Dear Colleagues:

It is hard to believe it is almost the end of the semester.  In some ways, the time has flown by; in others, it seems like years since we have been together on campus.  The work you have done to ensure our students continued to learn and be supported during these taxing, unmatched times is truly commendable.

As we work to meet the significant financial challenges resulting from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, all aspects of university operations are being examined.  To reduce costs and energy consumption this summer, a four-day-a-week office operating schedule is being implemented.  This modified schedule can also reduce commuting costs for employees.

Beginning on Monday, May 11, 2020, University offices must be open Monday through Thursday, staffed either in person or virtually, and at a minimum, cover the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  University offices will be closed on Fridays.  As all summer courses are being offered in alternative delivery formats and do not require University offices to be open, they will be held as indicated in the summer schedule of courses.

Staff are required to work 40 hours during each 4 day week.  A typical work schedule would be 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a 30 minute lunch break.  A staff member can also choose to work 8 hours for each of the 4 days and use vacation for the remaining 8 hours, or work 9 hours for each of the four days and use vacation for the remaining 4 hours.   Supervisors will contact staff to determine preferred work schedules.  It is anticipated that the modified summer schedule will be in effect through Friday, July 24.

By Monday, May 4, Human Resources will provide a suggested out-of-office telephone message and email response along with details about how employees who use Time Clock will log their hours.  Any additional questions in regard to the four-day-a-week work schedule should be directed to either Supervisors or Human Resources.

It is important to note that neither the move to a four-day-a-week office operating schedule nor the expiration of Governor Parson’s stay-at-home order on May 4 means that all employees will be returning to campus to work.  We are following the White House/CDC Guidelines for Opening UP America Again, and in Phase One, the recommendation is to, “Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.”  As such, staff who can productively work from home may continue to work from home.  Supervisors will contact staff whose work-from-home status has changed.

As additional strategies to effectively address current and future budget challenges are developed and implemented in the coming weeks, the University will continue to follow the guiding principle of balancing, to the greatest extent possible, the financial needs of each employee with the financial needs of the University.

I wish you a wonderful end to the semester.  Take care of yourselves and continue to be well.

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

I hope this update finds you and your family feeling and doing well.  In the midst of enormously unsettling and challenging times, it should come as no surprise that our Truman community has risen to the challenge and made herculean efforts to ensure our educational mission continues and we maintain what makes Truman so special, even if we must do so from a distance and in ways we never imagined.  It has not been easy and our adjustments are far from over, but I am enormously grateful that our community has chosen to take control of our destiny in every way we can during these unprecedented times.

Our Board of Governors also adjusted to the requirements of these times when they held their annual April meeting on Saturday, April 4, under the direction of board chair Jennifer Kopp Dameron.  The meeting, normally held on campus and in conjunction with the annual Foundation Banquet, was instead conducted through Zoom/conference call with all 10 board members participating.

The Board welcomed Philip J. Christofferson, a new member of the Board of Governors who began his term on February 27.  Governor Christofferson is a partner and owner in the St. Louis law firm of Cockriel & Christofferson, LLC.  He served as Student Representative to the Truman Board of Governors from 1991-1994, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Truman in 1995, and graduated from The University of Chicago Law School in 1998.  In addition, the Board approved a resolution of appreciation in recognition of Governor Laura A. Crandall who served on the board from January 2016 to February 2020.  It is the expectation that Governor Crandall will be recognized in person at either the June or August board meeting.

During the Board of Governors meeting and within their Finance and Auditing Committee meeting, the Board heard several reports.  I provided the President’s Report detailing the tireless work of the students, faculty, staff and administration in regard to the many challenges the campus community has had to deal with in regard to COVID-19, along with a budget update noting in particular the Governor’s recent withholding of 1/12 of the state appropriation for all public higher education institutions (over $3.3 million for Truman) and the crediting to students accounts for room and board plans of those who have not lived on campus since spring break (expected to be over $4 million).  Within the committee meeting and at the open meeting, the Board also reviewed financial reports, approved engagement letters for the upcoming audit, completed a risk assessment, received an update on enrollment management and marketing, and reviewed the status of on-campus construction projects.

