Absent: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Perry Sansing, and Cynthia Hembree.

The minutes from 10/8/03 were approved with one minor change.

General Update:

Dr. Barbara Hunt said that Dr. Limbert would like to come to the beginning of each monthly Faculty Senate meeting beginning in January.

Anika Perkins announced that the latest issue of Visions is here. She said that her office is working on the next issue which will come out in February 2004. She said that her office also is working with Dr. Wesley and Terri Heath to design advertising and mailouts. Her office currently is writing many press releases, and she is compiling some information that IHL has requested from her.

Patsy McDaniel said her office has been busy with alumni chapter meetings. The last two Saturdays have included meetings in Little Rock and DeSoto County. They have chapter meetings coming up in Mobile, Memphis, Jackson, and Oktibbeha, Clay, Monroe, and Lauderdale counties. She is working with Admissions on the Love Feast event on December 5. Several alumnae have been in the news lately. Charlotte Skelton, class of 1977 from Cleveland, was featured in the October issue of Southern Living. Hilary Hamblin, class of 2000, has been chosen as the Baldwyn News’ 2003 Woman of the Year. Hilary is the director of the Baldwyn Area Chamber of Commerce. Celia Stevens, class of 1977 of Sarasota, Florida, has just rolled off the press the first monthly magazine of Mockingbird Journal.

Mary Margaret Roberts noted that the fall phonothon ends this month. She said that a planned giving mailer has been sent this week, and an annual fund mailer goes out next week. She also said that the Nissan executives who were here Monday for the dedication of Parkinson Hall were very pleased with the facility and the MUW people.

Scott Rawles said he and others are working on a new set of congressional proposals. They will be reviewed in the next three weeks, and he, Dr. Limbert, and Perry Sansing will visit Washington, D.C., in January. He said that MUW currently has two items under consideration in the congressional budget. They are a proposal to improve security equipment and the addition of a Center for Creative Teaching.


Carol Morgan reported that the Staff Council is currently working on the plans for the Staff Christmas Party, and she said several Staff Council members are on the Salary Classification Committee.

Nora Miller mentioned that the dedication of Parkinson Hall went well. She is not sure when the building will be turned over to the university. The smart classroom equipment is not in, but it should be in by mid-December, and the training for the equipment will be done then. She said that the final preparations are being made for the debris removal of PEAB, and Mabel Ward should be removed during Thanksgiving. She said that she is working on several reports for IHL. The IHL chief financial officers met yesterday and raised questions about funding for graduate programs.

Dr. Bucky Wesley announced that Mag Chain will be held on the morning of commencement in 2004 rather than the night before. He said that they are moving forward with plans for the 2003-2004 yearbook. He said that students will have the option to pre-order a yearbook for $50. They hope to order at least 700 books in order to cover costs. In addition, a part-time employee has been hired to assist with the yearbook. Also, he said they are trying to finish up the 2002-2003 yearbook. He noted that Admissions is hosting another Fall W Day this Friday. He said last week’s Fall W Day was successful with about 50 people visiting campus. He also said that Scholar’s Day is scheduled for December 5-6.

Dr. Mark Bean noted that the President’s Cabinet worked on the university’s Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principals document during its Fall Planning Retreat. The document has been finalized and sent to the IHL Board for approval. He said that the President’s Cabinet also worked on W 2009, which includes 10 goals for the university. It will go before the PIE Council this Friday, and he hopes it will be implemented by Fall 2004.

Dr. Narem Reddy reported that the Benefits Committee is designing a survey to administer to campus to evaluate various insurance benefits and select a new vendor for next year.

Dr. Sheila Adams said the Academic Council approved the addition of a representative from Graduate Council to Academic Council. She also said that change has been made on how students can change majors. In an effort to make sure advisors have students’ paperwork prior to the advising period, students must make changes to their majors during a specified time period at the beginning of each semester beginning with the Spring 2004 semester. She said some students were changing their majors frequently throughout the semester.