Dear Colleagues:

Our Board of Governors met on Saturday, December 5, under the leadership of Board Chair, Jennifer Kopp Dameron.  The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2021 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:  Chair, K. Brooks Miller, Jr.; Vice Chair, Sarah Burkemper; and Secretary, Cheryl J. Cozette.

Within the President’s Report, I highlighted our successful completion of in-person instruction for the 2020 Fall Semester.  Following CDC based guidance, Truman stayed true to who we are and pursued what we value.  We remained committed to moving forward and stepped up to meet every challenge, and through creativity, collaboration, and a focus on community, we were able to create impactful and transformative curricular and co-curricular experiences.  While it was not easy, there is much to celebrate because of the caring, can-do spirit of our committed Truman community.

Provost Janet Gooch provided the annual Academic Affairs Report.  She highlighted many student successes which have taken place during the Fall 2020 Semester, despite the many challenges that were faced due to COVID-19.  She highlighted accomplishments, activities and events which took place within each of the five academic schools, and she praised the good work of our students, faculty, and staff.  Provost Gooch then summarized the process that led to the creation of the proposed University Strategic Plan, sharing appreciation of the work of the Strategic Plan Drafting Team led by Dr. Tim Walston, Dean of School of Science and Mathematics, and the members of metric teams and groups.  In addition, the Board reviewed financial reports, received an update on construction projects, and heard reports from their committees.

The Board took action on the following items:

• A resolution of appreciation was presented and adopted in honor of Warren Wells, General Counsel, in recognition of his upcoming retirement on January 31, 2021, as well as his distinguished and laudable service to the Board and the University.
• The proposed Truman State University 2021-25 Strategic Plan was endorsed and incorporated into the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors.
• The Board approved the addition of a new undergraduate program, pending the approval of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  The new Music Therapy, B.S. degree will provide students with the academic and clinical preparation necessary to, upon successful performance on the national examination, earn the credential of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).
• Housing and food plan charges effective for the 2021 Fall Semester were approved.  Due to projected food and labor costs associated with the 2021-22 Academic Year, the typical increase for on-campus housing/food will be 2.5%.
• The Board approved salary and wage policies for the 2021 calendar year.  The proposed increases for 2021 are limited to a small group of non-exempt (hourly) staff due to the Missouri minimum wage rate increasing to $10.30 per hour on January 1, 2021.  The primary impact will be starting salaries for office staff and physical plant employees.  These increases are necessary to remain competitive in the local labor markets.
• Faculty sabbaticals for the 2021-22 Academic Year were approved (2021 Fall Semester:  Don Krause, Professor of Communication; 2022 Spring Semester: Anton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Amanda Medlock-Klyukovski, Associate Professor of Communication).  Please join me in congratulating these faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

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 6, 2021.

Our Board is extremely pleased with the efforts of everyone on campus to successfully complete the semester.  They and I wish you the very best during Finals Week and the upcoming holiday season.

Take care and be well,

Sue

Hello Truman Community! 

With in-person instruction coming to completion in a few days and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is the perfect time to reflect on how we have successfully arrived at this moment in time.  Following CDC and other scientifically based guidance, we were able to stay true to who we are and pursue what we value.  We remained committed to moving forward and stepping up to meet every challenge.  Through creativity, collaboration, and a focus on community, being together on campus has given us a cherished opportunity to create impactful and transformative curricular and co-curricular experiences that are hallmarks of a Truman education.  It has not been easy, but we have much to celebrate because of the caring, can-do spirit of our committed students, faculty, and staff.

In many ways, the foundation of our success can be found in the traditional African philosophy of ubuntu.  Ubuntu embraces the perspective that “I am because we are” or, stated another way, “I am what I am because of who we all are.”

I encourage you to think about who has supported you this semester and let them know how thankful you are for them.  To make it easier to share your thankfulness, attached is a note you can personalize and send to those who have made a difference in your life.

