Executive Council met at 11 a.m. in 611 Allen Hall. Present were President Charles Lee, presiding, Juan McCullum, Gaddis Hunt, Betty Gentry, Dr. Melvin Ray, Dr. Walter Diehl, Dennis Prescott, Daniel Bryant, Dr. Jonathan Pote, Dr. George Verrall, Dr. Jimmy Abraham, Dr. Vance Watson, Joe Farris, Charles Guest, Carson Cook, Bob Johnston, Mike White, John Plodinec, John Etheridge and Dr. Yi Su.

Dr. Plodinec, director of the Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory, presented a request to locate a greenhouse for phytoremediation research behind the main DIAL building. The general location was previously approved by the Campus Planning and Development Committee. Council members requested additional information about the visibility and screening of the proposed greenhouse, about the design standards in view of the anticipated use of heavy metals in the proposed research, and about the possibility of cooperation with a similar facility at the Forest Products Lab, and requested a follow up report at the next Executive Council meeting.

Mr. Johnston and Mr. White presented a recommended location of a planned bike path that will parallel the North Entrance Road. The proposal, endorsed by the Campus Planning and Development Committee, calls for a path just over one mile in total length on the east side of the main roadway, generally at a distance of 10 feet from the roadway, and lighted and landscaped as is the existing bike path along Barr Ave. The council recommended approval. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2003.

Dr. Lee presented a proposed Mission Statement Review Policy, which would establish a procedure for periodic review and revision as needed of the university mission statement. The council recommended approval. (See Policy 01.5 at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/. )

Mr. Cook presented a proposed revision of the MSU Equal Opportunity policy statement that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, or sexual orientation or group affiliation. The council recommended approval. (See Policy 3.02 at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/. )

Mr. Prescott proposed that the Policy and Procedure for Scholarship Funding Plan be deleted, but that the concept of replacing E&G-funded scholarships with privately funded scholarships be retained as a university goal. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Prescott presented for initial review a revised proposed policy and procedure on naming opportunities. The policy would set new minimum endowments associated with naming university units, endowed faculty positions, and scholarships and fellowships in recognition of private gifts.

Mr. Prescott recommended that the Funding Policy for Alumni Services and Annual Giving Program be deleted. The policy as written is obsolete. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Prescott presented for initial review a revised policy and procedure on Coordination of Solicitations for Private Donations that would better distinguish between gifts received by the MSU Foundation and contracts and grants received through Sponsored Programs Administration.

Dr. Verrall recommended approval of a revision of Academic Operating Policy 11.06 on Changes in Academic Major and College/School. The revised policy would require students to declare a major upon the accumulation of 60 credit hours. The council recommended approval. (See Policy 11.06 at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/. )

Mr. Bryant reported that the university has a contract with Blackboard Inc., a major provider of transaction processing systems, to manage the process that will allow students to use their university debit card at selected off-campus locations starting next fall.