Meeting: Welty Board Room at 8:30 a.m.

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

Absent: Dr. Vagn Hansen and Nora Miller

Everyone present was asked to give a general update for their area.

Phillip Cockrell spoke about orientation for next year and the need for more student senators. He also said that MUW's SGA was hosting the statewide meeting for all student governments on Oct. 23. Some students reported having problems with advising, especially those with double majors.

Dr. Gail Stephens spoke briefly about the IHL College Fair. Someone said that last year out of 6,000 students attending only 400 registered at the eight universities.

Dr. Stephens also gave us an update on ideas for changing commencement. The general consensus from a meeting with students was to keep it the same way it has been done with one commencement on Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. They also discussed the wearing of cords and medallions not issued by the institution. Dr. Stephens said that these students were taking this discussion to their peers for more input and will meet again.

Dr. Jo Spearman mentioned that the fitness center is almost complete. The televisions still needed to be hooked up to cable. A grand opening will be scheduled as soon as they are connected.

Sherry Honsinger said that the state MASCO meeting held here had a very low turnout. She also mentioned that some of the staff were concerned about losing the off-campus dial-up access for the internet.

Mary Margaret Roberts gave an update on the inaugural delegates. More than 50 delegates are now listed on the program. $18,000 has been raised from donors for the event. She said that the Development Office was in the process of closing a $25,000 gift annuity to the Foundation.

Perry Sansing updated the group on the VPIA candidates. The three candidates interviewed have mentioned how impressed they were with the faculty, staff and the campus. One more will be interviewed at the end of the month.

Dr. Mark Bean said that one of the Faculty Senate's objectives this year is to look at changing faculty evaluations. An Evaluation Task Force consisting of both faculty senators and academic division heads has come up with guidelines which have to be looked at and adapted to fit all areas. They are also looking into student evaluation of faculty and employee satisfaction surveys. Dr. Bean also said that this task force will review the policies regarding faculty appeals and grievances. He said that there are several groups that may be duplication in nature. Perry Sansing asked if he could be involved in these discussions. Other Senate topics were faculty summer pay and the procedure for hiring vice presidents and other senior administrators. Dr. Bean said that it is always a good idea to have a search committee to fill these positions.

Tom Scarbrough asked about marketing summer school. Dr. Limbert asked that information be gathered to give us data on who has been attending The W in the summer. He also said that Admissions has been bringing in large groups of students from different high schools for recruitment purposes.

Anika Perkins reported that the For the Record card is complete, and she will be ordering 1,000 for distribution. Visions will be at the printer by 11/8 and mailed by 1/15. Anika is also updating the MUW experts information for the web site and for the IHL Media Guide.

Dr. Limbert said that the Art & Science Group will be here on October 24 at Plymouth Bluff. They will have data to discuss with us.

Patsy McDaniel said that she has been gathering wild flowers on the Stovall porch for the inauguration. She has also been working on the IHL College Fair and has alums lined up to participate. Patti Carr Black, an alum in Jackson, has published a new book about Mississippi. Patsy McDaniel also told the group about an 81-year-old alum who lives in a retirement home and who jumped in a pond and pulled an 83-year-old woman out of a sinking car and saved her.

Dr. Limbert mentioned that she and Perry Sansing had been to Washington, D.C. to visit Congressmen Wicker, Pickering and Shows and Senators Lott and Chochran. She wanted them to know the new W, and find out what we needed to do to apply for grants and other money for The W. Dr. Limbert had recently been a guest lecture in Dr. Jim Keller's honors class. His students said that they would like to help recruit new students.

Dr. Limbert also mentioned that she and Nora Miller had been to the Legislative Budget Hearings recently. Dr. Layzell had made a great presentation for the universities. She mentioned that Nora and Larry are working on Banner for Financial Aid. Dr. Limbert spoke about IHL's revision of the eight Mission Statements so that the format of all eight is similar. MUW has been working on the revision that had been sent to us by getting input from the division heads and others. It is due back at IHL on Friday.

Dr. Spearman asked Dr. Limbert about the Halbrook Award at the MAC conference. Dr. Limbert said that she will be attending the luncheon and will accept the award if The W wins.