Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Mark E. Keenum, presiding, Dr. Judy Bonner, Ms. Susan Brooks, Ms. Ann Carr, Dr. Timothy Chamblee, Dr. Brent Fountain, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Joan Lucas, Ms. Tyler McMurray, Dr. Rueben Moore, Mr. Steve Parrott, Ms. Jordan Ramsey, Mr. John Rush, Dr. David Shaw, Ms. Judy Spencer, Ms. Amy Tuck, Mr. Don Zant and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision of AOP 12.20 Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness. This policy establishes the procedure for undergraduate students to retake a course for a new grade. The revision contains only minor changes. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Shaw presented an update of OP 80.12 Distribution of Recovered Facilities and Administrative Costs. This policy defines the method of distribution of facilities and administrative costs (formerly indirect costs) recovered from grants and contracts in the Division of Research and Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. The only changes are updated signatures. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision to AOP 13.02 Selection of William L. Giles Distinguished Professors. This policy defines the selection process for William L. Giles Distinguished Professors. The revision changes the requirement for eligible candidates from a minimum of five years of service at Mississippi State to a minimum of 10 years. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision to AOP 13.03 Faculty Responsibilities in Instruction and Curriculum. This policy helps promote an understanding of instructor of record responsibilities in instruction and curriculum. The changes in the revision are minor. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a revision to AOP 13.23 Faculty Workload. This policy establishes the responsibility and general guidelines for the assignment of workloads for the following faculty members: tenure-track faculty, tenured faculty, and instructors. It also ensures communication and mutual understanding of responsibilities between faculty and their department heads and provides institutional accountability for the use of university resources. The policy does not apply to faculty with specific research professor, extension professor, or clinical professor appointments. The proposed revision was tabled for additional review.

In conjunction with AOP 13.23, Dr. Bonner presented a rescission of AOP 13.04 Attendance at Classes: Teaching Faculty. This policy is redundant and no longer necessary because of the proposed changes to AOP 13.23. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Hyatt presented a revision to OP 91.304 Free Speech and Assembly and a rescission of OP 91.109 Dissent, Disruption and Academic Freedom. This consolidates Mississippi State’s commitment to the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly and the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution into one policy. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Hyatt withdrew OP 91.311 Electronic Safety and Security from the agenda for additional review.