Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n
The Truman State University Board of Governors\u00a0met\u00a0this past weekend participating in a working session, committee meetings, and a board meeting where they approved several impactful action items.\u00a0 In addition to approving minutes from their last meeting, the Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2023 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 Cheryl J. Cozette, Chair; Nancy Gingrich, Vice Chair; and Philip C. Christofferson, Secretary.<\/p>\n
Salary Policies for 2023
\n<\/u>In terms of action items, the Board approved Salary Policies for 2023.\u00a0 The approved salary increases take effect January 1, 2023, for employees on the payroll as of that date, unless an employment agreement indicates otherwise.<\/p>\n
Non-tenure track faculty salaries will increase by at least $1,500, with some individual salaries increasing up to $6,600.\u00a0 Tenure track and tenured faculty salaries will increase by at least $1,000, with some salaries increasing up to $3,000.\u00a0 These increases were determined through the work of the Faculty Compensation Committee with the goal to make Truman\u2019s compensation policies more competitive.\u00a0 The major focus for 2023 is raising the starting and current salaries of non-tenure track faculty.<\/p>\n
Staff will receive a three percent increase in salary. \u00a0Non-exempt staff with 10 or more years of service as of January 1, will receive an adjustment of $.10 per hour in addition to the three percent increase.<\/p>\n
Salary letters for staff will not be issued; however, faculty will receive a letter from Interim Provost McAdams 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 Office of the Provost.<\/p>\n
Chapter 6 of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors<\/u>
\nThe Board approved proposed modifications to Chapter 6 of their Code of Policies related to Academic Affairs-Faculty.\u00a0 The approved modifications include clarifications involving non-tenure-track faculty roles, titles, and ranks, in addition to how years of service are calculated, notification dates for nonrenewal decisions, and sabbatical timing and deferral.<\/p>\n
Housing and Food Plan Charges
\n<\/u>Housing and food plan charges effective with the 2023 Fall Semester were approved.\u00a0 The Board approved an average increase of 7.7% for apartment and double room rates, an average increase of 8.7% for single room rates, and an average increase in meal plans of 7.7% to offset 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 7.7% and is competitive with housing costs at other universities.<\/p>\n
Defeasance of the University\u2019s Outstanding Housing System Refunding Revenue Bonds<\/u>
\nThe Board approved a resolution authorizing the defeasance of (e.g. paying off) a series of bonds issued to fund renovations to the housing system given the University\u2019s available financial reserves.<\/p>\n
Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center Phase 2 Project
\n<\/u>Phase 2 of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center was approved.\u00a0 This project will complete work on the second floor of Greenwood including rooms designed for music therapy, rehabilitation therapy, and future clinical rooms, and the existing gym space will be repurposed to provide a large multi-purpose area.\u00a0 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt secured funding for this project via the Congressionally Directed Spending program with funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n
New Academic Programs Professional Leaves 2023-24 Academic Year 2023 Fall Semester 2024 Spring Semester Finally, in terms of reports, Dr. Anton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Dr. Yuna Ferguson spoke regarding the proposed renewal notification dates for non-tenure track faculty in the public comment section of the meeting.\u00a0 The Board reviewed financial reports and heard reports from their morning committee meetings, and I provided a President\u2019s Report which included an update on the search for the next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and Truman\u2019s inclusion in America\u2019s Crossroads Bowl.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u>Six new academic programs were approved subject to the approval of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education.\u00a0 This is an area of particular importance to the Board, and I thank all who were involved in the development of these new academic programs.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/u>The Board approved faculty Sabbaticals for the 2023-24 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
\nJack Davis, Associate Professor of German
\nStacy Davis, Associate Professor of Spanish
\nLindsey Dunnagan, Associate Professor of Art
\nChad Montgomery, Professor of Biology<\/p>\n
\nYuna Ferguson, Associate Professor of Psychology<\/p>\n
\nEnrique Pareja, Associate Professor of STEM Education<\/p>\n