Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. in 611 Allen Hall. Present were Dr. Roy Ruby, presiding, Dr. Peter Rabideau, John Rush, Dr. Bill Kibler, Dr. Mary Alexander, Braxton Coombs, Dr. Sandra Harpole, Joy Odom, Mike McGrevey, Duncan McKenzie, Dr. Melissa Mixon, Dr. David Nagel, Charles Guest, Julie Fulgham, Don Zant, Joe Farris, and Dr. Nicole Rader and Dr. Susan Rensing representing the President's Commission on the Status of Women.

Dr. Rader and Dr. Rensing presented the results of a study of child care availability and needs for MSU faculty and staff undertaken by the President's Commission on the Status of Women. The survey found that that on-campus and off-campus child care providers are operating at capacity and have waiting lists, and that child care limitations present faculty recruiting and retention problems. The PCSW report recommended that child care available to faculty and staff be expanded. Dr. Ruby agreed to forward the findings to incoming President Mark Keenum.

Dr. Nagel noted that Operating Policy 64.02, Catering Policy, is outdated and should be revised. Dr. Kibler reported that a draft revision has been recently completed and will be brought to Executive Council for discussion and approval in the near future.

Dr. Nagel raised a concern about the compatibility of an existing Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine policy and a policy under development by the Division of Research and Economic Development, both of which deal with promotion procedures for non-tenure track faculty. Dr. Harpole and Dr. Mixon said the ultimate objective is to have a single policy that covers research, extension and clinical professors. Input is currently being received from faculty and others.

Dr. Ruby suggested that DAFVM Vice President Mixon and Research Vice President Kirk Schulz present an update and overview of the developing policy to the Faculty Senate, and Dr. Nagel concurred.

Dr. Nagel reported that there is a perception that persons appointed to interim academic and other administrative positions are preferred candidates for the permanent positions, which may hamper recruitment and selection of the best candidates. The council discussed the pros and cons of a policy prohibiting candidates for a position from holding an interim appointment to the position. Dr.Ruby suggested that each vice president communicate with their units about the perceptions related to interim appointments and work to alleviate them, with further discussion in the future if needed.

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.