IHL Aug. 2007 meeting highlights

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ADMIN/downloads/BdAug07.pdf

Ms. Whitten, Chair of the Gulf Coast Committee, reported that the committee met yesterday to discuss the
progress of the university campuses on the coast.  Ms. Whitten commended Mr. Robert Bass, IHL Project
Director  -  Gulf Coast operations, for his presentation concerning Gulf Coast reconstruction.  She also thanked
Dr.  Meredith for his help in moving the reconstruction process forward. (p. 5)

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b. The University of Southern Mississippi is establishing the Center for Black Studies.  This
limited scope and outreach center will serve to encourage and increase interdisciplinary
exchanges between faculty members and students interested in the scholarly study of the Black
experience in the Americas within the College of Arts and Letters.  Housed in the Department
of History, the center will be funded through sponsored dollars and/or private funds. 
c. The University of Southern Mississippi is establishing the Center for Professional Development
and Outreach.  This limited scope and outreach center will serve to meet community needs for
children and adults with developmental disabilities by building the capacity of families and
service providers through training and demonstration of effective research based practices.
Housed in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education within the College
of Education and Psychology, the center will be funded through sponsored dollars and/or private
funds and contracts with agencies such as local school districts and developmental disabilities
service providers. (p. 6)

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IHL has received a $50,000 Community Heritage Preservation Grant from the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History to assist with restoration and future planning needs of the
University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park Campus.  The grant will be used to formulate
an expanded campus vision, create a campus redevelopment program and implementation study,
and assist with the design of a campus master plan. (p. 8)

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University of Southern Mississippi librarian, Ellen Hunter Ruffin, curator of the de Grummond
Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss, has been elected to the John Newbery Medal
Committee for the year 2009.  The committee selects the recipient of what is considered by
many the most prestigious awards in children's literature.  To be elected to the committee by
fellow librarians is a tremendous honor. (p. 9)

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9. USM  -  Approved the request to initiate a project and to proceed with the selection of a project
professional to develop initial renderings and drawings for fund raising efforts for IHL 214-013, Gulf
Park- Entertainment Industry Facility.  Funding is available in the amount $65,000 to perform the
schematic design for fund raising efforts.

10. USM  -  Approved the request to initiate IHL 208-281, Chain Technology HVAC Upgrade, and the
appointment of Atherton Consulting Engineers of Jackson, Mississippi as design professionals.  Funding
is available in the amount of $700,000 from university sources.  ...

12. USM - Approved the request to award timber sales to Scotch Plywood Company of Waynesboro,
Mississippi the highest of six (6) bidders in the amount of $305,388.90, from bids received on June 26,
2007.  The timber is located on three tracts of wooded property owned by the university in Hattiesburg,
Mississippi. (p. 10)

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c. USM - Approved the request to initiate IHL 208-269, Commons Building, and the appointment
of Allred/McNabb Architects of Pascagoula, Mississippi as project professionals for asbestos
abatement.  Also, approved the construction documents and authorized advertising for the
receipt of bids.  Funds are available in the amount of $500,000 from university sources.  (p. 15)

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g. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $4,200,000 to $9,300,000, and
to expand the scope of work for GS 110-089, Cedar Point-Research Office/Lab Facility.  The
project is being executed by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management
in the amount of $4,200,000.  Additional funds have been received and designated in the amount
of $5,100,000 from NOAA grant (GR02773).

h. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $2,157,000 to $4,157,000 for
an increase of $2,000,000 for GS 115-002, 2005, Oceanographic Facility, Stennis, that is in
the design phase and being executed by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property
Management.  Additional funding is required to accomplish the basic scope of the project.
Original funding is from SB 3197, Laws of 2002, and SB 2010, Laws of 2004.  Additional new
funding is from HB 246, Laws of 2007.

i. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $19,000,000 to $23,000,000
to install elevators and add back interior and exterior finishes to the Trent Lott Center for
Economic Development, IHL 208-251.  As additional funding is made available, primarily
from private donations, design features are added back to the construction.  Funds are provided
through continued private donations.

j. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 for
additions and alterations to the Ogletree Alumni House, IHL 208-263.  Funds are provided
through continued private donations and university sources.

k. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $950,000 to $1,800,000 and
to change the scope of IHL 210-234, Cedar Point  -  Aquaculture Visitor's Center, Phase III.
This project will construct a public interactive marine aquaculture education and training facility
at the Cedar Point campus of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Funds have been received in the amount of $1,800,000 from the NOAA grant (GR02439).

l. USM - Approved the request to increase the project budget from $850,000 to $1,400,000 and
to change the scope for IHL 210-235, Cedar Point  -  Aquaculture Demonstration
Laboratory.  The project will expand the research and demonstration facilities to allow the
culture of marine species in an environmentally sustainable manner in that the rearing will be
in a closed/low discharge culture system.  Funds have been received in the amount of $1,400,000
from the NOAA grant (GR02439).   (p. 16)

