Executive Council meet at 611 Allen Hall at 11 a.m. Present were Dr. Charles Lee, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, Josh Blades, Dr. Walter Diehl, Lowell Wilson, Dennis Prescott, Larry Templeton, Dr. Jonathan Pote, Dr. Vance Watson, Daniel Bryant, Gaddis Hunt, Dr. Gary Pike, Dr. Melvin Ray, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Mike White, Jeny Stevens, and Skip Wyatt.

Mr. Hunt and Mr. White presented a recommendation of the Campus Planning and Development Committee to approve plans for a two-level expansion of Shira Field House to include a new locker room, weight training facility, and player lounge. The project also would create a locker room for track and field sports. The exterior finish of the expansion would match Bryan Athletic Administration Building. The project is funded by private contributions. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Hunt presented for initial consideration a proposed policy and procedure on Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use Testing of Employees with a Commercial Driver's License. The policy outlines requirements for drug and alcohol testing as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Action on the proposed policy will be on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Dr. Pote reported that regulatory compliance policies are being updated.

Mr. Guest recommended approval of a proposed policy on Use of Copyrighted Works for Education and Research. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Rabideau recommended approval of the Academic Operating Policy 12.17, Academic Fresh Start. The policy would allow students who have not been enrolled at any institution for 24 months to petition to reenter the university, with credits earned prior to being granted academic fresh start excluded from computation of the student's grade point average and the credits never used toward graduation at MSU. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Bryant recommended approval of a proposed Information Security Program that would comply with the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission's Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requiring financial institutions, including universities, to development and maintain a program to ensure confidentiality and security of customer records. The policy designates the director of Internal Audit as the Information Security Coordinator. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Prescott reported that contributions to the Mississippi State capital campaign totaled $142 million through December 2003. The target for June 30, 2004, is $170 million, in anticipation of a public launch of the campaign in fall 2004.

Dr. Diehl reported that a promotion and tenure policy will be presented to the General Faculty at the February 9 meeting.

Dr. Diehl reported that he is working with the Office of Academic Affairs on development of a policy on academic forgiveness, including the effective date of implementation.

Mr. Blades reported on the initial launch of the trial Thursday-Saturday night shuttle route, plans for a downtown music festival in April, and fund-raising efforts for a statue honoring former Congressman and Student Association president Sonny Montgomery.

Dr. Lee requested a summary of cell phone usage and plans that could be reviewed for possible increased efficiencies.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.