MSU PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
                            June 20, 2001
                                   
PRESENT:  Jim Mitchell, Leslie Schmidt, Clyde Carroll, Carol Schmidt,
          Guest Cathy Conover

The meeting was called to order by Chair Elect Jim Mitchell.  The
minutes of the May 16, 2001, Professional Council meeting were
approved as distributed.

Chair's report - Jim Mitchell.
     - Chuck Lindemenn, Athletic Director, has resigned from MSU.
     His term on Professional Council, which ends in September, 2002,
     will need to be filled.  Professional Council members discussed
     the options.
          - The Professional Council bylaws do not address how to fill
          partial terms.
          - It was agreed a list of professionals in Student Services
          eligible to serve on Professional Council will be sent to
          Professional Council members.  Names of individuals on the
          list who might serve out the last year of the term will be
          sent to the Chair and Chair Elect, who will narrow the list
          down and present a name (or names) to Professional Council
          as an appointee to fill the term.
          - A regularly-scheduled election will be held in the Spring
          of 2002 to fill the position for three years.
     - Jim Mitchell e-mailed Corky Bush, Director of the Affirmative
     Action/Human Resources Office, regarding the effect of MAP (the
     new classification process for classified employees) on
     professional employees.
          - There has been discussion at the Commissioner of Higher
          Education level of including professional employees in the
          classification process.
          - Corky will be asked to attend a Professional Council
          meeting to discuss concerns arising about the possibility of
          including professionals.

Discussion of the 57th Legislative Session - Cathy Conover, Director
of University Relations.
     - A summary of money requested by the Montana University System
     (MUS) and the final outcome of the legislative session budget for
     MUS was distributed.
     - The MUS requested an additional $66 million ($500/year/resident
     student, $5 million student aid, and $800,000 for CoT programs).
     The Governor's budget proposed about $10 million for the system.
     Legislative action provided about $15 million for the MUS.  Some
     of the money was allocated to particular areas, in some cases as
     backfill.
     - It is anticipated about $6 million will be needed for the
     additional cost of utilities, $7 million to annualize the pay
     plan, and $10 million for the new plan.
     - The shortfull in money provided made it necessary for the Board
     of Regents to raise tuition 13% for each of the years in the
     coming biennium.
     - The legislature did authorize several of the projects
     recommended through the Long Range Building Program - roofing
     projects around the system; upkeep (new windows and foundation
     work) in Montana and Linfield Halls and at the Montana Ag
     Experiment stations; planning of an Animal Sciences Building at
     MSU and operations and maintenance costs for the building; design
     work for renovation of Gaines Hall; DTV conversion for Montana
     Public Television; and Master Facilities Planning for the system.
     - How can the university system prepare for the next legislative
session?
          - It was pointed out that legislators need to be elected who
          are supportive of the university.  The university system
          needs to be an important campaign issue.   K-12 parents
          actively lobby the legislature.  Parents of university
          students need to be encouraged to do the same.
          - If University Governance Council and CEPAC sponsor
          debates, specific questions need to be asked of the
          candidates.
          - A written survey of the candidates with the responses
          posted on the web might be helpful.
          - A more active e-mail campaign during the legislative
          session may be helpful.  University students were quite
          organized in sending e-mails to legislators during the last
          session.  As private citizens speaking for themselves,
          university employees can send e-mails or telephone from
          their homes.
          - Professional Council and Faculty Council can provide
          information for members but cannot take a position on
          issues.
          - Although there are some advantages to lump sum funding,
          the purpose of it may be defeated if groups lobby for
          themselves, because the legislature earmarks part of the
          lump sum for these groups.
          - The economic spinoff of the university system need to be
          discussed much more broadly and often.
     - CEPAC has suggested Professional Council/Faculty Council/CEPAC
     form a legislative council to consider ways to raise the
     awareness of the university system and the important role it
     plays in education and economics in the state.  It sounds like a
     good idea, but how can such a group be influential?
-     There will be further discussion of these issues.

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 PM.