The Executive Council held its monthly meeting in Lee Hall at 1:30 p.m. Present were Dr. Mark Keenum, presiding, Dr. Tracey Baham, Dr. Jason Barrett, Dr. Keith Coble, Ms. Leslie Corey, Mr. Jeremiah Dumas, Ms. Ra’Sheda Forbes, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Christine Jackson, Ms. Heather Kennedy, Ms. Joan Lucas, Mr. Steve Parrott, Mr. Saunders Ramsey, Mr. John Rush, Mr. Sid Salter, Dr. David Shaw, Ms. Anna Sparks, Mr. Don Zant, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Mr. Zant introduced Mr. Dumas and Mr. Ramsey, and they provided a presentation detailing the updated Campus Master Plan, which will guide campus growth and development for the upcoming decade. The two-year process to update the plan was led by the Master Plan Development and Advisory Committee, which worked with the Sasaki design firm and campus stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff. They described the plan as a living plan that is both aspirational and realistic. Council members voted to approve the updated Campus Master Plan.

Dr. Hyatt presented OP 91.304: Free Speech and Assembly. Dr. Keenum began the discussion of this minor change by noting the university’s national ranking for supporting free speech. MSU is rated No. 4 on the College Free Speech Rankings released in September by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (formerly known as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education). MSU has also earned FIRE’s “green light” rating for 10 consecutive years as a higher education institution with strong free speech protections in campus policies and procedures. The proposed modification to OP 91.304 will enhance management of visiting individuals or groups on campus by ensuring that their presence does not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented OP 32.02: University Affiliates & Granting of Affiliate Status. This new policy will formalize and standardize the process campus units may use to grant affiliate status and defines the benefits and responsibilities associated with that status. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Jordan presented OP. 80.07: Lobbying. The only modifications made to this policy as part of the regular, periodic review process were correcting names of departments and positions. Since no substantive changes were made, a vote was not required.