Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met on campus this past Saturday under the leadership of Board Chair K. Brooks Miller.

During the meeting, Dr. K. Scott Alberts, Faculty Senate President and Professor of Statistics, provided the annual Faculty Senate Report detailing the many impressive accomplishments of the Faculty Senate in curricular, COVID-19, and initiatives/partnership areas; and Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, shared the many efforts taking place to recruit Truman’s Fall 2021 entering class of students.  I provided a President’s Report, which included among other topics, updates on funding, the work to identify key performance indicators for the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremonies, the transition of the Student Health Center and University Counseling Services to Complete Family Medicine, and the recent on-campus COVID Vaccination Event.  In addition, reports were shared from the Board’s three committees, which included a review of financial reports, on-campus construction projects, graduate and summer session plans/enrollment, work to update the Faculty Handbook, the efforts of the Truman Food Pantry to provide food packs to students experiencing food insecurity, and the status of various employment searches.

The Board approved two action items.  First, enrollment fees for the 2021-22 Academic Year were approved.  Tuition and required fees for Missouri undergraduate students will increase by 4.9%.  This includes a $20 per academic year increase in the designated fee for the Student Union to partially cover the operating costs of the facility.  Second, the Board granted authorization to negotiate a two-year extension of the current Sodexo Food Service contract given that the impact of the COVID pandemic in 2020-21 will make it difficult for other food service firms to evaluate Truman’s food service operation.  A comprehensive evaluation process via a Request for Proposals will begin during the summer of 2023.

A copy of the complete 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 meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, June 12.

Have a happy, healthy, and successful end to the semester,
Sue

Hello Truman Community!

Through the impressive work of many dedicated individuals on campus, we have successfully brought the 2016-2020 strategic plan to a close and obtained Board of Governors’ approval for the 2021-2025 strategic plan.  While closing out one strategic plan and finalizing a new one would be major accomplishments at any time, achieving these milestones during a pandemic makes them all the more remarkable.  Please join me in expressing our immense gratitude to everyone who made these accomplishments possible.

The closeout report associated with the 2016-2020 strategic plan can be found here:  https://wp-internal.truman.edu/strategicplan/files/2021/04/Strat-Plan-2016-2020-Closeout-Report-March-2021.pdf.  All other documents associated with this plan can be found at https://wp-internal.truman.edu/strategicplan/previous-plans/.  Spoiler alert – we accomplished a lot more than overcoming COVID challenges!

The new strategic plan, with a focus on initiatives designed to move the needle on core foundational metrics through key performance indicators, can be found here: https://wp-internal.truman.edu/strategicplan/.  This site also contains supporting documents that detail the development of the plan as well as a summary of metric and initiative responsibility.

Now the work of realizing the goals of the new strategic plan begins in earnest.  All of us must determine how our work contributes to achieving these essential objectives.  The Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW) this August will be devoted to officially launching the plan and figuring out the specific actions necessary to realize its potential.

As we have learned time and again over the past year, achieving our desired outcomes takes every one of us.  I look forward to accomplishing all of the goals of our new strategic plan together!

All best wishes,

Sue

Dear Truman Community:

Spring break is a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.  During a pandemic, it must also be a time of regard – regard for one’s own health and the health of others and regard for the very important and impactful experiences that will happen after spring break.  Over 900 seniors will be completing their undergraduate collegiate experience; hundreds of musicians, vocalists, and actors will be performing; hundreds of student-athletes will be competing; and thousands of students will be engaging in meaningful in-person curricular and co-curricular experiences that cannot be replicated virtually.  Please do not let them down by making choices that put our community at risk.  It takes each and every one of us remaining vigilant in our own COVID-19 mitigation behaviors to ensure we have a fantastic second half of our semester.  Let’s do it for each other!

Have a wonderful and safe spring break,
Sue

Hello Truman Community!

Like everything else this year, my 2021 All University Address looks very different.  Rather than hundreds of us coming together for an hour long presentation, this address is virtual and just under 13 minutes.  Given the Zoom and virtual fatigue many of us are feeling, I purposely made it much shorter.  However, while it is significantly shorter, I hope you will still find it to be meaningful.

