Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n
The Truman State University Board of Governors\u00a0met\u00a0this past weekend under the leadership of K. Brooks Miller, Jr., Board Chair.\u00a0 The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2022 calendar year.\u00a0 New officers who will take office for a term of one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the calendar year are Sarah Burkemper, Chair; Cheryl J. Cozette, Vice Chair; and Nancy Gingrich, Secretary.<\/p>\n
Reports
\n<\/u>Dr. Janet Gooch, Provost, was joined by Dr. Hyun-Joo Kim, Professor of Statistics; Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Associate Professor of Physics; and three of their students who showcased the impactful work done in the Self and Society Seminars and the Symposium.\u00a0 I provided a President\u2019s Report reporting on multiple topics including the University\u2019s continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the results of the University\u2019s Vaccine Incentive Program, status reports on requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and MoExcels funding, and the proposed federal appropriations bill.\u00a0 I also noted Truman\u2019s inclusion in America’s Crossroads Bowl in Hobart, Indiana, and publicly thanked the Baptist Student Union for the many kindnesses they have extended recently to the campus community.\u00a0 In addition, the Board reviewed financial reports and heard reports from their morning committee meetings.<\/p>\n
Salary Policies 2022
\n<\/u>In terms of action items, the Board approved Salary Policies for 2022.\u00a0 Starting with Fiscal Year 2020, the Board adopted a new timeline for salary policies, adjusting salary increase consideration to the calendar year rather than the fiscal year, a change which allows consideration of final enrollment numbers and a more accurate state appropriation projections.\u00a0 The approved salary increases will take effect January 1, 2022, for employees on the payroll as of that date (unless otherwise indicated in an employment letter), and will increase employees\u2019 base salary or hourly wage rate.\u00a0 The University is utilizing the entire state appropriation core increase for this fiscal year to fund salary increases.<\/p>\n
All full-time faculty academic year salaries will be increased by at least $1,000, with some individual salaries increasing up to $6,100.\u00a0 These increases are determined through the work of the Faculty Compensation Committee, with the goal to make Truman\u2019s compensation policies more competitive by moving salaries closer to the relevant CUPA-HR (Colleges and Universities Professional Association-Human Resources) medians.<\/p>\n
The increases for staff are designed to provide the highest percentage increases to the lower paid staff, increases necessary to remain competitive in the labor market, particularly for entry-level positions.\u00a0 All full-time exempt and salaried\/comp time eligible staff will receive an annual increase of $1,760. \u00a0Current non-exempt staff will receive a raise of 85\u20b5 per hour. \u00a0Salary increases for part-time staff will be prorated.<\/p>\n
Because all staff receive the same increase, salary letters for staff will not be issued.\u00a0 Faculty, however, will receive a letter from Provost Gooch reflecting the amount that their base salary will increase.\u00a0 In addition, each employee\u2019s Employee Position and Compensation information, which can be found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year. \u00a0For questions, staff should contact Payroll, and faculty should contact\u00a0the Provost Office.<\/p>\n
Resolution Amending Vacation Leave Policy
\n<\/u>The Board approved adding an additional step for staff vacation accruals based upon an analysis of vacation policies at similar institutions in Missouri.\u00a0 The analysis revealed that most institutions have an additional vacation accrual step that recognizes length of service beyond 15 years.\u00a0 Effective January 1, 2022, full-time staff with 20 years of service will earn 2 days per month or 24 days per year of vacation.<\/p>\n
Housing and Food Plan Charges
\n<\/u>Housing and food plan charges effective with the 2022 Fall Semester were approved.\u00a0 The Board approved an overall average increase of 5.5% in room rates and an average increase in meal plans of 5.3% to offset anticipated increased costs related to utilities, food, and labor.\u00a0 The most common combination selected by students is a double occupancy room with a 15 meals\/week board plan.\u00a0 The overall increase proposed for this configuration is 5.4%.<\/p>\n
Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project
\n<\/u>In terms of construction projects, the Board approved the Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project.\u00a0 This project rebuilds the two chillers in Ophelia Parrish which are failing due to age.\u00a0 Quotes were obtained to perform only required repairs versus an overhaul of each chiller following factory rebuilding specifications.\u00a0 Based on the efficiencies to be gained, it was recommended that the latter option be selected.\u00a0 Funds for the project are available in the Plant Fund.<\/p>\n
Revised Academic Calendar for the Spring Semester 2023
\n<\/u>The Board approved a revised Academic Calendar for the 2023 Spring Semester after it was noted that an incorrect date was listed for Term Break.\u00a0 The correct date of Monday, April 10, 2023, will be incorporated into the academic calendar.<\/p>\n
Professional Leaves
\n<\/u>Finally, the Board approved faculty Sabbaticals for the 2022-23 Academic Year.\u00a0 Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members. \u00a0We look forward to\u00a0hearing about\u00a0the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.<\/p>\n
2022-23 Academic Year
\nMarc Becker, Professor of History
\nVictor Marquez-Barrios, Associate Professor of Music
\nBill Miller, Associate Professor of Chemistry
\nSarah Mohler, Associate Professor of English<\/p>\n
2022 Fall Semester
\nJocelyn Cullity, Associate Professor of English
\nLin Zhang, Professor of Business Administration<\/p>\n
2023 Spring Semester
\nAnton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology<\/p>\n