Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday under the leadership of Board Chair Sarah Burkemper.  It was a full agenda with a number of recognitions and impactful action items.

The Board welcomed Bill Lovegreen from Kirksville as a new member of the Board, filling the expired term of Jimmy O’Donnell from Hannibal.  The Board passed a resolution recognizing Governor O’Donnell who served on the Board from 2012 to 2022.  In addition, the Board adopted a resolution recognizing David Lee Bonner, an out-of-state member from River Forest, Illinois, who recently resigned from the Board after serving from 2013 to 2022.  Both Governors O’Donnell and Bonner plan to be on campus for Homecoming, at which time the Board will express their appreciation in person.

In recognition of Ella Schnake being named National Champion in Interviewing and National Champion in Impromptu Speaking at the Pi Kappa Delta Biennial National Tournament held in March, the Board adopted a resolution of commendation that will be presented to Ella at the August Board Meeting.  Ella, a second-year political science and international relations major from Raymore, was unable to attend Saturday’s meeting as she was representing Truman as a judge at the 2022 High School National Speech and Debate Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.

In terms of reports, Dr. Scott Alberts, Professor of Statistics and the 2021-22 Faculty Senate President, was joined by Dr. Kathryn Brammall, Professor of History and the 2022-23 Faculty Senate President, to provide a well-received annual Faculty Senate Report.  I provided a President’s Report sharing updates on end-of-session legislative actions, including budget recommendations.  The Governor has until June 30, 2022 to sign the budget bills. At the conclusion of my report, the Board of Governors gratefully acknowledged Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Janet Gooch, as this was her final Board meeting before becoming Chancellor at the University of Illinois – Springfield.

In addition, at the meeting and during their committee meetings, the Board received updates on enrollment, student life, summer academies, information technology services, finances and investments, on-campus construction projects, and the Inclusive Pedagogy Workshop hosted by the Academic Professional Development Center in late May.

Within the area of budget and capital projects, the Board approved Operating Budgets, Academic Promotion Salary Increases for Fiscal Year 2023, and an increase in salary effective July 1 for all full-time staff earning less than $50,000 per year.

• The approved budget was developed using state funding based on recommendations made by Missouri Governor Mike Parson for FY2023 appropriations.  The General Assembly approved the proposed increase of 5.4 percent.  While the Governor has not yet signed the FY2023 appropriation bill, his approval is expected given the appropriation matches the Executive Budget proposal.
• The Board approved Academic Promotion Salary Increases for the 2022-23 Academic Year ($1,000 Instructor to Assistant Professor; $3,600 Assistant Professor to Associate Professor; $7,200 Associate Professor to Professor).  As you will recall, the Board’s consideration of salary recommendations occurs at the December meeting, with the exception that faculty promotion amounts are approved in June.
• Effective July 1, all full-time exempt and salaried/comp time eligible staff currently earning annual salaries less than $40,000 will receive an increase of $1,500, and those earning $40,000-$50,000 will receive an increase of $1,000.  Staff with full-time positions that are less than 12 months will receive a prorated increase.  Non-exempt hourly staff earning less than $18.50 per hour will receive an increase of $1 per hour and those earning over $18.50 per hour will receive an increase of $0.75 per hour.  Funds for this mid-year, additional increase are included in the FY2023 operating budget.

In addition, the Board amended Chapter 10 of their Code of Policies to provide faculty and staff with up to seven weeks of paid parental leave beginning July 1.  The leave may be taken for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of an employee’s child and to bond with the child.  Because paid parental leave is FMLA leave, FMLA eligibility criteria and other conditions apply.  Other changes to the chapter included enhanced bereavement leave, updated legal definitions, clarification among types of leave, and other changes to improve comprehension.

The Board approved the FY2024 to FY2028 State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request. This is an annual request that is submitted to the Department of Higher Education.   Truman’s top three priorities are an emergency electrical backup system that would provide electrical power to campus in the event of an emergency; a power systems infrastructure project which would upgrade the steam, chilled water, and electrical service on campus; and updates to McClain Hall (constructed in 1976) to meet current building standards and provide renovated spaces for academics and administrative needs.

PGAV Architects of Kansas City was selected to provide architectural services for the Kirk Building Renovation.  As I noted at my All-University Address in February, the Truman Student Success Center (SSC) and the SKILLS (Sustained Knowledge of Integrated Lifelong Learning Skills) Center will operate within the renovated Kirk Building, serving campus, community, and regional needs.

Finally, the purchase of a Learning Management System was approved.  This system will replace Blackboard Learn, our current Enterprise Learning Management System, given that Blackboard Learn will no longer be supported.  The selection committee will make a recommendation for the new system very soon and the timeline for implementation is to pilot some courses for the 2023 Spring Semester and have all courses converted to the new system for 2023 Fall Semester.

During the closed session of the meeting, the Board reviewed recommendations for promotion and tenure effective at the beginning of the 2022-23 Academic Year.  Please join me in  congratulating these dedicated faculty members and thanking them for all that they do on behalf of the University and our students.

Faculty promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and granted Academic Tenure include:

Michael Barnes, Accounting
Laura Bigger, Art
Jessica Colpoys, Agricultural Science
Stacy Davis, Spanish
Eric Dickson, Music
Lindsey Dunnagan, Art
Stephanie Maiden, Biology
Aaron Neeley, Art
Trevor Shonhiwa, Accounting

Faculty promoted from Associate Professor to Professor include:

Vayujeet Gokhale, Physics

A copy of the complete open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors agenda website. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, August 6.

I hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with what is most meaningful for you!

Best regards,
Sue