Executive Council met at 611 Allen Hall with Dr. Charles Lee presiding. Also present were Dr. George Verrall, Dr. Vance Watson, Larry Templeton, Gaddis Hunt, Cedric Henson, Parker Wiseman, Dr. Bob Altenkirch, Dr. Dan Embree, Dr. Roy Ruby, Wayne Bland, Dennis Prescott, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Julie Fulgham, Dr. Brad Carter, Dr. Melvin Ray, Bob Johnson, Thom Saunders and Anna Chromiak.

Mr. Saunders of McCarty Company in Tupelo presented schematic designs for renovation of the Pace Seed Lab. The renovation will include the addition of a sloped roof. Construction costs are estimated at $3.1 to $3.4 million. The designs, previously approved by the Campus Planning and Development Committee, were recommended for approval by the Executive Council.

Mr. Henson announced that Betty Gentry will become chair of the Professional and Support Staff Advisory Committee on July 1.

Mr. Bland presented for consideration a proposed policy and procedure on cash handling. The council recommended that the policy be approved.

Dr. Ruby presented for consideration the proposed official cost of attendance for 2002-2003. The estimated cost of attendance for an in-state, full-time undergraduate living on campus was set at $11,844 a year, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. The council recommended approval of the rate.

Dr. Verrall proposed that Academic Operating Policy 10.10, Physical Education and Recreation Facilities, be deleted because it duplicates a Student Affairs operating policy. The council recommended approval of the deletion.

Dr. Verrall presented for consideration proposed Academic Operating Policy 12.38, Undergraduate Academic Advisement, to provide guidelines for advising of all students. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Ruby presented proposed new guidelines for the organization and operation of the Executive Council as developed by a task force during the spring. An edited and revised version of the proposed guidelines will be presented for review at the next Executive Council meeting.

Dr. Lee reviewed recent Southeastern Conference action that provides for penalties for the use of artificial noisemakers at conference athletic events and appointed a task force to define university procedures and communication plans related to the rule.

Dr. Altenkirch reported that sponsored programs awards for FY 2002 are up from the previous year by about 11 percent as of May.