7/1/05 Administrative Council Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Dr. Claudia Limbert, Dr. Sam Gingerich, Nora Miller, Dr. Bucky Wesley, Perry Sansing, Mary Margaret Roberts, Patsy McDaniel, Anika Perkins, Susan Sobley, Wahnee Sherman and Elizabeth Montgomery.

Absent: Scott Rawles and Tom Velek.

Dr. Claudia Limbert called the meeting to order.

1. The minutes from 6/3/05 were approved.

2. Items from the President’s Cabinet:

Academic Reorganization - Dr. Sam Gingerich announced that today is formally the first day of the new academic structure that includes colleges rather than divisions. The deans have done a good job communicating with the department chairs. Either the first or the second week in August will be designated to have the deans and department chairs meet with various people on campus to learn campus procedures.

Dr. Mark Bean will no longer serve as Special Assistant to the President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, because he has assumed the position of Department Chair of Heath and Kinesiology.

Dr. Pat Donat’s title has changed to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs because she will take over the duties of planning and institutional effectiveness in addition to the areas of general education and academic advising that she has been doing. This will satisfy SACS’ expectations.

The university has subsidized Continuing Education for the past few years even though it is set up to make money to support itself. For that reason and because Patricia Brock, Director of Continuing Education and Distance Education, is doing so much work with WebCT, Continuing Education will be removed and Patricia Brock will work on Distance Education, WebCT and Institutional Support, including faculty development.

Wahnee Sherman asked about the summer camps, like Business Week, that Patricia Brock normally handles. Dr. Gingerich said the university will still do camps, but responsibility for them will shift to the college or department under which they fall. For example, Business Week will be handled by the College of Business. Dr. Limbert added that the university wants to continue offering camps because of the income stream and to expose potential students to the campus.


Outsourcing - Nora Miller said both Aramark and Sodexho presented proposals this week, and both were very good. Representatives from both companies talked about new equipment that would be brought in to help do the jobs more efficiently. There also would be room for advancement. Both the employees and the campus would be well taken care of. MUW is taking both proposals under consideration and will be making a decision soon.

Susan Sobley said some staff are concerned that the university may not save much, if any, money by outsourcing because of the cost of materials and equipment needed for projects. Ms. Miller responded that it will be handled similar to the way it is handled now in that materials over a certain amount will be paid for out of a different account.

3. General Updates:

Dr. Limbert reported that Virginia S. Newton, President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and MUW alumna, would like for the IHL Board to meet on the MUW campus during the 2005-2006 academic year. The group agreed April, which will coincide with Homecoming, would be a great time to host the IHL Board. As the Mississippi representative to SACS, Dr. Limbert recently had the opportunity to help select the new head of SACS. Dr. Belle Wheelan, is a very bright, African American woman who headed the second largest community college in the United States and has played an educational role in the state of Kentucky as a member of the governor’s cabinet. In addition to selecting a new Executive Director, other items brought up at recent SACS meeting are that many institutions are not doing QEPs correctly and are not reporting significant changes to academic programs.

Perry Sansing had nothing to report.

Dr. Bucky Wesley said his department is conducting five employees searches: Director of Admissions, which is being filed by Stephanie Brady; Director of Recreation and Fitness; Assistant Director of Student Life for Career Services, which is being filed by MUW alumna Towanda Williams; Assistant Director of Community Living for Counseling; and Assistant Director for Community Living for Conference Services. Another orientation session for transfer and non-traditional students will be held in late July.

Wahnee Sherman added that Move-In Day is August 14 with an event-packed Welcome Week to follow. She will bring a full schedule to the next meeting.

Mary Margaret Roberts said that the Foundation is closing the fiscal year. The new phone center is complete and looks great. Jade Lucas, Student Calling Manager, is making thank you calls to donors, both those who made significant gifts and those who gave for the first time. The Planned Giving mailer is about to go out, and the Annual Fund mailer being prepared will introduce giving clubs.

Susan Sobley mentioned that morale is low among some of the staff. Only nine people attended a recent Staff Council meeting.


Anika Perkins said the Office of Public Affairs is preparing hometown releases for the many camps going on this summer. Visions is in the layout stage. Her office is working on the Economic Impact Study, including events on campus that impact the community. Dr. Limbert suggested she contact someone in nursing about the many things they do to help the community.

Patsy McDaniel noted that the Office of Alumni Relations is working on the next issue of Visions. Many alumni have been chosen as Teacher of the Year for 2004-2005. The list includes Jane McCurdy `60 of Bay Springs, Miss., Frances Ashcraft `79 of Batesville, Miss., Dr. Tina Bozeman `92 of Nashville, Tenn., Jane Middleton `68 of Columbia, Miss., Joyce White `75 of Tishomingo, Miss., and Ruth Hunt `60 of Iuka, Miss. Cara Cavin `60 was selected by the Wisconsin Media Association as the Library Media Professional of the Year for the state of Wisconsin. Jackie Parker `01 received the University of Mississippi School of Education 2005 Alumnus of the Year Award. Chapter meetings are planned for the month of July in Lowndes County, Central Florida, Monroe County, Jackson Metro and Dallas.

Elizabeth Montgomery said she is excited that the renovation work on Cochran Hall is almost complete. She attended Leadershape at the end of May and will be attending another leadership conference in July.

Dr. Limbert added that Phillip Cockrell, former SGA President, is on campus helping with Governor’s School. He has done very well since graduating from MUW. He recently completed his master’s degree, has a position at Ohio State, and will be working on his doctorate in the next year or two.

Ms. Miller reported that MUW’s new fiscal year begins today. The university still does not have a budget, but it should be approved at this month’s Board meeting. Renovation work on Cochran and Martin Halls is almost complete. A walk-through of Martin Hall is scheduled for July 15. Concrete work is starting on the Pohl Building. The Grounds and Auto Building is taking shape. The university is working with the Bureau of Buildings on the Warehouse Building.