Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past Saturday under the leadership of Phil Christofferson, Board Chair.  In addition to their meeting, the Board participated in committee meetings, a working session, and toured the Kirk Building.

During their regular meeting, the Board approved the Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Academic Promotion Salary Policy for the 2025-26 Academic Year.  Operating budgets were developed using state funding based on the 1.5% core increase recommendation made by Governor Kehoe for FY2026 appropriations.  The General Assembly approved a 3% increase; however, the Governor has not signed the FY2026 appropriation bill.  In addition, the Board approved salary increases for faculty members promoted in rank for the 2025-26 Academic Year, excluding those whose salaries for the 2025-26 Academic Year have been established by separate agreement.  Faculty members who are promoted in rank will receive the following salary increases:  Instructor to Assistant Professor, $1,000; Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, $3,800; and Associate Professor to Professor, $7,500.

Other items approved by the Board include:

Resolution of Appreciation for Dave Rector
Dave will retire as Vice President for Administration, Finance, and Planning on June 30.  The approved resolution recognizes Dave’s service to the University and the Board of Governors.  Dave’s longevity and service have spanned the terms of eight university presidents and nearly eighty members of the Board.

Treasurers for Fiscal Year 2026
University treasurers are appointed annually and are responsible for administering institutional funds.  A slate of treasurers was approved at the April meeting; however, the slate was amended due to Dave’s retirement.

Sustained Knowledge of Integrated Lifelong Learning Skills (SKILLS) Center Consultant
The Board approved a proposal from the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) to support the SKILLS Center’s activation by identifying how its services can be most impactful, sustainable, and aligned with both community needs and Truman’s strategic goals.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Repairs
A quote from Daikin TMI, LLC to repair certain Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) components was approved.  Truman’s mechanical services team recently reviewed the campus HVAC systems.  They assessed various components and identified the need to replace sixteen Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) across four academic buildings.  VFDs enhance motor speed control, improving efficiency and reducing heating and cooling costs.  This project will be funded through local capital resources and is expected to be completed by early fall 2025.

Campus Boiler Plant and Steam System Engineering Study
A proposal from Daikin TMI, LLC was also accepted to provide an engineering study for the campus boiler plant and steam system.  Truman’s boiler plant and steam tunnels provide hot water to a large portion of the interior campus.  While this system has served the University well, it has become inefficient, and portions of the system need repair.  The study will be funded with local capital resources and is expected to be completed during FY2026.

State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request for Fiscal Year 2027
The approved FY2027 State Capital Improvement and Maintenance Request includes requested funds for nine top priorities, including updates to Pickler Memorial Library, an emergency electrical backup system, power system infrastructure, and updates to McClain Hall, Violette Hall, Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center, and the Health Science wing of Pershing Building.  Capital funds requests are submitted to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Division of Design and Construction, Office of Administration.  The request outlines priorities for the next five years, with a focus on the repair and renovation of existing facilities.

Telephone System Project
A Request for Proposals (RFP) is currently open to replace the existing telephone system, with a proposal submission deadline of June 30.  This new system would include a combination of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) business phone lines, standard office phone lines, fax machines, and lines for elevator, emergency, and gas meter dialing, representing approximately 1,000 phone lines.  The University desires to implement the selected system before October 1, when the current contract expires.  To meet that timeline, approval from the Board was needed before their August meeting.

Architectural Services – Multisport Locker Room Facility Project
The Board approved a proposal from PGAV Architects to provide architectural services for a multisport, stand-alone locker room and athletic training facility.  This proposed building will be located at Stokes Stadium and serve football, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, and softball.  An initial design is required to provide visual support and cost estimates for a fundraising campaign associated with this project.  A designated gift to the Foundation will provide funding for this proposed design, and approval is required to initiate the preliminary design and develop cost estimates.

Faculty Promotions and Academic Tenure
During the closed session, the Board reviewed recommendations for promotion and tenure effective with the 2025-26 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating these dedicated faculty members on achieving these impressive milestones and thanking them for their tireless efforts on behalf of our students and the University.

Faculty promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and granted tenure include Jill Arnold, Education; Musa Demirtas, Business Administration; Jason McDonald, History; Sheena Nichols, Nursing; Katrina Schmerold, Psychology; Martha Strange, Education; Scott Templeton, Business Administration; and Elizabeth Wiles, Criminal Justice Studies.  Additionally, Elsa Leggett, Counseling, was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor and granted tenure, and Yung-hwal Park, Business Administration, was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor.

