Executive Council met at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Hall. Present were Dr. Mark E. Keenum, presiding, Mr. Zac Ashmore, Dr. Thomas Bourgeois, Ms. Ann Carr, Dr. Timothy Chamblee, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Dr. Randy Follett, Dr. Teresa Gammill, Ms. Joan Lucas, Mr. Jake Manning, Mr. Steve Parrott, Mr. John Rush, Dr. David Shaw, Ms. Nancy Siegert, Dr. Bob Williams, Mr. Don Zant, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Shaw presented an update of OP 01.20, Use of Copyrighted Work for Education and Research. This policy outlines the university’s commitment to comply with all applicable laws regarding intellectual property. No major changes were made to the policy with this update. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented an update of AOP 12.08, Requirements for Degrees, Academic Minors, Certificate Programs, and Academic Consortial/Contractual Agreements. The minor changes with this proposed update better align the university’s policy with the policies and accreditation requirements of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented an update of AOP 12.15, Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal for Undergraduate Students. The proposed rewrite of this policy most notably incorporates AOP 12.16, Academic Suspension and Dismissal. This change streamlines the policy, benefitting students and faculty. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented a rescission of AOP 12.16, Academic Suspension and Dismissal. As noted, this policy was incorporated into the updated AOP 12.15, Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal for Undergraduate Students. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented an update of AOP 13.23, Faculty Workload. This policy establishes the responsibility and general guidelines for the assignment of workloads for tenure-track faculty, tenured faculty, and instructors. This policy does not apply to faculty with specific research professor, extension professor, or clinical professor appointments. No major changes were made to the policy with this update. Council members voted to approve.

Mr. Rush presented an update of OP 41.02, Naming Opportunities. The proposed update clarifies that the authority to rename a campus building resides with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. In order for a request to be submitted to the IHL Board to rename a building, the MSU Foundation Board of Directors must make a recommendation to the President regarding the renaming. If such a recommendation is received, the President will then submit that recommendation to IHL for consideration by the Board of Trustees. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Gammill presented an update of OP 70.01, Sponsored Projects. The proposed update revises the expectations and deadlines for submitting funding proposals to the Office of Sponsored Projects in order to ensure all proposal requirements are met before submission to a funding agency. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Bourgeois presented an update of OP 91.120, Possession of Weapons Including Firearms. The proposed update better aligns university policy with applicable laws and IHL policies. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Bourgeois presented an update of OP 91.315, Electronic Safety and Security. The proposed update consists of minor edits and additions. Council members voted to approve.