Highlights of Oct. meeting minutes

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ADMIN/downloads/BdOct05.pdf


Mr. Roy Klumb and Ms. Robin J. Robinson were absent. (p. 1)

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Ms. Newton welcomed Dr. Thomas Meredith to his first Board meeting as the Commissioner of Higher Education. (p. 1)

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EDUCATIONAL POLICIES & PROGRAMS AGENDA

i. USM - Establish a Master of Science in Sport Coaching Education degree program (CIP 13.1314) within the School of Human Performance and Recreation in the College of Health on the Gulf Park Campus, j. USM - A Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree program (CIP 14.0903) within the School of Computing in the College of Health (THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.),

k. USM - A Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics degree program (CIP 14.1201) within the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science and Technology (THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.),

l. USM - A Master of Science in Sports and High Performance Materials degree program (CIP 14.3101) collaboratively within the Schools of Human Performance and Recreation and Polymers and High Performance Materials in the Colleges of Human Performance and Recreation and Science and Technology, respectively, (THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.),

m. USM - A Doctor of Philosophy in Sports and High Performance Materials degree program (CIP 14.3101) collaboratively within the Schools of Human Performance and Recreation and Polymers and High Performance Materials in the Colleges of Human Performance and Recreation and Science and Technology, respectively (THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.),

n. USM - A Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Management degree program (CIP 31.0101) within the School of Human Performance and Recreation in the College of Health (THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.),

o. USM - Establish a Master of Science in Interscholastic Athletic Administration degree program (CIP 31.0504) within the School of Human Performance and Recreation in the College of Health,

p. USM - Establish a Bachelor of Arts in Religion degree program (CIP 38.0201) within the Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Arts and Letters,

q. USM - Establish a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography degree program (CIP 45.0701) within the Department of Geography and Geology in the College of Science and Technology, and

r. USM - Establish a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Capital Development degree program (CIP 52.1005) within the Department of Economic and Workforce Development in the College of Science and Technology on the Gulf Park Campus.

s. USM (Information only.) - Establishment of a pharmaceutical sales emphasis area within the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Business degree program. (pp. 2-3)

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4c. USM - Rename the Master of Science in Sport Administration to the Master of Science in Sport Management (CIP 31.0504). (p. 3)

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5d. USM - Rename the Department of Economic Development and Planning to the Department of Economic and Workforce Development within the College of Science and Technology, and

e. USM - Rename the Office of Distance Learning Support to the Office of Distance Education Support within the College of Science and Technology. (p. 3)

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6. System Administration (Information item.) - The Board received information on the annual report on post tenure review and the process of tenure. A copy of the report is included in the bound October 20, 2005 Board Working File. (p. 4)

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2. USM – Approved the initiation of IHL #208-263, Addition/Alteration Ogletree Alumni House, Hattiesburg Campus, and the appointment of Albert & Associates Architects of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as the Architect for the project. This firm has been involved with the Alumni Association during the planning, development, and initial design concepts for the project and has extensive experience performing design work on historic buildings. The cost of this project is estimated to be $3 million and will be funded by private donations. (p. 7)

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9. USM –Approved the bids and the award of a contract in the amount of $1,744,000 to the lowest bidder, Pat L. McKenzie, Inc., Ellisville, MS, for GS #108-236, Greene Hall HVAC Upgrades, Hattiesburg Campus, and request approval by the Bureau of Buildings. Funds are available in the project budget in the amount of $1,975,000 from S.B. 2988, Laws of 2003. Supporting documents are on file in the Board Office. (p. 8)

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5. USM - Approved the operating agreement with The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation, Inc. for the purposes of soliciting, investing, managing, administering, and recognizing private gifts that support the University’s educational, research, and service missions. A copy of the agreement, which was reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s Office, is included in the bound October 20, 2005 Board Working File.

6. USM - Approved the operating Agreement with The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, Inc. for the purposes of soliciting, investing, managing, administering, and recognizing private gifts that benefit the University by helping to expand, promote, and improve the athletic programs and student-athlete educational opportunities. A copy of the agreement, which was reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s Office, is included in the bound October 20, 2005 Board Working File. (p. 9)

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10a. Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Maxey Wann, PLLC (Statement dated 6/1/05) from the funds of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher learning. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with the IHL v. State case.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$9,771.06 (p. 9)

Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Bryan Nelson, P.A. (Statements dated 7/13/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (These statements, in the amounts of $1,403.13 and $463.95, represent services and expenses in connection with the Amaraneni and Krell cases, respectively.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$1,867.08 (p. 10)

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11a. In relation to litigation and other matters: Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Gore, Kilpatrick, Purdie & Metz (Statement dated 7/25/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with the Davida Williams case.) TOTAL DUE.....................................................$12,538.49 (p. 11)

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Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Maxey Wann (Statement dated 8/1/05) from the funds of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with the IHL v. State case.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$1,361.07

Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Bryan Nelson (Statements dated 7/13/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (These statements represent services and expenses, in the amounts of $1,403.13 and $463.95, respectively, in connection with Amareneni and Krell cases.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$1,867.08

Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Adams & Reese (Statements dated 7/15/05, 7/14/05, and 7/18/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (These statements, in the amounts of $2,742.00, $315.00 and $2,406.00, represent services and expenses in connection with the Mark DePree, Brewer, and Servedio cases, respectively.) TOTAL DUE......................................................$5,463.00 (p. 12)

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2. System Administration - Approved, as amended, the proposed addition of 801.15 Foundation Supplementation of Institutional Executive Officers’ Salaries to the Board Policies and Bylaws for immediate implementation, as follows: 801.15 FOUNDATION SUPPLEMENTATION OF INSTITUTIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ SALARIES

The total amount of any and all salary supplements paid to an institutional executive officer by any foundation shall be less than the state salary paid by the Board of Trustees to such institutional executive officer. The requirement under this policy shall not apply to any existing salary supplements paid to institutional executive officers as of October 20, 2005. Additionally, the requirement under this policy shall not cause the total annual amount of any future salary supplements paid to the current institutional executive officers to be less than the total annual amount paid as of October 20, 2005. This policy becomes effective upon passage. (p. 15)

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1. Dr. Meredith reported that Governor Haley Barbour has appointed him and Ms. Newton to the Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal for the coast. We are trying to take advantage of the talent on all of our campuses to be of assistance. President Thames is already serving on this commission. (p. 21)

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2. Dr. Meredith stated that Trustees Newton, Blakeslee, and Klumb had expressed that no one could possibly understand the scope of the disaster on the coast without personally viewing the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. The trustees requested that Dr. Meredith travel to the coast. Dr. Meredith met with Dr. Shelby Thames, President of The University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg and they traveled on to the coast. Dr. Meredith agreed with the trustees’ observations that the reality of the situation on the coast is much different than the news can portray.

3. Dr. Shelby Thames gave a presentation on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the USM campuses. Dr. Thames stated that the Mississippi public university system could not have been kinder to USM. He thanked Dr. Lester Newman, President of Mississippi Valley State University, for housing two of USM’s athletic teams. He thanked Dr. Robert Khayat, Chancellor of The University of Mississippi, for providing student support services, supplies, mattresses, and workers with chainsaws. Dr. Thames thanked Dr. Claudia Limbert, President of Mississippi University for Women, for supplying diesel fuel and gasoline. He also thanked Dr. Charles Lee, President of Mississippi State University, for offering the use of heavy equipment although it was not needed at that time. Dr. Meredith met with Governor Haley Barbour about a unified request for help for the university system that will be sent to the U.S. Congress. The next morning, the Governor met with Senator Thad Cochran who will submit the request for aide. Dr. Meredith continues to work with the Governor on the next step. FEMA has given a preliminary amount that it will pay in terms of rebuilding. There is no definitive number for the loss of revenue. It has been estimated that $15 million of intellectual property was lost. (pp. 21-22)

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7. Mr. Ross thanked Dr. Charles Lee, President of Mississippi State University. Over 600 evacuees have taken refuge in West Point. The city was quickly being overrun with Red Cross shelters. It was decided to open Mary Holmes College which was a historically black college that had been closed for a couple of years. Mr. Ross reported that Dr. Lee sent a small army of people to assist with the restoration. Within three days, the dormitories were habitable. The dormitories are still being used today. (p. 22)

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11. Dr. Claudia Limbert, President of Mississippi University for Women, gave words of encouragement to Dr. Thames. (p. 22)

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12. Dr. Clinton Bristow, President of Alcorn State University, complimented Dr. Thames on his outstanding report. (p. 22)

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EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motion by Ms. Whitten, with Mr. Klumb and Ms. Robinson absent and not voting, 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 Mr. Ross, with Mr. Klumb and Ms. Robinson absent and not voting, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the reason later reported by the President in Open Session and stated in these minutes, as follows:

Discussion of a personnel matter at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Discussion of a potential land transaction at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Discussion of a personnel matter at the Board Office.

On motion by Mr. Ross, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, with Mr. Klumb and Ms. Robinson absent and not voting, the Board voted to return to Open Session.

The Board discussed a personnel matter and a potential land transaction at The University of Southern Mississippi. No action was taken.

The Board discussed a personnel matter at the Board Office. No action was taken. (p. 23)

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

The Board Staff approved the Schematic Design Documents prepared by JH&H Architects Planners Interiors, PA for IHL #208-258, M.M. Roberts Stadium Addition. Funds are available in the amount of $175,000 from the Athletic Foundation for architectural fees through schematic design phase.

The Board Staff approved the Schematic Design Documents prepared by JH&H Architects of Jackson, MS, for IHL #208-256, Baseball Stadium Addition. Funds are available in the amount of $18,000 from university sources. Additional funds will be added to the project for the Design Development Phase. (p. 44)