Dear Colleagues:

It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Janet Gooch will serve as our Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost beginning July 1, 2017.  Dr. Gooch has contributed significantly to our University, most recently as the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education and the Interim Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics.  Her impressive skill set and expertise, coupled with her passion for Truman and our mission, provide the strong foundation necessary to help Academic Affairs and Truman navigate these challenging and exciting times.

After learning of her selection, Janet shared, “I am honored and humbled to have been selected as Truman’s next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.  I am struck by the significance of the role and the extent of the responsibility and will do my absolute best to provide thoughtful, visionary and cooperative leadership to the University.  I am continually impressed by the quality of our faculty, staff and students, our academic programs and the positive, can-do spirit that has perpetually defined our community.  Truman’s proud past has impacted countless lives.  On this cusp of a promising future – our 150th birthday – I look forward to working with all of you in delivering on Truman’s pledge to provide an exemplary undergraduate education to well-prepared students, grounded in the liberal arts and sciences.”

I am enormously grateful for the thoughtful and engaged work of the EVPAA and Provost Search Advisory Committee:  Mike Ashcraft (School of Social and Cultural Studies), Heather Cianciola (School of Arts and Letters), John Jones (School of Health Sciences and Education), Stacey Kaden (School of Business) and Dana Vazzana (School of Science and Mathematics).  This committee has served our University well through its diligence, professionalism and dedication.  I would also like to thank those who applied for the position, particularly our other finalist Dr. Amber Johnson, for their deep commitment to Truman and their willingness to serve in this important way.  We are indeed fortunate to have such wonderful and talented colleagues.

Please join me in congratulating Janet and wishing her the very best in her new role.  I look forward to her leadership of Academic Affairs and the great work all of us will do together.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

The Organizational Excellence Advisory Group, established to answer core questions designed to guide budget decision making into the future, met for the third and final time on Monday, April 24.  Based upon the discussion of the second meeting, the group focused during their 2.5 hour work session on the question, “How should the University be positioned for short-term and long-term sustainability?”

The working session began with a review of the perspectives gathered from the meeting on April 10.  The group then focused on the following questions and the materials presented can be found at http://wp-internal.truman.edu/organizationalexcellence/.

1. Combining these factors with the Strategic Plan and the work of the Action/Blueprint/Next Step Teams, develop a BOLD statement of what Truman should be as we carve out our new niche of distinction.
2. Based upon the bold statements, the Strategic Plan and the work of the Action/Blueprint/Next Step Teams, what should we do to position Truman for short-term (next 2-5 years) and long-term (next 10-15 years) sustainability?

Once again, you, too, are welcome to submit your thoughts for each of the tasks on the Organizational Excellence website.  These recommendations and how they will guide resource allocation discussion into the future will be discussed at the Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW) this August.

My sincere appreciation goes out to all who were involved in the process.  From the group members to the scribes to the ITS staff, it was a collaborative, focused and productive effort and Truman will be even better because of the good work of these individuals!

Best regards,

Sue

The webcast of the open forum for Dr. Janet Gooch (the second of two finalists for the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost) has been posted to http://evpaaprovost.truman.edu/.

The open forum for Dr. Amber Johnson was shared with campus last week and is available on the search website.

Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search.  A link to an electronic candidate evaluation is available on the search website.  All evaluations for candidates are anonymous and will be open until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3.

The webcast of the open forum for Dr. Amber Johnson (the first of two finalists for the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost) has been posted to http://evpaaprovost.truman.edu/.

Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search.  A link to an electronic candidate evaluation is available on the search website.  All evaluations for candidates are anonymous and will be open until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3.

The open forum for Dr. Janet Gooch will be held on Friday, April 28, from 2:30-3:20 p.m. in Violette Hall 1000.

