MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
FEBRUARY 22, 2019, 1:00 PM
1. Roll Call
Present - Mr. Gabriel Gore, Chair
Ms. Amelia Counts, Governor
Mr. Craig Frazier, Governor
Ms. Beverly Miller Keltner, Governor
Mr. William Miller, Student Governor
Mr. Kendall Seal, Governor
Ms. Carol Silvey, Governor
Mr. Greg Spears, Governor
Ms. Carrie Tergin, Governor
Also Present - Clifton M. Smart III, President
Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development & International Programs
Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management
Ryan DeBoef, Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Governmental Relations
Rachael Dockery, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement
Frank Einhellig, Provost
Steve Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
Shirley Lawler, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
Victor Matthews, Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Kyle Moats, Director of Athletics
Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services
Jeff Morrissey, Chief Information Officer
Wes Pratt, Chief Diversity Officer and Assistant to the President
Suzanne Shaw, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs
Kristan Gochenauer, Secretary of the Board
2. Presiding – The presiding officer for the meeting was Mr. Gabriel Gore, 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 Minutes – Mr. Gore mentioned that the first item of business was
the approval of the minutes for the open meeting of December 13, 2018. Ms. Carrie
Tergin so moved, receiving the second from Mr. Craig Frazier.
Motion passed 8-0.
4. Consent Agenda – Mr. Gore 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 FY2019/2010 Employment Agreements for Assistant Coaches for Football (Agreement
No. 427-19).
Academic Affairs
Approval of Academic Calendar for 2020-2021 (Curriculum No. 389-19).
West Plains Campus
Approval of Actions Concerning West Plains Campus Academic Employees (West Plains
Campus Personnel No. 429-19).
Approval of Actions Concerning West Plains Campus Non-Academic Employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 430-19).
Procurement and Financial
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the Period November 28, 2018, through
February 6, 2019 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 474-19).
Facilities and Equipment
Approval of Activity Report for the Months of November 2018, December 2018, and January
2019 (Activity Report No. 306-19).
Human Resources Items
Approval of Actions Concerning Academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1607-19).
Approval of Actions Concerning Non-Academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1608-19).
Mr. Gregory Spears made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, receiving a second from Ms. Carol Silvey.
Motion passed 8-0.
5. Making Our Missouri Statement Moment – Recognition of Opera Students for National ranking Performance – Dr. Shawn Wahl, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Letters, thanked the Board for this opportunity and introduced Dr. Anne Marie Daehn, Associate Professor in the Music Department. Dr. Daehn enthusiastically talked about the opera program, the singers and the awards the students have won. She then introduced the National Championship students who competed recently in Salt Lake City, Utah. Graduate level second place winners – Carly Wingfield, Alana Yeomans and Tyler Hast; undergraduate first in the nation scene champions – Jacob Lewellen and Aiyana Williams; music theater Division I first place scene champions – Kayli Owen and Isaac Williams; student director Bridget Polach; and senior vocal music education student Troy Robertson. In closing the students sang the Missouri State University alma mater.
6. Committee Reports
A. Mr. Gore reported on the Executive Committee meeting held on January 16, 2019.
He reported that during the meeting, Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost, presented on and
asked for approval of the Doctor of Defense and Strategic Studies program. Mr. Steve
Foucart, Chief Financial Officer, then presented the procurement activity report requesting
approval of renewal of a contract for student health insurance for international students.
Mr. Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services, then presented a resolution
requesting approval to retain Dake Wells Architecture as a consultant for the proposed
addition to McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall. The Executive Committee approved
the three requests.
B. Mr. Frazier stated that the Risk Management and Audit Committee held a meeting on February 21, 2019. Ms. Kim Hamm and Ms. Kristen Bright, BKD, presented on the NCAA Independent Accountants report on applying agreed upon procedures. Upon review of revenue and expenses, BKD found one exception related to student aid. In closed session, the committee received an update on external information security from Mr. Jeff Morrissey, Chief Information Officer, and reviewed two draft reports from Ms. Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management.
