MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
OCTOBER 25, 2019 1:00 PM
1. Roll Call
Present - Mr. Gabriel E. Gore, Chair
Ms. Amelia Counts, Governor
Mr. Craig Frazier, Governor
Ms. Beverly Miller, 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 Program
Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management
Jeff Coiner, Chief Information Officer
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
Stephen Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
Shirley Lawler, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
David Hough, Dean of the College of Education
Kyle Moats, Director of Athletics
Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services
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 E. 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 and closed meetings of August 8-9, 2019.
Ms. Carol Silvey 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 FY2019/2020 Athletics Employment Agreement for an Assistant (Human Resources
No. 1627-19).
West Plains Campus
Approval of Actions Concerning West Plains Campus Academic Employees (West Plains
Campus Personnel No. 438-19).
Approval of Actions Concerning West Plains Campus Non-Academic Employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 439-19).
Approval of Employment Contract and First Amended Employment Contract of Aaron Proctor, Assistant Coach, Basketball – West Plains (West Plains Personnel No. 440-19).
Procurement and Financial
Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the Period July 24, 2019, through October
9, 2019 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 482-19).
Facilities and Equipment
Approval of a Resolution Granting Perpetual Street Right of Way and Temporary Construction
Easements to the City of Springfield (Agreement No. 433-19).
Human Resources Items
Approval of Actions Concerning Academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1628-19).
Approval of Actions Concerning Non-Academic Employees (Human Resources No. 1629-19).
Mr. Frazier made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, receiving a second from Ms. Carrie Tergin.
Motion passed 8-0.
5. Making Our Missouri Statement Moment – Online Speech Therapy Presentation – Dr. Julie Masterson, Dean of the Graduate College, introduced Dr. Rachel Robinson, President and Co-Founder of DotCom Therapy, Inc. Dr. Robinson presented via video and shared how Missouri State gave her the start she needed and the importance of mentoring. She provided the history of how DotCom Therapy, Inc., a telehealth platform, started. Today DotCom Therapy, Inc. has over 130 employees, 99% female, and provides speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, mental health and educational audiology in 32 states and 7 countries performing 8,000 therapy sessions weekly. Moving forward, they are expanding into healthcare and universities and will be launching a new platform to increase private client access.
6. Committee Reports:
A. Mr. Gore reported on the July 17, 2019, and September 18, 2019, Executive Committee
meetings. At the July 17, 2019, meeting the committee approved fiscal year 2021 capital
improvement priorities, the procurement activity report and a contract for the classroom
addition to McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall. At the September 18, 2019, meeting
the committee approved the procurement activity report, authorized the University
to add Hammons Hall to the auxiliary enterprise system, awarded a contract to finish
additional facility space at the Plaster Center for the cooperative engineering program
and approved a lease agreement for television tower space for KOZK.
B. Mr. Frazier reviewed the September 30, 2019, Risk Management and Audit Committee meeting. At the meeting committee members discussed internal audit reports including Pharmacy Inventory procedures and Controls at Magers Health and Wellness Center, the West Plains Drago College Store Inventory and Campus Cash Counts, the NCAA Financial Aid Compliance and the University Bookstore Inventory Procedures and Controls. All reports are publicly available on the internal auditor’s webpage.
C. Ms. Amelia Counts discussed the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting. During
the meeting, the committee reviewed bond refinancing terms that will result in a nets
savings of approximately $1 million. The committee heard an update on the new residence
hall and discussed bids for the dining center infill. A development report from the
Foundation was also reviewed.
D. Ms. Silvey discussed the Programs and Planning Committee meeting. An update
on the Strategic Enrollment Management planning process was given. The committee
then received an overview of the Greenwood Laboratory School, which was established
in 1908. Proposed changes to the G5.05 University Housing policy were discussed.
Mr. Frazier made a motion to recommend approval of proposed changes to G5.05 University
Housing policy (Board Policies No. 124-19). Ms. Silvey seconded the motion.
Motion passed 8-0.
