Deans/Directors Meeting

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ATTENDING:

Denise Coleman (for McCarty)
Robert Cooper (for Hoblet)
Melissa Mixon
Reuben Moore
Jonathan Pote
Lynn Reinschmiedt
Vance Watson
Bob Williams

Agenda Item: MAFES – MSUES Annual Conference

Discussion:Annual Conference will be held at MSU on November 5-7, 2007. The conference theme is: “Face-to-Face, First Impressions – Lasting Impacts.” An email will be sent to all MAFES and MSUES personnel giving the dates and various sessions. Registration is necessary and should be accomplished as soon as possible.

Action: MAFES and MSUES personnel should register as quickly as possible to help the committee plan appropriately.

Agenda Item: Retirement Initiatives

Discussion: The IHL Board has approved a retirement incentive plan for MSU if we choose to use it. It is being considered and discussions are on-going. The prepared enrollment period is October 1 – November 14, 2007.

Action: None

Agenda Item: United Way

Discussion: The on-campus United Way Campaign will be underway soon. Coach Sharon Fanning will serve as this year’s campus coordinator. Each unit should have a contact person and that name should be turned in to Dr. Mixon. Everyone is urged to be supportive of the campaign.

Action: Turn in the names of contact persons to Dr. Mixon as quickly as possible.

Agenda Item: Game Day Requirements

Discussion: On football game days, all MSU vehicles must be moved from the on-campus reserved lots. Dorman Hall, the Lloyd-Ricks Building and other buildings will be locked to prevent misuse and abuse of the facilities.

Action: Urge all employees to comply with all game day restrictions.

Agenda Item: Reclassification

Discussion: A reclassification window will be open from September 10 - October 31. DAFVM’s procedure has been to offer reclasses each spring at the new fiscal budget year. Therefore, DAFVM will not participate.

Action: None

Agenda Item: Lloyd-Ricks Space

Discussion: The renovation of the Lloyd-Ricks Building should begin no later than early summer 2008. Personnel in the School of Human Sciences and the Ag Economics Department will need to vacate the building by early May 2008. Current plans call for the Ag Economics Department to move to the Howell Engineering Building and the School of Human Sciences move to the Gast Building. These plans are tentative, but appear to be the best alternative. If everything goes as planned, offices could be back in Lloyd-Ricks by January 2010.

Action: None

Agenda Item: Fall Enrollment Figure/Policy

Discussion: MSU fall enrollment figures look good at this date. We appear to be approaching an all time high for the university. Enrollment for CALS, CFR and CVM is higher than the year earlier. The enrollment figures will be submitted to IHL who will then release all eight institutions enrollment numbers at the same time from their office. Subsequently, the individual institutions are permitted to release their own articles with additional details.

Action: None

Agenda Item: CALS Breakfast

Discussion: The CALS Fall Alumni Breakfast will be held on October 6, 2007 in the Bost Conference Center. The breakfast will begin at 7:45 a.m. and should conclude no later than 9:30 a.m. Division Council members are invited to participate.

Action: None

Agenda Item: South Farm Entrance Road

Discussion: At the August IHL Board meeting, approval was given to MSU to initiate a construction project for a new road. The new road will go from Poorhouse Road to Stone Boulevard, and run along the east side of the South Farm, ending near the stop light at Stone and Blackjack Road. Funds in the amount of $5 million are available from the MS Department of Transportation. David Howell will be the project manager.

Action: None

Agenda Item: Campus Security

Discussion: Because of recent incidents, campus security is an area of concern. Students, faculty, and staff have been reminded to adhere to safety procedures. In addition, Facilities Management has begun turning more lights on across the campus.

Action: Urge all employees and students in our units to follow basic personal safety procedures while on campus.

Agenda Item: General Fund Transfer: July 2007

Discussion: Transfers by the State Tax Commission to the General Fund for July were $249.1 million. That was $7.3 million below the estimate. Individual income taxes, gaming fees, and taxes were above the estimate. We will continue to monitor the transfers as they are released monthly.

Action: None

Agenda Item: IHL Approval of R&R Projects

Discussion: At the August Board meeting, IHL approved the following R&R projects:

• Repair on Delta Research and Extension Center Administration Building : $990,000 (internal funds)
• Repairs on Delta Research and Extension Center Building1532: $255,000 (state bond funds)
• Storm Damage Repairs/Wise Center: $1.79 million (mainly state bond funds)

Action: None