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, Dr. Keith Coble, Mr. Jason Cory, Ms. Leslie Corey, Mr. Jeff Davis, Ms. Lesia Ervin, Ms. Ra’Sheda Boddie-Forbes, Ms. Ellie Herndon, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Christine Jackson, Mr. Brandon Jolly, Dr. Julie Jordan, Mr. Les Potts, Mr. Sid Salter, Dr. David Shaw, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Hyatt presented:

-- OP 91.108: Mass Text Messaging. This new policy is the result of a multi-year process to identity and procure the needed technology for a mass text messaging system. The text messaging system will serve as a complement to the current email system. The policy will guide the efficient and effective use of the new system. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 91.350: Reservation of University Recreation Facilities. This update includes minor clarifications and several changes to the names of recreation facilities. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Jordan presented OP 80.12: Distribution of Recovered Facilities and Administrative Costs. This update cleans up policy language and adds clarity related to internal approval sheets. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw presented:

-- AOP 13.06: Sabbatical Leave for Faculty Members of State IHL. With input from the Robert Holland Faculty Senate, the Office of General Counsel, and Human Resources Management, among others, this update consists of several changes designed to better align the policy with IHL Board policy. Council members voted to approve.

-- AOP 13.11: Academic Freedom. This regular review includes changes to ensure all members of the academic community feel protected by academic freedom and to balance academic freedom and freedom of speech. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Shaw asked Ms. Corey, MSU’s chief human resources officer, to address the following policies:

-- OP 60.123: Disability, Pregnancy, and Childbirth Accommodations in Employment. This update integrates pregnancy and childbirth accommodations required by the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into the policy related to disability accommodations. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 60.227: Break Time for Nursing Mothers. This update reflects changes made with the signing of the federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act in December 2022, extending to more nursing employees the rights to receive break time to pump and a private place to pump at work. Council members voted to approve.

Additionally, the following policies were updated either as a technical change or approved with no changes, and therefore, no action was needed from the Executive Council:

-- AOP 12.20: Undergraduate Course Grade Forgiveness and Repeating a Course
-- OP 91.102: Disciplinarily Suspended Students
-- OP 91.113: Administrative Withdrawal and Readmission
-- OP 91.125: Use of Motor Vehicles by University Student Employees