ATTENDING:
Marty
Fuller (guest)
Kent
Hoblet
George
Hopper
Melissa
Mixon
Reuben
Moore
Jonathan
Pote
Lynn
Reinschmiedt
John
Tomlinson
Vance
H. Watson
Bob
Williams
Agenda
Item: Federal Initiatives
Discussion: Dr.
Marty Fuller gave a summary of the 2007 Federal Initiatives
that were submitted by the Division of Agriculture, Forestry
and Veterinary Medicine and Mississippi State University. Funding on a number
of those initiatives is still pending. Funding efforts
will continue as we develop and submit the 2008 initiatives. Continuation
of several initiatives is currently in the bill for approximately
$16 million, as well as construction funding of the new
South Central Poultry Lab at $4 million. Dr. Fuller
and others are currently working with the Mississippi delegation
to raise that figure. Our strategy for the 2008 budget
will be to maintain what we have going and to add a selected
number of high priority initiatives.
Action: The 2008 Federal Initiatives are
due to Debbie Walker in the President’s Office no
later than December 19. They will need to be reviewed
by the VP office prior to going to the President’s
Office. The new format used should before the 2008
Initiatives.
Agenda Item: Policies
Discussion: A number of operating policies
were reviewed by Dr. Mixon. Among them were the following:
-
Sharing
of Institutional Support Costs: OP56.01
-
Outside
Employment Policy: OP56.02
-
Jointly
Occupied Buildings: OP56.03
-
Conducting
External Reviews: OP56.05
-
Research,
Extension and Clinical Faculty Positions: OP56.06
-
University – Industry
Sponsored Programs: OP56.02
The
deans/directors agreed that OP56.05 should be rescinded. The
other policies have been updated as needed.
Action: Deans/directors should review the
proposed changes and submit comments to Dr. Mixon prior
to the holiday.
Agenda
Item: Computer Security
Discussion: The
administration remains concerned about computer security
at MSU. Particular concerns
include the social security number that may be in various
unprotected files.
Action: Deans/directors should review the
computer security measures that are in place in their units
and enhance the measures as needed. This process
is continuously evolving and should receive consistent
attention by all employees.
Agenda
Item: November
General Fund Transfers/2006 Farm Income Numbers
Discussion: The General Fund Transfers by
the State Tax Commission for November exceeded the estimate. Transfers
were $12.3 million above the estimate. For the first
five months of FY07, transfers were $102.5 million above
the estimate. This is a favorable income/expenditure
situation as we approach the 2007 legislative session.
The
faculty in the departments of agricultural economics
and forestry recently completed their estimates of the
farm income numbers for 2006. The estimate for 2006
is approximately $5.82 billion versus $6.53 billion in
2005. Substantial declines for poultry, forestry,
soybeans and government payments account for a $700 million
reduction. The ag communications department will
be releasing news articles over the next few weeks giving
the details of the 2006 season.
Action: None
Agenda Item: Annual
Evaluations
Discussion: Comments about the annual evaluation
forms and process for faculty and staff were made by several
deans/directors. The thought of being consistent
within the division and with the MSU forms/policies was
made. The importance of the process and the emphasis
that administrators at all levels should give to the process
was also made.
Action: Deans/directors
should continue to emphasize the importance of the annual
evaluation process.
Agenda Item: Landmarks
Discussion: The deans/directors commented
on the importance of and the good job that is being done
with Landmarks. It is extremely useful in telling
the story of the division and should continue to be a major
publication. Bob Ratliff, who edits Landmarks, was complimented
for a good job.
Action: None
Upcoming
Events:
- Dec.
21-Jan 2: Winter Holiday
- Jan.
3, 2007: DAFVM
Joint Department Head Meeting
- Jan.
16-17, 2007: Delta Ag Exp
