Executive Council met at 11 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Charles Lee, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, Dr. Melissa Mixon, Dr. Mark Goodman, Dennis Prescott, Gaddis Hunt, Julie Berry, Larry Templeton, Dr. William Kibler, Dr. Colin Scanes, Dr. Gary Pike, Charles Guest, Dr. Melvin Ray, Joe Farris, Mike White, Tim Lacy, Tim Muzzi, Dr. Mark Binkley, Jon David Cole, Adam Jones, Mark Cowardin, and David Howell.

Art instructor Mark Cowardin presented a proposal for a student-implemented public art project to place temporary contemporary sculptures on five campus locations for a one-week period during April. The council recommended approval.

Landscape architect David Howell presented landscaping plans for the Pace Lab renovation project. The council recommended approval.

Landscape architect Sam Creekmore presented landscaping plans for Memorial Hall occasioned by a relocation of the building entrance. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Lee presented a proposal to name a new residence hall planned for construction next year in honor of former Board of Trustees member and MSU Foundation president Bryce Griffis. The council recommended approval. The proposal will be submitted to the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Rabideau presented a proposal to name the computer and electrical engineering department software lab in Butler Hall in honor of the late Bradley D. Carter, former faculty member, computer science department head, and associate provost. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Lee presented for annual review the university mission statement. The council recommended that the vision and mission statement be reaffirmed. The council further recommended that the Planning Committee review university assessment procedures as they relate to desired outcomes cited in the mission statement.

Dr. Kibler presented for approval a revised version of Operating Policy 91.304, Free Speech and Assembly Policy. The revised policy provides that all traditional public-forum areas of campus, such public streets, sidewalks, parks and common areas are available for planned or spontaneous expressive activity without need of reservation or prior approval, although the policy encourages advance registration of such activities to help ensure adequate safety and security. Other areas such as parking lots or athletic fields may be designated for expressive activity, while other areas such as classrooms, residence hall rooms and offices are restricted to use for their intended purposes. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Kibler recommended that Operating Policies 91.108, Rights of Assembly and Associated Arrangements, and OP 91.304, Free Speech Area, be rescinded, as they are supervised by the revised OP 91.304. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Lee discussed the legislative funding outlook.

Dr. Mixon provided progress reports on searches for department head of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, dean of Forest Resources, and dean of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Goodman commented on faculty apprehension related to uncertain state funding.

Mr. Prescott reported that the State of the Future Campaign commitments total $220 million at the midpoint of the campaign.

Mr. Prescott reported on progress of the search for the next executive director of the Alumni Association.

Ms. Berry noted that Staff Appreciation Day is planned for May 12.

Mr. Telle introduced his successor as Student Association president, Jon David Cole; noted the success of the Night Route shuttle during the current semester; reported that the Old Main Music Festival is planned for April 23; and reported that a statue of former congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery will be dedicated on May 6.

Dr. Kibler reported that Dr. Beatrice Tatum has been named head of the Student Counseling Center; that new spirit coordinators have been named to work with cheerleading and pom squads; and that applications and admissions are up from the same time last year.

Dr. Ray reported that a grant application for expansion of the shuttle system is due by April 22.

Dr. Scanes reported that interviews are scheduled for director of the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.

The meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.