Dear Colleagues:

I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some upcoming events, provide a report on Saturday’s Board of Governors meeting and once again express my sincere appreciation for your tireless work and dedication to our students and to this institution.  Kelly and I hope each of you find time over the break to rejuvenate and spend some quality time with family, friends and loved ones. 

Upcoming Events

• Faculty and Staff Holiday Open House
  Kelly and I will host the annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Open House at the University Residence on Wednesday, December 12, from 2-5 p.m.  From our most recent inspection, the residence seems to be free of bats, and thus we hope that many of you will be willing and able to join us. 
• Winter Commencement
  The 2012 Winter Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 15, at 11:00 a.m. in Pershing Arena.  Eric Schmitt, a 1997 Truman alumnus who currently serves as the Missouri Senator for the 15th District, will be our Commencement speaker.
• Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Days
  Thursday and Friday, December 20-21, have been designated Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Days as a means to promote continued fellowship between various offices and departments on campus. 

December Board of Governors Meeting

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday and at that meeting elected officers for the 2013 calendar year.  The new officers who will take office for a term of one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the 2013 calendar year are:  Chair, Karen Haber; Vice Chair, Susan Plassmeyer; and Secretary, Jim O’Donnell. 

Reports were shared from the three committee meetings held earlier that morning.  In addition to a report on the various agenda items, Doug Davenport, Dean of the School of Social and Cultural Studies, reported on the work of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Leadership Team in preparation for the University’s re-affirmation of accreditation with HLC which is scheduled to take place during the 2014-15 academic year.  At the full Board meeting, the Board received a report from Donna Liss, Chief Information Officer, on activities and initiatives within the area of Information Technology Services, and I provided a President’s Report on current activities and University initiatives.  The Board also reviewed financial reports and received updates on various on-campus construction projects. 

The Board took action on two items within the area of finance and auditing.  The Board approved a new investments policy, and they exercised the option to approve a one-year extension of the contract with RubinBrown LLC to serve as the University’s external audit firm. 

Within the area of budget and capital projects, the Board took action on three items.  The Board approved a proposal for architectural services for the Kirk Memorial Exterior Repairs Project, a project designed to preserve the structure as well as prevent further interior damage.  The Board approved the purchase of three items of equipment:  an isokinetic machine for use in teaching, undergraduate research and rehabilitation for the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences; a Steinway Model M Medium Grand Piano for the use of music students in practice and ensemble rehearsals for the Department of Music; and a disk storage system to replace disk systems that are no longer supported by the vendor and must be upgraded for ITS.  The final item within this area was the approval of housing charges effective with the 2013 Fall Semester.  Based on the approved action, room and board rates will increase for the 2013-14 academic year by an average of 2.9% for double occupancy rooms.

And finally, within the area of academic and student affairs, the Board approved a new statement of non-discrimination, and faculty sabbaticals for the 2013-14 academic year were approved.  A listing of the faculty members approved for sabbaticals for the coming year are as follows:

2013-14 Academic Year
Brent Buckner, Professor of Biology
Diane Janick-Buckner, Professor of Biology
Lloyd Pflueger, Professor of Religion
David Robinson, Professor of History
Mary Shapiro, Professor of Linguistics

2014 Spring Semester and 2014 Fall Semester
Amber Johnson, Professor of Anthropology

2013 Fall Semester
Russ Baughman, Professor of Chemistry
Danion Doman, Professor of Spanish
Ernst Hintz, Professor of German

2014 Spring Semester
Sana Camara, Professor of French
Gregory Jones, Professor of Music

A copy of the complete agenda can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://governors.truman.edu/agendamaterials.asp.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2013.

Sincerely,

Troy

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Friday in conjunction with Truman Homecoming under the leadership of Board Chair Kenneth L. Read.  The Board had the opportunity to interact with members of the Foundation Board, the Alumni Board, and the Alumni Chapter and Club Leaders, who also met on Friday, as well as with various alumni and friends of the University who were honored during the Homecoming festivities.  Given the ever-changing weather we have been experiencing lately, the weekend could not have been more perfect.  I thank all who played a part in making our festivities such a wonderful success.    

At Friday’s meeting, the Board approved a resolution of commendation for the national championship title earned by the Truman Speech and Debate Team at the 42rd Annual National Forensics Association Championship Tournament held in April.  The team was unable to be present due to an off-campus competition; however, I look forward to presenting that resolution to them when they return.  The Board shared reports from their committee meetings held earlier that morning.  In addition, the members of the Board were provided with reports from the areas of Athletics, Enrollment Management, Advancement and Public Safety, along with a report on the the annual audit of the University which was declared by RubinBrown to be a clean and unqualified audit.  I also provided a President’s Report on current issues facing the University, and the Board reviewed financial reports and received updates on various on-campus construction projects.

The Board took action on one item within the area of finance and auditing.  The Board approved the proposal of PFM Asset Management, LLC to provide investment management services to the University.  Within the area of budget and capital, the Board approved a Soccer Field Improvements Project which will provide a drainage system to remove water from the field and an irrigation system to water the field at appropriate times.  The project should be completed prior to May 1, and funds for the project are available from the student athletic fee budget.  The Board also took action to reappoint Truman’s current legislative consultants.  

A copy of the complete agenda from the October 19^th meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://governors.truman.edu/agendamaterials.asp.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, December 1. 

Sincerely,

Troy

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday for their annual June meeting under the leadership of Kenneth L. Read. 

