The Executive Council held its monthly meeting in Lee Hall at 1:30 p.m. Present were Dr. Mark Keenum, presiding, Dr. Tracey Baham, Mr. Robert Banik, Mr. Jason Cory, Ms. Leslie Corey, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Ms. Ellie Herndon, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Christine Jackson, Dr. Gary Jackson, Dr. Julie Jordan, Ms. Joan Lucas, Mr. Steve Parrott, Mr. Les Potts, Mr. John Rush, Mr. Sid Salter, Dr. David Shaw, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Keenum opened the meeting by welcoming Mr. Banik and Mr. Cory to their first meeting in their new roles as president of the Robert Holland Faculty Senate and chair of the MSU Staff Council, respectively. He also welcomed Mr. Potts to his first meeting in his new role as interim vice president for finance and administration.

Dr. Hyatt presented OP 91.100: Code of Student Conduct. In addition to minor edits, this update expands the definition of misconduct to include fire safety. It also clarifies that a student need not be criminally charged or convicted of a civil or criminal ordinance for their conduct to be considered a violation of the student conduct code. The update also adds a provision allowing the student conduct process to proceed with a hearing without the accused’s participation. Council members voted to approve.

On behalf of Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Vice President Keith Coble, Dr. Jackson presented OP 56.08: Promotion in Rank and Title of County Extension Agents. This update aligns the reporting structure for county agents outlined in the policy with recent changes to the DAFVM administrative structure. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Jordan presented:

-- OP 56.09: Research and Extension Associates. In addition to minor edits, the main change in this update is the standardization of salary amounts for promotions to remove ambiguity. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 70.07: Research Scientists. This update also standardizes the salary amounts for promotions and makes other non-substantive changes to the policy. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 79.03 Human Subjects in Research. This update consists of minor edits and updated language to further align the policy with current federal guidelines. There are no substantive changes. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented AOP 13.24: Annual Faculty Review Process. This update moves the unified annual review form from within the policy to www.provost.msstate.edu/faculty-evaluation-form and makes other minor changes. Dr. Shaw noted the changes had been approved by the Robert Holland Faculty Senate. Council members voted to approve.

As required by OP 01.05: Mission Statement Review, members reaffirmed the university’s current mission statement after Dr. Shaw read it to the group. The statement is reviewed annually.

Additionally, Mr. Potts told the group that review and approval via email of changes to OP 95.501: Traffic and Parking Rules and Regulations would be needed this week. Once approved by the Executive Council, it will be submitted to the Commissioner of Higher Education for review and approval, as required by IHL Policy 1107: Enactment of Traffic Rules and Regulations.

UPDATE: On July 31, 2023, the Executive Council concluded an email vote for OP 95.501: Traffic and Parking Rules and Regulations. The modifications in this policy include language reflecting the change from physical to digital permits, definition of text messaging and related addition to the traffic section, and increase in police fine from $50 to $100 for motorist disregarding the crosswalk while pedestrian is present. As noted above, the policy was then submitted to the Commisioner of Higher Education for review and approval, as required by IHL Policy 1107: Enactment of Traffic Rules and Regulations.