How to Print or Send by Email:

• Double click on the attached PDF.
• Click on the fillable area at the bottom of the PDF and enter message.
• Click Save and change the file name of the PDF accordingly (e.g., Thank you to Spike).
• The PDF can now be printed or attached in a new email.

My heartful gratitude to each of you for doing everything you have done to make this in-person semester happen, despite the challenges.  Together, WE did it!

Wishing you a wonderful end to the semester and a safe and meaningful Thanksgiving,
Sue

[pdf-embedder url=”http://blogs.truman.edu/presoffice/files/2020/11/Thankful-for-you.pdf” title=”Thankful for you”]

Make a Plan for Voting During COVID

All registered voters are reminded and encouraged to participate in the Nov. 3 election.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line at the closing time of 7 p.m. will have the right to cast their vote.

Students are eligible to vote in the county in which they have registered. Students living on campus and registered to vote in Adair County will be able to vote at polling stations in the Student Union Building Down Under between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Employees and students living off campus and registered to vote in Adair County are able to identify their assigned polling location, based on their local address, through the Secretary of State Voter Outreach site.

Adair County voters currently in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19 can still vote through a drive-up voting station at the NEMO Fairgrounds. These voters are reminded to wear a mask and remain in their vehicle for the protection of the election officials.

While at the polling location, it is important to remember the basic safety protocols in place as a result of the pandemic. Maintain proper social distance when waiting in line, wear a mask, spend as little time inside as necessary and use hand sanitizer after leaving.

As a campus community, Truman values the civic responsibility of voting and understands that fitting in time to vote may be more difficult for some than others. Some polling lines may be long and other circumstances may influence the time it takes to complete the voting process. This should be taken into consideration if students or employees are tardy or absent for a portion of the day due to voting. Employees are granted up to three hours of paid time off to vote, and faculty are encouraged to support student voting as expressed in the Student Government Resolution. All offices are expected to maintain regular business hours, so it is essential for staff to coordinate with colleagues and consult with their direct supervisor regarding their intentions for participating in the election.

Patience and understanding will be required after election day as well. Results may not be known immediately. This is not cause for concern as a delay is expected. For tips on dealing with election-related stress, click here. While this election is characterized by intense polarization, it is important as a campus community to focus on shared values, including a respect for different perspectives and opinions. Regardless of the outcome, the Truman community will remain committed to joining together as a Bulldog family and working together to make the world a better place.

Truman to Follow Original Spring Semester Schedule

Truman will begin the spring semester Jan. 11, while continuing to follow the same safety protocols in place since the start of the academic year.

As with the fall semester, classes will be offered in multiple formats, including in person, online, and a hybrid combination. The set-up for classrooms and common spaces will continue to allow for social distancing, and the campus-wide mask policy will remain in effect. The University is prepared to adjust its approach to the spring semester – either by shifting entirely online or relaxing certain protocols – depending on how the situation with COVID-19 unfolds and in consultation with CDC guidelines and the advice of the Adair County Health Department and the Student Health Center.

Students, faculty, and staff were asked to provide feedback on a variety of schedule options for the spring semester. An overwhelming majority of students, and roughly half of faculty and staff, preferred to keep the existing spring schedule, which was a factor in the decision to make no changes. The spring semester will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Jan. 18, as well as Spring Break, March 8-12, and Term Break, April 5.

Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to maintain vigilance in helping to limit exposure to and spread of COVID-19 on campus for the remainder of this semester and next semester. Mass gatherings should be avoided and traveling should be limited.

The pandemic is an ever-changing situation, and the University will make any necessary adjustments as needs arise. All campus-wide messaging related to COVID-19 and the spring semester will be posted at https://www.truman.edu/coronavirus/. The newly redesigned page also has links for academics, campus life, health and wellness, resources, and frequently asked questions.

