The Executive Council met at 11 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. David Cole, Dr. Euel Coats, Dr. Rodney Foil, Larry Templeton, Dr. Roy Ruby, Ms. Leah Norman, Bill Broyles, Dr. Melvin Ray, Joe Farris, Dr. Robert Altenkirch, Charles Guest, Dr. R.D. Ikenberry, Mike Rackley and Tom Lindsay.

Ms. Norman, Mr. Rackley and Mr. Lindsay presented a proposal to restructure rates for campus telephone services. Proposed changes would include a reduction in long distance rates and an increase in local service charges. The decrease in long distance rates would be expected to result in increased usage by residence hall students, resulting in increased revenue. The increase in local service charges to university departments would be offset in most cases by savings on long distance charges. The average account would see a net decrease in telephone expense of about $104 a year, according to projections. Council members are to review the proposal and submit questions to Mr. Rackley. The proposal will be considered at the next Council meeting.

Ms. Norman presented a proposal to establish a campus "card office" that would coordinate functions associated with the electronically programmable university identification card, including debit card functions, residence hall access, and meal plans. Students currently may need to deal with four separate offices to make payments or resolve problems associated with the cards. The proposed card office would handle all such functions and provide a centralized point of contact for students. The council recommended approval of the proposal. The card office is expected to be in operation by fall 1999 under the supervision of the Office of Telecommunications. The university could eventually choose to contract with a bank to allow the identification card to function as a credit card.

The president asked for comment on his earlier proposal to have commencement speakers only at the spring semester ceremony. There were no objections. Commencement speakers will no longer be scheduled for the August and December ceremonies.

Mr. Guest described a need to review policies and procedures related to termination of employees to ensure that such policies are standardized and to clarify what issues can be pursued through a grievance process. Mr. Guest, Dr. Cole, Dr. Coats, Dr. Foil and Ms. Norman are to review the existing structure and seek comment from other appropriate bodies.

Dr. Portera reported on the progress of the Scholarship Campaign for Mississippi State, now in its early stages.

Dr. Portera reported that the Patrons of Excellence Program is being focused on raising $1,000 annual scholarships. Development officers representing each of the colleges will have responsibility for identifying new Patrons in several cities.

Dr. Ruby presented a recommended statement on the definition of a student. The proposed statement would provide that a person enrolled as a student in a fall or spring semester would be considered a student through the close of registration for the succeeding fall or spring semester. The policy also would provide that a person readmitted to the university could be held accountable under the Student Code of Conduct for actions that transpired prior to readmission. The chair of the Faculty Senate and the president of the Student Association will seek comment on the proposed policy, which will be considered at a future meeting.

Dr. Ruby reported that the Naming of Facilities Committee has recommended that streets in the fraternity-sorority area of campus be named for Clyde Q. Sheeley and Robert L. Jones, and recommended approval of the naming. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Portera noted that questions about supplemental pay for university employees arose at the previous week's Board of Trustees meeting. He appointed Dr. Altenkirch, Dr. Coats, Dr. Cole, Dr. Foil and Ms. Norman to review practices associated with supplemental pay.

Dr. Portera noted that John Grisham will be on campus on Sept. 24 to present this year's Grisham Master Teacher Awards.

The meeting adjourned at about 11:45 a.m.