Dear Colleagues:

The members of the Search Advisory Committee and I are pleased to announce the following two finalists for the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Truman State University:

• Janet L. Gooch, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Education,  Interim Dean, School of Science and Mathematics, and Professor of Communication Disorders
• Amber Johnson, Chair, Department of Society and Environment, and Professor of Anthropology

Candidates will meet with several individuals and campus constituencies on April 25 and 28, and each candidate will participate in an All-University Open Forum to be held in Violette Hall 1000.  Details on those forums can be found below and on the EVPAA and Provost search website located at http://evpaaprovost.truman.edu/, which also includes a curriculum vitae for each candidate.  It is our hope that as many members of the Truman community as possible will be able to participate in the process.

All-University Open Forums

Dr. Amber Johnson:  Tuesday, April 25; 2:30-3:20 p.m.; Violette Hall 1000
Dr. Janet Gooch:  Friday, April 28; 2:30-3:20 p.m.; Violette Hall 1000

Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search.  A link to an electronic candidate evaluation form will be added to the search website next week.  All open forums will be recorded, and a webcast of each forum will be available on the search website shortly thereafter.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

My final coffee for this academic year is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Student Union Building (SUB 3000).

Members of the Next Steps Team 8 (Steve Hudman, Associate Professor of Biology, and Jay Self, Associate Professor of Communication) will present findings from their recently completed report that was presented to Undergraduate Council on April 13. The team was charged with conducting a pilot to embed liberal learning outcomes in each course of a program. Six departments participated in the pilot:  Biology, Sociology/Anthropology, Business Administration, Communication, Communication Disorders, and Computer Science.

The work of this team grew out of the efforts of the Action Teams and Blue Print Teams over the past two years. Background information on and reports of all these teams can be found on TruView.

I hope that your schedule will allow you to attend.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

The Organizational Excellence Advisory Group, established to answer core questions designed to guide budget decision making into the future, met for the second time on Monday, April 10.  Once again, the group had a very productive 2.5 hour work session – this time focusing on the question, “What are the academic program offerings and support services needed to attract and retain the appropriate mix of students?”

The working session began with a review and a structural discussion related to the most important indicators of institutional and student success as identified by the Organizational Excellence Advisory Group at their first meeting on March 27.  The group then focused on the following questions and the materials presented can be found at http://wp-internal.truman.edu/organizationalexcellence/.

1. Noting that the indicators are very reflective of our current identity, do they capture what we need to be?  Staying true to being a great public liberal arts and sciences university, determine one indicator that is not on the list that will boldly enable us to meet our challenges.
2. Using the indicators as a foundation:  1) What should the size of the student body be?  2) What is the appropriate mix of students (e.g., undergraduate/graduate/professional development/concurrent enrollment, diversity in all forms, native/transfer, etc.?  3) What is the appropriate academic profile of entering students (i.e., importance of ACT, GPA, and other criteria for determining success at Truman)?
3. Given the size, mix and academic profile of the student body:  1) What academic programs (new, expanded, or modified) will help recruit these students to Truman?  2) What support services are necessary to retain and graduate these students?

Again, you, too, are welcome to submit your thoughts for each of the tasks on the Organizational Excellence website.

The third and final meeting of the group is scheduled for Monday, April 24.  The insights gathered from the first two sessions will be used as a foundation to address the important question, “How should the University be positioned for short-term and long-term sustainability?”  I will provide a final update after the April 24^th meeting.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors held their annual April meeting on Saturday in conjunction with the annual Foundation Banquet.  It was fabulous to have such a large gathering of alumni and friends on campus and to have the opportunity to honor those who so generously give back to the University in time, talent and treasure.

During the Board of Governors meeting, Charles Hunsaker and Denise Smith, Interim Co-Directors for University Advancement, and Dr. Sharron Quisenberry, Chair of the “Pursue the Future” Campaign Steering Committee, provided an update on advancement activities, including a report on the Foundation Board meeting held earlier that morning and the “Pursue the Future” Campaign.  JJ Dorrell, President of Student Government, provided the annual Student Government Report, and Professors Vaughan Pultz and Debi Cartwright, President and President Pro Tempore of Faculty Senate, provided the annual Faculty Senate Report.  I provided a President’s Report, which included among other topics, updates on recent campus activities, legislation and funding from Jefferson City, and Fall 2017 enrollment.  In addition, reports were shared from the Board’s three committees, which included a review of financial reports and updates on the Next Steps Teams, online program management, and various on-campus construction projects.

