New Academic Year Events and August Board of Governors Meeting

Greetings Colleagues!

I hope you had a chance this summer to relax, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories.  Thanks to everyone who was here this summer for your hard work, and welcome back to those who were able to take some time away.

With the new academic year just around the corner, we are excited to welcome new students, faculty, and staff to campus and to reconnect with returning students and members of the University community.  It is going to be a great year!

We will hold the Fall Opening Assembly on Wednesday, August 12, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.  The always enjoyable Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 14, at noon in the Georgian Rooms of the Student Union.  Additionally, the Truman community is encouraged to bring their families to kick off the new academic year with our students at New Year’s Rockin’ Eve at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 16.  This lively, family-oriented event will feature a photo booth with Spike, balloon models, lawn games, party hats, noisemakers, music, drinks (including mocktails), and snacks.  Everyone is invited to join the countdown to the new year at 8:30 p.m.  There are several other great opportunities during Truman Week and Welcome Week to interact informally with our students and show them how happy we are that they are here.  Volunteers may sign up here.  Thanks in advance for helping us in this fun and impactful way.  The students’ excitement is contagious, and it will be well worth your time.

I am also pleased to report on the Board of Governors meeting held this past weekend, led by Board Chair Bill Lovegreen.  Kerrion Dean, Chair of Staff Council and Assistant Director of Student Programming in the Office of Community Enrichment, presented the annual Staff Council Report.  During the President’s report, I provided updates on three administrative searches.  Dr. Robert Yawson assumed the position of Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies on July 27.  Dr. Scott Schneider has accepted the role of Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Operating Officer, effective August 24, and Dr. David Brooking will begin his role as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategy on August 11.  In addition, I shared that for the first time in Truman’s history, the Truman State University Foundation has exceeded $100 million in assets, an exciting milestone made possible by generations of generous donors and careful stewardship.  The majority of these assets are invested to support the University’s long-term stability and future priorities, and the Foundation Board and Advancement team look forward to celebrating this achievement with the campus community during Homecoming.  During their committee meetings and working session, the Board received updates on the status of Missouri’s higher education funding formula, financial reports, construction projects, and the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center.  They also began work on the upcoming presidential search process, and updates will be shared as they become available.

During the meeting, the Board also approved the following action items:

Faculty Early Retirement Incentive Program 2028.  The Board approved a one-time faculty early retirement incentive program with a separation/retirement date no later than May 31, 2028.  Eligible for the program are all full-time employees holding faculty rank who are currently employed at Truman, have at least five years of service at the University, and meet one of the following conditions by May 31, 2028:  1) MOSERS Participant (MOSERS Retirement Eligible on or before June 1, 2028); and 2) CURP Participant (Age plus years of service must equal 70 on or before June 1, 2028).  The program is not available to employees who have previously retired under the MOSERS and CURP retirement systems or have already committed their written intent to retire or resign from the University.  The program is limited to thirty-five (35) participants.  It provides a cash incentive payment of $30,000, payable as a lump sum in the employee’s final check from the University.  The enrollment period runs from August 31 through October 12, 2026.  The Human Resources Office will distribute additional information and instructions on how to apply.

State Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year 2027
This request, submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the State Office of Administration, requests funding to support the Education and General Budget.  The FY2026 requests include a funding increase linked to inflationary costs, maintenance and repairs funds, operational funds for the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center, and an internship pipeline program.  Although it is not anticipated that funding will be available for these initiatives, the submission allows for the opportunity if state funding becomes available.

Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2027
These budgets, reviewed and approved annually to provide funding for major building and renovation projects, 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.

A copy of the open-session agenda from the meeting is available on the Board of Governors Agendas website.  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board is on Friday, October 23, in conjunction with Homecoming activities.

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

Best regards,
Sue