MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
JUNE 19, 2009
1. Roll Call
Present-
Ms. Elizabeth Bradbury, Governor
Mr. Michael Duggan, Chair of the Board
Mr. Gordon Elliott, Governor
Mr. Brian Hammons, Vice-Chair of the Board
Mr. Orvin Kimbrough, Governor
Ms. Mary Sheid, Governor
Ms. Cathy Smith, Governor
Ms. Phyllis Washington, Governor
Mr. John Winston, Governor
Also Present-
Michael Nietzel, President
Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
Earle Doman, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Belinda McCarthy, Provost
Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services
Nila Hayes, Chief Financial Officer
Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement
Clifton Smart, General Counsel
John McAlear, Secretary of the Board
2. Presiding --- The presiding officer for the meeting was Mr. Michael Duggan, Chair of the Board of Governors. He called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Traywick Parliamentary Room in the Plaster Student Union on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
3. Approval of Minutes:
a. Board of Governors’ Meetings --- Mr. Duggan asked for a motion for the approval of the minutes for the open and closed meetings of May 14, 2009. Ms. Sheid so moved, receiving the second of Mr. Kimbrough.
Motion passed 9-0.
4. Consent Agenda --- Mr. Duggan 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:
West Plains Campus
Approval of the Activity Report dated June 2, 2009 (West Plains Campus Activity Report No. 77-09).
Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 295-09).
Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus non-academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 296-09).
Approval of FY2010 Salary and Benefits Overview for the Missouri State University-West Plains Athletics’ Coaches (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 297-09).
Springfield Campus Purchases/Contracts
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the period May 14, 2009 through June 4, 2009 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 333-09).
Approval to renew Group Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance policies with the Hartford Life Insurance Company through December 31, 2011 (Purchase Approval No. 116-09).
Facilities and Equipment
Approval of Activity Report for the month of April 2009 (Activity Report No. 197-09).
Approval of Activity Report for the month of May 2009 (Activity Report No. 198-09).
The Pedestrian Lighting Improvements Project (Bids & Quotations No. 1301-09); AC Electrical Systems, Inc., low bid received of $115,380 for the base bid; total project budget established at $170,000.
Approval to increase the project budget for the renovation of Siceluff Hall (Bids & Quotations No. 1302-09). This increase of $1,553,810 brings the new total project budget to $9,939,355.
Human Resources Items
Actions concerning academic employees (Human Resources No. 1288-09).
Actions concerning non-academic employees (Human Resources No. 1289-09).
Approval of amendment to 403(b) Plan Document (Human Resources No. 1290-09).
Approval of FY2010 Overview of Salaries and Benefits for Athletics Administrators and Coaches (Human Resources No. 1291-09).
Approval of Overview of Benefits for the employment contract of Cuonzo L. Martin, Head Men’s Basketball Coach (Human Resources No. 1292-09).
Approval of Overview of Benefits for the employment contract of Nyla L. Milleson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach (Human Resources No. 1293-09).
Ms. Sheid made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda receiving a second from Ms. Bradbury.
Motion passed 9-0.
5. President’s Report --- President Michael Nietzel first presented a resolution (Human Resources No. 1294-09) approving the employment contract for Kyle Moats as Athletic Director. Moved by Mr. Elliott and seconded by Mr. Hammons.
Motion passed 9-0
He next presented a resolution (Agreement No. 237-09) approving a twelve-month extension of the consultation agreement with Jerry Burch as Legislative Consultant to the University with no cost increase over this past year. Moved and seconded, respectively, by Mr. Kimbrough and Mr. Hammons.
Motion passed 9-0.
Dr. Nietzel next announced two awards that we have recently received. The first award is that Missouri State University will be named as an outstanding institution to work for administrative professionals. The International Association of Administrative Professionals is awarding us their 2009 award for excellence in the category of employers with more than 1,000 employees. He paid special thanks to Ms. Marilyn Chana, Executive Assistant to Dr. Earle Doman, for nominating the University for this award. Dr. Nietzel then reported that Missouri State University has won the 2009 CASE-WealthEngine Award for educational fundraising. We did not apply, nor were we nominated, for this award. A panel of judges selected winners on the basis of your performance. We were one of five public comprehensive schools to receive this award from CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education).
Dr. Nietzel and Ms. Nila Hayes, Chief Financial Officer, then presented the FY2010 Internal Operating Budget Resolution (Finance No. 1002-09). Dr. Nietzel explained that the operating budget for the Springfield campus was presented at the May meeting. We now add to that, the budget plans for our designated funds, auxiliary funds, and the West Plains campus. The total budget for all fund groups totals approximately $265 million in projected revenues (operating revenues - $160 million; and, non-operating revenues - $105 million). Total FY10 budgeted expenditures are approximately $260 million (operating expenditures - $238 million; and, non-operating expenditures - $22 million). This should result in about a $5 million increase in the Net Assets across all fund groups. The budget does include a special one-time State appropriation for Caring for Missourians of $2.2 million. The overall budgeted increase in Net Assets of the Auxiliary System and the West Plains Campus, respectively, are $2.9 million and $305,280. Ms. Sheid moved to approve the FY10 Budget as presented and Mr. Elliot provided the second to the motion.
Motion passed 9-0.
