MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
FEBRUARY 3, 2017 1:00 P.M.
1. Roll Call
Present- Mr. Joe Carmichael, Chair
Mr. Tyree Davis IV, Student Governor
Ms. Virginia Fry, Vice Chair
Mr. Gabriel Gore, Governor
Dr. Peter Hofherr, Governor
Mr. Stephen B. Hoven, Governor
Ms. Beverly Miller, Governor
Mr. Kendall Seal, Governor
Mr. Gregory Spears, Governor
Ms. Carrie Tergin, Governor
Also
Present- Clifton Smart III, President
Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development & International Programs
Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Compliance
Ryan DeBoef, Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Governmental Relations
Rachael Dockery, General Counsel
Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement
Frank Einhellig, Provost
Stephen Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
Gloria Galanes, Dean, College of Arts and Letters
Kyle Moats, Director of Athletics
Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services
Jeff Morrissey, Chief Information Officer
Wes Pratt, Chief Diversity Officer
Suzanne Shaw, Vice President for Marketing & Communications
Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs
Kristan Gochenauer, Secretary of the Board
2. Presiding – The presiding officer for the meeting was Mr. Joe Carmichael, Chair of the Board of Governors. He called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Traywick Parliamentary Room in the Plaster Student Union on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
3. Approval of Board of Governors’ Meeting Minutes – Mr. Carmichael mentioned that the first item of business was the approval of the minutes for the open and closed meetings of December 15, 2016. Mr. Stephen Hoven so moved, receiving the second of Dr. Peter Hofherr.
Motion passed 9-0.
4. Consent Agenda – Mr. Carmichael noted that the next item of business on the agenda was the approval of the Consent Agenda for this meeting. The items included in the Consent Agenda are:
President
Approval of FY2017/18 Employment Agreements for Athletic Coaches (Assistant Coaches
for Football) (Human Resources No. 1543-17)
West Plains Campus
Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus Non-academic employees (West Plains
Campus Personnel No. 402-17).
Academic Affairs
Approval of Academic Calendar for 2018-2019 (Curriculum No. 378-17)
Springfield Campus Purchases/Contracts
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the period November 30, 2016, through
January 18, 2017 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 449-17).
Facilities and Equipment
Approval of Activity Report for the month of November 2016 (Activity Report No. 288-17).
Approval of Activity Report for the month of December 2016 (Activity Report No. 289-17).
Approval to Enter into Lease Agreement with Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) (Agreement No. 384-17).
Human Resources Items
Approval of Actions Concerning Academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1544-17).
Approval of Actions Concerning Non-academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1545-17)
Ms. Carrie Tergin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, receiving a second from Dr. Hofherr.
Motion passed 9-0.
5. Making Our Missouri Statement Moment – Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies, gave a presentation on Choral Studies, their recent trip to Washington D.C. and the impact it has on lives both on campus and across the community. Following Dr. LaBarr’s presentation, the Board saw a video from Kenny Kabak, Missouri State University Alum. Mr. Kabak shared his experiences at the University and how they have led to the job of a lifetime as the Associate Conductor of the Drakenberg Boys Choir. Mr. Carmichael asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Senator Roy Blunt from the Board.
6. Committee Report – Mr. Gabriel Gore provided a summary of this morning’s Finance and Facilities Committee meeting. Secondary to the anticipated FY2018 budget cuts, the University has put together a set of guiding principles that will be used in making budget decisions. A significant amount of time was spent on discussing the possibility of a new residence hall. Discussions will continue as all of the alternatives are reviewed.
7. President’s Report – President Clif Smart started with a discussion on quality and affordability being key to the University’s success. The University has met the performance metrics each year, continues to see a significant growth in enrollment, and continues to meet accreditation standards all while maintaining an affordable price. We are significantly less expensive when compared to our peers and very affordable when compared to surrounding states.
President Smart then discussed the two separate budget issues and the strategies identified to deal with them. To compensate for the $6.3 million (7.1%) withholding for FY2017, the University will use reserve funds or one time money. Unlike the FY2017 withholding, the FY2018 budget reduction of $8.2 million (8.9%) is on going. To fill the gaps, the University will need to find ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses using the set of guiding principles. Moving forward the goal is to protect the University’s core mission of academic achievement, scholarship and student success.
President Smart asked for a recommendation to approve the 2016-2017 Fee Resolution Amendment allowing a maximum increase for the 2016-17 academic year in the amount of $46; collection of fees would be waived for the 2016-2017 academic year (Fees No. 149-17). A motion was made by Mr. Gore and seconded by Mr. Kendall Seal.
Motion passed 9-0.
