Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of K. Brooks Miller, Jr., Board Chair.  The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2022 calendar year.  New officers who will take office for a term of one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the calendar year are Sarah Burkemper, Chair; Cheryl J. Cozette, Vice Chair; and Nancy Gingrich, Secretary.

Reports
Dr. Janet Gooch, Provost, was joined by Dr. Hyun-Joo Kim, Professor of Statistics; Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Associate Professor of Physics; and three of their students who showcased the impactful work done in the Self and Society Seminars and the Symposium.  I provided a President’s Report reporting on multiple topics including the University’s continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the results of the University’s Vaccine Incentive Program, status reports on requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and MoExcels funding, and the proposed federal appropriations bill.  I also noted Truman’s inclusion in America’s Crossroads Bowl in Hobart, Indiana, and publicly thanked the Baptist Student Union for the many kindnesses they have extended recently to the campus community.  In addition, the Board reviewed financial reports and heard reports from their morning committee meetings.

Salary Policies 2022
In terms of action items, the Board approved Salary Policies for 2022.  Starting with Fiscal Year 2020, the Board adopted a new timeline for salary policies, adjusting salary increase consideration to the calendar year rather than the fiscal year, a change which allows consideration of final enrollment numbers and a more accurate state appropriation projections.  The approved salary increases will take effect January 1, 2022, for employees on the payroll as of that date (unless otherwise indicated in an employment letter), and will increase employees’ base salary or hourly wage rate.  The University is utilizing the entire state appropriation core increase for this fiscal year to fund salary increases.

All full-time faculty academic year salaries will be increased by at least $1,000, with some individual salaries increasing up to $6,100.  These increases are determined through the work of the Faculty Compensation Committee, with the goal to make Truman’s compensation policies more competitive by moving salaries closer to the relevant CUPA-HR (Colleges and Universities Professional Association-Human Resources) medians.

The increases for staff are designed to provide the highest percentage increases to the lower paid staff, increases necessary to remain competitive in the labor market, particularly for entry-level positions.  All full-time exempt and salaried/comp time eligible staff will receive an annual increase of $1,760.  Current non-exempt staff will receive a raise of 85₵ per hour.  Salary increases for part-time staff will be prorated.

Because all staff receive the same increase, salary letters for staff will not be issued.  Faculty, however, will receive a letter from Provost Gooch reflecting the amount that their base salary will increase.  In addition, each employee’s Employee Position and Compensation information, which can be found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year.  For questions, staff should contact Payroll, and faculty should contact the Provost Office.

Resolution Amending Vacation Leave Policy
The Board approved adding an additional step for staff vacation accruals based upon an analysis of vacation policies at similar institutions in Missouri.  The analysis revealed that most institutions have an additional vacation accrual step that recognizes length of service beyond 15 years.  Effective January 1, 2022, full-time staff with 20 years of service will earn 2 days per month or 24 days per year of vacation.

Housing and Food Plan Charges
Housing and food plan charges effective with the 2022 Fall Semester were approved.  The Board approved an overall average increase of 5.5% in room rates and an average increase in meal plans of 5.3% to offset anticipated increased costs related to utilities, food, and labor.  The most common combination selected by students is a double occupancy room with a 15 meals/week board plan.  The overall increase proposed for this configuration is 5.4%.

Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project
In terms of construction projects, the Board approved the Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project.  This project rebuilds the two chillers in Ophelia Parrish which are failing due to age.  Quotes were obtained to perform only required repairs versus an overhaul of each chiller following factory rebuilding specifications.  Based on the efficiencies to be gained, it was recommended that the latter option be selected.  Funds for the project are available in the Plant Fund.

Revised Academic Calendar for the Spring Semester 2023
The Board approved a revised Academic Calendar for the 2023 Spring Semester after it was noted that an incorrect date was listed for Term Break.  The correct date of Monday, April 10, 2023, will be incorporated into the academic calendar.

Professional Leaves
Finally, the Board approved faculty Sabbaticals for the 2022-23 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

2022-23 Academic Year
Marc Becker, Professor of History
Victor Marquez-Barrios, Associate Professor of Music
Bill Miller, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Sarah Mohler, Associate Professor of English

2022 Fall Semester
Jocelyn Cullity, Associate Professor of English
Lin Zhang, Professor of Business Administration

2023 Spring Semester
Anton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology

A copy of the 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 regular meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2022.

I wish each of you a fantastic end to the fall semester!

All the best,
Sue