The Board took action on a number of items which had been previewed through their committees.  Within the area of finance and auditing, the Board approved a resolution to amend their Investments policy with the goal to enhance investment returns while still maintaining a relatively conservative approach.

Within the area of academic and student affairs, the Board approved a resolution to amend the Student Conduct Code.  The Code was made easier to read due to merging individual and organizational sections and with formatting changes.  The amendments also address how the Code applies to the expanding student conduct on social media, while studying abroad, during internships, and other activities that occur away from the University campus.

Finally, within the area of budget and capital, the Board took action on four items.

• They approved the Student Union HVAC Project to update the air handling units which serve key areas of the Student Union Building including the main kitchen.  This work was not addressed in previous renovations of the building but is needed to address problems with make-up air (outside ventilation) and condensation.
• The purchase of a Student Union Building dishwasher was approved.  The dishwasher for the Student Union food service operation is original to the building.  The new machine will be more energy efficient and utilize less water.  Funds for the purchase of the dishwasher are available from the Student Union equipment reserve.
• A subcommittee of the Board was appointed to act on behalf of the full Board to proceed with the repairs and renovation of the University Residence.  Bids for this project were significantly higher than the estimates provided by the architect and engineers; thus, the Board decided to reject those bids and asked that the University serve as the general contractor.  The work will be performed by in-house staff as well as through several small projects utilizing standard procurement procedures.
• The enrollment fees for the 2017-18 Academic Year were approved.  Tuition for 2017-18 will increase 2.1% for Missouri undergraduate students and 3.3% for non-resident undergraduate students, 2.1% for Missouri graduate students, and 3.3% for non-resident graduate students.

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 10.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

As I reported recently, an Organizational Excellence Advisory Group has been established to answer core questions designed to guide budget decision making into the future.  The group’s first meeting was held on Monday, March 27.  Seventy-five individuals came together and held a very productive 2.5 hour work session focusing on the question, “What are Truman’s most important indicators of institutional and student success?”

The working session began with a presentation of relevant data followed by structured discussion.  The materials presented can be found at http://wp-internal.truman.edu/organizationalexcellence/.  As you will see in the materials, the group completed three tasks:

1. Select the top five constituent groups to consider when determining indicators of institutional and student success (a list of constituent groups was provided).
2. Determine the top three indicators of student/institutional success for each constituent group (not limited to indicators Truman already uses; can be current or aspirational indicators).
3. Determine which indicators are the most important in determining Truman’s identity.  (Who are we as Truman?  Who do we want to be?  For what do we want our students to be known?  What would make alumni/donors/funding agencies/paying students/the state/etc. want to support us?)

You, too, are welcome to submit your thoughts for each of the tasks on the Organizational Excellence website.

The next meeting of the group is scheduled for Monday, April 10.  The insights gathered from the first session will be used as a foundation to address the question, “What are the academic program offerings and support services needed to attract and retain the appropriate mix of students?”  I will provide another update after our second meeting.

Best regards,

Sue

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the formation of the Vice President for Student Affairs Search Advisory Committee to be of assistance to me as we begin the search for the next Vice President for Student Affairs.  Seven individuals representing various constituent groups on campus have agreed to serve:

Michael Bazemore, Athletics
Jack Holcomb, Center for Academic Excellence
Jennifer Jesse, Philosophy and Religion
Dave Lusk, Student Affairs
Regina Morin, Enrollment Management
Luis Ortiz, student
Jordan Webber, student

Qualifications of the position and application requirements can be found at https://secure.truman.edu/positionlisting-s/staff.asp.  Applications are due by April 21, and the goal is to have the new Vice President for Student Affairs in place in August 2017.

I express my deep appreciation to the members of the advisory committee for their willingness to take on this important assignment.  I am also most appreciative of Lou Ann Gilchrist for her exemplary service as Vice President for Student Affairs.  Lou Ann has been an unwavering advocate for the needs and holistic development of all students and her experience in risk assessment and intervention with student mental health concerns and knowledge of academic coaching has been invaluable.

Best regards,

Sue