Dear Colleagues<\/p>\n
Truman Homecoming 2019 was a huge success thanks to all of you!\u00a0 Spirits were high, our football team was victorious, the weather cooperated (mostly!), and the students, alumni and honored guests all seemed to have a fabulous time!\u00a0 The theme of Better Together<\/em> certainly fit the occasion and proved to me once again how extremely proud I am to be a member of the Bulldog community!\u00a0 I express my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped orchestrate the weekend\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n Included in the festivities was the dedication of the Sandra K. Giachino Reavey Sesquicentennial Plaza, a project which completes our sesquicentennial plaza and provides us with a beautiful working fountain and a patio area just outside the Student Union.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t already done so, I encourage you to view the fountain in the evening as the added lighting makes it even more beautiful.\u00a0 We are forever indebted to Sandra for her contribution and her dedication to her alma mater.<\/p>\n The members of the Board of Governors participated in the weekend events in conjunction with their annual October meeting.\u00a0 Board Chair Laura A. Crandall led the meeting at which the Board recognized Mike LaBeth for his service as a member of the Board of Governors from January 2013 to June 2019.<\/p>\n Dr. Ernie Hughes, Vice President for University Advancement, provided an update on Advancement and the work of the Foundation Board and reviewed a revision to the Bylaws of the Truman State University Alumni Association.\u00a0 The revision was approved by the Board of Governors and includes the renaming of the association to the Truman State University National Alumni Association.\u00a0 Edits were also approved to specify roles and responsibilities to better comply with the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) as a nonprofit organization and clarify language to provide guidance in the future that both aligns with current practice and allows flexibility for the Alumni Association to adapt to future needs.<\/p>\n Kara Jo Levery, Chair of Staff Council and Career Ready Coach in the University Career Center, provided the annual report from Staff Council.\u00a0 Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, provided an enrollment management report, and representatives from RubinBrown LLP reported on the annual audit of the University.\u00a0 I provided a President\u2019s Report highlighting a number of activities which had taken place since the last meeting of the Board, and the Board reviewed financial reports and received updates related to on-campus construction projects.\u00a0 In addition, the Board heard reports from their three committees, and Governor Crandall announced the appointment of a Policy Review Committee to review the Honorary Degrees policy for possible edits.<\/p>\n Within the area of Finance and Auditing, the Board approved a revision to their policy pertaining to faculty and staff discount for enrollment fees, modifying the policy to make it clear that the reduction in enrollment fees applies only to in-state enrollment fees for regularly scheduled classes.\u00a0 The reduction in enrollment fees does not apply to courses where enrollment fees are established or received by institutions other than Truman.\u00a0 The reduction in enrollment fees also does not apply to other charges, such as out-of-state tuition, course overload charges, program fees, supplemental class fees, dual enrollment fees, residence hall charges, travel costs, summer camp fees, workshop fees, academy fees, or off-campus course fees.<\/p>\n In terms of Budget and Capital, the Board approved a Replacement Storage Building Project, a project that replaces the storage building located in the Dulaney\/Baldwin complex which was destroyed by fire in January.\u00a0 The new facility will be constructed on University land east of Stokes Stadium on Florence Street.\u00a0 Costs in excess of the insurance claim proceeds will be funded by University Plant Funds.\u00a0 The Board also approved two projects related to the Greenwood Center.\u00a0 The Greenwood Site Development Project involves structural improvements, site development such as new water, sewer and storm water lines, and exterior components including sidewalks and the parking lot.\u00a0 Favorable bids from the Greenwood Site Development Project also allowed the addition of asbestos abatement.\u00a0 Funds for both projects are available from the $1,150,000 state appropriation for this project.<\/p>\n