http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/admin/downloads/BdMay06.pdf

IHL May 2006 meeting highlights:



Mr. H. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Henderson Neely and Mr. Aubrey B. Patterson were absent. (p. 1)

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EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motion by Dr. Magee, with Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Neely, and Mr. Aubrey Patterson 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 Dr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Owens, with Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Neely and Mr. Aubrey Patterson 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 litigation matter at The University of Southern Mississippi. Discussion of a prospective Board land transaction.

On motion by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Owens, with Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Neely and Mr. Aubrey Patterson absent and not voting, the Board voted to return to Open Session. During Executive Session the following business was conducted.

A motion was made by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Mr. Colbert, to approve the settlement of the case styled Christopher Patrick Lott vs. USM, et al. The motion passed on a 6 to 3 vote, with Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Neely and Mr. Aubrey Patterson absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. D. E. Magee, Ms. Virginia Shanteau Newton, Mr. Bob Owens, Ms. Robin Robinson and Ms. Amy Whitten. Board members voting against the motion were: Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess and Mr. Scott Ross.

The Board discussed a prospective Board land transaction. No action was taken. (p. 1)

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6. System Administration - Tuition increases for FY 2007. A motion was made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve 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 an 8 to 1 vote, with Mr. Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Bettye Neely, and Mr. Aubrey Patterson absent and not voting. Board members voting for the motion were: Mr. Thomas Colbert, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Mr. Roy Estess, Dr. D. E. Magee, Ms. Virginia Shanteau Newton, Mr. Bob Owens, Ms. Robin Robinson and Mr. Scott Ross. Ms. Amy Whitten voted against the motion. (p. 6)

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4. USM – Approved the initiation of a project for repairs to the Advanced Education Center, Cox Library and other buildings at the Gulf Park Campus and the appointment of Allred/McNabb, P.A, as the project professionals. Funds are available from other unexecuted Gulf Coast projects.

5. USM – Approved the initiation of a project to update the Hattiesburg Campus Master Plan and the appointment of a design collaborative made up of Sasaki Associates, Victor Evans and Eley Associates. These firms were interviewed and recommended by the campus selection committee. The cost of the master plan is estimated to be $300,000 to $400,000 and will be funded from university sources. (p. 7)

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12. USM - Approved the bids and the award of a contract to Sullivan Building Contractor, Inc., the lowest of five bids, in the amount of $18,380,000 for IHL #208-280, Construction of Village Housing Project. Funds are available from University sources and proceeds from a Southern Mississippi Educational Building Corporation (SMEBC) bond issuer

13. USM - Approved the request to issue $18,725,000 of revenue bonds to help finance the construction of the Village Housing Project on the Hattiesburg campus. The SMEBC has approved this issuance. University funds in the amount of $2,400,000 are also available to help finance this project. (p. 8)

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AWARD OF TENURE

University of Southern Mississippi
Austin, Curtis
Campbell, Christopher
Capper, Daniel
Chambers, Douglas
Dahlen, Eric
Fitzsimmons, Susan
Hallab, Zaher
Hartsell, Taralynn
Howden, Stephan
Kaufmann, Jeffrey
Kreiser, Brian
LaFleur, Elizabeth
Lansford, Tom
Neiberg, Michael
Nugent, Katherine
Peyrefitte, Joseph
Reischman, Stacy
Sharp, David
Styron, Ronald
Watson, Sheree
White, Elaine
Williams, Judith (pp. 13-14)

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3. On Tuesday, May 16, 2006, the Commissioner met with the legislative liaisons to plan for the next legislative session. In the near future, the Board will be presented with a plan to establish a better connection with our funding partners in the executive and legislative branches. Dr. Andy Mullins, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor at The University of Mississippi, and Mr. John Tomlinson, Coordinator of Government Relations at Mississippi State University, have formulated a plan to hold twelve meetings around the state hosted by business leaders in each of the areas and assisted by the institutions. (p. 15)

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10. A week or so ago, a letter to the editor was published in The Clarion Ledger which gave a lot of incorrect information on the funding of higher education. Dr. Linda McFall, IHL Assistant Commissioner of Finance and Administration, wrote a letter in response that clarified the funding issue. Dr. Meredith thanked her and her staff for the timely response. (p. 16)

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1. Tenured Employee
On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Dr. Davidson, with Dr. Neely absent and not voting, the committee recommended that the Board approve the request for an exception to Board Policy 403.0101 Minimum Standards for Tenured Employment in order to grant tenure to Dr. Gary R. Pike in an attempt to retain him, as referenced by committee agenda item #1 in the Board Book. The Chief Academic Officers will review this policy and come back with recommended amendments in the near future. (pp. 16-17)

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AWARD OF TENURE

Mississippi State University

Pike, Gary R. (THIS AWARD OF TENURE ITEM WAS TAKEN UP EARLIER IN THE MEETING.) (p. 13)

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d. The issuance of $18,725,000 of revenue bonds at USM, as referenced by agenda item #13 in the Board Book; (p. 19)

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Legal Committee

3. Executive Session On motion by Ms. Whitten, 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 Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Whitten, and unanimously passed by those present, 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 2 prospective Board land transactions.
Discussion of 8 personnel matters, one at each of the 8 universities.
Discussion of a potential litigation matter at Mississippi State University.
Discussion of a potential litigation matter at Mississippi University for Women.

On motion by Mr. Ross, seconded by Mr. Colbert, and unanimously passed by those present, the committee voted to return to Open Session. During Executive Session, the following business was discussed.

On motion by Ms. Whitten, seconded by Dr. Davidson, and unanimously passed by those present, the committee recommended that the Board approve a proposed agreement between the Secretary of State, the City of Biloxi, and the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. for razing the remains of the J. L. Scott Marine Education Center at no cost to IHL. The Isle of Capri will in return be allowed to use the area for surface parking until IHL decides how it plans to use the property.

On motion by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Ross, and unanimously passed by those present, the committee recommended that the Board approve an additional right-of-way to the Mississippi Department of Transportation on the Point Cadet property to allow for rebuilding the BiloxiOcean Springs bridge.

The committee discussed 8 personnel matters, one at each of the 8 universities. No action was taken.

The committee discussed a potential litigation matter at Mississippi State University. No action was taken.

The committee discussed a potential litigation matter at Mississippi University for Women. No action was taken. (pp. 20-21)

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

The Board Staff approved Change Order #9 for GS #108-184, Union Building Renovation, and Addition (Student Life), in the amount of $44,471.50 with an increase of 71 calendar days to the contract time and requested approval by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Funds are available in the project budget from the following sources: $5,000,000 from H.B. 1843, Laws of 1997; $5,000,000 from S.B. 3254, Laws of 1998; $20,000,000 from SMEBC Bond Issue/SGF; and $1,700,000 from University Funds.

The Commissioner and Board Staff approved the sole bid and award of contract to J. O. Collins Contractor, Inc., in the amount of $3,350,000 for GS #110-089, Research Office/Laboratory Facility, Phase I. The project began with a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The project has additional funds from S.B. 2010, Laws of 2004, and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. (Policy & Bylaws 901.3 D) (p. 29)