Executive Council met at 11 a.m. Present were Dr. Charles Lee, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, Dr. William Kibler, Dr. Melissa Mixon, Dr. Mark Goodman, Adam Telle, Larry Templeton, Julie Berry, Charles Guest, Dr. Melvin Ray, Joe Farris, Dr. Gary Pike, Tim Muzzi, Carson Cook, Laura Walling, Mike White, and Master Sergeant Anthony Lacour.

Mr. White and MSG Lacour presented a proposal to erect a new flag pole on a concrete base at Middleton Hall to provide Army and Air Force ROTC cadets with a place to conduct flag ceremonies. The design of the new Drill Field flag pole does not permit daily raising and lowering of the flag. The council recommended approval.

Ms. Walling presented a proposal to construct a disc golf course in an area east of Herbert Hall, north of Eckie's Pond, and south of McKee Hall. The Professional Disc Golf Association will provide a matching grant to help install the course, which will be the second on a college or university campus in the state. The council recommended approval.

Mr. White and Ms. Walling presented a proposal to install a brick sidewalk, with bricks inscribed with the names of donors, at the front of Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Plans call for donations to fund the walkway and created an endowment for the Sanderson Center. Student employees of the center would be the first to be solicited. The proposed walkway was designed by Campus Landscape. The Sanderson Center is coordinating the fundraising aspects of the project with the MSU Foundation. The council recommended approval of the project in concept, with a cost and funding plan to be presented later.

Dr. Kibler recommended approval of revisions of the Code of Student Conduct, OP 91.100. The council recommended approval with amendments.

Dr. Kibler recommended separately a change to the Code of Student Conduct, OP 91.100, to provide that sanctions imposed as a result of disciplinary proceedings will not take effect until any appeal of the sanctions has been heard. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Templeton announced the start of work on a planned 186 by 370 ft. indoor practice facility for football and baseball, to be completed by April 2005.

Mr. Templeton reported on the results of the 2004 Excellence in Athletics Cup competition presented by the Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas A&M University. The findings placed MSU first in the SEC in the difference in graduation rate of African-American athletes compared with the overall student body graduation rate.

Mr. Templeton reported on a need for additional volunteers to assist with game day activities at the amphitheater. Dr. Kibler will assist with identifying additional student volunteers.

Dr. Kibler reported on fire safety inspection procedures at fraternity and sorority houses.

Dr. Lee reported that the Board of Trustees, in lieu of a September meeting, authorized the commissioner of higher education to approve agenda items. Subsequently approved were the contract for construction of a new residence hall and naming of the new facility for former vice president for student affairs Roy Ruby.

Dr. Mixon reported that the Forest Resources dean search committee has begun meeting.

Dr. Goodman reported that the University Courses and Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate have adopted a recommendation to aid in implementation of the 124 credit hour limit on most degree programs to take effect in 2007.

Mr. Telle reported that an estimated 25,000 persons attended Bulldog Bash on September 10. He also noted that the Student Association is working to increase student voter registration.

Ms. Berry reported that the Professional and Support Staff Advisory Council will assist with the planned campus health fair and is sponsoring a homecoming door decoration contest again this year.

Dr. Lee reported on Legislative Budget Committee hearings of the previous week.