MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
JUNE 20, 2014
1. Roll Call
Present- Mr. Joe Carmichael, Governor
Mr. Caleb Doyle, Student Governor
Ms. Virginia Fry, Governor
Mr. Stephen B. Hoven, Vice Chair of the Board
Mr. Orvin Kimbrough, Governor (by conference call)
Ms. Beverly Miller, Chair of the Board
Mr. Kendall Seal, Governor
Ms. Carrie Tergin, Governor
Absent- Mr. Steve Bough, Governor
Mr. Peter Hofherr, Governor
Also
Present- Clifton Smart III, President
Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
Frank Einhellig, Provost
Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs
Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services
Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development and International
Programs
Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Compliance
Kenneth Coopwood, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Stephen Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
John McAlear, Secretary of the Board
2. Presiding --- The presiding officer for the meeting was Ms. Beverly Miller, Chair of the Board of Governors. She called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Town Square Room in the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She welcomed Mr. Caleb Doyle to his first meeting as Student Representative to the Board of Governors. She regretted that Mr. Steve Bough, Governor from Kansas City, was unable to be present at today’s meeting due to weather problems preventing him from returning to Kansas City from South Carolina.
3. Approval of Minutes:
a. Board of Governors’ Meetings --- Ms. Miller mentioned that the first item of business was the approval of the minutes for the open and closed special meetings held on May 7, 2014. Mr. Hoven so moved, receiving the second of Ms. Tergin.
Motion passed 7-0.
Ms. Miller next asked for approval of the minutes for the open and closed meetings held on May 15, 2014. Moved and seconded, respectively, by Mr. Hoven and Ms. Fry.
Motion passed 7-0.
4. Consent Agenda --- Ms. Miller 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:
May 21, 2014 Executive Committee Meeting
Approval of Office of Procurement Services activities from April 11, 2014, through May 15, 2014 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 404-14).
Approval of an amendment to the 2014-15 Fee Schedule (Fees No. 144-14).
Renovation of Pummill Hall (Bids & Quotations No. 1467-14); DeWitt & Associates, Inc., best bid of $5,202,500 for the base bid plus alternates one and eight; total project budget established at $6,900,000.
Grant right-of-way easements to Southwest Electric Cooperative for the construction of an electrical distribution line through property referred to as Shealy Farm on Missouri State University property (Land No. 112-14).
June 18, 2014 Executive Committee Meeting
Approval of transfer of employment of Ryan T. DeBoef from Legal Counsel to Chief of Staff and Assistant to President for Governmental Relations, effective July 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1458-14).
Approval of the employment of Rachael Dockery as General Counsel of Missouri State University, effective July 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1459-14).
Approval of the employment of M. Suzanne Shaw as the Vice-President for Marketing and Communications, effective July 21, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1460-14).
Procurement Services’ Office activities from May 16, 2014, through June 12, 2014 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 405-14).
Approval of bids and award of a contract for the construction of the Student Admissions and Success (Welcome) Center (Bids & Quotations No. 1468-14); Wright Construction Services, Inc., low bid of $4,820,000 for the base bid plus alternates 2 and 3; total project budget established at $6,075,000.
Approval of the Fourth Amendment to the Building Attachment Antenna Collocation Lease Agreement at Blair House and Plaster Sports Complex. This amendment is requested to extend the term of the Agreement – it will commence on July 1, 2014, and end on June 30, 2024 (Agreement No. 343-14).
President
Approval of FY2015 Employment Agreements for Athletics Administrators and Coaches (Human Resources No. 1461-14).
Approval of First Addendum to Employment Contract for Head Softball coach, Holly Hesse (Human Resources No. 1462-14).
West Plains Campus
Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 366-14).
Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus non-academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 367-14).
Approval of Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in Technology with Emphases in Alternative Energy, General Technology, and Technology Management (West Plains Curriculum No. 46-14).
Approval of the deletion of the Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in Computer Technology (West Plains Curriculum No. 47-14).
Approval of the deletion of the Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology (West Plains Curriculum No. 48-14).
Approval of the deletion of the Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in General Technology (West Plains Curriculum No. 49-14).
Approval of modification to the Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in Computer Graphics and Programming (West Plains Curriculum No. 50-14).