In terms of action items, the Board approved a $50,000 increase in the project budget for the Greenwood Site Development Project, a project previously approved by the Board in October 2019.  With this increase, the project will still be within the FY2020 state appropriation and the additional scope of work will include exterior painting, repair of soffits, and gutter replacement.

Lastly, given the budget pressures the University is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board approved a one-time faculty early retirement incentive program with a separation/retirement date no later than May 31, 2021.  An early retirement incentive program for staff was thoroughly investigated by the administration, but such a program would not result in any savings and would cost the University money.  Eligible for the early retirement incentive program are all full-time employees holding faculty rank currently employed at Truman who meet one of the following conditions:  1) MOSERS Participant (MOSERS Retirement Eligible on or before June 1, 2021); and 2) CURP Participant (Age plus years of service must equal 70 on or before June 1, 2021).  The program is not available to employees who have already committed their written intent to retire from the University.  The program is limited to forty (40) participants and provides a cash incentive payment of $30,000 which will be payable as a lump sum upon retirement.  The enrollment period runs from April 20 through May 22, 2020.  The Human Resources Office will distribute additional information as well as directions on how to apply by April 9.

A complete 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, June 13.

During this continuously ever-changing landscape, please know that I and the members of the Board are deeply appreciative of all you have done and continue to do for our students and the University.  I personally cannot thank you enough for your resolute commitment to doing what needs to be done and for your steadfast willingness to adapt as we, along with everyone else, find a way to move forward.  Please take care of yourselves and each other.  Because we are Truman, I am confident we will come out even stronger when we get to the other side.

Continue to be well,
Sue

Dear Truman Community:

As we work together to understand our new and evolving reality, we are challenged to exhibit patience and grace in the midst of uncertainty and a rapidly changing landscape.  Anxiety, frustration and disappointment about what could have been (had the pandemic not happened), what is (the current reality), and what is to be (unknown) have put everyone on edge.  Our community is so fortunate that even in the face of their own challenges, wonderful faculty, staff, and students have embraced the true meaning of community and have reached out to help others overcome their challenges.  For example, Student Government is working to purchase packing materials to make the move-out process a bit easier for their fellow students.

Speaking of the move-out process, as promised in the March 16 email, we have details to share about the following (please go to https://trualert.truman.edu for full details, related FAQs, tips for supporting learning and working remotely, and to initiate required processes):

1. Student check-in survey – To check in with our students and determine what assistance they need; all students are asked to complete this brief survey.
2. Students returning to campus – For the health and safety of our community, students should not return to their residence hall rooms to live for the remainder of the spring semester unless they have no other viable living arrangements.  Arrangements have been made for students to move out of the residence halls between March 23-30.  Specific details regarding the process will be sent to all on-campus residents.  Students will receive prorated credits for housing and meals.  Specific information about the prorated credits to student accounts will be communicated at a later time.
3. Food service – Only takeout meals will be provided beginning March 21.  Meals will be restricted to those who reside in the residence halls who have meal plans.  There will be no retail sales.
4. Student services – All in-person student services, except for the Student Health Center, are suspended for the rest of the spring semester, as are in-person meetings with faculty and staff and the use of labs and studios.  All in-person student services that have been suspended will be offered in alternative delivery formats.
5. Scholarship, work study, and institutional pay jobs – Students with scholarship hour obligations will retain their full scholarship funding and will not be required to fulfill any more hours this semester.  Students who have a federal work-study job will be compensated for the remainder of the semester based on the number of hours they were projected to work.  Students working for the University and receiving institutional pay who would like to continue their employment should contact their supervisors.
6. Expanded leave options and working remotely – Policies have been updated and expanded to support employees affected by school and daycare closures; employees who are ill; healthy, quarantined employees; and employees who need to work remotely.  Information about how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to begin April 2, 2020 impacts our leave policies will be provided by the end of March.
7. Commencement ceremony – A decision regarding commencement will be made by March 31.  There will be no delay in the conferral of degrees, even if the commencement ceremony is postponed.

