April 2006 meeting highlights:

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ADMIN/downloads/BdApril06.pdf

Ms. Virginia Shanteau Newton was absent. (p. 1)

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Approved the request to confer the following degrees in May, 2006

ASU ... 643
DSU ... 441
JSU ... 924
MSU ... 1949
MUW ... 324
MVSU ... 458
UM ... 1971
UMMC ... 432
USM ... 1698 (pp. 2-8)

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e. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to rename the Bachelor of Science in Coaching and Sports Administration (CIP 31.0501) to the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (CIP 31.0504) in order to better reflect the direction of the School of Human Performance and Recreation, desire to establish a new degree program in Sports Coaching Education, and desire to seek specialized accreditation for each degree from separate accreditation agencies.
f. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to consolidate the Bachelor of Arts in American Studies degree program (CIP 05.0102) into the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree program (CIP 45.1001) in order to increase enrollment.
g. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to consolidate the Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program (CIP 09.9999) into the Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication degree program (CIP 09.0101) in order to increase enrollment.
h. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to consolidate the Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies degree program (CIP 30.1401) into the Bachelor of Arts in Art degree program (CIP 50.0702) in order to increase enrollment.
i. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to suspend admission to the Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education degree program (CIP 19.0101) due to low enrollment and graduation rates.
j. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to suspend admission to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree program (CIP 30.9999) in order to study similar degree programs and implement positive changes.
k. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to delete the Bachelor of Science in Workforce Training and Development degree program (CIP 15.0612) as course content is more appropriate at the graduate level.
l. The University of Southern Mississippi requests permission to delete the Master of Science in Systems Management degree program (CIP 52.1401) due to lack of student interest. (p. 9)

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6. System Administration - Approved for immediate implementation the amendment to the Board Policies and Bylaws – 712 Insurance and the addition of the new policy712.07 Disaster Recovery Plan, as follows:
712 INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
712.07 DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN
The Board shall establish a Disaster Recovery Plan to provide a coordinated relief and recovery effort for all universities. All universities shall participate in the plan to assist affected universities in the aftermath of a disaster to reduce the further risk to life and safety and loss to campus facilities and operations. (p. 12)

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A motion was made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, to approve for first reading the Board Staff’s recommendation of a 5.5% in-state tuition increase for each institution except for Alcorn State University which requested a 5.0% in-state tuition increase and Mississippi Valley State University which requested a 4.5% in-state tuition increase along with a one-time surcharge of 1% for utilities costs and flexibility on the out-of-state tuition.

Mr. Colbert amended his motion, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, to exclude the out-of-state tuition increase requests. These requests will be taken up separately.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Ross, seconded by Dr. Davidson, to accept the in-state tuition increase recommendations as requested by the Institutional Executive Officers.

An amended substitute motion was made by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Dr. Neely, to allow the institutions the flexibility to increase the out-of-state tuition up to $2,500 and increase the in-state tuition up to $500 per student. The motion failed on a 1 to 10 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Ms. Robin Robinson voted for the motion. Board members voting against the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Bob Owens, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, Mr. Scott Ross, and Ms. Amy Whitten.

The question was called on the substitute motion that was made by Mr. Ross, seconded by Dr. Davidson, to approve for first reading the in-state tuition increase recommendations as requested by the Institutional Executive Officers. The motion failed on a 3 to 8 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Dr. Stacy Davidson, Ms. Robin Robinson, and Mr. Scott Ross. Board members voting against the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Mr. Thomas Colbert, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Bob Owens, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, and Ms. Amy Whitten.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Owens, seconded by Dr. Magee, to approve for first reading an in-state tuition increase up to 4.5% for each institution along with a one-time surcharge of 2% for utilities costs. The motion failed on a 2 to 9 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee and Mr. Bob Owens. Board members voting against the motion were: Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, Ms. Robin Robinson, Mr. Scott Ross, and Ms. Amy Whitten.

An amended motion was made by Dr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Ross, to approve for first reading the Board Staff’s recommendation of a 5.5% in-state tuition increase for each institution except for Alcorn State University which requested a 5.0% in-state tuition increase and Mississippi Valley State University which requested a 4.5% in-state tuition increase along with a one-time surcharge from 1% to 3% for utilities costs. The motion failed on a 2 to 9 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Dr. Stacy Davidson and Mr. Scott Ross. Board members voting against the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Mr. Thomas Colbert, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Bob Owens, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, Ms. Robin Robinson, and Ms. Amy Whitten.

An amended motion to Mr. Colbert’s original motion was made by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Mr. Ross, to approve for first reading the Board Staff’s recommendation of a 5.5% in-state tuition increase for each institution except for Alcorn State University which requested a 5.0% in-state tuition increase and Mississippi Valley State University which requested a 4.5% in-state tuition increase along with a one- time surcharge for utilities costs that would be capped by the Institutional Executive Officers’ original percentage request and by the actual utilities costs. The motion failed on a 4 to 7 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess, Mr. Scott Ross, and Ms. Amy Whitten. Board members voting against the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Bob Owens, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, and Ms. Robin Robinson.

The question was called on the motion that was made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Blakeslee, to approve for first reading the Board Staff’s recommendation of a 5.5% in-state tuition increase for each institution except for Alcorn State University who requested 5.0% and Mississippi Valley State University who requested 4.5% along with a one-time surcharge of 1% for utilities costs. The motion passed on a 9 to 2 vote, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Dr. Bettye Neely, Mr. Bob Owens, Mr. Aubrey Patterson, and Mr. Scott Ross. Board members voting against the motion were: Ms. Robin Robinson and Ms. Amy Whitten. (See Exhibits 2 and 3.)

