Truman will continue the indoor mask policy into the beginning of the Spring 2022 Semester, with the next review of the policy occurring on or before January 28.

With a large portion of the campus community traveling during winter break, setting the review date three class weeks into the semester will allow for time to properly assess the rate of students and employees exposed to the virus.

Decisions regarding the mask policy are made by the president in consultation with the executive leadership team.  Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to: the number of active cases related to the University; the transmission rate in Adair County; the campus vaccination rate; Truman’s capacity to effectively accommodate students in isolation and quarantine; guidance of the CDC and the local health department; and the advice of Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and Student Government.

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of K. Brooks Miller, Jr., Board Chair.  The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2022 calendar year.  New officers who will take office for a term of one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the calendar year are Sarah Burkemper, Chair; Cheryl J. Cozette, Vice Chair; and Nancy Gingrich, Secretary.

Reports
Dr. Janet Gooch, Provost, was joined by Dr. Hyun-Joo Kim, Professor of Statistics; Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Associate Professor of Physics; and three of their students who showcased the impactful work done in the Self and Society Seminars and the Symposium.  I provided a President’s Report reporting on multiple topics including the University’s continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the results of the University’s Vaccine Incentive Program, status reports on requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and MoExcels funding, and the proposed federal appropriations bill.  I also noted Truman’s inclusion in America’s Crossroads Bowl in Hobart, Indiana, and publicly thanked the Baptist Student Union for the many kindnesses they have extended recently to the campus community.  In addition, the Board reviewed financial reports and heard reports from their morning committee meetings.

Salary Policies 2022
In terms of action items, the Board approved Salary Policies for 2022.  Starting with Fiscal Year 2020, the Board adopted a new timeline for salary policies, adjusting salary increase consideration to the calendar year rather than the fiscal year, a change which allows consideration of final enrollment numbers and a more accurate state appropriation projections.  The approved salary increases will take effect January 1, 2022, for employees on the payroll as of that date (unless otherwise indicated in an employment letter), and will increase employees’ base salary or hourly wage rate.  The University is utilizing the entire state appropriation core increase for this fiscal year to fund salary increases.

All full-time faculty academic year salaries will be increased by at least $1,000, with some individual salaries increasing up to $6,100.  These increases are determined through the work of the Faculty Compensation Committee, with the goal to make Truman’s compensation policies more competitive by moving salaries closer to the relevant CUPA-HR (Colleges and Universities Professional Association-Human Resources) medians.

The increases for staff are designed to provide the highest percentage increases to the lower paid staff, increases necessary to remain competitive in the labor market, particularly for entry-level positions.  All full-time exempt and salaried/comp time eligible staff will receive an annual increase of $1,760.  Current non-exempt staff will receive a raise of 85₵ per hour.  Salary increases for part-time staff will be prorated.

Because all staff receive the same increase, salary letters for staff will not be issued.  Faculty, however, will receive a letter from Provost Gooch reflecting the amount that their base salary will increase.  In addition, each employee’s Employee Position and Compensation information, which can be found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year.  For questions, staff should contact Payroll, and faculty should contact the Provost Office.

Resolution Amending Vacation Leave Policy
The Board approved adding an additional step for staff vacation accruals based upon an analysis of vacation policies at similar institutions in Missouri.  The analysis revealed that most institutions have an additional vacation accrual step that recognizes length of service beyond 15 years.  Effective January 1, 2022, full-time staff with 20 years of service will earn 2 days per month or 24 days per year of vacation.

Housing and Food Plan Charges
Housing and food plan charges effective with the 2022 Fall Semester were approved.  The Board approved an overall average increase of 5.5% in room rates and an average increase in meal plans of 5.3% to offset anticipated increased costs related to utilities, food, and labor.  The most common combination selected by students is a double occupancy room with a 15 meals/week board plan.  The overall increase proposed for this configuration is 5.4%.

Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project
In terms of construction projects, the Board approved the Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center Chiller Project.  This project rebuilds the two chillers in Ophelia Parrish which are failing due to age.  Quotes were obtained to perform only required repairs versus an overhaul of each chiller following factory rebuilding specifications.  Based on the efficiencies to be gained, it was recommended that the latter option be selected.  Funds for the project are available in the Plant Fund.

Revised Academic Calendar for the Spring Semester 2023
The Board approved a revised Academic Calendar for the 2023 Spring Semester after it was noted that an incorrect date was listed for Term Break.  The correct date of Monday, April 10, 2023, will be incorporated into the academic calendar.

