Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n
The Truman State University Board of Governors met on campus this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Jennifer Kopp Dameron. \u00a0In line with Truman\u2019s return to campus plan, the Board members, and everyone in the room,\u00a0wore masks for the entire\u00a0meeting\u00a0and maintained social distance. \u00a0The Board began the meeting by\u00a0recognizing Tiffany\u00a0Middlemas, former student representative to the Board of Governors and a graduate in the Virtual August Commencement Ceremony, with a\u00a0resolution of appreciation for her service on the Board.<\/p>\n
Given the Board members receive regular updates on the many challenges we are\u00a0facing, my President\u2019s Report focused on positive things that are happening.\u00a0 I noted the on-going support and collaborative interactions between the University and various entities at the state and federal level as well as the Adair County Health Department and the City of Kirksville.\u00a0 I shared the stellar\u00a0work of Truman\u2019s Office of Public Relations, highlighting\u00a0the\u00a0Love, Kirksville<\/em>\u00a0video\u00a0as an example.\u00a0 The video is Truman\u2019s most viewed video ever with over 90,000\u00a0views.\u00a0 In addition, the City of Kirksville has started a #LoveKirksville campaign and is using the hashtag on Facebook and Instagram.\u00a0 I discussed how the University is celebrating our May and August graduates through\u00a0the August 1 Virtual Commencement Ceremony and the\u00a0Graduates of 2020<\/em> banners on display outside of Pickler Memorial Library.\u00a0 I underscored the impactful\u00a0work of the Director of Retention and Student Success and the\u00a0Center for Academic Excellence, which has\u00a0resulted in a current freshman to sophomore retention rate of\u00a088.2%. \u00a0While the rate can\u00a0fluctuate\u00a0between now and census, this is an\u00a0impressive\u00a04.7% increase over last year\u2019s rate.\u00a0\u00a0And finally, I noted the tremendous work that has taken place\u00a0throughout\u00a0campus to ensure\u00a0Truman\u2019s Returning to Campus Plan is realized.<\/p>\n Jerry Wollmering, Director of Athletics, provided the annual athletics report noting the success of Truman\u2019s athletic teams both on and off the playing field, as well as the abrupt end to the 2020 Spring intercollegiate athletics season and the postponement of the 2020 Fall season NCAA classified high risk sports (football, soccer and volleyball) to the Spring 2021 season\u00a0due to the ongoing concerns of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.<\/p>\n During the Board meeting and within their committee meetings, the Board received updates on Truman\u2019s Fall 2020 Returning to Campus Plan, the Fall 2020 Amended Attendance Policy, the fully online Master of Arts in English program, Truman Week, the Student Health Center and University Counseling Services request for proposals, on-campus construction projects, and financials reports.<\/p>\n In terms of action items, the Board approved two items within the area of academic and student affairs:<\/p>\n Resolution Amending Chapter 6 of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors Pertaining to Academic Affairs \u2013 Faculty Resolution Amending the University\u2019s Non-Discrimination Statement and Authorizing the President of the University to Enact Policies for Enforcement In addition, two items were approved within the area of budget and capital projects:<\/p>\n State Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2020 Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2020
\n<\/u>Following a discussion which included Provost Janet Gooch; Dr. Scott Alberts, President of Faculty Senate; and outside counsel, the Board approved Chapter 6 Academic Affairs \u2013 Faculty as presented within their agenda packet.\u00a0 The proposed chapter contains a number of policies pertaining to the work of faculty including tenure and promotion, professional ethics, the Faculty Senate, faculty conduct, and professional leave, among other topics.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u>A proposed amendment to the University\u2019s Non-Discrimination Statement was approved in response to the publication of the final rules addressing Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.\u00a0 The current sections either conflicted with or did not fully comply with new\u00a0federal law, and the approved policy changes and reorganization not only facilitate full compliance with the new regulations but also deliberately and explicitly create work and learning environments free of discrimination.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u>This request, submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD), is for funding to support the Education and General Budget.\u00a0 Truman\u2019s Fiscal Year 2020 request includes funding based on core restoration, additional funds to expand the Nursing Program, as well as funds to continue to support the cooperative programs with community colleges and additional maintenance and repair funding.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u>These budgets are reviewed and approved annually to provide funding for major building and renovation projects on campus.\u00a0 Due to the reductions in state funding for Fiscal Year 2020 which occurred in April-June 2020, no funds are available for transfer from the Education and General Budget to the Local State Funds Capital Budget.\u00a0 Auxiliary funds are available to transfer which are primarily dedicated to the Recreation Center.<\/p>\n