In addition to the above action items, Tyana Lange, Vice President for Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Marketing, provided the annual Enrollment Management Report, and Scott Alberts, 2024-25 Faculty Senate President and Professor of Statistics, provided the yearly Faculty Senate Report.  I shared a President’s Report noting the status of the Vice President for University Advancement search and the appointment of Michael Thorp of Small College Consulting (SCC) as Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management.  Additionally, I highlighted the recently established Kirksville Community Connections Group, co-led by Mari Macomber, Kirksville City Manager, and me. The mission of the group is to strengthen the spirit of our community by fostering a deep sense of belonging, mutual respect, and shared purpose among residents, committed to cultivating a supportive environment where individuals come together to celebrate our town’s unique character, collaborate on meaningful initiatives, and work collectively toward the common good.  The initial project for this group was the recently held Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) State Games.  From all indications, the games were a huge success.  A huge thank you to Tyana Lange and Sharon Swehla, Kirksville Tourism Director, for their work as co-chairs, as well as the many Truman and community volunteers who went above and beyond to ensure that the athletes, coaches, families, supporters, and staff had an amazing experience that greatly exceeded their expectations.  The Board also received updates during the committee meetings and working session on additional areas, including legislative affairs, financial reports, audit preview, construction projects, equipment purchases, study abroad, and summer orientation.

The open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 2.

I hope the rest of your summer is enjoyable and restorative.

All the best,
Sue

Good morning, Truman Community!

Provost Eric Freedman has accepted a provost position at another college (that college has not yet announced that Eric will serve as its new provost) and will begin his new position on July 7, 2025.

In the two years that he has served as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Eric completed academic reorganization, implemented Curriculog and Interfolio, enhanced data utilization, hired the first Director of Internships and an Executive Director of Career Services and Employer Relations, and worked with Student Engagement to reimagine international student recruitment and support.  He also worked closely with faculty governance to raise faculty salary floors, establish multi-year contracts for non-tenure track faculty, and increase graduate student support.

Given the timing, we will conduct a national search (with members of our community welcome to apply) that will commence in the fall semester.  I will work with constituency groups to establish a search committee and develop a position description and will name an internal interim provost to serve until the new provost can begin.

Please join me in wishing Eric the very best in his new venture.

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

After 52 years of impressive and dedicated service, Dave Rector, Vice President for Administration, Finance and Planning, will retire on June 30, 2025.  His retirement necessitates some changes in our organizational structure.  Effective July 1, 2025:

• Business Office, Physical Plant, and Campus Planning will temporarily report to the President until the position is filled.
• Human Resources will temporarily report to the General Counsel until the position is filled.
• Printing Services and Mail Services will report to the Business Office.
• Department of Public Safety (DPS) will report to Student Engagement.

With this new reporting line for DPS and the need for a senior administrator to devote full attention to enrollment, Dr. Michael Thorp of Small College Consulting (SCC) will serve as Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management through June 30, 2026, at which time an Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, reporting to the President, will be in place.  SCC is currently providing operational support for Admissions.

Please join me in congratulating Dave on his well-earned retirement and have a great summer!

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Brenda Austin, Assistant Professor of Nursing.  Brenda was a valued member of the Truman community, serving as a faculty member from 2016 to 2020, and returning to her beloved university in 2023.  She passed away unexpectedly on May 4.

Our sympathy goes out to Brenda’s family and all who had the fortune of knowing her.

We will share funeral arrangements when they have been confirmed.

Kind regards,
Sue

Hello Colleagues,

This past weekend, Truman’s Board of Governors held its annual April meeting in conjunction with the Foundation and Alumni Boards meetings and the Foundation’s yearly recognition celebration.