8. West Plains – Dr. Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus, requested approval of a project concept for the construction of a grant funded outdoor amphitheater on the Missouri State University – West Plains campus (West Plains Agreement No. 49-17). Moved by Dr. Hofherr and seconded by Ms. Tergin.
Motion passed 9-0.
9. Academic Affairs:
a. Faculty Senate Report – Mr. Micheal Foster, Chairperson of the Faculty Senate,
reported that Faculty Senate has concerns regarding the future of higher education
with regard to their profession. He shared that along with their commitment to teaching
and mentoring students, the faculty look to the Board to defend the students and faculty
against the politics of the moment and envision a future of academic excellence and
inclusion.
Dr. Hofherr suggested putting together a letter to express our concerns regarding recent policies. President Smart will work with Dr. Jim Baker on the best strategy to effectively express these concerns.
b. Report from the Provost – Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost, reported that the University is in the middle of hiring season, with a total of 64 faculty and academic administrative positions advertised and that the tenure and promotion process continues with final decisions to be made by March 10, 2017. He further shared that spring enrollment is up with three-fourths of the increase from online courses.
10. Diversity and Inclusion:
a. Mr. Carmichael recognized Mr. Wes Pratt, Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity
Officer, for the recent honor of being awarded the first ever Biz 417 Breakthrough
Award.
11. Student Affairs:
a. Report from Student Body President – Mr. Adam Coffman, Student Body President,
reported that this past week was University Ambassador Recruitment week. He thanked
President Smart for promoting student representation on the college budget boards.
Secondary to the recent travel ban, SGA members have drafted a resolution re-iterating
support for International students. Mr. Coffman shared that students are supportive
of the expanded housing proposal. Last, SGA elections will be held in April and new
Wyrick proposals will be up.
b. Mr. Carmichael reported that the Missouri State University Student Wellness program was honored as a White House Healthy Campus on January 13, 2017.
12. Staff Senate:
a. Staff Senate Report – Mr. Ryan Wilson, Staff Senate Chair, reported that budget
cuts have come to the forefront of concerns for staff. He shared three actions that
have been taken by President Smart that are important to staff. These include staff
senate participation in high-level meetings, the pro-staff approach to FLSA revisions,
and scheduling a special Staff Senate session for February 16, 2017 to discuss the
details of the University’s budget plan going forward. This list serves to illustrate
the fact that President Smart actively works to keep the staff involved and well informed.
13. New Business:
a. First Reading of Bylaw Revision Updates – Ms. Rachael Dockery, General Counsel,
reviewed the proposed revisions to G1.01-4, Bylaws of the Board of Governors, Article
IV: Committees. The amended resolution will be voted on at the March 2017 Board meeting.
b. Discussion of Retention of First Generation Students – Dr. Kelly Wood and Dr. Rachelle Darabi gave a PowerPoint presentation on “First Generation Student Success”. The initiative, which started approximately five to six years ago, lead to pre-enrollment of first generation students in designated sections of GEP101. Since inception (three cohorts), data shows a 12% increase in first generation student retention. Dr. Wood and Dr. Darabi noted that the program will continue with an increased number of designations sections of GEP101 that are first generation focused. In addition to the presentation, a few students shared how this one course has had a lasting experience on their education at Missouri State.
14. Closed Meeting – It was determined that the Board of Governors needed to meet in a closed session to consider items of business provided in the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Mr. Carmichael asked if a resolution authorizing a closed meeting of the Board was prepared. Thereupon, the following resolution was presented for consideration:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Governors for Missouri State University that a closed meeting with closed records and closed vote, be held during a recess of this February 3, 2017 meeting of the Board of Governors to consider items of business pursuant to:
A. R.S.Mo. 610.021(1). “Legal actions, causes of action, or litigation involving a public governmental body...”
B. R.S.Mo. 610.021(3). “Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body...”
C. R.S.Mo. 610.021(13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,...”
D. R.S.Mo. 610.021(17). “Confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body and its auditor,....”
Dr. Hofherr moved the approval of the resolution and Mr. Gore seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the motion was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Carmichael, Gore, Fry, Hofherr, Hoven, Miller, Seal, Spears, and Tergin; those voting against – none.
Mr. Carmichael declared the resolution passed unanimously. The open meeting recessed at 4:18 p.m. to go into closed session.
The open meeting was reconvened at 5:45 p.m.
Date of Next Meeting – The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Friday, March 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.
15. Adjournment – Mr. Carmichael adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m., on the motion of Mr. Hoven, the second of Mr. Gore, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
Kristan Gochenauer
Secretary to the Board