10/1/04 Administrative Council Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Dr. Sam Gingerich, Dr. Bucky Wesley, Perry Sansing, Dr. Mark Bean, Patsy McDaniel, Mary Margaret Roberts, Anika Perkins, Dr. Lea Helen Evans, Susan Sobley, and Dana Vaughn

Absent: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Nora Miller, Scott Rawles, and Wahnee Sherman.

Dr. Sam Gingerich called the meeting to order.

The minutes from the previous meeting were discussed and then tabled for review and approval at the next meeting.

General Updates:

Dr. Lea Helen Evans noted that the USFA meeting for September had been cancelled due to Hurricane Ivan. The IHL meeting was also cancelled and no report was given. Items discussed in the Faculty Senate included gym fee increases and faculty. It was noted that the Suzuki Music Program schedule conflicts with some of the music and theater classes as space is limited. It was suggested that more communication is needed with faculty concerning scheduling outside activities. It was also noted that International students have special advising issues. Some concerns at the advising level include constraint on courses/majors, city structure, and the lack of mass transit.

Mary Margaret Roberts announced that calling at the new phone center was in progress and that over $42,000 has been raised so far for Welty Weekend. A sponsor will be buying a block of tickets for students.

Patsy McDaniel reported that Dr. Sharon Pate ‘75 will represent the MUW at the inauguration of Dr. Al Bowman at Illinois State University. Dr. Mary Cucink Kat ‘77 will represent the MUW at the inauguration of Dr. Ruth Know at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. Del Hamilton ‘84 will represent MUW at the inauguration of Dr. Robert Smith at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Penn. Debra Bowers ‘72 has been named special education director for the Biloxi Public School District. Ann Glass Glazar ‘69 has been appointed director of the Interdisciplinary Program at East Mississippi State Hospital. Dr. Kay Rusell Garrard received the outstanding teacher award in Speech and Theater Department at Middle Tennessee State University where she is professor of communication disorders. The Alumni Board meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 at 1 p.m. The MS State Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts will host its annual meeting at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art on October 14. Young alums in Jackson met last Thursday. There was a good turnout. The Memphis chapter will meet later in the month. The Oktibbeha County chapter meeting was held last night. There was a great prospective student party last week at the home of Gail and Chance Laws. The Elderhostal group of 40 will be on campus October 12-17.


Susan Sobley noted that in the Staff Council there was some discussion on the increase of insurance costs, and it was suggested that employees be informed so that they can make an informative decision. Human Resources has a representative scheduled to be on campus that should meet this need and be able to answer any questions that employees have pertaining to changes in insurance.

Anika Perkins said her office is in the final stages on Visions. There are many activities scheduled: Welty Weekend, Education Awareness, Open House of Center for Creative Learning, and Women’s Health Awareness Week.

Perry Sansing gave an update on the Staff Classification System. He noted that Melanie Freeman has done a lot of work with this project. The unit managers have slotted staff. The Cabinet will look at the big picture and will get back with unit managers on classification. Salary ranges will be the next issue to be addressed in the process. Perry Sansing also announced that the Legislative Budget Office Hearings are in progress. All state agencies go before the Joint Legislative Committee. IHL went before the committee and made a presentation and then each university makes a presentation. The main priority this year is a 12% increase in faculty/staff salaries. Although this is not likely to happen this year, the push will be for a commitment to give raises over a 3 year period that will total a 12% increase.

Dr. Bucky Wesley reported that he has hired an assistant director of Residence Life, Greg Drake. The search for director is ongoing, as is our search for the director of A Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. W Day will be November 5.

Dr. Mark Bean reported that the SACS follow-up report has been submitted. PIE Council reviewed recommendations from the outside evaluator that came this summer. There is a full report available online.

Dana Vaughn noted that the SGA elections went well. The push for voter registration will be handled by the Republican and Democratic organizations on campus.

Dr. Sam Gingerich announced that a committee has been established to look at the academic structure in order to consider whether or not to recommend change. This could allow us to be more comparable to other IHL universities. The time line is for the report is November 10 so it can be decided what to do by Thanksgiving. Two division heads plan to step down at the end of the year, so time is critical. A committee is being established to work on academic planning in order to create an overall master plan. The goal for this committee is to complete its work by May 2005. There will be visitors on campus next week. Bob Owens, a new IHL trustee will be here on Wednesday for lunch with faculty and students. The Ambassador of Zambia will also visit the campus on Thursday. Representative Randy Pierce and Senator Charlie Ross appear to be the leading contenders for the Lt. Governor’s race. Both of these men will visit campus for lunch, tours, and a chance to address students. The Center for Creative Learning will be named after Congressman Roger Wicker, since he has been so instrumental with funding. NCATE final arrangements for re-accreditation will be in November. The Nursing accreditation is scheduled for spring. Progress on South Callaway is looking good. Wahnee Sherman will be replacing Dr. Reddy on this council as she is the new chair of Directors Council.