Even with all of the changes that have been made, it is important to remember that our University is open; we are not ceasing operations and we are working as hard as we can to effectively fulfill our mission.  In the coming days as we continue to respond to emerging situations, we will also be providing additional virtual resources for faculty, staff and students to support learning and physical and mental wellness.  Be sure to check https://trualert.truman.edu for the most up-to-date information.

In times like this, it is easy to feel out of control.  While there are many things we cannot control about this pandemic, there are many decisions we can make to take control of our destiny.  As we adjust to our new reality, we must think about how we can work together to ensure Truman comes out the other side strong and resolute and ready to achieve our goals.

Be well,
Sue

All in-person classes and events are suspended for the remainder of the semester; more details coming by end-of-day on Thursday.

Dear Truman Community:

Thank you for your extraordinary efforts to support our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Unprecedented situations require unprecedented efforts, and we are proud of the tremendous work our faculty, staff and students are doing in preparation for the possibility that in-person instruction would have to be suspended.  Many members of our community are stepping up in meaningful ways to help others to ensure our learning is disrupted as little as possible.  Within our power, we will ensure students can complete their degree requirements.

As was indicated in the March 11 email, this week was designed to be a week of transition.  There will be no penalties for missed connections, assignments, tests or quizzes.  With faculty and students working together, we can discover if there are areas for further instruction or training and quickly provide assistance and resources to those who need them.

Every day brings significant, new information about the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have heard from members of our community who are passionate that we should completely close Truman for the rest of the semester and from those who are equally passionate that we must allow everyone to return to campus and resume in-person classes so we do not further disrupt what makes a Truman education so special and valuable.  While I wish there was a perfect approach to satisfy these equally valid, but very disparate perspectives, there is not.  Based upon all of the information we have at this time, and with the support of the leadership of Faculty Senate and Staff Council and after consulting with Student Government, we have determined that the best course of action is to suspend all in-person classes and events for the remainder of the semester.  A decision about Commencement will be made at a later date.  I assure you that we did not make this decision lightly and like you, we are immensely disappointed that we cannot currently experience all the ways in which Truman is such a special place.

By the end-of-day on Thursday, March 19, we will provide information about the specific processes for students to either: 1) retrieve their belongings from on-campus residences; or 2) stay on campus for the remainder of the semester.  We will also provide information about additional University operations impacted by the suspension. Please continue to routinely check https://trualert.truman.edu as it provides the most-up-to-date information.

As these turbulent times continue, I encourage you to not only share your thoughts and ask questions (you can send your questions to covid19questions@truman.edu), but to also think about ways in which you can support the Truman and northeast Missouri communities.  I also encourage our community to extend grace and patience to those not just at Truman, but across all sectors of society, who must make and implement enormously tough decisions in this unprecedented time.  We are Truman and bad times should bring out the good in us.

Be well,
Sue

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

As a number of questions have arisen about faculty and staff returning from spring break, Human Resources has prepared an FAQ.  If you have questions not addressed in the FAQ, please contact your supervisor and/or Human Resources.

With the health and safety of our community being paramount, I urge you to remember that the personal decisions you make about your own health can impact the health of our community as a whole.  We must take care of each other.

Be well,
Sue

COVID-19 Pandemic: Information for Truman Faculty and Staff

Though students have not yet been cleared to return to campus, Truman State University currently plans to remain open and employees should continue with normal business operations.  Pickler Memorial Library, the Student Recreation Center, and Pershing Arena will be open to allow employees to work, but will not be open to students or the public.  The COVID-19 Response Team will continue to monitor the situation and will make appropriate changes as the need arises.

Human Resources, Payroll and other administrative offices have received many questions since COVID-19 emerged as a global health pandemic.  The FAQs below are based on existing policies and an assessment of circumstances, as they currently exist. The University will adjust practices as necessary in response to changing circumstances and in an effort to address the safety and well-being of all individuals.  Employees with questions or concerns are encouraged to speak with their immediate supervisor or contact Human Resources at 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truman.edu.

