Executive Council met at 7:30 a.m. at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. Rodney Foil, Larry Templeton, Ms. Leah Norman, Dr. Roy Ruby, Dr. David Cole, Joe Farris, Dr. Euel Coats, Bill Broyles, Dr. Robert Altenkirch, Brad Sweet, Dr. R.D. Ikenberry, Charles Guest, and Gaddis Hunt.

Ms. Norman presented an analysis of terminal leave pay for FY 1998. Leave paid exceeded fringe benefits charged by about $106,000.

Mr. Hunt reported that some bricks on the upper reaches of the carillon tower at the Chapel of Memories had become loose because of deteriorated mortar and were removed. Further inspection of the tower is planned and repairs will be made as soon as possible. The area has been cordoned as a safety precaution.

Dr. Portera asked that Ms. Norman, Mr. Farris and Mr. Hunt make plans for interior improvements at the Butler Guest House.

Ms. Norman reported that no bids were received in response to a request for proposals for a state travel agency contract; Mississippi State will issue its own RFP, which may include a provision that the university can purchase airline tickets directly if a cost savings will result.

Mr. Templeton proposed that the university's two-way radio system be renovated at a cost of about $2,500 to allow for improved communication with the Starkville Police Department. The president approved the change.

Mr. Templeton reported that the university has received provisional certification by the NCAA. Full certification is dependent on approval of an expanded plan to ensure racial and gender equity.

Dr. Cole proposed that space in the front of McCarthy Gym be allocated to the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport to be used for an electronic classroom honoring Michelle D. Walker, and that the pool house be allocated to the department for graduate assistant offices. The council recommended and the president approved the assignment. Consideration of use of the Tin Gym for physical education instructional space was deferred pending conversations on the use of the Sanderson Center for that purpose and plans for the temporary location of the Department of Landscape Architecture.

Dr. Ruby reported that preliminary figures indicate a slight enrollment increase.

Dr. Portera reported on the previous week's Board of Trustees planning retreat. Discussions included admission standards and enrollment limitations.

Dr. Altenkirch reported that grants and contracts for July totaled $8.2 million.

Mr. Farris reported that the university again ranks in the third tier of national universities as reported in the U.S. News & World Report "1999 Best Colleges" edition, and ranks among the 100 best values among state universities according to the September issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.

Mr. Guest reported that a petition had been filed to nominate Dr. George Verrall of the Department of Economics and Finance as candidate for a seat on the Public Employees Retirement System board.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.