Dear Colleagues

Truman Homecoming 2019 was a huge success thanks to all of you!  Spirits were high, our football team was victorious, the weather cooperated (mostly!), and the students, alumni and honored guests all seemed to have a fabulous time!  The theme of Better Together certainly fit the occasion and proved to me once again how extremely proud I am to be a member of the Bulldog community!  I express my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped orchestrate the weekend’s activities.

Included in the festivities was the dedication of the Sandra K. Giachino Reavey Sesquicentennial Plaza, a project which completes our sesquicentennial plaza and provides us with a beautiful working fountain and a patio area just outside the Student Union.  If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to view the fountain in the evening as the added lighting makes it even more beautiful.  We are forever indebted to Sandra for her contribution and her dedication to her alma mater.

The members of the Board of Governors participated in the weekend events in conjunction with their annual October meeting.  Board Chair Laura A. Crandall led the meeting at which the Board recognized Mike LaBeth for his service as a member of the Board of Governors from January 2013 to June 2019.

Dr. Ernie Hughes, Vice President for University Advancement, provided an update on Advancement and the work of the Foundation Board and reviewed a revision to the Bylaws of the Truman State University Alumni Association.  The revision was approved by the Board of Governors and includes the renaming of the association to the Truman State University National Alumni Association.  Edits were also approved to specify roles and responsibilities to better comply with the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) as a nonprofit organization and clarify language to provide guidance in the future that both aligns with current practice and allows flexibility for the Alumni Association to adapt to future needs.

Kara Jo Levery, Chair of Staff Council and Career Ready Coach in the University Career Center, provided the annual report from Staff Council.  Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, provided an enrollment management report, and representatives from RubinBrown LLP reported on the annual audit of the University.  I provided a President’s Report highlighting a number of activities which had taken place since the last meeting of the Board, and the Board reviewed financial reports and received updates related to on-campus construction projects.  In addition, the Board heard reports from their three committees, and Governor Crandall announced the appointment of a Policy Review Committee to review the Honorary Degrees policy for possible edits.

Within the area of Finance and Auditing, the Board approved a revision to their policy pertaining to faculty and staff discount for enrollment fees, modifying the policy to make it clear that the reduction in enrollment fees applies only to in-state enrollment fees for regularly scheduled classes.  The reduction in enrollment fees does not apply to courses where enrollment fees are established or received by institutions other than Truman.  The reduction in enrollment fees also does not apply to other charges, such as out-of-state tuition, course overload charges, program fees, supplemental class fees, dual enrollment fees, residence hall charges, travel costs, summer camp fees, workshop fees, academy fees, or off-campus course fees.

In terms of Budget and Capital, the Board approved a Replacement Storage Building Project, a project that replaces the storage building located in the Dulaney/Baldwin complex which was destroyed by fire in January.  The new facility will be constructed on University land east of Stokes Stadium on Florence Street.  Costs in excess of the insurance claim proceeds will be funded by University Plant Funds.  The Board also approved two projects related to the Greenwood Center.  The Greenwood Site Development Project involves structural improvements, site development such as new water, sewer and storm water lines, and exterior components including sidewalks and the parking lot.  Favorable bids from the Greenwood Site Development Project also allowed the addition of asbestos abatement.  Funds for both projects are available from the $1,150,000 state appropriation for this project.

A copy of the open session agenda from the October 18^th meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at:  https://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Homecoming and got to experience some of the many things that make Truman so special.  May the second half of your semester be even better than the first!

Best regards,

Sue