Q: What if I experience symptoms of COVID-19, or I just don’t feel well, should I stay home?  Will I be paid?
A: If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, or you feel sick otherwise, do not come to work.  If necessary, seek medical attention by calling your primary care physician and informing the physician of your symptoms and any recent travel or potential exposure before going to the health facility.  Employees who are ill should utilize paid sick leave to cover their absence.  Employees who do not have sick time available should use other types of paid time off (compensatory time or vacation leave) during their absence.  Employees who do not have any accrued leave should contact Human Resources to discuss alternatives that may be available.  Employees should not come to work sick.  As with any absence, employees should notify their direct supervisor as soon as possible.

Q: What if a family member is sick?  Can I use sick time to take care of that family member?
A: Yes, sick time may be used to take care of an immediate family member who is ill.

Q: What if I don’t have any symptoms of illness, but I am concerned about possible exposure by coming to work?
A: If you are healthy and, for any reason, you feel apprehensive about coming to work, you should use accrued leave time to cover your absence.  Staff members may use vacation time, following the normal process for securing approval from their supervisor.  Sick time should not be used in this instance.  While faculty sick time is normally only for illness or doctor appointments, in this situation, faculty may use sick time if they do not feel that they can report to work since they do not accrue vacation time.

Q: If my child’s school is closed or if I need to take care of a sick family member, can I work from home?  What if I have a medical condition that places me in a high-risk group, can I work from home?
A: While normally the University does not encourage employees to work from home, due to the pandemic, this option may be considered if 1) your job responsibilities can be performed remotely and 2) you and your supervisor can agree on a work plan that will provide eight hours of work is performed each day and that regular check-ins take place.  If only a partial day’s work can be performed, the remaining time should be taken as paid leave.  If you are a member of a high-risk group and wish to work from home, you should contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.

Q: If I’m displaying flu-like symptoms, can my supervisor mandate that I go home?  If so, will I be paid?
A: The University is asking employees not to come to work if they are experiencing symptoms of illness.  In the event an employee does report to work sick, supervisors may require that employee to return home.  Employees sent home may use sick or other paid leave to cover their absence.

Dear Campus Community,

The COVID-19 pandemic remains rapidly evolving and as such, to best safeguard the health and safety of the Truman and northeast Missouri communities, we are continuing to make decisions as warranted following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with state and county health departments.  

Continue reading “COVID-19 Update on Travel” →

Dear Members of the Truman Community:

As you are aware, our University has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak for some time.  With the continued, rapidly changing landscape of the outbreak and our primary focus on the health, safety, and well-being of everyone on our campus, the COVID-19 Response Team* determined today that we are suspending in-person classes for the week of March 15-21.

Students are not to return to campus during this week.  Those students who have an extreme extenuating circumstance that necessitates returning to their on-campus housing should contact the Residence Life Office through this form.

Since we are currently on spring break, this additional week will give everyone who traveled time to self-evaluate, assess their probability of exposure, and take appropriate precautions (https://trualert.truman.edu  provides recommendations).  It will also give University leadership and academic departments the opportunity to explore alternative instructional methods, should the need arise.

While in-person classes will not be conducted, this is not an extension of spring break. Students are encouraged to continue their coursework, if possible, and faculty members will contact their classes via email, Blackboard or other communication methods to provide details on their academic expectations.

Truman will remain open. All faculty and staff should plan to continue their normal work schedules. University offices will continue to be staffed and faculty members will be instructed by their academic departments on how to proceed during the week.  Staff and faculty who have any concerns about their work schedules should talk with their supervisors.  Please note, Pickler Memorial Library, the Student Recreation Center, and Pershing Arena will not be open.

Students who work on-campus will not be expected to work. Supervisors will work with local students to determine if there is both a willingness from the student and a need from the University for the student to work.

