IHL Feb. 2006 meeting highlights:

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ADMIN/downloads/BdFeb06.pdf

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Mr. Scott Ross and Ms. Amy Whitten were absent. (p. 1)
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Ms. Newton reminded the Board that in pre-Katrina days this month’s meeting was scheduled to be held at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus. She expressed her regret to Dr. Shelby Thames, President of The University of Southern Mississippi. She was looking forward to having the entire Board visit the campus. (p. 1)
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HEADWAE faculty and student honorees for 2005-2006 are as follows:

INSTITUTION FACULTY HONOREE STUDENT HONOREE

University of Southern Mississippi George Carter Jonathan Krebs (p. 1)
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REAL ESTATE & FACILITIES AGENDA

1. Other Business - Mr. Blakeslee reported on the special called committee meeting that was held on Thursday, February 9, 2006. The full committee discussed long-term issues in relation to becoming better stewards of the IHL System’s assets. Several recommendations were made and will be taken to the Institutional Executive Officers for discussion before coming to the Board for approval. (p. 3)
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11. USM - Approved the Construction Documents as prepared by McCarty and Associates for IHL #208260, Village Housing Project, and authorized advertising for the receipt of bids. The construction budget of approximately $18,000,000 will be funded by a combination of University funds and revenue bond proceeds.

12. USM - Approved the Construction Documents as prepared by Allred McNabb Architects, P.A., for GS #108-231, High Performance Visualization Center (Phase II) at the Stennis Space Center, authorized advertising for the receipt of bids, and request approval by the Bureau of Buildings. Funds are available in the project budget in the amount of $951,692 from S.B. 2988, Laws of 2003.

13. USM - Approved the Construction Documents as prepared by Eley and Associates for GS #108-241, Mannoni Performing Arts Center Repairs, authorized advertising for the receipt of bids, and request approval by the Bureau of Buildings. Funds are available in the project budget in the amount of $850,000 from S.B. 2988, Laws of 2003. (p. 4)

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b. Mr. Blakeslee, Dr. Meredith, and Mr. Frank Alley, IHL Assistant Commissioner of Construction and Physical Affairs, gave a brief summation of the discussions that were held at the special meeting of the Real Estate & Facilities committee on February 9, 2006. Ms. Newton thanked Mr. Blakeslee, Dr. Meredith, and Mr. Alley for the informative committee meeting last week. The discussions were very in-depth. (p. 6)

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1. USM - Approved the operating agreement with The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association to build a feeling of pride and loyalty among the alumni of the institution while strengthening participation in alumni and University programs; to coordinate the efforts of alumni on behalf of the University as a whole; and to provide a unified voice for all alumni in the affairs of the University. This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the agreement is included in the February 15, 2006 Board Working File.

2. USM - Approved the operating agreement with The University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation to coordinate research projects and intellectual property management. This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s office. A copy of the agreement is included in the February 15, 2006 Board Working File. (p. 6)

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Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Adams & Reese (Statements dated 12/21/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (These statements, in the amounts of $430.00 and $131.25, represent services and expenses in connection with the Servedio and DePree cases, respectively.) TOTAL DUE.......................................................$561.25 (p. 7)

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2. Dr. Meredith commented that the legislative session is in full swing. He continues to receive positive feedback from Governor Haley Barbour, Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, and the legislative leadership that this is the year for higher education. He noted that the state revenue estimates still look promising. (p. 10)

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6. Dr. Meredith reported that the IHL staff has been placing a one-pager newsletter entitled IHL News from the System on each legislator’s desk that addresses a particular major topic for the week. This week the topic was diploma mills since that bill is moving through the legislature. Dr. Meredith met with Senator Alice Harden about this issue yesterday. Mississippi is becoming known as the Mecca for diploma mills.

7. As promised at the January meeting, the Board received the acronym publication that contains the most common acronyms used in higher education. The Board staff will continuously update and distribute this publication. (p. 11)

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9. The Mississippi State University presidential search process is moving forward. Dr. Meredith remarked that the committee has received applications from a diverse pool of candidates. The Campus Search Advisory Committee will meet next Tuesday to narrow the pool to five candidates. The names of the five candidates will be submitted to the MSU Presidential Search Committee which is scheduled to meet on March 6 th and 16th. Mr. Blakeslee who is the chairman of this committee has invited all of the Board members to attend these meetings. The finalists’ interviews are tentatively set for the end of March. If the process stays on track, the committee plans to select the new president by the second week in April.

10. Next month Dr. Meredith plans will to invite a four-year undergraduate faculty member to speak about his/her typical work week. Dr. Meredith also plans to invite other faculty members to future Board meetings. (p. 11)

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3. Dr. Meredith reported that he and the Institutional Executive Officers discussed student participation in the Board meetings. Every third month, the student body presidents will be invited to meet with the Institutional Executive Officers as they conduct their business. Only general issues that apply to all of the universities and the students will be discussed. The Board has agreed to reserve a seat among the staff seating area for the president of the Student Body Presidents’ Council of Mississippi. (p. 12)

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2. Dr. Shelby Thames, President of The University of Southern Mississippi, thanked Dr. Meredith and the Board staff for crafting the legislation for Senate Bill 2701 that will allow USM to borrow funds to help rebuild more quickly. The borrowed money would be paid back from insurance payments and FEMA monies.

3. Ms. Newton thanked the Board staff for the news clips links that are being e-mailed to the Board members each day. The e-mails have been very helpful in keeping her up-to-date. She encouraged the Institutional Executive Officers to continue keeping the Board informed of special events occurring on the campuses. (p. 12)

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On motion by Mr. Patterson, with Mr. Ross and Ms. Whitten 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 Mr. Estess, seconded by Ms. Robinson, with Mr. Ross and Ms. Whitten 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 Board personnel matters.
Discussion of a prospective land transaction The University of Southern Mississippi.

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

On motion by Dr. Magee, seconded by Dr. Neely, with Mr. Ross and Ms. Whitten absent and not voting, the Board voted to renew the four-year contract for Dr. Claudia Limbert, President of Mississippi University for Women.

On motion by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Dr. Magee, with Mr. Ross and Ms. Whitten absent and not voting, the Board voted to renew the four-year contract for Dr. Lester Newman, President of Mississippi Valley State University.

The Board discussed a prospective land transaction at The University of Southern Mississippi. No action was taken. (p. 13)

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Exhibit 1 Amendment to the Board Policies and Bylaws – 301.0801 Duties of the Institutional Executive Officers – for first reading.

E. All personnel appointments at the level of deans and above or employees making a salary of [delete] $50,000 [add]$75,000 or more shall be submitted separately for approval before appointments have been finalized and/or announced. (p. 16)

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
The Board Staff approved Change Order #5 in the amount of $12,249 with no change to the contract time for GS #108-212, College of International and Continuing Education, and requested approval by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Funds are available in the project budget in the amount of $4,000,000 from S.B. #3158, Laws of 2001, and USM CICE Reserve Funds in the amount of $1,900,000, and SMEBC Bond Sale Funds in the amount of $2,000,000 for total budget of $7,900,000. (p. 19)