Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Judy Bonner, presiding, Dr. Greg Bohach, Mr. Bracky Brett, Dr. Timothy Chamblee, Dr. Cody Coyne, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Ms. Kathy Gelston, Ms. Tamara Gibson, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Mr. Brandon Jolly, Mr. Layton Little, Mr. Jack McCarty, Mr. Mike Rackley, Ms. Judy Spencer, Ms. Amy Tuck, Mr. Don Zant, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Mr. Rackley presented a revision to OP 01.15, Cellular Communication Devices and Plans. This policy provides guidelines to departments and employees for the acquisition and use of wireless communication devices and plans. This revision aligns the policy with recent changes in the state procurement process. The revision replaces “wireless” with “cellular” to clarify the devices and plans covered by the policy: “Cellular Communication Devices and Plans.” The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision to AOP 12.02, Withdrawal from the University. This policy outlines the process and procedures for any student leaving Mississippi State prior to the end of the period of enrollment, except for temporary absences. This minor revision better aligns the withdrawal deadline for each semester within the academic year. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision to AOP 12.17, Undergraduate Academic Fresh-Start or Academic Amnesty. This clarifies and streamlines two policies in order to assist undergraduate students in making timely progress toward obtaining their first baccalaureate degree by invoking either a fresh start or amnesty. Academic fresh start and academic amnesty are designed to provide former undergraduate students, either at Mississippi State or elsewhere, an opportunity to re-enter higher education with the burden of past low grades. The Council recommended approval.

In conjunction with the revision to AOP 12.17, Dr. Bonner presented a rescission of AOP 12.19, Undergraduate Academic Amnesty. This separate policy is no longer needed because of the 12.17 revision. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a rescission of AOP 32.01, Mississippi State University Library. This policy about MSU Libraries consisted of information only with no policy associated with it. The information within the policy is readily available from other sources. The Council recommended approval.