6/3/05 Administrative Council Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Dr. Sam Gingerich, Scott Rawles, Dr. Bucky Wesley, Perry Sansing, Mary Margaret Roberts, Patsy McDaniel, Anika Perkins, Dr. Tom Velek, and Susan Sobley.

Absent: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Nora Miller, Dr. Mark Bean, Wahnee Sherman, and Elizabeth Montgomery.

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

1. The minutes from 5/6/05 were approved.

2. General updates:

Perry Sansing gave an update on the budget situation. The special legislative session is over. Higher Education received a one percent increase, but almost all of it went to the Ayers settlement. With the IHL Board’s modification to our allocation and increase in utilities and other operating costs, MUW will have approximately $750,000 to cover. The IHL Board has not met to finalize the budget. Raises for faculty and staff is still a high priority. IHL has asked the universities for tuition increase proposals. The universities have asked for the budget first. MUW is looking at a possible tuition increase. The IHL chief financial officers have discussed a multi-year tuition plan.

Dr. Gingerich added that contracts will be mailed out as soon as the budget is completed.

Mary Margaret Roberts reported that the MUW Foundation Board met and approved its budget. The new phone center will be finished next week. MUW will dedicate and name the greenhouse in Parkinson after Dr. James Strobel on June 17 at 10:30 a.m. The Welty Gala will be held September 29 with Bob Woodward as the speaker.

Scott Rawles said that a major donor will sponsor the student tickets.

Susan Sobley mentioned that the May 19 Staff Appreciation Luncheon went well with a good turnout. She thanked the MUW Foundation for sponsoring the event. The staff is still nervous about the budget situation and the outsourcing of the Physical Plant. Staff Council is doing some research about how to handle membership with the outsourcing of the Physical Plant since Physical Plant employees make up a large percentage of the Staff Council membership.


Patsy McDaniel said that the Alumni Board meeting went well with approximately 65 alumni in attendance. Her office is working on news for Visions. There are chapter meetings scheduled in Chattanooga for June 24 and Lowndes County on July 14. Town and Tower meets June 8 on campus with Nick Ardillo as speaker. Peppy Biddy is directing “Idols of the King” at the New Stage Theatre in Jackson for a couple of weeks. Elayne Goodman, who was on the cover of the last Visions, has her art exhibit of Elvis at the theatre. Carolyn Hong Chain, class of 1958, was inducted into the New Mexico Senior Hall of Fame in Albuquerque last week. She is the first Chinese American woman to be honored for a lifetime commitment to community services. Linda Ross Aldy, class of 1973, is the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Optiometric Association in Jackson. Mississippi Day in Central Park is scheduled for June 11.

Anika Perkins noted that her office is working on Visions and press releases.

Mr. Rawles said three faculty members did special reports on funded projects for the Foundation Board meeting. Tracy Ervin in Alumni and Stephen Taylor in Public Affairs are checking on the possibility of having a virtual online community for alumni. IHL is now requiring an operating agreement between the universities and their foundations. The MUW Foundation was already working on this.

Dr. Bucky Wesley reported that he is advertising for the positions of Director of Admissions and Director of Recreation and Fitness. Orientation sessions are in mid-June. The numbers are looking good.

Dr. Tom Velek had nothing to report.

Dr. Gingerich said he was very pleased with how well Commencement activities went. The university recently approved the academic calendar. Commencement and Market Street Festival in Columbus are on the same day in 2006. Academic Council has recommended that we move Commencement forward a week. Our calendar coincides with MSU.

Mr. Rawles added that having Commencement Weekend a week earlier could help increase the number of participants and spectators for Mag Chain because more students would still be here.

Dr. Gingerich said summer school is underway, and the numbers may be up. He will have final numbers soon. In the reorganization process, he is finalizing the selection of department chairs. The working groups for the Academic Master Plan have submitted draft reports. The Steering Committee is reviewing it. The document should go through the approval process in the fall.