During the Foundation Celebration, we honored several individuals and organizations whose generosity has earned them a place in one of our prestigious recognition societies.  In addition, the Distinguished Corporation/Foundation Award was presented to Mastercard.  Mastercard has supported Truman in many impactful ways, providing not just financial resources but the knowledge and talents of its Truman alumni employees to enrich the educational experiences of our students.  The President’s Leadership Award was presented to the Honorable Ann Covington, a Missouri judicial pioneer who has a number of powerful connections to the University.  We celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the General John J. Pershing Scholarship.  Many current and past Pershing Scholars attended.  Dale (‘83) and Shari (’83, ‘93) Schenewerk, two former Pershing Scholars, provided remarks, and Christine Chen was recognized as the 2024-25 Charles J. McClain Pershing Scholar.  Several other bright, talented, and impressive students thrilled and amazed those attending the celebration.  Jared Sacquitne-Darrington highlighted his time at Truman and thanked those in attendance for the exceptional opportunities their contributions provide to our students; cast members from the Peter and the Starcatcher theatre performance shared a sneak peek of their upcoming production; and the President’s String Quartet entertained guests during the reception.  I extend my congratulations and great appreciation to everyone involved in an inspiring celebration, most especially the Advancement Office and Sodexo.

The Board of Governors meeting, held Saturday afternoon, was led by Board Chair Philip J. Christofferson.  Dr. Calaneet Balas (’98), President of the Foundation Board of Directors, and Lori Hart (’84), President of the Alumni Board of Directors, joined Charles Hunsaker, Associate Vice President for University Advancement, to provide updates from their respective boards and the Advancement Office.  In the President’s Report, I shared budget and legislative updates at the state and federal levels.  I commended Truman’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Steering Team for their exceptional work in preparation for the recent HLC Open Pathway Comprehensive Evaluation Team Visit.  Although we will not have HLC’s final report for a number of weeks, my informal exit meeting with the team was positive.  They enjoyed their time on campus and the interactions with campus community members, and they were impressed with the pride expressed across all constituency groups and our beautiful and well-maintained campus and classroom technology.  I also highlighted the 2025 Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games, which will be held on the Truman campus from May 30 to June 1. The Board also reviewed financial reports and received status updates on enrollment and on-campus construction projects.

During their meeting, the Board approved several action items:

Enrollment Fees for the 2025-26 Academic Year
To offset cost increases due to inflation that state appropriations will not cover, a 4% increase was approved for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate tuition for the 2025 Fall Semester.   

2025 Summer Roof Replacement and Masonry Repairs Project
The approved project will address roof sections needing replacement on several major buildings, including Magruder Hall, McClain Hall, Missouri Hall, and Pickler Memorial Library.  Each of these buildings has sections of roofing that vary in age due to renovations and additions.  The project will also address masonry repairs, with work starting in May.     

Equipment Purchases
Three purchases of equipment were approved.  The purchase of a John Deere 320P-tier Backhoe Loader for the Physical Plant was approved.  Due to the age of the current loader, maintenance costs have become significant, and repair times are impacting campus projects.  The second item approved was an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) upgrade in the Information Technology Services data center.  UPS units provide conditioned power to all equipment in the data center so that the power stays at an even and reliable level.  The new units will include newer battery technology and the capability to expand the system to support a longer hold time in the event of an outage.  Finally, a Banner Server Upgrade was approved.  The  Banner server supports the finance, budget, financial aid, student accounts, human resources, registration, advising, degree audit, and academic records systems.  The upgrade will allow continued vendor support and maintenance and provide a reliable infrastructure for these systems.  

Faculty Senate Bylaws
The Board, as mandated by its Code of Policies, approved amendments to the Faculty Senate Bylaws, which were approved by the Faculty Senate in November and approved by an online vote of the faculty in February.  The bylaws were amended to reflect the recent reorganization of Academic Affairs.  

Amendments to Chapter 6 of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors Pertaining to Academic Affairs Faculty
The Board amended Chapter 6 of its Code of Policies regarding the composition and procedures of the Faculty Conduct Committee in light of the recent Academic reorganization.  The Faculty Senate approved the suggested recommendations at their February meeting.

Treasurers for Fiscal Year 2026
Finally, the Board approved treasures for Fiscal Year 2026.  The Board annually appoints treasurers who are responsible for administering institutional funds.

A complete copy of the open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors website.  The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for Saturday, June 14.

As we enter into the homestretch of the semester, I want to share an item I shared with the Board on Saturday.  I received an email on Friday from a freshman’s father who shared his perspective on the Truman experience.  He stated that shortly after arriving at  Truman, he knew we would be a perfect fit academically and personally for his son. He raved about professors and staff going above and beyond to create a caring, supportive, and personal environment.  He said he knew Truman was a great educational institution that would challenge his son’s mind, but he couldn’t even begin to imagine how Truman would help his son grow from a holistic perspective.  He is very grateful.

