MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
March 6-7, 2014
1. Roll Call
Present- Mr. Stephen Bough, Governor
Mr. Joe Carmichael, Governor
Ms. Virginia Fry, Governor
Mr. Peter Hofherr, Governor
Mr. Stephen Hoven, Vice Chair of the Board
Ms. Paige Jenkins, Student Governor
Mr. Orvin Kimbrough, Governor
Ms. Beverly Miller, Chair of the Board (by conference call for a portion of Friday morning, March 7)
Mr. Kendall Seal, Governor
Ms. Carrie Tergin, 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
Kenneth Coopwood, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Stephen Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement
Penni Groves, General Counsel
Paul Kincaid, Chief of Staff
Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit
Kyle Moats, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Randy Blackwood, Executive Director of Athletics & Entertainment Facilities
Stephanie Bryant, Dean of the College of Business
Chad Killingsworth, Assistant Director of Web & New Media (arriving at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, March 7)
John McAlear, Secretary of the Board
2. Presiding --- The presiding officer for the meeting was Mr. Steve Hoven, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors. He called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Regency Ballroom in the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.
3. Consent Agenda --- Mr. Hoven noted that the first item of business on the agenda was the approval of the Consent Agenda for this meeting. The items in the Consent Agenda are:
Ratification of February 19, 2014 Executive Committee Actions
Approval of new program – Bachelor of Science in Modern Language (Comprehensive and Non-comprehensive) (Curriculum No. 361-14).
Approval of new program for Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (Curriculum No. 362-14).
Approval of new program for Master of Applied Second Language Acquisition (Curriculum No. 363-14).
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the period January 11, 2014, through February 14, 2014 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 400-14).
Approval of resolution authorizing and directing the issuance of $39,405,000 principal amount of auxiliary enterprise system revenue bonds, Series 2014A, to provide funds to finance additions, renovations, extensions and improvements to the facilities of the auxiliary enterprise system of the University; prescribing the form and details of said bonds and the covenants and agreements made by the University to provide for the payment and security thereof; and prescribing other matters relating thereto (Finance No. 1034-14). This resolution is for information only. At the February 7, 2014, Board of Governors’ meeting, the Board granted the Executive Committee the authority to act on this bond issue, so no ratification of the February 19, 2014, Executive Committee action is necessary.
Pool bulkhead and window replacement at Hammons Student Center (Bids & Quotations No. 1451-14); Oke-Thomas & Associates, low bid of $163,746 for the base bid plus alternate 1; total project budget set at $184,000.
The inside plant wiring contract for Computer Services-Networking and Telecommunications (Bids & Quotations No. 1452-14); TSI Technology Solutions, LLC. Total expenditure for projects under this contract shall not exceed $150,000 during the initial term of this contract (through February 28, 2015) or during any one-year contract renewal period.
Approval of Deed of Lease with BCSP Hunters Branch Lessee, LLC (Agreement No. 338-14).
Approval to increase the project budget for the modifications to Printing Services at the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development (Bids & Quotations No. 1453-14). This $30,000 increase brings the new total project budget to $50,000.
Mr. Bough moved to approve the consent agenda, receiving the second of Mr. Hofherr.
Motion passed 8-0.
4. Approval of 2014-15 Fee Resolution --- President Clif Smart reminded everyone that the 2014-15 fee resolution (Fees No. 142-14) was discussed in detail at the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting in West Plains on February 7 and after a really good conversation, he thought there was consensus in our value approach. He asked Mr. Steve Foucart, Chief Financial Officer, to highlight some of the more significant items. Mr. Foucart mentioned that the undergraduate Missouri resident tuition is remaining flat at $204 per credit hour, the undergraduate Non-Missouri resident tuition is going from $420 to $426 per credit hour (1.4%), the graduate Missouri resident tuition is going from $247 to $250 per credit hour (1.2%), and the graduate Non-Missouri resident tuition is going from $494 to $501 per credit hour (1.4%). He also mentioned the addition of the student approved BEAR Fee up to $50 for the fall and spring semesters, but not assessed in the summer session. He added that an internal review is underway to recommend appropriate testing fees in the Counseling and Testing Center and that bids are being reviewed for student health insurance rates – both of these items will be brought to the April Executive Committee meeting. Springfield Residence Hall rates increase 4% for board (based on the increase in our food service contract) and 1.5% for the room portion. The exception is Kentwood Hall, which will be open an additional 35 days, over break periods, and marketed to transfer students. This will increase the Kentwood single room by an additional $70 above a 1.5% increase. The West Plains tuition is also flat when compared to last year and their residence hall room and board rates increase 1.5%.
President Smart next mentioned that the House Budget Committee is recommending its budget today, and, unfortunately, it only contains a 2% increase for higher education. This is very early in the budget process and he recommends that we move forward with the Fee Schedule as presented today, knowing that we may need to reevaluate that decision for second semester tuition. Mr. Kimbrough moved to approve the fee resolution as presented, receiving the second of Mr. Carmichael.
Motion passed 8-0.
5. Status Report on Eight Goals --- President Smart first commented that our focus today is to report on where we are in accomplishing the eight goals which were adopted by the Board last year. He reminded the Board that all of these goals are related to the long-range plan. He indicated that in addition to measuring our success by whether we achieved these goals, we also measure our performance by two other metrics: a) the statewide performance measures, and b) our own key performance indicators. Most of the important discussion during the next two days will be reporting on how we are doing on these three ways the Board has determined we should measure the progress of the university. The 2013-14 eight goals are:
Goal 1: Enrollment - Continue to achieve modest annual growth consistent with the long-range plan goals.
Goal 2: Funding - Allocate, reallocate and generate new resources to achieve University priorities.