As we approach the one year anniversary of the beginning of the impact of the pandemic on our University, the idea that it is “Time to Transcend” is particularly meaningful.  As I reflect on the past year, I applaud all of you for taking every seemingly insurmountable challenge head on and continuing to move forward.  We are weary on many different levels but by working together, we have shown that we can harness our collective energy to achieve what matters to us.  We have positioned ourselves well and our destiny is within our control.  Because of all of you and the important, impactful work we will do together, I have great hope for Truman’s ability to transcend and thrive in the future.

All the best,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met on Saturday, February 6, under the leadership of Governor K. Brooks Miller, Jr., Board Chair.  The meeting took place in McClain Hall 206J.  Given the predicted winter weather conditions, all ten members of the Board participated virtually.

Governor Miller recognized Governor Jennifer Kopp Dameron for her exemplary service as the 2020 Chair of the Board, noting that the Board will recognize Governor Dameron in person at the Board’s April meeting.  Governor Miller then welcomed Amy Clendennen, Truman’s new General Counsel, who began her duties at the University on January 19.

Katie Alexander and Josh German, President and Vice President of Student Government, provided the annual Student Government Report highlighting the organization’s many impactful activities and initiatives undertaken during the current academic year.

A representative of GibbonsWorkman, LLC, the firm which serves as legislative consultant for the University, provided a report on the 2021 Missouri Legislative session, and Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, provided an enrollment management report.

Within their committee meetings, the Board received updates on the Early College Initiative (a dual enrollment initiative in which high school students take Truman coursework and earn college credit), efforts to enhance professional development for Academic Department Chairs, and searches for the directors of Diversity and Inclusion and the Student Recreation Center.

The Board also reviewed their Conflict of Interest Policy and were provided updates related to on-campus construction projects and financial and investment reports.

Finally, within my report, I provided a budget update and discussed the continued COVID-19 efforts undertaken by the University community and Adair County.  I also highlighted the new CPA Success Index Rankings that place Truman as No.1 among large and medium sized accounting programs (!) as well as the spectacular Kohlenberg Lyceum programs that have featured very talented Truman alumni.

In terms of action items, the Board approved the Academic Calendar for August Interim 2022 through Summer Session 2024 and authorized the demolition and removal of Randolph Apartments in line with the initial Residential Living Master Plan developed in 2005-06 which called for demolition after the residence hall update cycle was complete.

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, April 10.

In a time when gratitude and appreciation can be hard to find, please know that the members of the Board of Governors and I not only recognize, but are enormously grateful for your immense contributions and devotion to our students and our University.

Stay warm and continue to be well,
Sue

Dear Campus Community:

On behalf of the Board of Governors of Truman State University, I am very pleased to announce that Amy Clendennen has been selected to serve as the next General Counsel of Truman State University with a start date of January 19.

Amy, an alumna of Truman, currently serves as a Shareholder with Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C., a St. Louis firm with which she has been employed since 2008.  Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Truman, a Master’s degree from Ball State University, and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.  Her areas of expertise include employment law counseling, board counseling and advocacy, education policies and training, and litigation.

Amy will replace Warren Wells who retires on January 31 after twenty-five years of service.  At the December 5^th Board of Governors meeting, the Board officially expressed its appreciation to Warren for his distinguished and laudable service to the University, noting, in particular, his wisdom, integrity, broad perspective, honesty, and humor all of which will be remembered by his colleagues as traits that make him a special and valued member of the Truman community.  I certainly echo those sentiments.  Warren’s service as General Counsel has spanned the terms of five University presidents and over fifty members of the Board of Governors.

Please join the Board of Governors and me in welcoming Amy back home to Truman and wishing Warren the very best in retirement.

Best regards,

Sue

Welcome back, Bulldogs!

As we are set to begin the spring semester, and in light of all of the events we have experienced in the past year, most recently at the U.S. Capitol yesterday, I am reminded of the William James quote:

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.