During the meeting, the Board approved the Operating Budgets and Salary Policies for Fiscal Year 2013.  The FY 2013 Operating Budgets were approved based on projected state support for FY 2013 which is down slightly from the FY 2012 appropriation, but level when compared with the actual funds received.  It is still possible that Governor Nixon will veto or withhold all or part of amounts over his budget recommendation, which calls for a 7.8% decrease.  Thus, the budget has been developed with the General Assembly recommendation as the appropriation, with reserves to cover potential withholding.  Tuition for 2012-13 was increased and enrollment for FY 2013 is projected to be level.  The overall result is a 1.7% projected increase in revenue and expenditures compared to the FY 2012 budget.  Given the above, I am pleased to report that the Board also approved the Salary Policies for Fiscal Year 2013 which will allow salary increases for both faculty and staff.  Faculty and staff salaries (both exempt and non-exempt) for FY 2012 will be increased by 2.5 percent.  Faculty promotion adjustment amounts remain the same as given in past years. 

The Board approved three policy changes to their Code of Policies.  A new section entitled Financial Exigency-Retrenchment was added to Chapter 10 which is designed to assist the Board should a budgetary or financial emergency arise which, in the judgment of the President of the University, requires retrenchment (defined as a reduction, discontinuance or merge of programs or services which results in termination of tenured faculty or in the termination of term appointments during their term).  The approved policy was unanimously endorsed by the Faculty Senate at their meeting on May 3.  The Board amended Chapter 10 in regard to funeral leave, altering the policy to provide up to three days of funeral leave in the event of the death of an employee’s mother-in-law or father-in-law.  Finally, the Faculty and Staff Discount for Enrollment Fees policy, last amended by the Board in 1991, was revised based on issues raised in recent years regarding eligibility, as well as a review of policies at other state supported institutions in Missouri.  Changes in the policy include a revised definition of the term “children” to limit the benefit to those under the age of twenty-five (25), the addition of the benefit to those who retire from the University with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of service, and the addition of a one-year waiting period for the benefit for all new full-time employees hired after September, 1, 2012. 

Other action items approved during the open session of the June meeting included:
–approval of the academic calendar for the period of August Interim 2013 through Summer Session 2015;
–ratification of a Franklin Street Power Relocation Project, which will relocate the electrical power poles on the west side of Franklin Street through campus as part of the scheduled work of the city of Kirksville in 2013 to make improvements from Normal Street to Patterson Street similar to those already installed on Jefferson Street west to the campus of A. T. Still University;
–approval of the Barnett Hall Carpet Project, designed to replace outdated carpet in the north wing of Barnett Hall in areas formerly occupied by the Departments of Communication Disorders and Nursing;
–approval of the Pershing Arena Sound System Project, a project funded in part by the Student Athletic Fee;
–approval of the Fiscal Year 2014 State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request which includes requested funds for the top three priorities of Pershing Phase 2 Renovation, Baldwin/McClain Hall Project Renovation,  and an Emergency Electrical Backup System which would provide electrical power to campus in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist act or other emergency; and
–approval of the FY 2013 and FY 2014 Memorandum of Agreement with the Public Service Employees’ Union Local No. 773.

Throughout the day, the Board also received a number of reports.  I shared in greater detail the rationale behind and the work done thus far by the Guiding Coalition.  Administrative reports were also provided from the areas of the Business Office, Campus Planning and the Foundation Board. 

During the closed session of the June meeting, the Board reviewed recommendations from the President and the Provost for promotion and tenure.  A listing of faculty members who will be promoted and/or receive academic tenure effective at the beginning of the 2012-13 Academic Year are as follows:

Promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor:

School of Arts and Letters
Matthew Derezinski, Art
Charles Gran, Music

School of Business
Lin Zhang, Business Administration

School of Health Sciences and Education
Teak Nelson, Nursing

School of Science and Mathematics
Timothy Walston, Biology

Promoted from Associate Professor to Professor:

School of Arts and Letters
Danion Doman, Spanish

School of Health Sciences and Education
Wendy Miner, Education

School of Science and Mathematics
Dean DeCock, Mathematics
Jon Gering, Biology
Maria Nagan, Chemistry
John O’Brien, Chemistry
Peter Ramberg, History of Science    
Carol Thatcher, Mathematics

School of Social and Cultural Studies
Xiaofen Chen, Economics
Amber Johnson, Anthropology
Elaine McDuff, Sociology
Jeffrey Vittengl, Psychology
Karen Vittengl, Psychology

Granted Academic Tenure: 

School of Arts and Letters
Matthew Derezinski, Art
Charles Gran, Music
Jesse Krebs, Music

School of Business
Lin Zhang, Business Administration

School of Health Sciences and Education
Teak Nelson, Nursing
Paul Yoder, English Education

School of Science and Mathematics
Chad Montgomery, Biology
Jason Shaw, Mathematics
Timothy Walston, Biology

I congratulate each of these dedicated individuals and thank them for all that they do on behalf of the University and our students.

A copy of the complete agenda from the June 16^th meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://governors.truman.edu/agendamaterials.asp.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, August 4.

Sincerely,

Troy

Dear Colleagues:
 
On April 12, Dr. Peter Goldman, Professor Emeritus of Biology, presented the sixth and final presentation in Truman’s year-long series entitled A Conversation on the Liberal Arts.  A copy of Dr. Goldman’s remarks, entitled “A Question Augustus Asked,” has been added to the President’s Office Updates and Campus Communications website located at http://blogs.truman.edu/presoffice/.

A Question Augustus Asked

I, once again, want to thank all the individuals who graciously gave of their time and energy in sharing their insight with the campus community centered around our celebration of 25th anniversary of Truman’s mission change and the examination of the question of “Why a Public Liberal Arts & Sciences University in the 21st Century?”  I believe the series was extremely significant for the campus community in order to reflect on our mission and share our thoughts on Truman’s future.
 
Thank you again for your involvement.
 
Troy