On motion by Mr. Blakeslee, seconded by Mr. Ross, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting, the Board approved for first reading the out-of-state tuition increases as recommended by the Institutional Executive Officers. (See Exhibit 3.)

On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Dr. Davidson, with Ms. Newton absent and not voting, the Board approved for first reading the increase requests for the in-state and out-of-state tuition for the professional schools at Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. (See Exhibit 4.) (pp. 13-14)

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10. System Administration - Approved the Salary Guidelines for FY 2007, as follows:
It is recommended state funds be allocated to the institutions for salary increases for FY 2007 in an amount equal to a 5 percent salary increase (Note: Legislation funded an amount equal to 75 percent of the cost of a 5 percent salary increase for FY 2007). It is recommended these funds be awarded based on meritorious performance, market adjustments, or equity adjustments. Within this amount it is recommended, in compliance with Legislation, an amount sufficient to award salary increases of $6,000 per full-time equivalent nursing faculty. If the financial condition of the institution or agency permits, it is recommended that other funds may be used to award salary increases for meritorious performance, market adjustments, or equity adjustments at the discretion of the Institutional Executive Officer. It is further recommended for any salary increases below 3 percent and above 7 percent, a written justification is to be on file in the Executive Office. These salary increase guidelines apply to all university employees regardless of funding source. (pp. 14-15)

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11. USM – Approved the contract documents and authorized advertising for the receipt of bids for IHL #208-256, Baseball Stadium Expansion. Funds are available from The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation in the amount of $2,600,000. (p. 16)

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14. USM - Approved the bids and the award of a contract in the amount of $717,300 to the lower of two bidders, Hanco Corporation, for GS #108-241, 2005 Mannoni Performing Arts Center Repairs, and request approval by the Bureau of Buildings. Funds are available from S.B. 2988, Laws of 2003, and S.B. 2010, Laws of 2004, in the amount of $850,000. (p. 16)

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19. USM - Approved the request to proceed with the sale of $28,205,000 Revenue Refunding of Bonds, Series 2006. The Refunding includes the 1997A, 1997B, 2001A, 2001B and 2002 Revenue Bonds. The Refunding is projected to produce a Gross Present Value debt service savings of $1,091,774.83 to the University. (p. 17)

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Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Purdie & Metz (Statement dated 2/28/06) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with the Williams case.) TOTAL DUE..................................................... $30,713.33
Payment of legal fees for professional services rendered by Adams & Reese (Statement dated 1/7/05) from the funds of The University of Southern Mississippi. (This statement represents services and expenses in connection with the Olson case.) TOTAL DUE........................................................ $82.50 (p. 18)

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1. System Administration – Approved for first reading the proposed new Board Policy 301.0704 Commissioner's Use of State Vehicle, as follows:
301.0704 COMMISSIONER'S USE OF STATE VEHICLE
The official duties of the Commissioner of Higher Education necessitate his/her taking a state vehicle home at night and on weekends as the Commissioner is on call at all times and must travel to the various institutions with little notice to conduct the official business of the agency. Since such use of a state vehicle is in the best interest of the Board, the Commissioner shall be permitted to take an agency vehicle home at nights and on weekends for official business purposes. (p. 20)

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[Commencement speakers]

ASU ... The Honorable Percy W. Watson, Chairman, House Ways & Means Committee, Mississippi Legislature
DSU ... Gwendolyn Sykes, Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Delta State University
JSU ... Dr. Ivory Phillips, Retired Dean and Professor, College of Education and Human Development, Jackson State University
MSU-Meridian ... The Honorable James E. Graves, Jr., Mississippi Supreme Court Justice
MSU/a.m. ... Representative Roger Wicker
MSU/p.m. ... Senator Trent Lott
MUW ... Roger Wicker, Congressman, U. S. House of Representatives
MVSU ... Mr. Ashley Ambrose, CEO and President of Thurgood Marshall Scholarship
Fund, Inc.
UM/a.m. ... Judy Woodruff, Journalist
UM/p.m. ... Joy Lambert Phillips, President of Mississippi State Bar
UMMC ... Dr. J. Edward Hill, President, American Medical Association
USM ... Ms. Sally-Ann Roberts Craft, News Anchor, WWL-TV, Channel 4 (pp. 20-22)

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SABBATICAL LEAVE
University of Southern Mississippi
Barthelme, Steven
Cannon, Gordon
Gillespie, Jeannie
Green, Rick
Haque, Mazharul
McCoy, John
Pojman, John
Sciolino, Martina (p. 24)

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3. Executive Session
On motion by Mr. Colbert, with Mr. Estess absent and not voting, the committee closed the meeting to determine whether or not it should declare an Executive Session. On motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Owens, with Mr. Estess absent and not voting, the committee voted to go into Executive Session for the reason later reported by the Chair in Open Session and stated in these
minutes, as follows:

Discussion of two investigative matters by the Board’s Internal Auditor into complaints of misconduct.

On motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Colbert, with Mr. Estess absent and not voting, the committee voted to return to Open Session.

The committee discussed two investigative matters by the Board’s Internal Auditor into complaints of misconduct. No action was taken. (pp. 28-29)

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

The Board Staff approved the Schematic Design Documents and authorized the professional to proceed with the Design Development Phase for GS #115-002, Oceanographic Facility/Infrastructure Modifications, and requested approval by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Funds are available in the project budget in the amount of $2,000,000 from S.B. 3197, Laws of 2002, and S.B. 2010, Laws of 2004.

The Board Staff concurred with the University regarding the transfer of matching funds provided in S.B. 2010, Laws of 2004, for the construction of the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, GS #108-240, and requested approval and transfer of funds in the amount of $1,998,995 by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. (p. 34)