The MSU Executive Council met at 611 Allen Hall with Dr. Malcolm Portera, president, presiding. Others present were Dr. David Cole, Dr. Jimmy Abraham, Gaddis Hunt, Bob Williams, Larry Templeton, Dr. Brad Carter, Dr. Dan Embree, Daniel Bryant, Sebron Harrison, Dennis Prescott, Dr. Melvin Ray, Paula Jernigan, Dr. George Rent, Joe Farris, Julie Fulgham, and Johnnie Haley.

Dr. Carter proposed the purchase and location of two temporary buildings near the rear of the Engineering Research Center parking lot to house research faculty, staff and students for approximately three years, pending the completion of a new building. ERC overhead funds of approximately $120,000 will fund the project. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Carter presented for information only an update on information technology initiatives including the Digital Campus Initiative, the Instructional Technology Initiative, the Institutional Information Management Initiative, and the Communication Infrastructure Update.

Dr. Portera noted that the recommendations of a committee studying overload compensation will be reviewed by the Faculty Senate and will be on the Executive Council agenda for January 2002.

Dr. Portera reviewed the budget outlook for 2002-2003. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has recommended a substantial reduction in higher education funding for the coming year.

Dr. Portera noted that he was attending his last meeting of Executive Council before leaving Mississippi State to accept a new position.

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.