Executive Council met at 611 Allen Hall at 11 a.m. with Dr. Charles Lee presiding. Also present were Dr. Roy Ruby, Dr. George Verrall, Gaddis Hunt, Dr. Jonathan Pote, Dr. Walter Diehl, Blaine Merritt, Dr. Vance Watson, Parker Wiseman, Daniel Bryant, Betty Gentry, Joe Farris, Charles Guest, Dr. Leslie Bauman, and Hunter Jones.

Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Jones made a presentation in support of extending the use of the MoneyMate prepaid spending account card to off-campus businesses such as fast food restaurants, movie theaters, and video rental stores. The university would have the option of contracting operation of the card system to a private vendor, who would collect transaction fees from participating merchants. Student card users would incur no additional costs. Mr. Wiseman made a recommendation that the university move forward with the plan by talking with card system vendors and identifying potential participating merchants with a view toward implementing the system in spring 2003. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Lee reported on recently conducted Legislative Budget Committee hearings. The outlook is for another year of tight budgets for FY 2004 and the possibility of a 5 percent recission in budgets already appropriated for FY 2003.

Dr. Lee reported on the progress of searches for the positions of affirmative action officer, vice president for student affairs, director of institutional research, and vice president for research.

Dr. Verrall reported on planned searches for the positions of registrar and dean of Continuing Education.

Dr. Bauman reported that Dr. Laura Lindsay, acting provost at Louisiana State University, will chair the peer review committee visiting MSU in spring 2003 as part of the self-study leading to reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Mr. Bryant reported that the university is studying the continued use of Social Security numbers as student-faculty identification numbers. A survey indicated that about half of Southeastern Conference institutions still use Social Security numbers for ID purposes, but others are working to move away from the practice.

Mr. Wiseman reported that the Student Association is studying student fee structures at MSU and other universities.

Mr. Hunt reported that electricity consumption is running 3 percent higher than during the previous year. Plans are to have the new power generation plant, which will contribute to cost savings, on line by August 2003.

Dr. Diehl reported that the proposed post-tenure review policy was submitted to the faculty for a vote by email balloting, but technical problems required that the voting deadline be extended. Dr. Diehl noted that a summary of this fall's Faculty Roundtable discussion is available on the Faculty Senate website.

Dr. Ruby reported on efforts to remove a colony of bats from Hamlin Hall.

Ms. Gentry reported on activities of the Professional and Support Staff Advisory Council including a Homecoming door decorating contest, sweatshirt sales, and networking sessions.

Mr. Merritt offered tours of the newly completed Hunter Henry Center.

The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.