In these times of great uncertainty, please do not lose sight of the impact you have because of what you do and how you do it.  I am very grateful for you.

Here’s to a fantastic end to the semester!
Sue

 

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors held its first meeting of the 2025 calendar year this past Saturday under the leadership of newly elected Chair Philip J. Christofferson.  Other officers for the 2025 calendar year are Vice Chair William B. Lovegreen and Secretary Jennifer Kopp Dameron.  The Board recognized Nancy Gingrich for her exemplary service as the 2024 Chair.

The meeting consisted of several reports.  Marcia Humphreys and Lucas Manalang, President and Vice President of Student Government, provided the annual Student Government Report highlighting the many impactful activities and initiatives that have occurred or are occurring during the current academic year.  Provost Eric Freedman provided an Academic Affairs Report, sharing a condensed version of his remarks from the Spring Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW).  During the President’s Report, I discussed the impact of federal and state executive and legislative actions, the impact of those actions on Truman, and our strategy for determining how and when to respond.  In addition to receiving reports from their committees, the Board also heard a report on the January Foundation Board of Directors Meeting and reviewed their conflict of interest policy.

The Board approved four action items in open session:

–Independent Auditing Services:  Following a request for proposals and a thorough review process, the firm of RubinBrown LLP was selected to perform independent auditing services for a five–year period, beginning with fiscal year 2025 and ending with fiscal year 2029.  The firm was chosen based on its customized approach that meets the University’s aggressive reporting schedule, extensive experience with compliance audits and non-profit tax returns, excellent references from other institutions similar to Truman, and competitive and transparent pricing.  Since RubinBrown has provided independent auditing services to Truman for several years, the firm will address “familiarity risk” by rotating the engagement to a new partner who will be primarily responsible for issuing the audit report.

–Academic Calendar—August Interim 2026 through Summer Session 2028:  The calendar was developed in consultation with the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Academic Deans, and the Executive Leadership Team and is similar to the current academic calendar (August Interim 2024 through Summer Session 2026).

–Student Union Chick-fil-A Renovation Project:  The Chick-fil-A franchise agreement calls for facility upgrades on a periodic basis.  Currently, the Student Union has a Chick-fil-A Express with a limited menu.  The renovation will expand the size of the operation to a full-service model and include more menu options.  Work is scheduled for this summer, and this project is funded by the Food Services Improvements Fund.

–Ryle Hall Kitchen/Dining Improvement Construction Project:  As part of ongoing updates to Truman’s dining services, the Ryle Hall dining room and kitchen need improvements.  This project includes new ceilings and lighting in the dining room, along with painting and some new seating areas.  In the kitchen, several major pieces of equipment will be replaced, including ovens, dishwasher and exhaust, tray return, and refrigeration units.  This project will begin in early June 2025, with completion prior to the fall semester.  Funding for this project is from the Food Services Improvement Fund.

A copy of the February 8th open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website.   The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025.

As we have settled into our new semester, I look forward to all the wonderful things our university will accomplish together this semester and into the future.

Best regards,
Sue

Dear Truman Colleagues,

Thank you for your dedication to our beloved University and for being the magic that makes Truman so special!

May your well-earned break be filled with everyone and everything you love.

Happy holidays,
Sue

Shuttle service will be provided to the University Residence from McClain Hall (parking lot between McClain Hall and the Student Union), Violette Hall (west side parking lot), and Barnett Hall (front east entrance).  The shuttle service will run every 15 minutes beginning at 2:15 p.m.  We look forward to celebrating Truman and the holiday season with you!

Dear Colleagues:

Our Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Nancy Gingrich, Board Chair.  Board members participated in a working session, committee meetings, a tour of the Kirk Building renovation, and their regular board meeting.

2025 Board Officers and Committee Membership
The Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2025 calendar year.  New officers who will take office for one year commencing at the first regular meeting of the calendar year are Philip J. Christofferson, Chair; William B. Lovegreen, Vice Chair; and Jennifer Kopp Dameron, Secretary.

2025 Salary Policies 
Salary policies for the 2025 calendar year were approved.  The approved salary increases take effect January 1, 2025, for employees on the payroll as of that date unless a previous employment agreement indicates otherwise.