In general, events for next week have been cancelled. Individual appointments, visits, or meetings are encouraged to be conducted by phone/virtual meetings if possible, but may still occur.

At this time, the University does not have any cases of coronavirus, and the general student population is not among those known to be at a high risk for complications from the virus. Truman does not have any students studying abroad in CDC high-risk countries, and no current students from high-risk areas returned to their countries of origin during spring break and then returned to campus.

This uncertain and rapidly changing landscape results in anxious moments for all of us.  Please be mindful of your own physical and mental wellness and the wellness of others.  That’s what Bulldogs do.  Please be sensitive to the fact that members of our community may respond differently to this challenging situation. For example, some may choose to wear masks as a sign of respect for the health of others and/or as a precaution for their own health.  As a community that values diversity and inclusion, we must respect one another.

For the most up-to-date information and regular updates, keep an eye on your email and check the https://trualert.truman.edu website.  We are a smart and compassionate community and we will get through this together.

Be well,
Sue

*President, Vice Presidents, General Counsel, Executive Director of Human Resources, Director of Public Safety (Police Chief), Director of Public Relations, Director of Physical Plant/Safety Manager

The recording of the All-University Meeting hosted by President Sue Thomas and held on February 18 has been posted at http://wp-internal.truman.edu/presoffice/.

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors held their first meeting of the 2020 calendar year this past Saturday under the leadership of newly elected Chair Jennifer Kopp Dameron.  Other officers for the 2020 calendar year are Vice Chair K. Brooks Miller and Secretary Sarah Burkemper.  The Board recognized Laura A. Crandall for her exemplary service as the 2019 Chair of the Board.

Deanna Schmidt and Katie Alexander, President and Vice President of Student Government, provided the annual Student Government Report highlighting the many impactful activities and initiatives which have occurred or will occur during the current academic year.  A representative of GibbonsWorkman, LLC, the firm which serves as legislative consultants for the University, provided a report on the 2020 Missouri Legislative session, and Dr. Tyana Lange, Vice President for Enrollment Management, provided an enrollment management report.  Within their committee meetings, the Board received updates on two Academic Affairs initiatives:  the Spring 2020 Financial Priorities Working Group and work to update Chapter 6:  Academic Affairs of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors.  The Financial Priorities Working Group was appointed by Provost Janet Gooch to provide counsel to the Provost and Deans as the University prepares for Fiscal Year 2021.  An open forum focusing on the revisions to Chapter 6: Academic Affairs is scheduled for February 14.  The Board received updates related to on-campus construction projects and initiatives within Student Affairs, and they reviewed their Conflict of Interest Policy as well as financial and investment reports.  Finally, within my report, I highlighted a number of campus and community activities, noting in particular my All-University Meeting entitled “Truman in Focus 2020” scheduled for 3 p.m. on February 18 and the campus community launch of the new University logo, tagline and brand to be held at 3 p.m. on March 4 in Baldwin Auditorium

In terms of action items, the Board accepted the proposal from RubinBrown of St. Louis to perform audit services for the University for a five-year period beginning Fiscal Year 2020 and ending Fiscal Year 2024.  The Board approved the McClain Hall Elevator and Water Line Project.  Work on the McClain Hall Elevator will begin immediately after the end of the Spring 2020 Semester and require at least 10 weeks to complete.  In addition, the general contractor will replace the severely deteriorated water line serving McClain Hall as the water line enters the building in the same mechanical room which houses the elevator equipment.  Lastly, the Board approved a change to Chapter 16 of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors pertaining to drug-free and alcohol-free campus to make language consistent with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986.  The change to the policy will align more consistently with the President’s authority to grant exceptions to the alcohol policy upon proper written request and removes the potential barrier for a pilot program for a new alcohol policy in specified residence halls.

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 4.

As we have now settled into our new semester, I look forward to all of the ways you will positively impact our students and our University.  We are doing the hard work to take control of our destiny and I hope you will join me at the All-University Meeting on February 18 and the Launch of the New University Logo, Tagline and Brand on March 4.

Best regards,

Sue