Professional Leaves
Finally, the Board approved faculty Sabbaticals for the 2022-23 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

2022-23 Academic Year
Marc Becker, Professor of History
Victor Marquez-Barrios, Associate Professor of Music
Bill Miller, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Sarah Mohler, Associate Professor of English

2022 Fall Semester
Jocelyn Cullity, Associate Professor of English
Lin Zhang, Professor of Business Administration

2023 Spring Semester
Anton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology

A copy of the open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/.  The next regular meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2022.

I wish each of you a fantastic end to the fall semester!

All the best,
Sue

Mask Policy Extended Through the End of the Semester

Truman State University will extend its current campus mask policy until the end of the semester.

This decision was reached after careful consideration of a variety of factors, including campus vaccination rates and recommendations from the CDC.  Constituent groups, including Student Government, Staff Council, and Faculty Senate, were also consulted.

Data from the recent vaccine incentive program indicates the known fully vaccinated rate is 57% for all students, 63% for residence hall students, and 72% for employees.  While those numbers exceed the general county rate, they are not high enough on their own to mitigate exposure to and spread of the virus.  The mask policy, in conjunction with the campus vaccination rate, has helped to keep Truman-related cases to a minimum.

Based on the CDC COVID Data Tracker, community transmission in Adair County is still listed as “substantial” and masks are recommended for everyone in public, indoor settings.

As has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic, the University will maintain a flexible approach in regard to COVID-19 and make decisions based on all relevant information available.  The mask policy will be reviewed again for the start of the Spring 2022 semester.

Dear Colleagues:

Truman Homecoming 2021 “All Roads Lead Home” was a huge success!  Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are individually special, but it is the combination of everyone together that is the magic of Truman and it is what we celebrated this weekend.  “All Roads Lead Home” was the perfect theme for this year’s homecoming, and I was reminded once again of how extremely proud I am to be a member of the Bulldog family!  I express my deep appreciation to everyone who helped orchestrate the week’s wonderful events.  A special shout out to our students who raised over $15,700 for the FLATS!

In conjunction with Homecoming, we were pleased to have members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board of Directors, and Alumni Association Board of Directors on campus for their annual October meetings.  These fabulous alumni and friends extend their unwavering service, dedication, and leadership to the University and serve as outstanding representatives of Truman.

In terms of the Board of Governors meeting, Sarah Burkemper, Vice Chair of the Board, chaired Friday’s meeting held in the Conference Room of the Student Union.  During the meeting, the Board received several reports.  Representatives of RubinBrown LLP accounting firm reported on the annual audit of the University.  Dr. Ernie Hughes, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Dawn Tartaglione, President of the Foundation Board of Directors; and Jamie Matthews, President of the Alumni Board of Directors, shared updates from Advancement and their respective meetings held earlier in the day.  I provided a President’s Report highlighting many of the initiatives happening on campus and shared that through the good work of U. S. Senator Roy Blunt, Truman is included in the proposed Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.  Included in the proposed bill is federal funding of $3,420,000 for facilities and equipment to completely finish the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center and $900,000 to launch graduate programs in music therapy and vocational rehabilitation.  It is my understanding that this is only the second time Truman has been included in a federal funding bill, and it is the largest proposed federal appropriation ever.   I am extremely grateful for Senator Blunt’s support.  Finally, at the meeting and within their committee meetings, the Board reviewed financial reports, received updates on enrollment management and on-campus construction projects, and received information related to the Summer Writing Initiative for New Grants (SWING) and MoExcels and GEER Excels Grants.  Highlights were also shared from the recent Celebration of Faculty Scholarship, TruSolutions, and Mid-Scream events.

The complete open session agenda from the October 22nd meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, December 4.

May the second half of your semester be even better than the first and, if you have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to participate in the vaccination incentive program prior to midnight on Monday, November 1.

Go Bulldogs!
Sue

After considering a variety of factors, including recent campus surveys, the number of active cases in Adair County, the advice of public health professionals and CDC guidance, Truman will continue the current mask policy and will review and reevaluate the policy by November 5.

Masks are required inside all campus buildings, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.  The only exceptions are for dining and when in a personal residence hall room or office.

Extension of the mask policy is done in consideration of the community as a whole.  Cases in Adair County continue to be substantial and are predicted to remain so over the next four weeks.  As such, based on information from the CDC, the community transmission risk remains “high.”  Everyone in the county is advised to wear a mask in public, indoor settings, according to the CDC and the Adair County Health Department.