The last few weeks of the semester are always some of the toughest, but Fall 2020 has been especially challenging.  Your stress level might be higher than usual.  Your usual coping strategies might feel worn out.  You might feel worn out too.  But no matter what, we truly are in this together, and as we work toward the finish line, here are some tips and strategies to help you boost your mental well-being and build resilience.

https://www.truman.edu/coping-during-covid/

Dear Colleagues:

Truman Homecoming 2020 “Close or Apart, We are Bulldogs at Heart” was a wonderful celebration thanks to all of you!  While a number of the traditional Homecoming events were cancelled due to the pandemic, I was delighted that many of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends participated in multiple socially distanced and virtual events to show their Bulldog pride.

One of the highlights of this year’s Homecoming festivities was the “Top Dog Challenge,” a fundraising competition with the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis.  Thanks to a complete community and campus effort, the Bulldogs were victorious in both the total amount of contributions raised and the total number of donors!  Various student organizations held competitions throughout the week to raise money (I was “honored” to win the pie in the face competition sponsored by SAAC); the City of Kirksville was very supportive and very involved; and A. T. Still University was our top donor.  Donations made on Truman’s behalf will be directed to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri and the Adair County Humane Society and as a result of our win, UIndy President Rob Manuel is required to post a picture on social media wearing Truman apparel as well as send a gift box filled with local treats to the University.  I am so very proud of our campus and our community for supporting our local charities, and I thank everyone who was involved.

As has been past practice, the Truman Board of Governors conducted their annual October meeting in conjunction with Homecoming.  The masked and social distanced meeting was held in the Student Union Building this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Jennifer Kopp Dameron.

During the meeting, the Board received a number of reports.  In addition to my regular report, Brent Stevens, a Partner with RubinBrown LLP accounting firm, reported on the annual audit of the University.  Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, provided an enrollment management report.  Ernie Hughes, Vice President for University Advancement, shared an Advancement update, and Kara Jo Levery, Chair of Staff Council and Career Ready Coach in the University Career Center, provided the annual report from Staff Council.  The Board also reviewed financial reports, received updates related to on-campus construction projects, and heard reports from their Academic and Student Affairs, Budget and Capital Projects, and Finance and Auditing committee meetings.

In terms of action items, the Board approved the addition of a new graduate program, pending the approval of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  The new online Gifted Education, M.A. degree builds upon the University’s certification in Gifted Education, adding six additional credits to the program to afford students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree.

Lastly, knowing that offering a new faculty retirement incentive would be mutually beneficial for the faculty member and the University, the Board approved a one-time faculty early retirement incentive program with a separation/retirement date no later than May 31, 2022.  Eligible for the early retirement incentive program are all full-time faculty members and other employees with faculty rank currently employed at Truman who meet one of the following conditions by May 31, 2022:  1) MOSERS Participant (MOSERS Retirement Eligible on or before June 1, 2022); and 2) CURP Participant (Age plus years of service must equal 70 on or before June 1, 2022).  The program is not available to employees who have already committed their written intent to retire from the University.  The program is limited to thirty-five (35) participants and provides a cash incentive payment of $30,000 payable as a lump sum upon retirement.  The enrollment period runs from November 2 through December 4, 2020.  Later this week, the Human Resources Office will distribute additional information as well as directions on how to apply by December 4.

A copy of the complete agenda from the October 24 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 5.

Take care and be well!
Sue

Dear Truman Community:

We are completing our tenth week on campus and that is certainly something to celebrate!  While the semester has been challenging and exhausting, being together has given us a cherished opportunity to create impactful and transformative curricular and co-curricular experiences that are hallmarks of a Truman education.

However, with COVID-19 cases surging in the Midwest, Missouri, and Adair County, and cases rising on campus, all of us must recommit to being vigilant about following our health and safety protocols (see https://www.truman.edu/coronavirus/health-and-wellness/).  We need to be vigilant not just on campus, but in our personal lives as well.  We have four weeks to go before our in-person classes end, and it is up to us to make sure we cross the finish line.  We haven’t come this far to give up now!

Crossing the finish line is an apt analogy as, in many ways, this semester is like a marathon.  There is no easy or quick way to get through it, and it is physically and mentally draining.  While we don’t know when the pandemic will end, we do have a finish line and it is in sight; on November 24, in-person instruction will end and there will be two weeks for final course requirements to be completed through online and virtual options.

