June Board of Governors Meeting

Dear Colleagues:

Truman’s Board of Governors held its annual June meeting on Saturday.  Before the meeting, the Board held committee meetings and a working session, and the Department of Art and Design, led by Aaron Neeley, Associate Professor of Art and Chair of the Department, provided a wonderful and insightful tour.

Governor Bill Lovegreen, Board Chair, officially welcomed Doug Villhard, appointed as an out-of-state Board member on April 23, to fill the expired term of David Bonner.

Resolutions of commendation were approved for three very impressive members of the Truman Forensics Union who earned national championships at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament, held March 18-22.  Briggs Maynor, a May 2026 graduate majoring in chemistry from Kansas City, Missouri, earned two national championships, one in Poetry Interpretation and another in Duo Interpretation with his partner, Jessie Philips, a May 2026 graduate from Raymore, Missouri, who majored in political science.  Lauren Weiss, a sophomore majoring in biology from Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was named national champion in persuasive speaking.  Jessie attended Saturday’s meeting to receive recognition.  Lauren will be recognized at the Board’s October meeting, and Briggs will be recognized in absentia.

Other items approved by the Board include:

Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year 2027:  The operating budgets for FY2027 were developed using state funding based on a recommendation of level funding made by the Governor for FY2027 appropriations.  The Governor has until June 30 to sign the FY2027 appropriation bill.

Academic Promotion Salary Policy for the 2026-27 Academic Year:  Faculty members promoted in rank for the 2026-27 AY (excluding those whose 2026-27 AY salaries have been established by separate agreements) will receive the following salary increases:  Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, $3,800; Associate Professor to Professor, $7,500.

Addition of Master of Science in Data Science:  The Board approved adding a new graduate program, pending approval from the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE).  The new Master of Science in Data Science (DS) degree program is distinct from the existing MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling (DSAS).  DSAS is an online program that places substantial emphasis on communicating analytical results, with a reduced focus on the technical aspects of data science.  The DS program will be offered in person and will emphasize the technical aspects of the discipline, with a reduced focus on communication.  Many data science and statistics courses appropriately count toward completion of either the new DS program or the existing DSAS program, given the content overlap between the two programs.  Students may not earn both master’s degrees.

Inactivation of the Master of Athletic Training:  The Board also approved the inactivation of the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) graduate program, pending CBHE approval.  In 2025, an internal review of the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree was conducted to assess the program’s continued viability.  The review concluded that discontinuing the program was warranted so that the resources currently being expended on it could be reinvested.  Upon the recommendation of the Chair of Exercise Science,  the Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies, the Provost, and the Graduate Council, the Faculty Senate voted at its April 23 meeting to inactivate the program.  With the Board’s approval, the program would move to inactive status while the remaining students complete their degrees.  No new students would be admitted to the program.  Once all students have completed the program, the program will be up for deletion.

Purchase of Equipment – Nursing Department Manikins:  The Board approved the purchase of new medical training manikins to enhance instruction in prenatal, postpartum, labor, delivery, and newborn care.  Funds for the purchase will come from the Nursing Foundation’s restricted fund, following a generous donation by an alumna.

Architectural and Campus Planning Services:  A proposal from Building Resource Studio, LLP was approved to provide campus planning services.  The University has been without a full-time campus planner for the past fiscal year, following the untimely passing of the previous campus planners and two unsuccessful employment searches.  While other University staff have temporarily supported campus planning functions during this period, these services will provide a formal, long-term solution.

State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request for Fiscal Year 2028:  The approved FY2027 request includes requested funds for eight top priorities, including updates to Pickler Memorial Library, an emergency electrical backup system, power system infrastructure, and updates to McClain Hall, Violette Hall, Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center, Pershing/Health Sciences, and Magruder Hall.  Capital funds requests are submitted to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Division of Design and Construction, Office of Administration.  The request outlines priorities for the next five years, with a focus on the repair and renovation of existing facilities.

Faculty Promotions and Academic Tenure:  During the closed session, the Board reviewed recommendations for promotion and tenure, effective for the 2026-27 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating these dedicated and talented faculty members and thanking them for all they do for our students and the University.  Bob Johnson, Agricultural Science, was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and granted academic tenure.  Faculty promoted from Associate Professor to Professor include José Carreño Medina, Spanish; Meg Edwards, Political Science; Tim Humphry, Chemistry; Victor Marquez-Barrios, Music; Amanda Medlock-Klyukovski, Communication; Sarah Mohler, English; Curren Prendergast, Music; Jocelyn Stevens, Music; Amy Teten, Communication Disorders; and Karl Witt, Education.

In addition to the above action items, GibbonsWorkman LLC, the University’s State Governmental Relations Service Consultant, provided its annual report.  Chad Mohler, Faculty Senate President, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, and Chair of the Department of Social Science and Human Inquiry, presented the annual Faculty Senate report.  I offered a President’s Report covering the status of senior administrator searches, the partial funding of Representative Graves’ appropriation request for the emergency electrical backup project, the status of the Missouri legislature’s requested higher education funding formula, and the record enrollment at the Joseph Baldwin Academy.  The Board also heard reports from its three committees, reviewed enrollment and financial reports, and reviewed the status of previously approved construction projects.

The open session agenda is available on the Board of Governors Agendas website.  The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 1.

It is hard to believe we are already at mid-June.  I hope your summer has started well and is full of enjoyable activities and adventures!

All the best,
Sue