Approval of modified Academic Program Title for the Certificate in Applied Entrepreneurship (West Plains Curriculum No. 51-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Associate of Science in Agriculture (West Plains Curriculum No. 52-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Agricultural Business (West Plains Curriculum No. 53-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Animal Science (West Plains Curriculum No. 54-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Basic Bookkeeping (West Plains Curriculum No. 55-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Basic Office Management (West Plains Curriculum No. 56-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Equine Studies (West Plains Curriculum No. 57-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in General Agriculture (West Plains Curriculum No. 58-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Natural Resources (West Plains Curriculum No. 59-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Plant Science (West Plains Curriculum No. 60-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Public Outreach & Education (West Plains Curriculum No. 61-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Wildlife Management (West Plains Curriculum No. 62-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Certificate in Wine Business and Entrepreneurship (West Plains Curriculum No. 63-14).
Approval of new Academic Program for the Health Information Technology Certificate Program (West Plains Curriculum No. 64-14).
Approval of Academic Program for the Associate of Applied Science in Entrepreneurship with new Emphasis Areas in Agricultural Business, Culinary Arts, and General Business (West Plains Curriculum No. 65-14).
Springfield Campus Purchases/Contracts
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the period April 30, 2014, through June 4, 2014 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 406-14).
Financial
Approval of rental rates for space in the Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center for various departments and University-related offices (Agreement No. 344-14)
Approval of FY15 additional fringe benefits to be funded by Missouri State University or the Missouri State University Foundation (Human Resources No. 1463-14).
Facilities and Equipment
Approval of Activity Report for the month of April 2014 (Activity Report No. 257-14).
Approval of Apartment Lease Agreements for International Student and Faculty Housing with Bryan Properties, LLC (Agreement No. 345-14).
Human Resources Items
Actions concerning academic employees (Human Resources No. 1464-14).
Actions concerning non-academic employees (Human Resources No. 1465-14).
Salary adjustments for Academic Administrators and 12-month Faculty effective July 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1466-14).
Salary adjustments for Academic Faculty effective August 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1467-14).
Salary adjustments for Non-academic Professional Staff effective August 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1468-14).
Salary adjustments for Non-academic Executive, Managerial, Administrative, Professional and Non-exempt Staff effective July 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1469-14).
Salary adjustments for Non-academic Executive, Managerial, Administrative, Professional and Non-exempt staff from adjustments to the new minimum of the pay ranges and across-the-board increases effective July 1, 2014 (Human Resources No. 1470-14)
Ms. Tergin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, receiving a second from Ms. Fry.
Motion passed 7-0.
5. President’s Report --- President Clif Smart remarked that we are pleased to be at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center for today’s meeting. The University has a strong relationship with the Kauffman Foundation and our student recognition for this meeting will feature a Kauffman Scholar, Ms. Whitney Cisneros. He reminded everyone that our next meeting is a retreat on July 31, 2014, at the Shealy Farm Conference Center. He next commented on the President’s Leadership Circle’s spring event last weekend. This group is comprised of past volunteer leaders of our governing board, our Foundation board, and our alumni board. At that event, he provided an update on the eight goals for 2013-14.
Mr. Smart then presented a resolution (Finance No. 1035-14) for the approval of the Fiscal Year 2015 internal operating budget. The key elements of this budget have been discussed the past three meetings, including at the Finance Committee this morning. It is a balanced budget with all of the anticipated revenue allocated. It includes an anticipated 5.2% increase in the core state appropriation and includes an across-the-board 1½% salary increase for employees, plus targeted increases for the Full Professor Incentive Program and for staff at the lower levels in their pay grades. It keeps tuition flat for in-state undergraduate students and increases pay for Graduate Assistants. Mr. Hoven, Chair of the Finance & Facilities Committee, commented that the university leadership has done their due diligence and the Finance & Facilities Committee is very comfortable with this budget. Mr. Hoven then moved the adoption of this resolution. Ms. Tergin provided the second to the motion.
Motion passed 7-0.
Mr. Smart mentioned that the final item on today’s agenda is an update on our in-depth discussions during 2013-14 – those include diversity, first-generation students, and HLC accreditation for both the Springfield and West Plains campuses.