The Faculty Compensation Committee made several recommendations regarding full-time faculty salaries designed to make Truman’s compensation policies more competitive.  The primary focus for 2025 is raising starting salaries.  Utilizing data from a national survey, the committee recommended several steps to make faculty starting salaries more competitive and establish salary floors for each rank and appointment type.  For non-tenure track faculty, the minimum increase is $1,500, and the maximum raise is $9,450.  The minimum increase for tenure track and tenured faculty is $1,500, and the maximum raise is $3,700.  Both maximum raises result in faculty of all ranks and appointment types reaching their respective salary floors.  The Board will consider faculty promotion adjustments at the June 2025 meeting.

In terms of staff salaries, our approach is to either apply across-the-board increases to raise the lowest staff salaries more significantly or percentage increases to ensure that those with higher staff salaries do not always receive relatively small increases.  After two years of percentage increases, for January 2025, the increases for staff will follow the goal of raising the lowest staff salaries more significantly.  Full-time exempt and salaried/comp time eligible staff will receive an annual increase of $2,180.  Current non-exempt staff starting salaries, not covered by the hourly schedule, will receive an increase of $1.05 per hour.  All starting salaries will be $15 per hour or higher.

Each employee’s Employee Position and Composition Information, found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year.  Faculty will receive an email from Provost Freedman reflecting the amount that their base salary will increase.  For questions, staff should contact Payroll, while faculty should contact the Provost Office.

Housing and Meal Plan Charges
Housing and meal plan charges effective with the 2025 Fall Semester were approved.  The Board approved an average increase of 4.5% for apartment and single and double room rates and an increase of 4% for meal plans.  The most common combination students select is a double occupancy room with a 15 meals/week board plan.  The overall increase proposed for this configuration is 4.3%.  These increases will keep Truman’s meal plan prices competitive with other colleges and universities in the region while offsetting increased costs related to utilities, salaries, and fringe benefits for staff.

McKinney Center and Blanton-Nason-Brewer Annex Demolition Project

The McKinney Center and Blanton-Nason-Brewer Annex Demolition Project was approved.  The McKinney Center will be vacant after the completion of the Kirk Building project, and the BNB Annex has been utilized for storage for many years.  Funds are available from the state appropriation for the Kirk Building project.

Abatement and Remediation of McKinney Center and Blanton-Nason-Brewer Annex Project

As part of the demolition process for the McKinney Center and the Blanton-Nason-Brewer Annex, abatement remediation must be performed in the structures.  The board approved this work, which will occur in the mid-spring semester after functions in these buildings have been relocated.  Funds for this project are available from the state appropriation for the Kirk Building project.

HVAC Upgrades Phase 2 Construction Project
The board approved the second phase of the HVAC Upgrades project, which includes work in several locations.  The cooling tower at Pickler Memorial Library, HVAC valves in multiple locations, and the boiler and gas line at Barnett Hall will be replaced.  Funds are available from the FY2025 state appropriations for HVAC improvements and local capital improvement funds.

Professional Leaves
The Board approved faculty sabbaticals for the 2025-26 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

2025-26 Academic Year
Joanna Hubbard, Associate Professor of Biology
Laura Naioti, Associate Professor of Art
Torbjorn Wandel, Professor of History

2025 Fall Semester
Rebecca Dierking, Professor of English Education
Oscar Sendon, Associate Professor of Spanish

2026 Spring Semester
Dean DeCock, Professor of Statistics

Finally, regarding reports, Enliven Agency, Inc. provided an update on Truman’s marketing strategy at the working session.  During the board meeting, Kerrion Dean provided the annual Staff Council report, and I offered a President’s Report.  Within my report, I highlighted work being done in anticipation of the upcoming Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Open Pathway Comprehensive Evaluation Team Visit scheduled for March 24-25.  I reported on my recent trip to Washington, D.C., where I met with various members of Congress and/or their staff, the continued work of the House Interim Committee on Higher Education Workgroup, and the status of various on-campus searches.  Finally, I noted the Bulldog football program’s return to America’s Crossroads Bowl and that two Truman Theater productions, The Rocky Horror Show and Ride the Cyclone, are being considered to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre festival in January.  Committee meetings included a review of financial reports and status reports on enrollment, student engagement, career services, international education, study abroad, and construction projects.

A copy of the open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors website.  The next regular meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025.

I wish you a fantastic end to the semester and a joyful holiday season!

All the best,
Sue