Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to provide a brief summary of the August meeting of the Truman State University Board of Governors as well as extend an invitation to attend the Fall Opening Assembly and Ready-or-Not Luncheon scheduled for Thursday, August 18.

The Board met this past Saturday in the Student Union Building.  Jerry Wollmering, Director of Athletics, provided the annual athletics report, and Curtis Kelsey, staff member in Information Technology Services and Chair of Staff Council, reported on the work of Staff Council throughout the past fiscal year.  The Board also heard reports in their committee meetings on Truman Transformation, the Student Conduct Code revision process, financial reports and construction projects currently taking place on campus.  I provided a President’s Report which included an announcement by Charles Hunsaker, Interim Co-Director of Advancement, of a recent $1 million gift commitment through the Pursue the Future Campaign.  This gift brings the campaign to $30.6 raised toward the $40 million goal.  Further information about this special gift commitment will be shared after the University is able to finalize publicity details with the donors.  The Board also reviewed the latest draft of the University Strategic Plan (2016-2020).  The proposed draft will be shared with campus at the Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop scheduled for August 19, with the intent to ask for Board approval at their next regular meeting.

In terms of action items, the Board approved four items within the area of budget and capital projects.  A State Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year 2018 was approved which includes funding based on the Performance Funding model, additional funds to expand training for mental health professionals as well as an increase for STEM programs and Maintenance and Repairs funding.  The Board approved the Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2017, with a major focus on utility and infrastructure improvements for both academic and auxiliary buildings.  The Board also approved architectural services for the Greenwood Center Project and the University Residence Project.  The Greenwood Center Project will involve a renovation of the Greenwood Elementary School to provide interdisciplinary assessment intervention for children with Autism or suspected Autism as well as other neuro-developmental disorders.  If all goes according to plan, construction will begin in late Spring 2017 with the Center scheduled to open in Fall 2018.  The University Residence Project will provide an analysis of the facility, including potential improvements ranging from basic issues that must be addressed to renovations that would retain the historical integrity of the home.

A copy of the complete agenda from the August 6 meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Friday, October 21, in conjunction with Truman Homecoming activities.

The Board’s annual August meeting signals the end of summer and the beginning of a new academic year.  Next week, a new class of freshmen and transfer students will converge on the Truman campus.  It will be a pleasure to welcome new faces to campus, including those of our new faculty and staff, and to reconnect with returning students and members of the University community.  I hope you had an opportunity to recharge and ready yourself for the coming year.  I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Opening Assembly scheduled for Thursday, August 18, at 10:15 a.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall, followed by the Ready-or-Not Luncheon scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in the Georgian Room of the Student Union.

I hope you enjoy your last few days of summer, and thank you for all that you do on behalf of Truman.

Best regards,

Sue