Dear Colleagues:

On Tuesday, June 30, Governor Parson signed the FY 2021 budget bills; yesterday, July 1 began FY 2021.  As you will recall, as the result of two withholds by the Governor in the last quarter of FY 2020, Truman’s state appropriation was cut by approximately 12.5% which equates to approximately $5.2 million.  Add to that the more than $4 million for unused Spring 2020 room and board charges credited to students’ accounts and additional expenses to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and the University ended FY 2020 down close to $10 million.

Truman’s state appropriation for FY 2021 is the same amount as the FY 2020 appropriation after the withhold; in other words, down 12.5% or $5.2 million from the FY 2019 appropriation amount.  There will be some one-time money to address COVID-19 related expenses from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund and the Coronavirus Relief Fund in the CARES Act.  We expect to learn how much money Truman will receive from these funds in the next few weeks.

As we shared with constituency groups in April, planning for the FY 2021 budget was based upon a 12.5% decrease in state appropriations and 15% decrease in enrollment.  We now know the 12.5% decrease in state appropriations is a reality.  While we are expecting a significant decrease in enrollment due to the pandemic, it is still too early to predict what fall enrollment will be.

These numbers represent our harsh reality, a reality that also includes uncertainty, stress, and exhaustion.  In this seemingly ruthless reality, it is essential that we pull together and not pull apart.  There are no easy answers and we must make many tradeoffs.  We must be resilient, stand tall, and take on the enormous challenges we are facing together.  Collaboration, patience, grace, flexibility, and a focus on the common good must guide our efforts.

Administrators, staff, faculty, and students have been working to address the multitude of factors that must be considered to return to campus.  By the end-of-day on July 9, we will be sharing tentative plans for Fall 2020.  Like the rapidly changing environment in which we continue to live, they are subject to change.  These plans will not have all the specific details as these details are still being developed.

Even in these extraordinarily trying times, we must remain focused on our mission and vision.  This focus, along with great care for the well-being of everyone and our University, will ensure we overcome all challenges.

Be well,
Sue