Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Mark Keenum, presiding, Dr. Jerry Gilbert, Dr. Bill Herndon, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Mr. Mike Rackley, Ms. Tamara Gibson, Dr. Mr. Joe Farris, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Dr. Tim Chamblee, Mr. John Rush, Mr. Don Zant, Ms. Amy Tuck, Mr. Brandon Jolly, Dr. Cody Coyne, Mr. Cedric Gathings, Mr. Don Zant, Mr. Bo Hemphill, and Mr. Sunny Patel.

Dr. Gilbert presented for approval a revision of AOP 13.09, Credentials for Teaching. The revised policy clarifies the distinctions among instructor of record, primary instructor, and secondary instructor. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Hyatt recommended that AOP 12.35, Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities; OP 91.121, Students with Disabilities; and OP 91.130, Guidelines for Documentation of Students with a Specific Learning Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), or a Psychiatric/Psychological Disorder, all be rescinded and replaced by a new policy, OP 91.122, Students with Disabilities. The revised policy is compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act and provides for the office of Disability Support Services to assist requesting students and affected faculty members in devising appropriate accommodations where needed. The policy also provides an appeal process for both students and faculty. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Hyatt recommended for approval a new policy, OP 91.123, Service and Assistance Animals Policy. The policy provides specific guidance related to service animals, which may be present anywhere on campus, and assistance animals, which may be kept in university housing, and is compliant with ADA and Fair Housing Act requirements. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Herndon presented for approval a revision of OP 56.09, Research and Extension Associates for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine and the Division of Research. The revised and updated policy is consistent with Human Resources Management policy, provides a new form to be used with applications for promotion by research associates, and removes annual deadlines for promotion applications, which would be accepted at any time under the revised policy. The Council recommended approval.

Mr. Rush recommended that North Hall, a residence hall, be renamed under the service recognition provision of the university?s policy on naming of facilities in honor of the late Patrick Alan Nunnelee, a Mississippi State graduate, former state senator, and U.S. Congressman who died in February 2015. The Council recommended approval. The recommendation will be forwarded for approval to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Dr. Gilbert presented as an information item an overview of plans for the second annual Freshman Convocation, scheduled for August 18.