7. Presidents Report – President Clif Smart welcomed everyone to Homecoming weekend at Missouri State and reminded attendees that the Wall of Fame Ceremony is taking place following the Board meeting. He then asked Dr. Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development & International Programs, to report on the China Program. Dr. Baker reported that recruiting is becoming more challenging. Recently a program has been developed that allows for a dual degree from Missouri State University and Southwest University, Chongqing, China. Students spend three years at their home university and their last year at Missouri State University, receiving a degree from each university. There are currently 112 students in the program. They are looking to adopt this model at other places. Ms. Counts, who participated in the recent China trip, then shared that a highlight of the trip was the opening ceremony and seeing Missouri State University emblems and plaques in China. Mr. Gore shared that the trip was an impactful, eye opening experience. It is evident that Dr. Baker and his team have done tremendous work and created extremely successful relationships.
President Smart then recommended approval to award the 2019 Government Excellence Award to Representative Elijah Haahr (Award No. 88-19) and Senator Lincoln Hough (Award No. 89-19) for their outstanding support for the University. Ms. Tergin made a motion to approve, receiving a second from Ms. Silvey.
Motion passed 8-0.
President Smart showed the newest What’s New at MSU video for the Board and meeting attendees. He then introduced his new Executive Assistant, Ms. Jessica Silvey, who will start in December 2019.
8. Academic Affairs:
A. Report from the Provost – Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost, opened with a few comments
regarding the Faculty Senate report that included CUPA data.
Dr. Einhellig then shared that Missouri State University is designated to receive a National Award for Excellence in Assessment, which is one of seven given out across the United States and recognized Dr. Keri Franklin for her work. He then discussed the recent expansion and improvements in specialized teaching and research facilities to include the Innovation Lab in Meyer Library 003 and the Temple Greenhouse. Dr. Einhellig reported that Academic Affairs continues to hold a monthly Academic Affairs Leadership Development program. For the 2019-2020 year, individuals who show an interest in future administrative positions are being invited to participate. Dr. Chris Craig, Deputy Provost, is administering this program.
Dr. Einhellig then introduced Dr. Paul Durham, Distinguished Professor, Biology and Chair of the 16th annual Public Affairs Conference. This year’s theme was The 21st Century Digital World. Dr. Durham stated he was thrilled when asked to chair this year’s conference. He reported the conference went extremely well with many diverse presentations and topics and great interaction between the panelists, speakers and the audience.
9. Student Affairs:
A. Report from the Student Body President – Mr. Abdillahi Dirie, Student Body President,
reported that for this year’s homecoming parade, students are becoming more sustainable
and doing less pomping. He then noted recent events on campus to include a first ever
Health and Wellness week and the National Walk for Freedom. Mr. Dirie reported that
talks have started regarding a Multicultural Diversity space on campus. A survey
will be going out to students asking what they would like the space to look like.
He shared that a waste audit, which will give ideas of ways to improve current waste
practices, will start in December 2019 through fall 2020. Mr. Dirie recently participated
in a mental health discussion at the University of Missouri and that a coalition group
has been created to focus on student issues. Last, SGA continues to look at increasing
security measures across campus.
10. Staff Senate Report – Ms. A’dja Jones, Chairperson of the Staff Senate, reported that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. A luncheon was held on October 4, 2019, which raised $1,200. Staff Senate will have a tent at homecoming this year and is getting ready for the Giving Tree, which will provide donations to Isabelle’s House, Crisis Nursery, Rare Breed Youth Services and Rebound Foundation. Ms. Jones then reported that Administrative forums are being scheduled to promote continued education among staff. Mr. Brent Dunn will be leading the next Book Club. Last, Staff Senate continues to work on items that can be improved upon including employee mental health and check-ins.