So how do we get to the finish line?  We can’t stop going.  We can’t let the challenges of this semester overtake us.  To keep going, we need to take care of the basics.  We have done very well being vigilant and following health and safety protocols in classrooms and offices.  While it is much harder, it is essential that we commit to being as vigilant in our activities and our personal lives.  The health of everyone at Truman depends upon it.

Speaking of health, each of us must develop and pursue a personal strategy to sustain our own physical and mental health during these trying times.  We will soon be sharing information and tips to help inform your strategies.

Finally, we must work together to get everyone across the finish line.  If you need help, please don’t hesitate to ask for it.  If you see someone struggling, please don’t hesitate to assist them.  It can make all of the difference in a marathon.  It certainly did in the 2018 Boston Marathon.

In icy rain and relentless 25 mph headwinds, elite runner, Desiree Linden ran with doubt and in fear.  She wasn’t feeling well, and she considered dropping out mid-race.  Instead, she made the choice to help a fellow runner.  She held back toward the beginning of the race to help that runner catch up to the pack.  You would assume that by helping a fellow runner, she forfeited her own chances to win, but you would be wrong.  Linden became the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in over 30 years.  She later commented, “When you work together, you never know what’s going to happen.  Helping her helped me.”

When the pandemic first started, the statement, “we are in this together”, was heard far and wide and the sentiment continues to this day.  We need to make sure our actions match these words.

Be well, Bulldogs!
Sue

Dear Truman Faculty, Staff and Students,

In any other year, today would be the beginning of a long holiday weekend.  Marking the end of the summer, Labor Day weekend often involves traveling, large social gatherings, or other activities that are not appropriate in the midst of a pandemic.  So, in this very different year, we will be together on Labor Day as a labor of love – a love of what is so special about being on campus and our intent and goal to remain on campus for the entire semester.

While it is natural to be disappointed about what we cannot do because of the pandemic, it is essential to recognize what we can do because we are together on campus.  For example, having spontaneous, meaningful conversations, meeting new friends for life, and trying things we have never done before are possible because we are here.

We are doing well in our mission to remain on campus and experience everything that is special about being together, but we must not let our guard down.  Each and every one of us – students, faculty, and staff – must own the fact that our individual decisions directly impact the ability of others to pursue their on-campus goals.  We must hold ourselves accountable and support one another to be smart about our behaviors.  Our decisions do matter.

In celebration of us “laboring” together to achieve our goals, please stop by the Quad on Labor Day, this coming Monday, September 7, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. for Truman swag and treats.

Be safe and be well,
Sue

Good morning Truman Faculty, Staff, and Students!

We have come to the end of the first week of classes and it has been quite an uplifting week.  Our campus has come back to life with the energy and joy of being together.  The sounds of lively conversations, engaged learning, and celebrations have returned.  We have eagerly anticipated this time for over 5 months and we intensely want to stay together on campus until November 24.

Your impact on our ability to remain on campus is not an abstract concept.  Your decisions have direct consequences not just for yourself, but for others.  The basic things you have to do – wear a mask, stay at least six feet away from others, and wash your hands frequently – are easy.  Making the decision to do them can be hard.  But Truman does not shy away from hard.

To make the decision easier, look around at the people of Truman and think about those who mean so much to you.  Their ability to achieve their goals and to do things such as perform in music ensembles and theater productions, make art, conduct experiments in the lab, engage in athletic and student organization activities, and potentially for some, keep their jobs, is directly dependent upon what you do.  You can make your on-campus goals and those of your friends and colleagues a reality by making safe, empathetic, and caring decisions.  Don’t let yourself or them down.

All of us are Truman and it is going to take every one of us doing what is necessary to ensure we stay on campus until November 24.  The experiences of other universities do not need to be and should not be our experience.  We are “distinct by design” and we can positively live this distinction in how we deal with the challenges of being on campus during a pandemic.  We can do this!

Wishing you a fun and SAFE weekend,
Sue