Goal 3: Accreditation – Develop the evidence to meet the criterion and core components necessary to achieve continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), as well as other major accrediting agencies.
Goal 4: Diversity and Inclusion – Improve recruitment and retention of a diverse student body and workforce.
Goal 5: Student Success – Expand high-quality academic programs to increase opportunities for students.
Goal 6: Facilities and Sustainability – Design, bid, identify funding sources and begin construction on priority academic and auxiliary facilities, with a continued campus-wide emphasis on sustainability.
Goal 7: Athletics – Be competitive, be compliant, and be successful in the classroom.
Goal 8: Raising the Profile – Continue to find ways to more effectively “tell the Missouri State story” to ever-increasing numbers of people in Missouri, the nation and around the world. (Time did not permit the discussion of this goal – it will be covered in the May 15, 2014, Board meeting when the major discussion topic will be “Marketing the University.”)
A positive discussion was held on each of the goals with just a few exceptions. Regarding our Diversity goal, while we have been able to significantly increase the diversity of our student population, there are still struggles in increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff. Suggestions/comments coming out of the day’s discussion included:
Enrollment – although our enrollment is at an all-time high, we should identify where we can improve university processes/procedures so it is easier for students to enroll and register for courses.
Diversity – to continue working toward this goal, identify other metrics that could be evaluated. Also, expand the ADP (Appraisal and Development Plan) goals of administrators with specific actions toward improving and retaining faculty and staff of color.
Student Success – to assist with tracking graduates, work towards having all of our students open a LinkedIn account.
At the conclusion of the discussion on Goal 7: Athletics, President Smart presented a resolution (Board Policies No. 87-14) stipulating that the Board of Governors carries out oversight of the Intercollegiate Athletics program. He indicated that although the Board has always exercised oversight over the athletics programs at MSU, current best practices include having a governing policy that memorializes that oversight. Moved and seconded, respectively, by Mr. Bough and Mr. Hofherr.
Motion passed 7-0 (Mr. Kimbrough had left the meeting).
6. 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. Hoven 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 March 6-7, 2014, 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…”
R.S.Mo. 610.021(3). “Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body…”
R.S.Mo. 610.021(13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,…”
Mr. Carmichael moved the approval of the resolution and Ms. Fry seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the resolution was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Bough, Carmichael, Fry, Hofherr, Hoven, Kimbrough, Seal, and Tergin; those voting against – none; those absent – Governors Kimbrough and Miller.
Mr. Hoven declared the resolution passed unanimously.
The open meeting was recessed at 3:40 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014.
7. Update of Key Performance Indicators --- Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost, first showed how the Springfield campus met the five Performance-Funding Measures adopted by the State of Missouri. He next provided a brief update on the Springfield campus’s 15 Key Performance Indicators which are included on the Long-Range Plan’s website. During the discussion on the Key Performance Measure dealing with faculty scholarship, the Board indicated that they would like to see a goal for next year regarding faculty issues, as well as this being a discussion topic at a future board meeting.
Dr. Drew Bennett, Chancellor of MSU-West Plains, next briefly reviewed the progress on their twelve Key Performance Indicators. During the discussion on the Key Performance Measure dealing with grant activity, Dr. Bennett explained that they received a $2.5 million TAACCCT (Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training) grant this year. It was also mentioned that the two campuses should look for ways to make sure we are collaborating at the highest level for success.
8. Board of Governors’ Procedural Matters ---
The following items were then discussed:
a. Using a board portal system for board meetings and materials --- Mr. Chad Killingsworth, Assistant Director of Web & New Media, explained that an RFP process was recently performed looking for a board portal system – an electronic system to distribute board agendas and materials. Three vendors responded and Directors Desk was determined to be the only affordable option. He then provided a demonstration of Directors Desk to show how the distribution of board agendas and meeting materials would be different using an electronic board portal. It was quickly noted that this type of system would eliminate a tremendous amount of paper use which meets one of the Board’s major emphasis – sustainability. After a short discussion, Mr. Kimbrough moved that the Board proceed with Directors Desk. Ms. Tergin provided the second to the motion. It was noted that the number of contract years and the number of licenses would be left to the administration to determine.
Motion passed 8-0.
b. Topics for future Board discussions --- Mr. Smart commented that marketing will be the discussion item at the May meeting, a follow-up on previous discussion topics will be presented at the June meeting, and annual goals will be finalized at the July summer retreat. He asked Board members what topics they would like to discuss at board meetings after the summer retreat. Items offered for consideration included: 1) Faculty issues; 2) Retention rates; 3) International programs; 4) Broadcast Services; 5) Academic points of pride; and 6) Campus security
c. Presidential assessment --- Mr. John McAlear, Secretary, commented that everyone seemed to like last year’s new, revised assessment tool. He added that one recommendation received was to include questions pertaining to the University’s annual goals. Ms. Miller, Board Chair, had asked him to prepare eight additional questions to add to this year’s assessment for review at today’s meeting. Mr. McAlear distributed the additional questions and it was decided that they would be good additions to the assessment tool. He next summarized a proposed timeline: 1) have President Smart present his self-assessment at the June 20, 2014, Board meeting; 2) the Board members will complete the online assessment tool by the middle of July; 3) the assessment results will be able to be reviewed online by the Board in late July; and 4) the entire Board will visit with President Smart regarding the results at the July 31, 2014, Board meeting. During this discussion, the Board asked for research to be done on assessing the Board.
9. Date of Next Meeting --- The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. on the Springfield Campus.
10. Adjournment--- Mr. Hoven adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m. on the motion of Mr. Kimbrough, the second of Mr. Bough, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
John W. McAlear
Secretary