2/4/05 Administrative Council Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Dr. Sam Gingerich, Dr. Bucky Wesley, Perry Sansing, Dr. Mark Bean, Patsy McDaniel, Anika Perkins, Dr. Lea Helen Evans, Wahnee Sherman, and Dana Vaughn.

Absent: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Nora Miller, Scott Rawles, Mary Margaret Roberts, and Susan Sobley.

In the absence of Dr. Claudia Limbert, Dr. Sam Gingerich called the meeting to order.

1. The minutes from 1/7/04 were approved.

2. Items from President’s Cabinet:

Hearin Leadership Conference video - After the video was shown, Dr. Bucky Wesley told the group that the Hearin Leadership Conference is an important recruitment tool. He said the students have the chance to network and to build leadership skills. This is a great program that we want to continue. Wahnee Sherman added that more students attended this year than last year and a large percentage interviewed for scholarships which indicates their interest in MUW.

Enrollment for spring - Dr. Wesley said spring 2005 enrollment is up approximately 6 % over last spring. We are up in almost every category. The trend should continue in the fall.

Commencement times - Dr. Wesley announced that commencement activities will take place on May 14. Mag Chain Ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., and the two commencement ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The commencement speaker is Senator Thad Cochran. Tickets should not be a problem. Perry Sansing noted that a ribbon cutting for Cochran Hall also will be held May 14.

West Point meeting - Dr. Gingerich said he, Dr. Limbert, Dr. Sheila Adams, Mr. Sansing, officials from Ole Miss, EMCC, and others attended a meeting at the request of IHL Board member Scott Ross to discuss developing a program in nursing in West Point at Mary Holmes College. MUW’s group conveyed that it would be difficult to staff the program. EMCC expressed some interest. MUW is interested in assisting with the needs of the community without affecting the programs on campus. MUW is not interested in establishing a nursing program in West Point.

Dr. Limbert’s Washington, D.C., trip - Mr. Sansing reported that he, Dr. Limbert, Scott Rawles, and Mary Margaret Roberts met with Mississippi’s congressional delegation in Washington. MUW presented them with a notebook of grant proposals. This is the third year MUW has done this, and half of the proposals have been approved so far. Senator Cochran said he wants Dr. Limbert to meet the Secretary of Education the next time she is in Washington.

Dr. Limbert and Nora Miller’s meetings with state legislative committees - Dr. Gingerich said that IHL staff and university representatives met with the House and Senate Education Committees. The message was IHL already is efficiently serving the people of Mississippi and we have already been cut in years past, so please don’t put the state’s budget problems on our shoulders. Tuition increases could occur. We also may see cuts. Mr. Sansing added that the IHL presidents have been lobbying for salary increases. He said one top legislator pointed out that K-12 has gotten a lot of raises over the past five years (about 20%), but IHLs have only gotten 2%.

3. Approval of calendars - Dr. Gingerich said the Calendar Committee prepared five years of calendars that will be updated every three years. MUW’s calendars models MSU’s schedule and IHL Board policy. The Administrative Council approved the calendars.

4. General Updates:

Ms. Sherman announced that the Miss W Pageant is scheduled for February 12 with seven contestants. A tsunami relief drive will be held February 22-23 in cooperation with the American Red Cross and Hearin Leadership. Ceramic medallions will be sold for $3 as part of the fundraiser. The spring concert is set for April 22 with Nicole C. Mullin. United Harmony will be one of the opening acts.

Dr. Lea Helen Evans noted that the Faculty Senate met January 28. The group reviewed PS1313 (faculty salaries), and they have a few changes. The Faculty Senate also is working with Dr. Gingerich’s office on the academic master plan and the academic reorganization.

Dana Vaughn had nothing to report.

Mr. Sansing had nothing to report.

Anika Perkins announced that the next issue of Visions will be out in early March.

Patsy McDaniel reported that the Washington, D.C., area chapter meeting will be held February 4 at the home of Dianne Juba. A Chickasaw County organizational meeting is set for February 5. The Valentine Extravaganza Party will be held at the home of Bud and Joy Phillips on February 12. The Winter Alumni Workshop, which is set for February 18-19, will include a tour of departments. Approximately 40 alumni will attend. Ricki Garrett (`73) of Jackson and Betty Lou Jones (`66) of Meridian have been appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Humanities Council Board. Paula -Snell (`70) of Winter Park, Fla., will represent MUW at the installation of Rollins College’s 14th president on April 9. Homecoming will be April 14-17, and Awards Day is set for April 19.

Dr. Mark Bean said the W-2009 preliminary assignments to Cabinet members have been made.

Dr. Gingerich mentioned that Dr. Limbert has approved the academic reorganization plan. Now it needs IHL Board approval, which he said should not be a problem. The ad hoc committee for the academic reorganization has met a couple of times. Key personnel changes are being looked at as well as the roles of the deans and department heads. Some policy changes will need to be made and will need some time to do so. In reference to the academic master plan, the working groups have had organizational meetings. He wants to have the analysis complete by mid-March. Planning for Awards Day is taking place. Black History Month is February, and Women’s History Month is March. Many events are planned.