Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met on Saturday, February 5, under the leadership of Governor Sarah Burkemper, Board Chair.  The meeting took place in McClain Hall 206J.  All ten Board members participated virtually given the recent winter storms in mid-and south Missouri.  Governor Burkemper called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. and welcomed all in attendance.

During the Public Comment section of the meeting, Governor Burkemper recognized student Elias Burrough who had requested to speak to the Board on behalf of the Truman State University College Republicans.  Elias, the event coordinator for the College Republicans, provided brief comments concerning the implementation of COVID mitigation strategies.

Governor Burkemper recognized Governor K. Brooks Miller, Jr. for his service as the 2021 Chair of the Board, noting that the Board hopes to officially recognize Governor Miller in person at the Board’s April meeting.

In terms of reports, Mike Gibbons with GibbonsWorkman, LLC, shared his thoughts related to the 2022 Missouri Legislative Session.  The firm of GibbonsWorkman serves as Truman’s Governmental Relations Service Consultant.  Shania Montufar and Ethan Kershaw, 2021-22 President and Vice President of Student Government, provided the annual Student Government Report highlighting the organization’s many impactful activities and initiatives.  Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, provided an enrollment management report focusing on efforts to recruit the Fall 2022 entering class.  I shared a President’s Report providing a budget update and highlighting a Higher Education and Workforce Development Roundtable on February 1, coordinated by Missouri Governor Mike Parson and hosted by Truman.

Both at the meeting and within their committee meetings, the Board received updates in the areas of academic affairs and student services on the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Quality Initiative on Advising, the Barbara Dixon Faculty Research Fund, Esports, and the University’s Social Media efforts.  In addition, Board members reviewed their Conflict of Interest Policy and financial, investment, and on-campus construction project reports, and committee members approved engagement letters for the upcoming audit.

In terms of action items, the Board approved three new academic programs – Bachelor of Science in Music Business, Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics – effective with the 2022-23 Academic Year, subject to the approval of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  All three programs should be attractive to prospective students.

The Board authorized the execution of contracts with enrollmentFUEL, LLC to provide continuing customer relationship management services for the Office of Admission, and with LifeWorks (US) Ltd. to continue to provide remote mental health counseling services for Truman students.

Within budget and capital, the Board approved the Summer 2022 Flooring Project, a project that will replace carpet and tile flooring in need or replacement in areas of Violette Hall, Ophelia Parrish, and Magruder Hall.  Funds are available in the Local Capital Budget.  In addition, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement for Unit I by and between Truman State University and the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local No 995 for Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024.  Employees in the Physical Plant are represented by the Union, and changes to the memorandum include an updated vacation policy for employees with more than 20 years of service and the allowance of members to transfer between similar positions and keep their current wage.

Lastly, the Board approved a one-time faculty early retirement incentive program with a separation/retirement date no later than May 31, 2023.  Eligible for the early retirement incentive program are all full-time employees holding faculty status currently employed at Truman who meet one of the following conditions by May 31, 2023:  1) MOSERS Participant (MOSERS Retirement Eligible on or before June 1, 2023); or 2) CURP Participant (age plus years of service must equal 70 on or before June 1, 2023).  The program is not available to employees who have already committed their written intent to retire from the University.  The program is limited to thirty-five (35) participants and provides a cash incentive payment of $30,000 which will be payable as a lump sum in the employee’s final paycheck from the University.  The enrollment period runs from February 28 through April 1, 2022.  The Human Resources Office will distribute additional information as well as directions on how to apply.

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, April 9.

In a time when gratitude and appreciation are more important than ever, please know that the members of the Board of Governors and I not only recognize but are enormously grateful, for your immense contributions and devotion to our students and our University.

Continue to be well,
Sue