5/6/05 Administrative Council Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Dr. Sam Gingerich, Nora Miller, Scott Rawles, Dr. Bucky Wesley, Dr. Mark Bean, Mary Margaret Roberts, Anika Perkins, Susan Sobley, Wahnee Sherman, Dana Vaughn, Elizabeth Montgomery.

Absent: Perry Sansing, Patsy McDaniel and Dr. Lea Helen Evans.

Dr. Claudia Limbert called the meeting to order. She thanked outgoing SGA President Dana Vaughn for her services and welcomed incoming SGA President Elizabeth Montgomery.

1. The minutes from 4/1/05 were approved.

2. General updates:

Dr. Mark Bean announced that the end-of-the-year reporting packets have been sent to the divisions and are due by June 30.

Dr. Bucky Wesley said that the enrollment indicators for the fall 2005 semester look good. Registration is up almost 14 percent, and financial aid and community living applications are both up. Orientation this summer will be another good indicator.

Anika Perkins noted that her office is working on press releases and the summer issue of Visions, which should be out July 1. They also are working on a economic impact report. Scott Rawles added that this report will include enrollment, giving and construction figures and will be in the form of both a written report and a DVD. Dr. Limbert also added that the last issue of Visions looked great and she has heard many positive comments. Ms. Perkins continued that her office will be working on a comprehensive communication plan, including the guidelines on the use of the logo.

Susan Sobley said that the major items of discussion among the staff are the privatizing of the physical plant, the academic reorganization, and the possibility of future layoffs and outsourcing. Nora Miller said that the possibility of privatizing the physical plant is a way to meet the budget. Dr. Limbert pointed out that the university administration does not want any layoffs, and she said that Sodexho will be a good company to work for. Ms. Sobley said that working in the Comptroller’s Office she knows that even if funding is level that the university will still need to absorb costs, such as increases in insurance and utilities. She said there are positives and negatives regarding the move to privatize the physical plant with a positive being the possibility for advancement with Sodexho. She thanked the administration for keeping the lines of communication open regarding this matter. She also thanked the Foundation for giving free tickets to faculty and staff for the Legends of Rock and Roll concert and for funding the Staff Appreciation Luncheon that will be on Thursday, May 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the cafeteria. There will be door prizes.

Dana Vaughn announced that the new student government officers are in place.

Elizabeth Montgomery said she is excited to be on Administrative Council and is looking forward to the coming year.

Mary Margaret Roberts noted that the Institutional Advancement Office is working on end-of-the-year mailers. There will be a Foundation Board meeting next month. The Medal of Excellence Dinner will be Friday night.

Wahnee Sherman reported that Nora Miller attended the last Director’s Council meeting to discuss the budget. Procedures for making facility reservations were also discussed. Postcards for Orientation have been mailed, and some students have already registered. Exam breakfast is coming up. They are making preparations for the Magnolia Chain Ceremony. SWIPS will be in San Antonio this year. Thirty-five people from MUW participated in the community service week on the Coast.

Scott Rawles mentioned that his office is making preparations for the Medal of Excellence Dinner and the ribbon cutting for Thad and Rose Cochran Hall. The phone center is being moved to Welty Hall thanks to Dr. Bucky Wesley and Admissions giving up part of their work area. The phone center has brought in $148,000 so far. $5.2 million total has been raised for the Foundation this fiscal year. Eight hundred people have given who have never given before. There are several grants in the application process.

Nora Miller said that the budget preparation sheets are ready to go out. The Comptroller’s Office has sent out its end-of-the-year memo that includes May 20 as the last day to turn in purchase requisitions for the fiscal year. Steve Meade, the new food service director for Sodexho, is on campus. She has talked to the staff in the Physical Plant about the move with Sodexho. MUW is seeking fair and equitable treatment for employees and cost savings for the university. Sodexho is working on their proposal. Construction has begun on the physical plant facilities, Stark Building, and Pohl Building. Martin and Cochran halls are in the finishing stages. The siren and blue lights have been installed on campus.

Dr. Sam Gingerich announced that the interim deans have been appointed in conjunction with the reorganization, and he would like to have all the department heads appointed by the end of the semester. The working groups are continuing their work on the Academic Master Plan. A committee has been formed to select the Kossen Faculty Award of Excellence recipient. It will be announced at Commencement. There are four nominations.

Dr. Limbert noted that she and several others from campus attended Miss Stark’s funeral in Greenville. The administration is waiting on the budget from the state. She is completing campus office visits and will continue to do this every year. She is pleased with enrollment, giving, and construction and wants everybody to keep working hard together.