While recent surveys of all students and employees suggest a large portion of the campus community is vaccinated, a significant segment is not.  The faculty/staff response rate was 66% and of those who responded the vaccination rate was 97%.  For students, the response rate was 53% and for those who responded the vaccination rate was 93%.  This makes the known vaccination rate for faculty/staff 65% and students 50%. While these numbers are promising, we need more people to complete the survey and get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the Truman and Kirksville communities.  Everyone who can get the vaccine is encouraged to do so.

Details regarding incentive programs to enhance survey response and vaccination rates for student clubs/organizations, athletic teams and residence halls, and for employees will be announced on Monday in the Truman Today.  The last date for the incentives to be earned is November 1.  Therefore, the mask mandate will be reviewed November 5 to ensure that the full benefit of the incentive programs can be considered. The vaccine is readily available at local pharmacies, and the University will conduct an additional on-campus clinic that will meet the date requirements of the soon-to-be-announced incentive programs.  A new link for the survey will be provided for those who have not yet participated.

 

To have the best data possible to inform the status of the mask mandate (the next decision about the mask mandate will be made by September 17) and future COVID mitigation strategies, it is crucial that everyone (including you!) share their vaccination status.  Having an accurate percentage of our campus that is vaccinated is essential in making these decisions.  It is also important to have our community members’ perspectives about COVID and mitigation strategies.

If you have already completed the vaccination status and COVID attitudes surveys, thank you for supporting your University in this vital way!  If you haven’t yet found the time, today is the day to respond as the surveys close at midnight. 

Survey #1

To share your vaccination status, please go to https://forms.gle/bcNV6M9BXM9RD3SP7.  When the Google login is presented, you will need to enter your Truman email address to complete the survey.

There are only two questions on the first survey:

1. Are you fully vaccinated for COVID-19?
2. If you answered “no”, have you begun the vaccination process?

If you answer “yes” to either of the questions, you will be asked to upload an image of your vaccination card so we can have the most accurate information about verification status.  Once Human Resources verifies vaccination status from the card image, the card image will be deleted.  The image will be deleted no later than September 17.  If you do not wish to upload an image of your vaccination card, you may go to Human Resources (101 McClain Hall) to share your status from 8am-5pm, Monday – Friday.  Please be sure to bring your vaccination card with you.

Vaccination status is being collected to have knowledge about the campus as a whole. To be considered to be fully vaccinated or in the process of being vaccinated, you must upload an image of your card or present it to the staff in Human Resources.  You will not be contacted about your individual vaccination status.

Survey #2

To participate in the second survey, please go to https://survey.truman.edu/surveys/2b528d2a-5103-46a7-a5ba-27c17dda33b3.  This eight question survey is sponsored by Truman’s Faculty Senate COVID Working Group, and faculty and staff are encouraged to share their thoughts.

The survey asks about personal health and attitude information; data are collected anonymously and can only be accessed by the Faculty Senate COVID Working Group.  Aggregated results will be shared with the campus.  The purpose of the survey is to gather information that may inform strategies to promote a healthy and thriving campus.

Thank you for stepping up and providing this important information!

As the pandemic and mitigation strategies continue to evolve, it is important that we have the most timely and accurate information possible to inform our decisions, including the mask mandate.  That means we need to update our June data about the percentage of our campus that is vaccinated.  We also ask that you participate in a second survey to explore attitudes about the COVID vaccine among those who are vaccinated and those who are not.  We hope that every member of our campus community will complete both surveys.

Survey #1

To share your vaccination status, please go to https://forms.gle/bcNV6M9BXM9RD3SP7.  When the Google login is presented, you will need to enter your Truman email address to complete the survey.  The site is available now through the close of business on September 10.

There are only two questions on the first survey:

1. Are you fully vaccinated for COVID-19?
2. If you answered “no”, have you begun the vaccination process?

If you answer “yes” to either of the questions, you will be asked to upload an image of your vaccination card so we can have the most accurate information about verification status.  Once Human Resources verifies vaccination status from the card image, the card image will be deleted.  The image will be deleted no later than September 17.  If you do not wish to upload an image of your vaccination card, you may go to Human Resources (101 McClain Hall) to share your status from 8am-5pm, Monday – Friday.  Please be sure to bring your vaccination card with you.

Vaccination status is being collected to have knowledge about the campus as a whole. To be considered to be fully vaccinated or in the process of being vaccinated, you must upload an image of your card or present it to the staff in Human Resources.  You will not be contacted about your individual vaccination status.

Survey #2

To participate in the second survey, please go to https://survey.truman.edu/surveys/2b528d2a-5103-46a7-a5ba-27c17dda33b3.  This eight-question survey is sponsored by Truman’s Faculty Senate COVID Working Group, and faculty and staff are encouraged to share their thoughts.

