Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Mark E. Keenum, presiding, Dr. Judy Bonner, Ms. Susan Brooks, Dr. Timothy Chamblee, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Dr. Randy Follett, Dr. Teresa Gammill, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Joan Lucas, Ms. Mary McLendon, Dr. Reuben Moore, Mr. Steve Parrott, Mr. John Rush, Ms. Judy Spencer, Ms. Amy Tuck, Mr. Don Zant, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Ms. Lucas presented a new policy: OP 01.02, Sports Wagering Activities. This policy ensures compliance with new NCAA legislation related to sports wagering; outlines the university’s expectation of its students, employees, representatives, and agents regarding such activities; and provides awareness to the university community of its responsibilities related to sports wagering. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Bonner presented a rescission of AOP 13.13, Leave Policies. HRM 60.201, Leave/Leave Without Pay, addresses the issues of AOP 13.13, and therefore it is no longer needed. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Moore presented a new policy: OP 56.04, Animals on Campus. This policy provides new guidelines for the presence and control of animals on campus in the interest of promoting greater personal and animal safety, as well as maintaining a campus environment conducive to educational, research, academic, and administrative purposes. The enforcement impact of this policy will be monitored and future revisions may be considered. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Gammill presented a revision of OP 70.01, Sponsored Projects. This revision provides minor changes to the policy, including updating the name from Sponsored Programs Administration to Office of Sponsored Projects and clarifies the consequences of not submitting proposals in a timely manner. The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Gammill presented a new policy: OP 70.08, Time and Effort Reporting. This policy ensures compliance with federal mandates requiring adequate internal controls over compensation charged to sponsored awards. The policy applies to all faculty and staff engaged in sponsored project activities covered by 2 CFR 200.430, which requires personal compensation to federal awards be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. The policy defines sponsored project as “a grant, contract or other arrangement formalizing the transfer of money or property from a sponsor to the University with the intent to either carry out a public purpose or provide a direct benefit for the sponsor.” The Council recommended approval.

Dr. Gammill presented a new policy: OP 70.10, Organizational Conflict of Interest. This policy ensures compliance with requirements set forth in contracts from U.S. governmental agencies that include clauses related to Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), including unequal access to information, impaired objectivity, and biased ground rules. This new policy is designed to identify and manage OCI in a manner consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 9.5 and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 209.517. The Council recommended approval.

Mr. Rush presented a naming request for the Sanderson Center’s conference room in honor of former university recreation director, Ms. Laura Walling, for her many contributions to the campus community during her 32-year career. The request meets the requirements of OP 41.02, Naming Opportunities at Mississippi State University. The Council recommended approval.