C. Ms. Silvey discussed the Programs and Planning Committee meeting. Dr. Einhellig gave a presentation about the future of professional doctorate programs on the Springfield campus. Secondary to the change in the statute, Missouri State University has an enormous opportunity to develop additional professional doctorate programs. Dr. Einhellig and Dr. Julie Masterson, Dean of the Graduate College, will work with a team of faculty on a plan to look at opportunities over the next 10 to 15 years. Dr. Dennis Lancaster, Dean of Academic Affairs on the West Plains campus, then presented on strategies and workforce development on the West Plains campus. He shared the steps necessary to grow and meet the needs of current and future students and the educational pathways that will be used.
D. Ms. Amelia Counts then reviewed the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting, which met earlier in the day. She shared that President Clif Smart presented on the Governor’s proposed FY2020 budget and the University’s initial budget work. Discussion involved the level of tuition increases for the next year, enrollment projections, anticipated state appropriations and the University’s strategy for dealing with an anticipated loss in revenue. Mr. Foucart reviewed the year to date financial statements. He then reviewed the proposed revisions to the G10.02 Healthcare Policy, which change the requirement that the University reserve fund not exceed 90 days to 60 days. In addition, it clarifies that management will report plan costs and reserve at the end of the calendar year. The Board moved and agreed to approve the proposed changes during today’s meeting. Ms. Counts then turned the meeting back over to Mr. Gore for a vote to approve revisions to G10.02 Healthcare Principles Policy (Board Policy No. 119-19). Mr. Kendall Seal motioned to approve the resolution, receiving a second from Mr. Frazier.
Motion passed 8-0.
7. Presidents Report – President Clif Smart reported that Governor Parson released the state budget in January. As part of the Governor’s budget, $6.3 million is being appropriated for workforce development, but there were no appropriations for core operating at any colleges. The University continues to focus on lobbying for an increase in appropriations to close the funding gap. President Smart is personally engaged with this request and notes that the University continues to share the legislative priorities piece in Jefferson City. He also mentioned the current Title IX bill and noted the good work Jill Patterson, Title IX Coordinator, has been doing on behalf of the University.
President Smart then provided an update on the University budget. Multiple committees have met to discuss tuition options, salaries and the increase to minimum wage. He then introduced special guest, Zora Mulligan, Commissioner of Higher Education. Ms. Mulligan gave an overview of how the state of Missouri is doing in comparison to other states in relation to education. The state of Missouri’s workforce productivity is substantially below the nation average. In 2011, the state set a goal for 60% of working-age adults to have a certificate or degree by 2025. As a part of this goal, the state is looking at its role in infrastructure and workforce development. Governor Parson is promoting programs including Fastrack and Missouri Excels and has done a dramatic restructuring of the state government with a complete redesign of economic development. He wants the folks of Missouri to think large.
8. West Plains Campus – Dr. Shirley Lawler, Chancellor, requested approval of revisions to the Missouri State University-West Plains Faculty Handbook (West Plains Faculty No. 18-19). The proposed revisions increase the teaching load for full-time faculty at Missouri State-West Plains from 24 credit hours per academic year to 30 credit hours per academic year beginning July 1, 2019. An increase in workload was originally proposed in fall 2017 to help reduce costs and bring West Plains in line with other two-year institutions. A committee of nine faculty members, led by Dr. Lancaster, approved a final plan in October 2018. Of the 35 faculty on the West Plains campus, 26 have opted in. Ms. Carol Silvey moved to approve the revisions, receiving a second from Ms. Beverly Miller Keltner.
Motion passed 8-0.
9. Academic Affairs:
A. Faculty Senate Report – Dr. Tom Dicke, Faculty Senate Chair, reported on activities
of Faculty Senate since his last report. The ad hoc committees continue to review
program guidelines, look at program and course assessments, and review new and existing
policies. He discussed curricular proposals, noting there are well over 100 either
in or through the approval process with 21 considered by the full Senate. Dr. Dicke
then noted this is his last meeting and thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve
in this position noting the experience has deepened his already significant respect
for the faculty, staff and administrators whose combined efforts make Missouri State
University the great institution it is.