6. Academic Affairs:
a. Faculty Senate Report --- Dr. Stephen McIntyre, Chairperson of the Faculty Senate, reported that he is very appreciative of the transparency of the budget process. He also commented on the revisions to the Faculty Handbook which will be presented later today. He indicated that all of the decisions of the Faculty Handbook Committee were reached by consensus – not one vote was taken. Dr. Richard Biagioni, Chair of the Committee, did a stellar job in leading the committee and keeping the Faculty Senate aware of proposed revisions to the Handbook through the entire process. He added that the Office of the Provost fostered a spirit of cooperation throughout the entire process.
b. Report from the Provost --- Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost, presented a resolution (Board Policies No. 89-14) to approve proposed revisions to the Faculty Handbook that came from the Faculty Handbook Revision Committee’s septennial review. Moved and seconded, respectively, by Ms. Fry and Ms. Tergin.
Motion passed 7-0.
Dr. Einhellig next gave an update on the hiring process for faculty and academic administrators. We set aside $600,000 for new faculty hires in four colleges. We should start the next school year with more faculty than last year. When you include retirements and resignations, 74 searches have been conducted this past year for faculty and academic administrators. Overall, we have made 45 hires with another 29 positions in process. He next gave an update on the MSU Quality Initiative Project, a requirement coming from the Open Pathway Sequence of the Higher Learning Commission. Our 2012 project was to integrate our Public Affairs Mission more fully into the curriculum.
7. Student Affairs:
a. Report from Student Body President --- Mr. Jordan McGee, Student Body President of the Springfield Campus, first reported on behalf of Ms. Shelby Harris, Student Body President of the West Plains Campus. He indicated that the West Plains Student Government Association participated in the Grizzly Golf Classic which helped raise money for the West Plains Campus’s basketball and volleyball teams. Mr. McGee next reported that one of their goals on the Springfield campus this year is to raise school spirit. He added that SGA’s car-sharing program will be in place this fall. Lastly, to improve safety on campus, they would like to see more LED lighting.
b. Report from Vice President for Student Affairs --- Dr. Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs, presented a resolution (Awards No. 57-14) recommending that the following former faculty and staff members be added to the Wall of Fame: Dr. Donal J. Stanton, Dr. George Swales, Ms. Linda Johnson, Ms. Marty Marty, and Mr. John McAlear. Moved by Ms. Tergin and seconded by Ms. Fry.
Motion passed 7-0.
8. Staff Senate --- Ms. Andrea Weber, Chairperson for the Staff Senate, reported that Staff Senate has grown their scholarship to about $5,000. She also mentioned that they strengthened their relationship with Faculty Senate this year. She met regularly with Dr. Ryan Giedd, past Chairperson for Faculty Senate. Mr. Scott Fiedler, incoming Chairperson for Staff Senate, reported that they have several goals for the coming year. One work group that has been formed is the Staff Salary Incentive Program to explore the possibility of a program to reward long-term exceptional performance among the staff.
Mr. Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services, next presented a resolution to commend Ms. Weber for her outstanding service as Staff Senate Chair for 2013-2014. Moved by Mr. Carmichael and seconded by Ms. Tergin.
Motion passed 7-0.
9. Unfinished Business:
a. Revision of Bylaws --- Mr. Ryan DeBoef, Legal Counsel, presented a resolution (Bylaws No. 25-14) to revise Board Bylaws G1.01-2, Article II and G1.01-4, Article IV. This serves as the second reading of this revision so the Board can take action today if they choose. The main revision is to no longer require the entire Board to ratify Executive Committee actions but to also allow any board member to remove an item from an Executive Committee agenda. Mr. Hoven moved to approve the resolution, receiving the second of Mr. Carmichael.
Motion passed 7-0.
b. Updates on Board Discussions --- President Smart commented that we want to update the Board on actions we have taken to date on three previous board discussion topics – Diversity (Oct. 2013), First-generation students (Dec. 2013), and Higher Learning Commission Accreditation (Feb. 2014). All three of these discussions were timely and the feedback we got from the Board was helpful in providing direction.
