Dear Colleagues:

The August Board of Governors Meeting (please see highlights below) signals that summer is rapidly coming to a close and the new academic year is just around the corner.  We are excited to welcome new students, faculty, and staff to campus and reconnect with returning students and University community members.  It’s going to be a great new year! 

Once again, we will gather for the Fall Opening Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall and the Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for Friday, August 16, at noon in the Georgian Room of the Student Union.  In addition, I invite you to attend New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Sunday, August 18, on the Quad.  From 6:30-7:30 p.m., the event will be family-friendly, with faculty and staff encouraged to bring members of their families.  In celebration of the start of the new academic year, we will have a photo booth with Spike, balloon models, lawn games, party hats, noisemakers, stickers specific to the event, and various mocktails and snacks.  There will also be live music and a countdown to the new year, which will take place at 9 p.m.

Finally, I ask that you volunteer to support Truman Week and Welcome Week activities.  Most of the volunteer opportunities require an hour or less of your time, and they are a great way to welcome our new Bulldogs and join in the excitement of a new academic year.  Volunteers may sign up here (please scroll down to Truman Week to find the activities).  Thanks in advance for helping in this fun and impactful way!  

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The Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Nancy Gingrich.  During the meeting, the Board approved the following action items.

Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2025
The local capital improvement budgets are reviewed and approved annually to fund major building and renovation projects.  This year’s budgets support institutional priorities identified in Truman’s Strategic Plan and the Campus Master Plan.  Capital projects are designed and bid, and approval by the Board will be obtained for each project following established procedures. 

State Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2026
The state appropriation request is submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the State Office of Administration.  It requests funding to support the Education and General Budget.  The FY2026 request includes a funding increase linked to the rate of inflation, maintenance and repair funds, and what are known as New Decision Items, which target academic initiatives.

Architectural Services – Student Union Chick-fil-A Renovation Project
The Chick-fil-A franchise agreement calls for facility upgrades on a periodic basis.  Currently, the Student Union has a Chick-fil-A Express with a limited menu.  The renovation will expand the size of the operation to a full-service model and include more menu options.  Following the standard selection process, Bryce E. Nichols, Architect with Mayse & Associates, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, was selected to work with staff to ensure the design coordinates with the building’s existing electrical and plumbing services.  Funding will come from the auxiliary plant fund.  Approval for design services is needed to meet projected bidding and construction schedules.  After the Board approves construction bids, work will begin in late May 2025. 

Request for Naming Opportunities
The waiting room (101C) within the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center will be named Herman’s Hangout – Waiting Room, and the conference room (101D) within Greenwood will be named the James and Amanda Greenwood Conference Room.  Both naming opportunities recognize a financial contribution that meets the guidelines for naming opportunities per Foundation Board policy.

The Board heard reports from the morning committee meetings regarding the University’s financial, investment, and construction projects and reports on academic affairs summer leadership development and fall priorities, enrollment, and student engagement.  During the Board meeting, Provost Freedman provided a report on summer academies, and I shared details about the work of the House Interim Committee on Higher Education Workgroup and gave a shout-out to those who assisted with the efforts to bring the Missouri Special Olympics 2025 summer games to Kirksville.  A decision on their selected site is expected this week.

A copy of the open session agenda from the August 3 meeting can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Friday, October 25, in conjunction with Homecoming activities.

Enjoy your last days of summer.  I look forward to seeing you at the new academic year kickoff events!

Sue