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. Trey Breckenridge, Dr. Keith Coble, Ms. Leslie Corey, Mr. Jason Cory, Ms. Ra’Sheda Boddie-Forbes, Ms. Ellie Herndon, Dr. Regina Hyatt, Ms. Christine Jackson, Dr. Julie Jordan, Ms. Heather Kennedy, Ms. Cathy Lammons, Ms. Joan Lucas, Mr. Les Potts, Mr. Sid Salter, Dr. David Shaw, and Mr. Jim Laird.

Dr. Shaw presented:

-- OP 03.06: Workplace Safety. This new policy is the result of the work of a university task force to enhance workplace safety with an institutional policy. The policy is designed to emphasize safety and reinforce a culture of workplace safety. Dr. Keenum noted the importance of doing everything possible to ensure safety on campus. Council members voted to approve.

-- AOP 12.11: Undergraduate Student Requirements for Graduation. This update consists of minor updates to add further clarity to the policy. The revision emphasizes a student’s requirements to graduate and separates them from the MSU degree requirements addressed in AOP 12.08: Requirements for Academic Programs and Academic Consortial/Contractual Agreements. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Coble presented:

-- OP 56.01: Sharing of Institutional Support Costs by Separately Budgeted Units of DAFVM. This revision brings the policy up to date and creates a model to determine cost share in order to ensure accuracy and transparency going forward. Council members voted to approve.

Mr. Potts presented:

-- OP 65.05: Vehicle Purchase. This update consists of minimal changes and minor edits. Council members voted to approve.

-- OP 65.03: Anti-Kickback and Procurement Ethics in Public Contracting. This update simplifies and streamlines language to add clarity to the policy. Council members voted to approve.

Dr. Hyatt presented:

-- OP 91.126: Electronic Communications with Students. This update consists of a very minor revision to clarify that the policy pertains to communication via email. Council members voted to approve. (OP 91.108: Mass Text Messaging addresses sending text messages to students.)

-- OP 91.400: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Hybrid Entity Designation. This extensive modification is designed to ensure the university’s compliance with HIPAA requirements, including the handling and management of medical records. Council members voted to approve.

The following policy was updated with a technical change, and therefore, no formal action was needed from the Executive Council:

-- OP 01.29: Minor Protection. This modification clarifies the technology used to register programs and activities that involve minors.