at Fraternity Row, with funds to be generated by the shuttle system. The council recommended approval of the project, which will be forwarded to the Campus Planning and Development Committee.

Ms. Norman distributed for information the Board of Trustees meeting and agenda deadline schedules for 1998-99.

Ms. Norman presented a proposal to revise and enhance the compensation plan for staff employees and recommended that the university engage a consulting firm to work with Human Resource Management staff to review the current system. The council recommended approval. The president authorized employment of a consultant to help determine what is appropriate and financially reasonable for the university.

Dr. Portera noted a need to ensure that university-wide lapsed salary projections are accurate. Business Affairs, the Office of the Comptroller and Treasurer, and the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Institutional Effectiveness are preparing recommendations to improve the process.

The president announced that summer commencement ceremonies will be held on August 7 at 10 a.m. at the Newell-Grissom Building.

Dr. Portera asked that the Commencement Committee consider methods of recognizing honors graduates at commencement.

Dr. Portera provided an update on the status of searches for vice presidents for Academic Affairs and External Affairs and deans of Business and Industry, Continuing Education, and the Meridian Campus. Dr. Bev Norman has been named dean of the Meridian Campus effective July 1. Dr. Sara Freedman has been named dean of Business and Industry effective August 17. The other searches are continuing.

Dr. Ruby presented for initial review, pending approval of the university counsel and internal auditor, a revised policy (SAOP 91.200) on student organizations that would preclude scheduling of activities by organizations that owe money to the university.

Dr. Ward presented a plan for replacement of E&G funds used to award academic scholarships with funds from private contributions. The council recommended approval of the plan, which includes 1999-2000 scholarship amounts. National Merit Scholarships awarded for 1999-2000 will be worth $20,000 over four years, up from $17,000. Other scholarship amounts corresponding to different levels of ACT scores will be unchanged, but the criteria for the scholarships will now include a minimum high school grade average, in addition to the specified ACT score. Dr. Portera approved the plan and assigned responsibility for administering the plan to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Dr. Hodgson suggested that since counterfeit transcripts and diplomas of other universities have appeared in some parts of the country, it might to advisable to disallow use of the university seal on the Internet to prevent its misappropriation for illicit purposes. University Relations is to review the issue and make a recommendation.

Dr. Hodgson requested that the faculty house at 48 Blackjack Road, next door to the Templeton Music Museum, be reassigned to the curator of the museum once the lease of the current occupant has expired.

Dr. Hodgson presented a summary report on first-time entering freshmen in Mississippi universities by residence and ethnicity for fall 1995 to fall 1997. Systemwide, enrollment of black freshmen declined 6.3 percent from 1996 to 1997 while white freshman enrollment increased 4.2 percent. At Mississippi State, black freshman enrollment increased 18.8 percent compared with a 4.5 percent increase in white freshmen. From 1996 to 1997, two historically black institutions and two historically white institutions increased enrollment among black freshmen who are Mississippi residents, while one historically black institution and three historically white institutions lost enrollment among resident black freshmen.

Dr. Ward announced that he is relinquishing his administrative duties as of June 12 in anticipation of his retirement from the university in July, and expressed appreciation to council members for the long working relationship with them.

Dr. Ruby announced that the June 15 meeting of Executive Council will be at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center conference room.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10 a.m.