11. Facilities and Equipment – Mr. Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services, recommended the approval of bids and award of a contract for the dining center infill at the new residence hall (Bids and Quotations No. 1579-19). The low bid in the amount of $3,671,500 for the base plus alternates 1, 3, and 4 was received from Branco Enterprises, Inc. Total project budget is $4,925,000 with completion expected prior to the fall 2020 semester. Moved and seconded, respectively, by Ms. Silvey and Ms. Beverly Miller Keltner.
Motion passed 8-0.
12. Financial – Mr. Steve Foucart, Chief Financial Officer, recommended approval of resolution authorizing the issuance of educational facilities revenue bonds 2019B (Finance No. 1083-19). These bonds have a closing date of December 4, 2019 at a rate of 3.05% with a mature date of October 2035 and a total projected savings of $288,000. Mr. Foucart recommended approval of resolution authorizing the issuance of auxiliary enterprise system revenue bonds 2019A (Finance No. 1084-19). These bonds have a closing date of December 4, 2019 at a rate of 3.05% with a mature date of October 2035 and a total projected savings of $750,000. A motion was made by Mr. Gregory Spears and seconded by Mr. Frazier.
Motion passed 8-0.
13. New Business:
A. President Smart gave an overview of the campus climate noting that Dr. Mike
Nietzel, past President, made diversity a focus of his presidency. Under President
Smart’s leadership, the first Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion was hired.
The first climate survey was done in 2015 with follow-up recommendations received
from the Higher Learning Commission. In spring 2019, a climate survey was done using
a company that surveyed 52 universities; providing a peer group to base responses.
President Smart then introduced Dr. Keri Franklin, Director of Assessment, who coordinated
this survey. Dr. Franklin stated that the University held itself to higher standards
by doing a climate survey that multiple universities participated in. She then reviewed
responses to the 39-question survey highlighting the breakdown of the respondent group
and where Missouri State respondents reported overall higher satisfaction. Areas
of higher satisfaction included campus climate and support for diversity and equity
and lower reports of discrimination or harassment than other institutions. The survey
does show that non-binary individuals, U.S. persons of color, LGB+ individuals and
liberal individuals do have a less positive view and perception of campus and institutional
support and campus climate. In addition, students and employees reported hearing
slightly more insensitive or disparaging remarks, with 7% noting the local community
as the source. The company who conducted the survey stated that Missouri State University
should be proud of the results as they are overall positive and encouraging.
Mr. Wes Pratt, Chief Diversity Officer and Assistant to the President, then reviewed the 2015 climate survey initiatives, a list that will have an impact locally and in the region. The Higher Learning Commission recommendations have been implemented to include the recent climate survey, developed partnerships and enhanced infrastructure through coordinated training, recruitment and retention. Diversity and inclusion is everyone’s business.
Dr. Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs, discussed the on-going recruitment and retention of students through campus programs to include Bears Lead, TriO, Diversity Outreach and Recruitment, Dungy Leadership Institute and numerous access programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club and College Bound. She also discussed the many multicultural environments and events that are available across campus for students. Dr. Siscoe shared that the students have been discussing having one center where all services can be brought together. A student townhall meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2019 to discuss this.
Dr. Einhellig then discussed the multicultural research and scholarship opportunities available on campus. Public Affairs courses address cultural competence, grants are integrating diversity into the curriculum, and accreditation has diversity expectations. Programs initiated include Bear POWER, which offers a postsecondary education opportunity to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and Blackboard Ally, an accessibility tool. President Smart stated that everyone plays a major part in diversity and inclusion across campus and in the community. This is important and the University is making progress.
B. Mr. Gore then stated the last order of business is election of 2020 officers of the Board. He moved that Mr. Craig Frazier serve as Chair of the Board of Governors for 2020 and Ms. Amelia Counts serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors for 2020. Mr. Kendall Seal seconded the motion.
Motion passed 8-0.
14. Date of Next Meeting – The date of the next scheduled meeting was set for Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 1 p.m. on the Springfield Campus.
15. Adjournment – Mr. Gore adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m., on the motion of Ms. Miller Keltner, the second of Ms. Counts, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
Kristan Gochenauer
Secretary to the Board