In attendance: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Dr. Vagn Hansen, Perry Sansing, Dr. Gail Stephens, Patsy McDaniel, Dr. Mark Bean, Nora Miller, Anika Perkins, Tom Scarbrough, Sherry Honsinger, Dr. Jo Spearman, Phillip Cockrell, and Rose Mary Dill

Absent: Mary Margaret Roberts

Dr. Limbert indicated that meetings should occur on a regular schedule, even when she is not available to attend, and that Dr. Vagn Hansen will chair when those meetings when she is absent.

The Grievance and Hearing Panel Pool was discussed. Dr. Limbert asked everyone to e-mail to Perry Sansing six names (3 women and 3 men) as suggestions to be appointed by the council. Deadline for submission to Melanie Freeman is August 30.

Parking is a major concern. Nora Miller will set up a task force (to include faculty, staff students, campus police and a community representative) to look at parking on campus. She said we need to make sure any parking changes fit with an eventual master campus plan.

Dr. Stephens asked if we would consider putting the softball field where the Mag Dorm used to be instead of the Physical Plant due to some security issues. Nora said that the softball field needed to be put where it would best fit in the overall master plan rather than a temporary move. The Physical Plant is a current project that is being worked on. We have received many complaints that our plant is an eyesore in the community. Deliveries are also a problem, and there is not enough room for the staff to work on projects. Dr. Spearman said that she has a drawing of the softball field by PEAB. The only problem would be a house that is in the area. She would be willing to give up the second softball field. Perry suggested having the campus police present during all games for improved security. It was also suggested to put a campus blue phone at the field for emergencies.

The new fitness center in PEAB was mentioned. Nora Miller said that some issues with MSMS needed to be worked out in relation to hours in the fitness center and having lunches covered.

Scholarships for Study Abroad were discussed. Dr. Hansen said that we have an agreement with USM for our students to attend the Abbey in France. Students can go to France for a semester in their sophomore year. Dr. Eric Daffron would like for The W to let students use their W scholarship toward tuition for study abroad. Dr. Hansen said that there was a strong desire among some faculty for students to have experience in this area. Dr. Hansen suggested that The W set aside a set amount in scholarship money where four or five students may use the scholarship amount they are currently receiving for study abroad with a cap of $10,000 per year total for all students. The funds would be awarded on a competitive academic basis. Questions were asked about credit hours, transfer credits, what would be the difference the student would pay, and if the tuition amount be based on USM's fees. Dr. Hansen will meet with Dr. Daffron and Tom Scarbrough to get more information and will bring this back to the group.

Tom Scarbrough discussed a signed agreement that The W has had with Aichi Shukutoku University in Japan since 1990. It is a reciprocal agreement that allows their students to come here and ours to go to Japan while paying the tuition at their home institution and only having to pay room and board where they are attending. Since its inception, we have had 21 Japanese students come to The W at their cost of room and board only. We have had only one student go to Japan. If we wish to cancel the agreement, we need to inform Aichi Shukutoku University by January 30. Tom said that we were losing money on this agreement. Dr. Limbert was concerned about what we have been able to do for the students as far as student life and support.

Dr. Limbert asked if the council wanted to make a decision on the Abbey and Aichi Shukutoku University. Dr. Bean suggested that we need to talk to Dr. Daffron about these issues to see what he thought of both programs. Dr. Hansen and Tom Scarbrough will meet with him on these issues and bring the information to the next council meeting.

Dr. Bean said the faculty has been getting complaints from some west Alabama students about financial aid. Tom said that in the past The W has discounted tuition on them automatically for out-of-state fees. Last April, they were informed by letter that they would have to apply for this money on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some students did not do this. Tom divided up the money and gave partial scholarships. Tom mentioned that in the past we have been seriously over budget in scholarships, and this action was necessary to get this problem under control. Dr. Spearman felt that a headline in the Spectator or on list-serve might be good to remind students to check on their financial aid. Perry suggested that we e-mail a message to the faculty about what we are doing with scholarships. Dr. Stephens felt the staff needed to understand also. Tom felt that this year was a learning curve for all. All of the problems he has dealt with on financial aid have been the fault of students for not applying on time. Tom would like to see more students apply on-line. Dr. Limbert suggested that Anika and Tom work together before pre-registration to remind students about applying for financial aid. Phillip Cockrell felt that the best way to get information to students on this issue or any other was to use e-mail and/or put fliers in Hogarth.

General information from students was that registration was better this year, but we still needed to improve on the timeliness of response to students. Perry suggested that someone go to Staff Council and speak to the staff about what is being done to help the students with scholarships and financial aid. Sherry said the information discussed in staff council meetings will be put on the list-serve, and a hard copy will be sent to the staff at the physical plant.

The MUW catalog will be proofed by 9/2 and shipped by 9/23. Tom said that this was unacceptable because the new catalog should be shipped by March each year. Dr. Spearman suggested a 2-year catalog. Dr. Limbert said that we need to get the catalog out earlier as it is a marketing tool, and our competitors have theirs ready to give prospective students early in the spring semester. We should establish a strict time line for getting this done each year on time. Tom will get a group together to work on this.

Dr. Bean said that faculty and staff are concerned about salaries. Dr. Spearman felt that we needed to give the faculty and staff more information on the retirement buyout that MSU did on June 30. Perry said that MSU had prepared for this process for over a year. 186 people took retirement. MSU prepared for this in advance. They will be giving the Board information on how this buy out worked.

Perry will talk with Dr. Hansen about the visit of the professors from China.

Phillip Cockrell wanted to remind everyone of the Candlelight Vigil at the gazebo on September 11, and the students' campaign to raise money for the United Way.

Dr. Limbert asked that everyone update the council at the next meeting on some of these issues that are discussed above, and we will also discuss what we want to see on a new Brag Sheet. Rose Mary Dill will be sending an e-mail to ask for new agenda items. The names of those suggesting items will appear alongside that item, and that person will be asked to lead the discussion. Rose Mary will e-mail minutes of our meetings to all who are a part of them.