The survey asks about personal health and attitude information; data are collected anonymously and can only be accessed by the Faculty Senate COVID Working Group.  Aggregated results will be shared with the campus.  The purpose of the survey is to gather information that may inform strategies to promote a healthy and thriving campus. 

Truman is successfully navigating the pandemic because we consistently step up to keep each other safe and well.  Sharing your vaccination status and completing the second survey are quick and easy ways to continue this commitment to one another.  Thank you in advance for providing this essential information.

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Chair K. Brooks Miller, Jr.

In addition to the reports held in morning committee meetings – financial, investment, and a report on the upcoming Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW), the Board at their regular meeting received annual reports from Jerry Wollmering (Athletics), Winston Vanderhoof (Staff Council), and Tyana Lange (Enrollment Management), with the last report focusing on our incoming class of students and the recruitment efforts already underway for the Class of 2022.  I also provided a president’s report which included the introduction of Dr. Saint Rice, Truman’s new Director of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as updates on our Fall 2021 COVID-19 Campus Plan and the Fiscal Year 2023 budget process.

In terms of action items, the Board approved three items within the area of budget and capital projects:

Revised Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year 2022
The original budget, approved at the Board’s June 12^th meeting, was revised based on the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriation bill signed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson on June 30.  The bill includes a 3.7% increase in state funding, and funds have been allocated to the personal service category which includes employee salaries and benefits.  It is anticipated that salary policies for the calendar year 2022 will be presented to the Board at their December meeting.  In addition, funding through the GEER Excels program allocated for expansion of the Nursing Program was added to the original budget along with additional funding for the Regional Professional Development Center.

Local Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2022
These budgets are reviewed and approved annually to provide funding for major building and renovation projects on campus.  This year’s budgets were designed to reflect institutional priorities in Truman’s Strategic Plan and the Campus Master Plan as well as provide general budget parameters.  All proposed project expenditures will come before the Board following the usual procedures and will be subject to individual Board approval.

State Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2023
This request, submitted each year to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD), is for funding to support the Education and General Budget.  Truman’s Fiscal Year 2023 request includes a funding increase linked to the rate of inflation, maintenance and repair funds, and what are known as New Decision Items which would target new academic initiatives.

A copy of the complete agenda from the August 7 meeting can be found on the Board of Governors website located at http://www.truman.edu/about/our-people/board-of-governors/board-of-governors-agendas/.  The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Friday, October 22, in conjunction with Truman Homecoming activities.

The August Board meeting signals that summer is nearly over and the new academic year is about to begin.  We are so excited to welcome new students, faculty, and staff to campus and to reconnect with returning students and members of the University community.  I am happy that we can once again come together for the Fall Opening Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall as well as the Ready-or-Not Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for Friday, August 20, at noon.  This year’s luncheon will be held on the Quad and as is tradition, we will have many wonderful door prizes donated by friends of the University to give away.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come celebrate the fantastic people who make Truman such a special place.

Enjoy your last few days of summer, and here’s to a great new year!

Best regards,
Sue

Truman was able to complete the previous academic year without any COVID-related stoppages because it remained fully informed and flexible in its approach. When the school year ended, conditions surrounding the pandemic showed signs of progress, and many hoped for a fall semester that resembled pre-pandemic times. Unfortunately, the last few months have not continued that trajectory, and in light of a variety of factors, the University will temporarily reinstate portions of its mask policy effective Aug. 9.

With the Delta variant on the rise in many parts of the country, and vaccinated individuals who become infected able to transmit the virus, the CDC revised its public health guidelines to recommend masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Adair County is an area of substantial or high transmission.

Starting Aug. 9, Truman will require everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while inside campus buildings, with exceptions for dining and when in a personal residence hall room, or office. Currently, this is the only change to the previously announced fall plan. Modes of instruction, room capacities and on-campus events will continue under previously established guidelines. Truman will review and reevaluate the mask policy by Sept. 17, with guidance from the CDC, the Adair County Health Department, and local and state public health professionals.

Vaccination remains the best defense against COVID-19. Infections happen in only a very small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild. The University strongly encourages anyone who can get a vaccine to do so. On-campus vaccination clinics for students will be available through the Student Health Center. Details on how to sign up will be posted at truman.edu/coronavirus when they become available.

The University is reviewing the CDC guidance released on July 27.  We will provide any updates for our Fall 2021 Plan soon.  As always, thank you for your patience as we navigate this fluid situation.