Executive Council met at 11 a.m. at 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Charles Lee, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, Dr. Vance Watson, Juli Rester, Dr. Mark Goodman, Dennis Prescott, Larry Templeton, Dr. Colin Scanes, Dr. William Kibler, Joe Farris, Charles Guest, and Dr. Bob Collins.

Mr. Prescott presented for first reading a proposed revision of Operating Policy 41.02, Naming Opportunities. The policy set university guidelines for naming facilities, programs, scholarships or other item in recognition of significant gifts to the university.

Dr. Rabideau presented for first reading proposed updates to Academic Operating Policies including AOP 10.07, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Students; APO 11.01, University Honors Program; AOP 11.02, Special Non-Degree Student Classification (Non-Traditional) for Undergraduate Students; AOP 11.04, Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Courses; AOP 11.11, Auditing a Class; AOP 12.02, Withdrawal from the University; and AOP 12.04, Final Examination Policy. The proposed revisions are editorial in nature with no substantive changes.

Dr. Rabideau presented for first reading a proposed revision of AOP 12.12, Credit, Grades, and Academic Standing, which would allow for the grade of "I" to be assigned as a permanent grade rather than reverting to "F" in the case of a student who left the university during a course and did not return.

Dr. Rabideau presented for first reading a proposed revision of AOP 12.16, Academic Suspension and Dismissal. The changes would adjust the cumulative GPA levels, correlated to the number of hours attempted, that result in academic suspension.

Dr. Watson recommended that the newly renovated MAFES Sales Store be named the Cardwell Cheese Shoppe in memory of Dr. Joe Cardwell, longtime faculty member in the former Department of Food Science. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Kibler presented for approval proposed policy OP 91.352, Use of Automated External Defibrillators. The policy limits the use of the equipment by university staff on the main campus to individuals who have received appropriate training and authorization through the Longest Student Health Center. Student Health Center director Dr. Bob Collins answered questions about the proposed policy and appropriate conditions of use. The MSU Police, Athletic Department, Joe Frank Sanderson Center, and Student Health Center are units that currently have and are authorized to automated external defibrillators. Council members suggested that some additional units should be equipped as well. The council recommended approval of the policy.

Mr. Prescott presented for approval an updated Policy and Procedure for Salary Supplement Fund Raising. The changes would update titles of university employees. The council recommended approval.

Mr. Prescott presented for approval an updated Policy and Procedure for Coordination for Solicitations for Private Donations. The changes would revise the amount of fund raising proposals that require that a letter from the president be included from $500,000 to $1.5 million. The council recommended approval.

Dr. Lee reported on the state budget outlook and state efforts to secure federal support for recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Kibler reported that a web-based survey will be conducted seeking information from students, faculty, and teaching assistants on the topic of academic integrity. The results could be used in formulating new policies.

Dr. Kibler reported that $385,000 had been distributed from the MSU Student Relief Fund to about 785 student affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Kibler gave an update on construction progress on new residence halls, which are scheduled to open in August 2006.

Mr. Templeton reported on progress in collecting cold weather clothing for hurricane victims through the "MSU Warms the Coast" project.

Dr. Scanes reported that a university employee has licensed MSU technology to start a new company.

Dr. Goodman reported that a new student assessment of teaching document is in development; discussed the status of a proposal before Faculty Senate that would further define the roles of non-tenure track faculty; and discussed the need for new office space for the Faculty Senate since the Lloyd-Ricks Annex was seriously damaged by a recent tornado.

Dr. Lee reported that the federal government is considering relocating a New York laboratory dedicated to controlling the importation of animal diseases. Mississippi could be a possible new location for the facility and would welcome it.