Guest Speaker:

1. Students. Six years ago, enrollment had dropped 7% and costs had risen 29%. Enrollment has gone from 10,181 in 1995 to 11,492 this year. Our residency ratio is 60% residents of Mississippi and 40% non-residents. Because of the increase in enrollment and funds generated from the enrollment, this year a budget cut of 7% (roughly $5 million) was able to be translated to only a 1.14% cut at the department level.
   
   
2. Library. The John D. Williams Library has recently been renovated and expanded. Funding for acquisition of books and research materials has been increased.
   
   
3. Faculty/Staff Compensation. This continues to be one of our top concerns. Dr. Khayat started that faculty/staff compensation accounts for approximately 73% of the University's entire budget. During his first year as Chancellor, faculty and staff received a 0% increase. The second year showed a 3% increase, followed by another 3% increase in the third year. In the fourth year, there was a 7.5% increase. And as we all know, unfortunately there will be no increases again this year. This translates to a 13.5% increase over a 5-year period. These figures all represent figures as directed from IHL. Some people may have received more or less during any given year. Budget directions say the "average" has to be a certain percentage, but within a department, leeway is given within certain guidelines.
   
   On the University campus, $6.82 is the lowest wage paid to a full-time staff member. Dr. Khayat stated that if you are a full-time staff member and are not making at least $6.82, you should contact Johnny William's office.
   
   To give a 1% increase in salary takes $750,000.
   
   
4. Improving classrooms, labs, library, grounds. We are working to make all areas more functional, safer, beautiful, and more productive.
   
   
5. Establish extraordinary programs, such as the
   1. McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College
   2. Croft Institute for International Studies
   3. Racial Reconciliation
   4. Trent Lott Leadership Institute
   
   
6. Expand research. One way to measure the quality of our institution is by the amount of external funding received. In 1995, we received $17 million. In 2000, we received $44 million. In the 9th month of fiscal year 2001, we have already received $48 million.
   
   
7. Increased private support. We all know about the efforts of the Major Gifts Campaign and the Foundation in seeking and finding private support.

1. Think about ways we can be more efficient in the way we operate. Send these ideas to the signatory officer of your department.
2. What is your vision for the University?
3. What are the priorities that you see for the University?

1. asking the Board for:
   1. flexibility in increasing tuition; probably ask for a 10 to 15% increase
   2. flexibility in scheduling classes / start and end dates for semesters. If M-W-F class times are increased to one hour, we should be able to end the semester two weeks earlier than usual. This would allow us to plan for a intersession during the month of January, and start the spring semester around February 1. This would also allow us to close down buildings that are not being used to save on utility costs.
   3. flexibility in pay increases for faculty and staff
2. increase in grants revenue
3. private support funds

Minutes:

Announcements:

• Everyone was reminded about the absentee policy for the Staff Council, and urged to attend all meetings.
• Nominations for officers for July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 were accepted:
  1. Secretary
                    Amanda Wood
  2. Treasurer
                    Shannon Lovejoy
                    Dave Sagaser
  3. President-Elect
           there were no volunteers. The by-laws state that a person must be a member of the council for a year before being elected President-Elect. One member who was questioned as to whether he would consider running, has only been on the council since August 2000 (11 months). Joni Camp made a motion to make an exception this year since no one had stated they would run. Melissa Hudson seconded the motion. The motion was carried with one opposition. The council member stated he would "think about it" and let Traci Mitchell know whether she could put his name on the ballot or not.
• President Sherry Wall reminded everyone to vote on April 17th, no matter what stand they take on the state flag issue.
• A discussion was held concerning Awards Day / Employee Appreciation Day. It was agreed that spending $20 to $30 each for gifts for people with greater than 30 years of service was acceptable. The number of programs to be printed for the ceremony is 200. When asked whether there was going to be a plant swap this year, President Wall stated that it was discussed at the March meeting, but no interest was shown in holding it.

Committee Reports:

• Joni Camp reported that the Spring Exam Breakfast has been set for Tuesday, May 8th, from 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. All volunteers to serve are asked to be at Paul B. Johnson Commons at 8:30 p.m.
• Blood Drive - volunteers to serve are still needed, according to Karen Tuttle. The dates are May 16th and 17th. To volunteer, contact Jeanette Wells or Karen Tuttle.
• Concerns - Buddy Kahler stated he had received a question regarding budgets and wasteful spending, such as money for elaborate brochures and programs for special events. Buddy reported that brochures and programs generally are printed up as part of the cost of doing business in order to attract private donors. This cost is a "one-time" expenditure that usually comes from the Foundation, whereas money for salary increases has to be there year after year.
• A staff member stated there was a problem with parking around Athletic West. She was told to contact Dr. Keith Womer, Chair of the Traffic Safety and Planning Committee.
• Sherry Wall asked for a volunteer to serve on the Convocation Committee. Denise Knighton volunteered.