Dr. Ken Coopwood, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, began with the update on Diversity and the retention of underrepresented students. He indicated that they have created a division-wide data collection plan to determine the impact of current programs and services offered. The goal is to identify student reactions and satisfactions with current programs and services; identify the level of learning achieved through these programs and services; and determine how that learning is applied and implemented as a consequence of how these programs and services are delivered. Dr. Coopwood then introduced Ms. Whitney Cisneros, a Kauffman Scholar who will be a sophomore this coming year. Ms. Cisneros remarked how the Kauffman Scholar program has been very helpful in preparing herself and other scholars for college. The mentoring support was very helpful and the financial support received was critical and very much appreciated. Mr. Thomas Peters, Dean of Library Services, next informed the Board on the plans to relocate the TRIO program, the Disability Resource Center, and the new MSU Testing Center to the Meyer Library. President Smart reminded the Board that one of the items coming out of these earlier discussions was the inadequate space for the TRIO program. These plans are addressing this inadequacy this year. Discussion was then held between the presenters and the Board on the progress to date.
Dr. Siscoe next addressed the Board regarding first-generation students and transfer students. She reported that since our earlier discussion, she has held two large meetings on campus with all the major stakeholders, and she and Dean Mike Jungers held five focus groups to hear from students about their ideas. They heard that communication is important to students in navigating the campus. Also, having an advocate or advisor to help students acclimate to the campus is essential. Dr. Sisco indicated they are enhancing the present online orientation program for transfer students so that it is more interactive. They are also considering orientation by college or department of major. They have also revived the Transfer Advisor Workshop to train new advisors. A transfer community is being added in student housing at Kentwood in the fall to provide an opportunity for transfer students to live and learn together. Discussion was then held, including from Mr. Doyle, new student governor, who is both a first-generation and a transfer student. It was commented that the location of the new Welcome Center will help the overall transformation process.
Dr. Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus, next began the discussion on HLC accreditation. He reported that the HLC accreditation site-team determined that we met all five of the accreditation criteria and recommended ten years of continuing accreditation. Two criteria were met with concerns – 1) developing a formal academic program review process; and 2) developing an agreement approved by the Board of Governors detailing the resource allocation formula to be used to determine the distribution of state appropriations. President Smart indicated that this will be brought to the Board this year. Dr. Bennett indicated that the last step in the process is for members of the HLC Institution Actions Council to review the final report, all supplemental materials, and our institutional response at their August 11, 2014, meeting to make their final determination. Dr. Einhellig next brought the Board up to date on the Springfield campus accreditation process. The site visit has been set for October 5-6, 2015. The first-draft reports of all of the subcommittees of the steering committee have been completed. We need to put all the reports into a single assurance document over the next three months. He added that there were six other program accreditation exercises undertaken this past year.
10. New Business --- Ms. Miller next commented that we suspect that this could very well be the last meeting with Mr. Bough as a board member. She presented a resolution in honor of his services. Motion to approve was made by Mr. Carmichael and seconded by Ms. Fry.
Motion passed 7-0.
Ms. Miller then presented a resolution in honor of Mr. Paul Kincaid’s 28 years of service at Missouri State University. Moved by Mr. Hoven and seconded by Ms. Tergin.
Motion passed 7-0.
Ms. Miller presented a framed resolution to Mr. Kincaid.
11. 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. Ms. Miller 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 20, 2014, meeting of the Board of Governors to consider items of business pursuant to:
R.S.Mo. 610.021(13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,…”
R.S.Mo. 610.021(17). “Confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body and its auditor,...”
Ms. Fry moved the approval of the resolution and Mr. Carmichael seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the resolution was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Carmichael, Fry, Hoven, Kimbrough, Miller, Seal, and Tergin; those voting against – none; those absent – Governors Bough and Hofherr.
Ms. Miller declared the resolution passed unanimously.
12. Date of Next Meeting --- The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Thursday, July 31, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in the Shealy Conference Center, in Fair Grove, Missouri.
13. Adjournment--- Ms. Miller adjourned the meeting at 2:55 p.m. on the motion of Mr. Carmichael, the second of Ms. Tergin, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
John W. McAlear
Secretary