B. Report from the Provost – Dr. Einhellig introduced Dr. Shawn Wahl as the new Dean for the College of Arts and Letters effective March 1, 2019. He reported that Dr. Stephanie Huffman has been hired as the new department head for Reading Foundations and Technology and Dr. Ismet Anistal as the new department head for Marketing. Overall, 14 individuals have recently been hired with additional searches in the six colleges ongoing.
Faculty applications are currently being reviewed for tenure and promotion. A total of 52 applications have been received – 26 for associate professor, 14 for full professor, 4 for distinguished professor (two open positions), 5 for clinical assistant professorships, 2 for clinical associate professorships, and 1 senior instructor. In addition, 12 applications were received for the Professor Salary Incentive Program; 4 will be awarded.
Dr. Einhellig reported that the University has surpassed 20.3% credit hours generated online. The spring semester was just over 18%, which is an increase in both credit hours and headcount. Almost 50% of students are taking one or more online class. The University is approaching 500 classes online this spring. This is part of a new trend, which the University continues to adjust to. The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) has been consistently running book camps to help our faculty with online teaching. Bottom line, this is still a growth area for the University.
Dr. Einhellig then reviewed the process regarding expansion of the nursing program. He shared that the Generic BSN program has petitioned to expand to 96 students; 2 cohorts with 48 students each semester. An accreditation site visit is scheduled for March 10-12, 2019. The self-study has been submitted. There have also been changes to the master’s program, which will include three tracks – nurse educator, family nurse practitioner and population health. In addition to these changes, the nursing program may be the recipient of the Missouri Excels grant. Another grant, which will go through MDHE and the State Board of Nursing for a onetime $150,000 award, was also submitted. Currently there are 18 faculty in the department, with half doctorally qualified, and three on-going searches.
Last, Dr. Einhellig shared that an internal grant program has been initiated for the colleges. Grants will be awarded for the best idea(s) on increasing enrollment at the University. Submissions are due in a couple of weeks.
10. Student Affairs:
A. Report from the Student Body President – Mr. Dillon Cordel, Student Body Vice
President, stated that though the administration is on the downhill slope, there are
still quite a few things they are looking to accomplish. The past few months have
been an amazing time for administration to advocate on all levels for our students.
Next week 35 students will be headed to Jefferson City to advocate for additional
appropriations to decrease inequality of funding between Missouri State and other
universities in Missouri. Administration and students have voiced their opinion regarding
the proposed Title IX changes through the submission of 14 comments against changes.
Last, administration has begun the election process for the 2019-2020 administration.
11. Staff Senate Report – Mr. Jon Lee, Chair of the Staff Senate, stated that Staff Senate continues to seek effective communication through inclusive and transparent participation. After a review of internal committees, Staff Senate decided to make changes to their organizational bylaws. Representation in the Staff Senate for all job families will change from five seats to ten seats. There is strong belief that this will increase the opportunity for more voices to be heard in the coming year. Mr. Lee then announced that Staff Senate will hold their second annual “Breakfast with Bairs” to raise money for the Staff Senate scholarship fund on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Bair’s restaurant on South Kimbrough, Springfield, Missouri.
12. Facilities and Equipment – Mr. Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services, presented on the completed projects across the campus in FY2019. The total cost of these projects was approximately $27 million. He then briefly shared the current projects underway. The first is the developer led residence hall Holland House, with plans for retail space to be approved at a future meeting and completion during summer 2020. The next is the Ozarks Educational Center at Bull Shoals Field Station, with bids to be presented at the April meeting for construction approval. Mr. Morris then discussed phase II Woods House renovation, which will be presented at the March meeting for approval. Last is the Greenwood Laboratory multipurpose addition, 50/50 ask, which may be presented as early as the May meeting for approval.
Mr. Morris then recommended the approval of bids and award of a contract for the upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems at Blair-Shannon House (Bids & Quotations No. 1567-19). The low bid by Carson-Mitchell, Inc. in the amount of $510,696.00 for the base bid plus alternates 1, 3, and 4 was awarded. Total project budget is $660,000.00 with an expected completion at the end of summer 2019.