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EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion by Dr. Davidson, and unanimously passed by those present, the Board voted to close the meeting
to determine whether or not it should declare an Executive Session.  On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by
Ms. Newton, and unanimously passed by those present, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the
reasons reported to the public and stated in these minutes, as follows:

Discussion of a litigation matter at Alcorn State University,
Discussion of a litigation matter at the University of Southern Mississippi,
Discussion of a personnel matter at Mississippi State University,
Discussion of a litigation matter at Mississippi Valley State University,
Discussion of a personnel matter at Mississippi State University,
Discussion of a personnel matter at the University of Southern Mississippi,
Discussion of two prospective Board litigation matters,
Discussion of a personnel matter at the University of Southern Mississippi,
Discussion of a personnel matter at Alcorn State University, and
Discussion of a personnel matter at the Board Office.

During Executive Session, the following matters were discussed and/or voted upon:
 
On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Ms. Robinson, and unanimously passed by those present, the
Board authorized the legal counsel to ask the Chancery Court of Jefferson County to approve the
termination of the current contract on August 31, 2007 between Alcorn State University and Claiborne
Natural Gas, Inc. and to approve a new contract between Alcorn State University and Claiborne Natural
Gas, Inc. for the transportation of natural gas to the Alcorn campus.

The Board discussed a prospective Board litigation matter.  No action was taken.

On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Dr. Neely, and unanimously passed by those present, the Board
approved the settlement of the case styled Jordan v. the University of Southern Mississippi as presented
and recommended to the Board by legal counsel.

After thorough consideration and deliberation of Dr. Yul Chu's request for the Board to review
Mississippi State University's denial of tenure to Dr. Chu, a motion was made by Ms. Whitten, seconded
by Ms. Robinson, and unanimously passed by those present, denying Dr. Yul Chu's request for Board
review.

The Board discussed personnel matters at Alcorn State University and the University of Southern
Mississippi.  No action was taken.

The Board discussed a litigation matter at Mississippi Valley State University.  No action was taken.

The Board discussed a personnel matter at the Board Office.  No action was taken.

The Board discussed a personnel matter at Mississippi State University.  No action was taken.

The Board discussed a personnel matter at the University of Southern Mississippi.  No action was
taken.

The Board discussed a prospective Board litigation matter.  No action was taken. (pp. 19-20)

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The Board next discussed a proposed increase in the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation salary
supplement for President Martha Saunders.  The increase was  recommended by the USM Foundation's Board
of Directors.  The proposed increase was from $50,000 annually to $75,000 annually.  On motion by Mr.
Blakeslee, seconded by Ms. Robinson, with Mr. Colbert and Ms. Whitten absent and not voting, the Board
approved the recommended increase effective July 1, 2007.  (p. 21)

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The committee was called to order by Chairman Thomas Colbert.  Mr. Colbert requested that Dr. Meredith
briefly speak about his tenure as Commissioner of Higher Education.  The Committee then went into executive
session.

On motion by Ms. Robinson, and unanimously passed by those present, the Committee voted to close the
meeting to determine whether or not it should declare an Executive Session.  On motion by Ms. Robinson,
seconded by Ms. Whitten, with Dr. D. E. Magee absent and not voting, the Committee voted to go into
Executive Session for the reason reported to the public and stated in these minutes, as follows:

Evaluation of Dr. Thomas C. Meredith, Commissioner of Higher Education.

During Executive Session, the Committee evaluated Dr. Thomas C. Meredith's performance as
Commissioner of Higher Education.  No action was taken.  (p. 22)

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Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Mayo Mallette (Statement dated 6/11/07)
from the funds of the University of Southern Mississippi.  (This statement represents services and
expenses in connection with the OFCCP Audit.)
TOTAL DUE........................................................ $10,020.52 (p. 27)

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University of Southern Mississippi

The Board staff approved Change Order #1 for the Reed Green Multipurpose Facility Improvements
Phase I, GS 108-229, in the amount of $30,671 with an increase of forty-nine (4) calendar days to
the contract for miscellaneous electrical and plumbing work and requested approval from the Bureau
of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management.  The total project budget is $9,198,513.
Funds are available from HB 1634, Laws of 2006. (p. 29)

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University of Southern Mississippi

The Board staff approved the award of a contract in the amount of $387,234.50 to the lower of four
(4) bidders, Dunn Roadbuilders, LLC, for GS 108-245, Campus Paving and Repair, and requested
approval by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management.  The project budget
is $600,000.  Funds are available from Senate Bill 2010, Laws of 2004.

The Board staff approved Change Order 4 for IHL 208-260, The Village, in the deductive amount
of $7,643.78 with no change to the contract time.  Funds are available in the project budget in the
amount of $20,524,141.57 from Southern Mississippi EBC Bonds. (p. 33)