Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday for their annual June meeting and retreat under the leadership of Board Chair Mike LaBeth.

During their retreat on Saturday morning, the Board heard a report on the University’s Sesquicentennial (150 years) Celebration and viewed the renovation progress at Baldwin Hall.  In addition, they spent the majority of their retreat focusing on the activities of the Organization Excellence Advisory Group including strategic planning and budget allocation.

During the meeting, the Board approved Operating Budgets and Salary Policies for Fiscal Year 2018.  Operating Budgets were developed through the three step process utilized this year due to reductions in state appropriations for both FY17 and FY18.  Following the mid-year withholding of $3.1 million for FY17, a plan to balance the budget was developed utilizing vacancies, deferred purchases and the use of contingency funds.  For FY18, a “bridge budget” approach was utilized to absorb a 9% reduction in state support.  This included a combination of one-time cuts and reductions in recurring costs.  For FY19 and beyond, the Organizational Excellence Advisory Group is providing the foundation for long-term strategies.

In regard to Salary Policies, full and part-time faculty and staff salaries will be maintained at the 2016-17 academic/fiscal year rates; however, the Board did approve the scheduled increase in faculty promotion adjustments for the 2017-2018 Academic Year.  The Board expressed their appreciation for the dedicated service of our faculty and staff, and the hope is that salary increases will be possible next year and I strongly agree with their sentiments.

In addition, the Board approved the FY 2019 to FY 2023 State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request which includes requested funds for the top priorities including the Greenwood Center, Pershing Phase 2 renovation, and an emergency electrical backup system which would provide electrical power to campus.  Although it is not likely that these requests will be approved, the capital requests must be submitted each year to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Division of Design and Construction, Office of Administration.

In addition, reports were shared from the three Board committee meetings held earlier in the week which included updates from Student Affairs on TruStar and career coaching, updates from Academic Affairs on the Online Program Management process, a review of financial reports and an audit preview, and updates on various on-campus construction projects.

During the closed session of the meeting, the Board reviewed recommendations for promotion and tenure effective at the beginning of the 2017-2018 Academic Year.  I congratulate these dedicated faculty members and thank them for all that they do on behalf of the University and our students.

Promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor:
Julia Edgar, Communication Disorders
Brian Snyder, Health and Exercise Sciences
Michael Rudy, Political Science

Promoted from Associate Professor to Professor:
Jennifer Hurst, Exercise Science
Philip Ryan, Mathematics
John Self, Communication
Marilyn Yaquinto, Communication

Granted Academic Tenure:
Brian Snyder, Health and Exercise Sciences
Michael Rudy, Political Science

A copy of the complete open session agenda 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 Saturday, August 5.

I hope your summer is enjoyable and productive!

Best regards,

Sue