In terms of the pandemic, our approach to the spring semester is no different than our approach to the fall semester.  The fall semester was proof that, while this is a unique school year with never-before-seen challenges, with perseverance, grace, and respect for everyone in our community, we can achieve what many thought would be impossible.  For us to realize the same success in the spring semester, we must all continue to be vigilant and thoughtful in our actions.

Masks are a Must
The campus mask policy remains in effect.  Masks are required at all times in any campus building, with the exception of students in their private residence hall room, employees in a private office, or when an individual is dining.  Returning students should also be aware that the City of Kirksville adopted a mask policy in late November.  Masks are now required in all Kirksville businesses.

Follow Safe Practices
Simple steps such as washing your hands, remaining at least six feet away from others, and always wearing a mask can help limit exposure to and spread of the virus.  The Truman campus will continue to have plexiglass barriers in many public spaces, as well as controlled access to and through high-traffic areas. Classrooms are still spaced out in observance of proper social distance guidelines and room capacities are limited.

Interact Responsibly
Do not attend large gatherings.  While parties are still unsafe options, you can create a pod of people to interact with regularly.  Sometimes called bubbles, pods are partnerships between a few individuals.  They can be a great way to experience social interactions while reducing the likelihood of acquiring COVID-19.  Keep in mind, the smaller the pod, the less the risk of exposure.  Pods are not invincible, and it is still important to be thoughtful in our choices.

Use Campus Clear
All faculty, staff, and students must monitor symptoms every day, including a daily temperature check, before arriving on campus or leaving a residence hall.  The CampusClear app can be used to help with daily monitoring tasks.  If symptoms of COVID-19 are experienced (without a separate known cause, e.g., asthma, allergies, etc.), the individual should not come to campus or leave the residence hall.  CampusClear is free and available for Apple and Android devices.

Tests are Available
Students who use the CampusClear app are eligible to receive free COVID-19 tests at the Student Health Center.  Students who use the app and are demonstrating symptoms, or who have been in contact with an individual with COVID-19, can contact the Student Health Center to schedule a test.  Faculty and staff can obtain tests at Walgreens, Hy-Vee or Complete Family Medicine.

Take Care of Yourself
To maintain your physical and mental health, it is important to take supportive actions from the beginning of the semester.  The tips and activities provided toward the end of last semester (https://www.truman.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Coping-During-Covid.pdf?x43747) can be very beneficial in helping to manage the stress and challenges you may experience this semester.  Also check out the Campus Recreation website (https://recreation.truman.edu/) for other helpful activities and tips.

Stay Informed
The University will continue to maintain the COVID-19 website, which includes all campus messaging regarding the coronavirus, as well as related links to resources for health and wellness, campus life, and academics.  Any major announcements will also be emailed to campus and posted in the Truman Today.

Truman rises to the occasion; it is who we are.  The end of pandemic restrictions is in sight, but it remains months away, and we cannot let up now.  Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.

Be well and do well,
Sue

Fall 2020 was a whirlwind semester, but we made it to the end because we worked as a community to minimize COVID-19 transmission on campus.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not going away.  So we need to keep working together and start the Spring 2021 Semester strong.

That means we need to think about how we return to campus.

To keep our community safe we recommend you:

• Self-quarantine for 7 days before coming back to campus. A self-quarantine could look like staying at home and limiting interactions with other humans prior to coming back to campus.
• Get tested in the 7 days prior to returning to campus. Here is a list of COVID-19 testing providers.  Hy-Vee has free asymptomatic and symptomatic testing, and it’s a simple nose-swab all while sitting in your car.  You can register for the Hy-Vee testing here.
• Wear your mask on and off campus! Adair County passed a mask mandate at the end of November.

A comprehensive guide to general COVID-19 protocols can be found here, as well as on the University’s Coronavirus website.  Members of the Truman community who may need to quarantine or isolate can find protocols for that here.

Dear Colleagues:

Thank you once again for the many ways in which you stepped forward to meet the challenges of the past year.  No matter what was thrown at us, we were able to stay true to who we are and pursue what we value.  Your devotion to our students and our University is greatly appreciated.  I wish each of you a relaxing and rejuvenating break and a meaningful holiday season filled with joy.

Take care and be well,
Sue