The recording of President Thomas’s All-University Address and the Mini Spring Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW) held on February 28 has been added to the SPAW website:  https://wp-internal.truman.edu/provost/resources/spaw/.  This year’s address was entitled “A Tale of Tails” and was followed by a hot takes session focusing on strategic plan and key University initiative updates.

As a reminder, President Thomas will share her annual All-University Address at the Mini Spring Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop (SPAW) scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Georgian Rooms of the Student Union Building.  This year’s address, entitled “A Tale of Tails,” will be followed by a hot takes session focusing on strategic plan and key University initiative updates.  For those unable to attend, a webcast of the event will be made available to campus shortly thereafter.

We look forward to seeing you on February 28.  Light refreshments will be served.

Dear Colleagues:

It is my pleasure to invite you to the Mini Strategic Planning Assessment Workshop (SPAW) and provide a report on the February 4^th Board of Governors Meeting.

Truman’s 2023 Spring Mini SPAW is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Georgian Room of the Student Union Building.  The Mini SPAW will include my annual All-University Address, this year entitled “A Tale of Tails” which will be followed by a hot takes session focusing on strategic plan and key University initiative updates.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Truman’s Board of Governors met this past weekend under the leadership of Board Chair Cheryl Cozette.  During the Chair Report, Governor Cozette expressed appreciation to Governors Phil Christofferson, Nancy Gingrich, and Bill Lovegreen for their participation in the winter commencement ceremony.  She recognized Governor Lovegreen for his selection to the Silver Beaver Class of 2022 by the Boy Scouts of America Great Rivers Council, and she presented Governor Sarah Burkemper with a framed gavel in recognition of her service as Chair of the Board of Governors for the 2022 calendar year.

Dr. Eric Freedman, Truman’s next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, joined the Board at their luncheon and was introduced at their meeting as part of my President’s Report.  Dr. Freedman will begin his role at Truman on May 22, and Dr. Charles McAdams has graciously agreed to serve as Interim Provost through spring commencement.  Within my report, I also highlighted Governor Parson’s FY 2024 budget recommendation to provide a 7% increase to Truman’s core appropriation and provide additional capital funding for 50% of Truman’s match for the Kirk Student Success and SKILLS Center.  I noted that Governor Lovegreen’s appointment to the Board of Governors has been confirmed by the Missouri Senate and that the Office of Boards and Commissions expects to have a student representative named to the Board and confirmed by the Senate by the beginning of April.  In addition, I noted the recent passing of former Truman President Russell G. Warren, the upcoming investiture ceremony of Dr. Janet Gooch as Chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield, and the University’s involvement in the upcoming Polar Bear Plunge in support of Special Olympics.

Also providing reports were Mike Gibbons with GibbonsWorkman, LLC (Truman’s Missouri Governmental Relations Services Consultant) who shared his perspectives of the 2023 Missouri Legislative Session, and Kennedy Cooper and Esther Fox, President and Vice President of Student Government, who provided the annual Student Government Report highlighting the organization’s many impactful activities and initiatives.  In addition to reviewing their conflict of interest policy, the Board received enrollment, financial, investment, and on-campus construction project reports.   The Board also received updates on Truman’s Strategic Plan Advising Initiative and the use of micro-credentials to verify and validate the mastery of specific skills and/or competencies.

In terms of action items, the Board approved two items within the area of academic affairs and student services and two items in the area of budget and capital projects.

Academic Affairs and Student Services
–The Board approved the Academic Calendar for August Interim 2024 through Summer Session 2026.  The calendar is similar to the current academic calendar with one exception.  Due to the timing of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in 2024 and 2025, the spring semester will begin before the holiday rather than after.
–A proposal from Enliven Agency LLC to perform Brand and Marketing Management Consultant services to support the University’s admission team was approved.  Given that the recent marketing director search was unsuccessful, these services will also be used to fill that gap until the reposted search process is complete.

Budget and Capital Projects
–The 2023 Roof Replacement Project was approved.  The roofs on the older portions of Ophelia Parrish are 20 years old and have deteriorated.  In addition, a portion of Magruder Hall needs a roof replacement.  This project will address these issues and the schedule is designed to allow work to be completed during the summer of 2023.
–The Board approved a proposal to contract with Venable LLP to provide Federal Governmental Relations and Policy Services to the University.  While Truman obtained federal appropriations for the Greenwood and Kirk Projects without assistance, as our University is very new to the federal arena, working with a governmental relations firm is essential to extend our success.  The potential return on investment from a federal-level advocate is significant.