Mr. Morris also recommended the approval of bids and award of a contract for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater on the West Plains campus (Bids & Quotations No. 1568-19). The bid in the amount of $370,800.00 for the base bid plus alternate 1 was awarded to DeWitt & Associate, Inc. Total project budget is $585,000.00 with an expected completion date summer 2019. Both resolutions were moved and seconded, respectively, by Ms. Tergin and Ms. Counts.
Motion passed 8-0.
13. Financial – Mr. Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement, recommended approval of transfer of a three-acre tract of land in Taney County from the MSU Foundation to the Board of Governors of Missouri State University (Land No. 122-19). The land is located at 446 Wolf Creek Road, Cedarcreek, Missouri, with intended purpose to benefit the Bull Shoals Field Station program. Ms. Silvey moved to approve the recommendation, receiving a second from Mr. Frazier.
Motion passed 8-0.
14. New Business – Access Programs – President Smart stated that as part of the University’s focus on inclusive excellence and diversity, we work closely with partner programs. Dr. Michele Smith, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, gave a brief review of Multicultural Services and how they specifically help incoming students from undeserved programs. The goal is to make students feel comfortable and find their space/place on campus. She shared a list of current programs in place for just this purpose.
Dr. Ryan Reed, Coordinator for Access Programs, discussed his role as coordinator and the five partnerships that the University is or has been involved with. These include College Bound, Kauffman Scholars, KIPP St. Louis, Wyman Teen Leadership Program and 100 Black Men. Each partnership is different, but all strive to provide students with a system that allows them to grow and be successful through proactive involvement from middle school through college. The University will have 21 students from these programs graduate in May.
Student representative, Donovan “Andre” McIntyre, a senior with a full Wyman Scholarship,
shared his story with the Board. As a first-generation college student, Wyman invested
in him providing the support he needed to not only apply to but attend college. Through
their support, Mr. McIntyre has excelled at Missouri State, serving in leadership
roles and is on schedule to graduate in May. He stated that the core principles that
Wyman represents are what kept him on track.
Ms. Allison Williams, MSW, LCSW, Wyman Representative and Senior Vice President for
Programs, shared with the Board more about Wyman and the opportunities they provide
through working with students and their families. In the past ten years, 63 students
have enrolled at Missouri State University. Of these students, 83% have either graduated
or are enrolled. In addition, 35 students have applied to the University for fall
2019.
Mr. Scott Baier, Executive Director and College Bound Representative, gave an overview of College Bound and its commitment to serving underrepresented students. The program has an academic services team, health and wellness team and a goal that by 2024 all College Bound students entering college will have their math credits.
Ms. Francine Pratt, Director of Prosper Springfield, shared information about the
Missouri College Access Network (MOCAN). In June 2018, a group of organizations across
Missouri came together to discuss college access. The outcome of this discussion
was the creation of MOCAN whose mission statement is to increase career and college
awareness preparation access and completion in Missouri, particularly for the underrepresented
and underserved. In December a presentation was given to the MOHELA Board and they
approved a $1 million budget for the Missouri college access network. In addition,
the Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation is going to provide $250,000 for each
quarter of the first year.
Ms. Pratt and Mr. Brian Fogle, President of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks,
have been appointed to the MOCAN board. Mr. Fogle stated that Missouri State University
is a leader at being welcoming. He said to never discount the role one person can
play as everyone makes a difference.
President Smart thanked the presenters and urged for a focus on continuing to work
on engaging in more programs because of the tremendous opportunities they afford our
students.
15. 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. Gore 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 22, 2019, 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...”
Mr. Frazier moved the approval of the resolution and Ms. Silvey seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the motion was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Counts, Frazier, Gore, Miller Keltner, Seal, Silvey, Spears and Tergin; those voting against – none.
Mr. Gore declared the resolution passed unanimously. The open meeting recessed at 4:11 p.m. to go into closed session.
The open meeting was reconvened at 5:11 p.m.
16. Date of Next Meeting – The date of the next scheduled meeting was set for Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 1 p.m. on the Springfield Campus.
17. Adjournment – Mr. Gore adjourned the meeting at 5:11 p.m., on the motion of Mr. Frazier, the second of Ms. Counts, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
Kristan Gochenauer
Secretary to the Board