Executive Council met at 11 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Malcolm Portera, presiding, Dr. David Cole, Dr. Euel Coats, Larry Templeton, Dr. Roy Ruby, Ms. Leah Norman, Joe Farris, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Bob Altenkirch, Ms. Susan Everett, Charles Guest, and Ms. Janice Tingle.

Dr. Foil presented design development plans for the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center to be constructed adjacent to the campus of Hinds Community College in Raymond. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Ruby presented a proposal that the Student Information Center being established in Garner Hall with support from the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation be named the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Student Information Center. The proposal was referred to the Naming of Facilities Committee.

Ms. Norman recommended final approval of a revised telephone rate plan. Ms. Norman is to meet with the Deans Council and Academic Department Heads Executive Committee to review the plan.

Mr. Guest presented a recommendation of the Licensing and Royalty Committee that the university not renew its agreement with Collegiate Licensing Company after June 30, 1999, and revert instead to an in-house licensing program. The university would continue to work with CLC on NCAA and SEC licensing opportunities or on special promotions developed by CLC on a case-by-case basis with no formal agency agreement. The council recommended approval of the proposal.

Dr. Ruby noted that upcoming spring commencement ceremonies have been scheduled for days of the week other than Saturday and suggested a review of the commencement schedules. Dr. Cole will distribute the current schedule for future commencements prior to the next meeting.

Mr. Farris presented the quarterly fund-raising report for July-September 1998. Funds raised for the period, including pledges and deferred gifts, totaled $8.1 million, down 15 percent from the comparable period a year earlier.

Ms. Norman noted that State Auditor Phil Bryant has recognized the university for a perfect property audit report, having accounted for every item in the $406 million fixed assets inventory.

Mr. Templeton reported that an SEC rule in effect this reason mandates use of the public address system during dead-ball situations during football games.

Dr. Cole will arrange for a report to Executive Council on recent results of student participation in the Medical College Admissions Test.

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