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, Phillip Cockrell, Dr. Jo Spearman, Mary Margaret Roberts and Rose Mary Dill

Dr. Vagn Hansen passed out a handout containing a formal proposal about using institutional scholarships for study abroad for the summer semester, as well as the regular school year. Two alternatives were proposed as to the amounts that were to be given to students. Alternative 1 was the amount of the cost of in-state tuition for the semester. Alternative 2 was for a fixed amount of $2,000 per semester. A maximum number of four students were suggested. Dr. Mark Bean felt that $2,000 was a good starting point. Dr. Limbert was concerned about how we would get our students to try the study abroad program. Dr. Hansen suggested that faculty could talk to prospective students in their areas. After agreeing that Alternative 2 would be the better choice, Dr. Limbert called for a vote. Dr. Mark Bean made the motion to accept this plan. Perry Sansing seconded the motion. All present voted in favor of this proposal.

Dr. Mark Bean spoke about the possible loss of the campus dial-up system. This allowed for campus faculty, staff, and students to be off campus and dial into our server to retrieve e-mail and log onto the internet. Nora Miller explained that our system was analog not digital, and it is very obsolete and falling apart. It will cost approximately $40,000 to replace this equipment. This was not allocated in the current budget. Computing services is trying to keep it up as long as they can. Nora also explained about the security problems of having off campus dial-in. With the increased cost of the system, we might have to charge employees and students for dial-up access. If we were to charge a fee, we would want to provide a corresponding level of service - it could end up costing the same as a provider who is in the business to do this, such as AOL. Computer Services has looked into getting a price break from EBICOM and MSU, but was not able to come up with any better price. They will continue with a survey to see who actually uses this service and what they would be willing to pay for the service. Dr. Spearman asked that she give all campus people this information so that they will understand why the dial-up service may be discontinued. Sherry Honsinger said that some staff felt like they were losing a perk. Nora will get more information on this and discuss it at the next meeting

Dr. Limbert said that she will have the agenda sent out before the next meeting so that everyone will know ahead of time what will be discussed.

Dr. Jo Spearman discussed the placement of the new softball field. She would like 10th Street closed, if possible, to add space for concessions and lockers. This will also give added security to the field. The house, in the corner of the proposed site shown on the handout, will be in the way. She was hoping we might again check into purchasing this property. Nora Miller will check on the appraised value of the house. She will also initiate talks with the city about the street. Perry Sansing said that we need to get two appraisals for a property purchase.

Phillip Cockrell reminded everyone of the Candlelight Vigil at 7:00 p.m. He asked if anyone had any issues that needed to be addressed in an informative letter he was working on for IHL. If so, please call or e-mail him. He also asked if students could use the Magnolia Dorm area for additional parking. Nora Miller said that the Magnolia was still considered a construction site, and the area could not be used yet. She might be able to release it for temporary parking in the near future.

Gail Stephens and Anika Perkins said that the campus prayer service had been mentioned in the news and also in the Clarion Ledger.

Tom Scarbrough reported that the MUW catalog was due in on September 20. Dr. Hansen asked if he had established a time line. He is checking on how we can get this catalog out earlier. Tom said that we should cut the number of catalogs printed and look at the whole general specifications for it. Dr. Hansen said that there is strong support among division heads to go to a two-year catalog. Perry asked how we would decide if we should do a one-year or a two-year catalog. We need a March delivery date. Dr. Limbert is inclined toward having a new catalog each year.

Dr. Gail Stephens said the yearbook is behind schedule again. Last year's is not finished yet.

She asked if the council felt we should discontinue the yearbook. She is not able to get volunteers to work on it. The project is too expensive to be covered by her budget, and the book is always out very late. At one point, she had suggested that Business and Communications take it over, but that did not work. Dr. Stephens reported that most universities have the students order the yearbook and pay for it in advance. The yearbook staff has asked parents to buy an ad for their son/daughter to help pay for expenses. It has always been a problem having students get their picture taken for the yearbook. The discussion included suggestions to put the yearbook on CD Rom, charge a fee for the book, outsource the yearbook, and hire someone to take care of student publications. It was felt that if someone would be hired for this job, they would be given the additional task of raising money to help the book pay for itself. It was suggested that Phillip talk to his student groups about the yearbook and get back to the council with their suggestions.

Nora Miller told the council about the Legislative Budget Hearings on 9/26. She wanted any information about fallout from our budget cuts. What has been the impact on programs and students? Dr. Stephens said that the university needs additional funding to improve orientation and to add additional campus activities.

Dr. Limbert asked that everyone take a look at the MUW For The Record sheet and suggest changes to update the sheet. Send all updated information to Anika. Dr. Limbert suggested putting this on the web site.

Perry and Dr. Stephens recalled a company that was on campus two years ago that wanted to update our calendars and web sites. They would give us two years of service for free, and pay for two student interns. Dr. Stephens will try to come up with their names. Anika mentioned that Rodney Godfrey had designed our new web page.