Dr. Nietzel next presented two strategic indicators for the university compared to our eleven benchmark institutions. The first comparison was Six-Year Graduation Rates which showed MSU having a slight increase for the last four cohort years (50% to 53%). The median for the benchmark institutions for the same four cohort years went from 54% to 58%. The next comparison was the retention rate of first year students. For 2004 through 2007, MSU’s retention rate hovered right at about 73%. The median of the eleven benchmark institutions for the same four years dropped from 82% to 78%. The National median has dropped from 69% to 66%. He reminded the Board that our retention rate goal is 80%.
6. Academic Affairs --- Dr. Belinda McCarthy, Provost, explained that the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee has come up with a calendar of the topics that they would like us address at each meeting. This month’s meeting was on student learning – the average class size at Missouri State is still at 19 students per class which is very good. Full-time faculty teach 78% of the courses which is a very good ratio. She added that in the College of Health and Applied Science, we have a tremendous number of students who want to study the health professions, but we don’t have the faculty or the facilities to meet the demand. This is why the Caring for Missourians one-time funding is so important. She next introduced Dana Frederick, Director of the Missouri Innovation Academy, and some students attending the Academy who described some of the projects they are working on.
7. Research and Economic Development --- Dr. Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, presented the Sponsored Program Report through the first eleven months of FY09—we have had 279 proposals submitted compared to 225 proposals last year at this time. We have been awarded $17 million compared to $20 million last year. He suspects we will end up the fiscal year right at $20 million.
He then presented a resolution (Agreement No. 238-09) ratifying an Articulation Agreement with Northwest A & F University, Yangling Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China, for Dual Master’s Degrees in Plant Science. Moved by Ms. Shied and seconded by Ms. Bradbury.
Motion passed 9-0.
8. West Plains Campus --- Dr. Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus, first presented the following resolutions for capital projects, voted on and approved by the student body, for the Board’s consideration:
Approval of expenditures for continued campus beautification (West Plains Campus Purchase Approval No. 41-09).
Approval of expenditures to implement the purchase of a Campus Monument (West Plains Campus Purchase Approval No. 42-09).
Approval of expenditures to implement the purchase of an Atomic Clock and Control System (West Plains Campus Purchase Approval No. 43-09).
Moved and seconded, respectively, by Ms. Sheid and Mr. Hammons.
Motion passed 9-0.
He next reported that summer enrollment on the West Plains Campus is up about 2% to 3%. Credit hours are up about 10%. He added that they are expecting to have more than 2,000 students on campus this fall.
9. Student Affairs:
a. Report from Student Body President --- Ms. Kristen Sanocki, Vice-President of the Student Body, reported that they have been busy this summer training and preparing their cabinet for the upcoming year.
b. Report from Vice President for Student Affairs --- Dr. Earle Doman, Vice President for Student Affairs, reported that the Student Affairs Committee worked on their calendar for the remainder of the year in their meeting this morning. Ms. Smith, Chairperson for the Student Affairs Committee, indicated that she has been working with Ms. Bradbury, Chairperson of the Academic Affairs Committee, to make sure there is no overlap between the two committees. They hope to stagger meeting times when possible so members can attend both committee meetings on occasion.
10. Finance:
a. Development Report --- Mr. Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement, presented the development report for the eleven-month period ending May 31, 2009. Overall, we are ahead of last year’s total gifts by about $257,000. He went on to announce that on June 10, 2009, we broke last year’s total amount received which was our record year. As of yesterday, we are up to $14.7 million and we hope to reach $15 million for the year that ends June 30, 2009.
He then presented the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:
Approving additional fringe benefits for certain university employees to be funded by Missouri State University or the Missouri State University Foundation (Human Resources No. 1295-09).
Approving the 2009-10 lease with the Missouri State University Foundation for space in the Meyer Alumni Center (Agreement No. 239-09).
Moved by Ms. Bradbury. Seconded by Mr. Winston.
Motion passed 9-0.
b. Financial Report --- Ms. Nila Hayes presented a resolution (Purchasing Activity Report No. 334-09) for the approval of the Procurement Activity Report from June 5, 2009 through June 18, 2009. Moved by Mr. Winston. Seconded by Ms. Sheid.
Motion passed 9-0.
11. Facilities and Equipment --- Mr. Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services, presented the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:
Approval of the FY2011 Capital Appropriations Request (Finance No. 1003-09).
Approval of lease agreement for property located at 1030 East Walnut, Springfield, Missouri (Agreement No. 240-09). The apartment will be leased at $675 per month for short-term occupancy by visiting faculty, researchers, and staff for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
Moved by Ms. Sheid and seconded by Mr. Winston.
Passed 9-0.
12. Human Resources --- Mr. McClure next presented a resolution (Agreement No. 241-09) approving a Memorandum of Agreement between the University and the Teamsters, Local Union 245, an Affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Moved by Mr. Kimbrough. Seconded by Ms. Washington.
Motion passed 9-0.
13. 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. Duggan 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 immediately following this June 19, 2009 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…”
c. R.S.Mo. 610.021(3). “Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body…”
d. R.S.Mo. 610.021 (13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,…”
Mr. Kimbrough moved the approval of the resolution and Ms. Smith seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the resolution was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Bradbury, Duggan, Elliott, Hammons, Kimbrough, Sheid, Smith, Washington, and Winston; those voting against – none.
Mr. Duggan declared the resolution passed unanimously.
14. Date of Next Meeting --- The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Friday, July 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. on the Springfield Campus. The Board will meet for a ½-day retreat at 12:00 noon on July 30, 2009 at the Community Building in Stockton, Missouri.
15. Adjournment--- Mr. Duggan adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m. on the motion of Ms. Sheid, the second of Mr. Hammons, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
John W. McAlear
Secretary