Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Vice Chair Laura A. Crandall.  The Board welcomed Tiffany Middlemas as the newly appointed Student Representative of the Board.  Missouri Governor Mike Parson appointed Tiffany on July 23, subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate in January.  Tiffany is a junior business administration/history major, holds leadership positions with the Bulldog Student Investment Fund and Delta Zeta, and is a Kirksville native.  The Board expressed appreciation to Carter Brooks Templeton for his service on the Board and noted that Carter will be officially recognized at their October meeting.

Jerry Wollmering, Director of Athletics, provided the annual athletics report; Regina Morin, Vice President for Enrollment Management, provided an enrollment management update; and Charles Hunsaker, Interim Director for University Advancement, highlighted the conclusion of the Pursue the Future campaign and noted that the campaign surpassed its $40 million goal by obtaining total campaign commitments of $42,964,926.  The Board also received updates on the Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW), the new undergraduate curriculum, construction projects, and financials reports.

In terms of action items, the Board approved six items within the area of budget and capital projects:

• Student Union Building Food Service Construction Project.  This project will convert the Jazzman’s/Zime food service venue in the main floor hallway to an Einstein’s Bros. Bagels with a target completion date of mid-January.  Funds for this project are available from the food service capital improvements fund.
• Chiller Replacement Engineering Services Project.  Services are needed to develop specification for purchase and installation of two chillers in need of replacement due to age and repair issues.  The chillers serve the chilled water loop which provides air conditioning to buildings on the central portion of campus.  Construction is expected to begin in late Fall 2018.
• Roofing and Masonry Architectural Services Project.  This project will begin the process of replacing the roof on Violette Hall and provide masonry repairs to the Student Recreation Center.  Funding for this project will come from the Plant Fund and will be allocated to the Education and General Budget and the Student Recreation Center based on the actual cost of construction.
• Sesquicentennial Plaza/Fountain Architectural Services Project.  The project will complete the 2015 project where the brick mall from McClain Hall to the Student Union Building was replaced.  The final phase involves replacing the bricks and fountain in front of the Student Union Building and the patio area south of the building entrance.  This will create the Sesquicentennial Plaza where personalized bricks and pavers purchased by donors will be located.  Funding for this project will come from the Sesquicentennial Plaza Campaign.  It is expected that work will begin in mid-May 2019.
• Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2019.  This year’s budget has a major focus on utility and infrastructure improvements for both academic and auxiliary buildings including replacing the Violette Hall roof, Student Recreation Center masonry repairs, and chiller replacements.
• State Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2020.  This request, submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE), is for funding to support the Education and General Budget.  Truman’s FY 2020 request includes funding based on the Performance Funding model, additional funds to expand training for mental health professionals, as well as an increase for cooperative programs with community college programs and additional maintenance and repair funding.

The Board also approved an amendment to the Student Conduct Code in regard to alcohol and other drug amnesty.  The purpose of the suggested change is to remove the barriers that may prevent a student from seeking emergency medical attention.  The goal is to reduce the potential risk of alcohol/drug related injuries or deaths and increase the likelihood that students will seek medical attention in a crisis situation.

A copy of the complete agenda from the August 4^th 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 12, in conjunction with Truman Homecoming activities.

It does not seem possible that a new academic year is about to begin in just a couple weeks.  It is always exciting to welcome our new students, faculty, and staff to campus and to reconnect with returning students and members of the University community.  I hope each of you had an opportunity to spend time with the ones you love, relax, and recharge for what is sure to be another remarkable year.  I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Opening Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, at 2:30 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall and the Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for Friday, August 17, at 12:00 noon in the Georgian Rooms of the Student Union Building.

Enjoy your last few days of summer and thank you for all that you do for Truman!

Best regards,
Sue