GUEST SPEAKER:

• In the 90's, the peak year was 1995. However, when the economy is up, enrollment is traditionally down. When the economy is slow, enrollment traditionally increases. We saw this effect from a high enrollment in 1995 then a slow decline until 2000. The economy is slowing, and we are now seeing a trend of increased enrollment.
• The women out-numbered the men in graduate school. However, more men earned their degrees.
• Students are attracted to the University of Mississippi because of the location and beauty of the campus and because of the large number of distinguished Professors that teach here at Ole Miss.
• Enrollment shows that Physical Science has the highest number of minorities.
• States such as Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida have some of the highest percentages of enrollment for graduate school, due to the population of those states.

MINUTES:

• December Minutes were approved unanimously.
  
  
• Treasurers Report was approved unanimously.

NOTES OF APPRECIATION:

• Buddy Kahler gave special thanks to Joni Camp, her crew and to Aramark for the Exam Breakfast in December 2001. It was a success. More than 600 students were served.
  
  
• Buddy Kahler also thanked the Chancellor and Vice Chancellors and other administrators who were instrumental in getting the pay increases for the latest round of EEO Categories.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Melissa Hudson, Chair of the Staff Textbook Scholarship, announced that the $5000 fund approved by Chancellor Khayat was a great success. All allocated funds were given out in staff book scholarships. Vouchers may be picked up at the Government Section of the J. D. Williams Library. For more information on the Textbook Scholarship, contact Melissa Hudson at 915-5859 or mhudson@olemiss.edu.
  
  
• Buddy Kahler and Tony Seaman will attend the MASCO Quarterly Meeting in Jackson on January 10, 2002.
  
  
• Buddy and Tony attended the meeting held in December 2001 with Governor Musgrove. The Governor discussed his plans and ideas about his State Employee Health Insurance proposal to use tobacco funds to jump-start the program.
  • The current budget includes a proposed raise for state employees of 2% effective January 2003.
  • The Legislators are reluctant to use tobacco funds, and Governor Musgrove is trying to muster support to sell his ideas to the Legislature in proposing the use of tobacco money for health insurance. If the Governor can convince the Legislature to use the money for health insurance, then the Federal Government will match funds up to 3 times the amount contributed by the State.

STANDING COMMITTEES:

• Intercollegiate Athletics Standing University Committee met in December 2001. Joni Camp said that the Committee gave praise to Coach Cutcliff and his team for their positive attitude about not competing in a bowl game this year. Coach Cutcliff said that we should all look at the positive side of this, and that we use this time to recruit new athletes.
  
  
• All Standing Committees should meet at least once a month. The first person on the committees list should contact their members to have a meeting scheduled.