Executive Council met at 11 a.m. in 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Vance Watson, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, John Rush, Dr. Bob Wolverton, Dr. Lisa Harris, Braxton Stowe, Anthony Lowe, Dr. Melissa Mixon, Larry Templeton, Dr. Mary Alexander, Mike McGrevey, Dr. Kirk Schulz, Charles Guest, Joe Farris, Julie Fulgham, and Don Zant.

Dr. Watson suggested that moving the start time of Executive Council meetings to 1 p.m. be considered to allow time for more extensive discussion. Council members supported the change as a way to encourage better communication. Mr. Farris was designated to identify an appropriate meeting day to minimize schedule conflicts with the 1 p.m. start time.

Mr. Farris presented a recommendation to rescind OP 01.24, Speaker Fees and Honoraria, which limits guest speaker fees to $2,000. The council recommended that the policy be rescinded.

Dr. Watson noted a recent increase in the number of supervisors and employees completing the on-line Harassment Training Module, prompted by recent email reminders to those who had not completed the instruction. The Office of Diversity and Equity Programs can also schedule training workshops for groups of employees in lieu of using the on-line module. Mr. Zant noted that an on-line information security training module also is available and is mandatory for employees with access to sensitive information.

Dr. Alexander reported that she is working to identify a speaker for the Martin Luther King Day Unity Breakfast in January 2009.

Ms. Fulgham reported on planning to accommodate a change in federal race/ethnicity reporting procedures.

The Council briefly discussed whether flexible work-week schedules are permitted under the existing policy that permits flexible working hours within units. Dr. Watson noted that work-week schedules of less than five days for full-time employees have not been authorized.

Dr. Mixon reported that the prior week's 4-H summer camp on campus was a success with 800 participants and that about 500 members of Future Farmers of America are meeting on campus this week.

Dr. Rabideau reported that the headquarters of the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium has formally opened at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Dr. Harris reported on the enrollment outlook for fall.

Mr. Rush reported that year-to-date private contributions have exceeded $43 million.

Dr. Schulz reported on the success of the MSU team in winning for the second year in a row the ChallengeX competition sponsored by the Department of Energy and General Motors to modify a vehicle for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. MSU also was one of 16 universities selected to participate in the upcoming EcoCAR Challenge.

Dr. Wolverton reported that six of nine faculty members nominated by the Faculty Senate were appointed to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. Dr. Wolverton also noted that it was his last Executive Council meeting as president of Faculty Senate.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.