Finally, based on his credentials and experience, Dr. Eric Freedman was awarded academic tenure in conjunction with his appointment as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and Professor of Communication, a recommendation that was supported by the School of Social and Cultural Studies and the Department of Communication.

A copy of the February 4^th open session agenda can be found on the Board of Governors Agendas website.   The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2023.

All the best,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

It is with great sadness that I share that Dr. Russell G. Warren, former University President, passed away on Tuesday, January 17.  A remembrance ceremony will be held at the Trader Funeral Home in Dover, Delaware, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, followed by a graveside ceremony at Lakeside Cemetery, also in Dover.

Dr. Warren became president in 1990, shortly after our University had successfully made the transition from a regional institution to a statewide liberal arts and sciences university.  President Warren’s goals were to increase funding revenue by emphasizing an active Foundation program, support co-curricular learning on campus, encourage curricular revision in general education, and expand the diversity of the student body and faculty.  He also began the discussion of changing the name of our University to reflect our statewide mission and was successful in laying the foundation for the name-change process.

On a personal note, I had the great pleasure of enjoying many fantastic conversations with Dr. Warren and am honored to call him a friend.  Please take a moment to reflect with gratitude on his contributions to Truman and higher education.  His obituary is a wonderful tribute to his life and career.

With best regards,

Sue

Happy New Year, Colleagues!

I am very pleased to share that Dr. Eric Freedman will serve as our next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (with a start date to be determined).

A collaborative leader and creative, innovative, and strategic thinker, Dr. Freedman has significant experience in the liberal arts and sciences, program development and revision, assessment and accreditation, interdisciplinarity, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.  He brings impressive skills in making connections (within the university, and with other universities, industry, and the community), garnering resources to support academic initiatives, and pursuing unique and place-specific possibilities.  All of these skills and experiences will serve us well as we move Truman forward.

My enormous gratitude to the Search Advisory Committee for their impressive work and keen insights and to everyone who participated in the search process and shared their thoughts.  Your perspectives were invaluable.

As we continue to take control of our destiny, it is exciting to have Eric join us in advancing Truman.  I look forward to his leadership of Academic Affairs and the great work all of us will do together.

Have a great start to the semester!
Sue

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for the invaluable skills and talents you bring to our beloved University.

May your well-earned break be joyous and filled with laughter, love, fun, and relaxation.

Double-click on the attached animated card.

With very best wishes,

Sue

Open forum webcasts, CVs, and evaluation forms related to the three candidates for the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost are available on the search website located at https://trumansearch.truman.edu/executive-vp-academic-affairs-provost/.  The deadline for submission of evaluation forms is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14.  Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search.  Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback.

 

Dear Colleagues:

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to three great upcoming events!

• Faculty, Staff, and Retirees Holiday Reception – Wednesday, December 14
  The annual Faculty, Staff, and Retirees Holiday Reception will take place on December 14, 2:30-5:00 p.m. at the University Residence located at 706 South Halliburton.  Shuttle service will be provided to the University Residence from McClain Hall (parking lot between McClain Hall and the Student Union), from Violette Hall (west side parking lot), and from Barnett Hall (front east entrance).  The shuttle service will run every 15 minutes beginning at 2:15 p.m.   I look forward to celebrating Truman and the holiday season with you!
• Fall Commencement – Saturday, December 17
  Truman’s Fall Commencement Ceremony will be held on December 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Pershing Arena.  We will celebrate approximately 230 baccalaureate and master’s degree candidates and their families.  Dusty Folwarczny, 2003 alumna artist and entrepreneur, will be our Commencement Speaker.  Our graduating student speaker will be Allison Duncan, a creative writing and psychology major from Willard, Missouri.  I hope you will join us to cheer on our newest Truman graduates!
• Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Day – Wednesday, December 21
  December 21 is designated as Truman’s Casual Dress and Departmental Food Exchange Day.  This annual tradition has grown quite popular and provides a fabulous opportunity for faculty and staff to mingle and dine on some terrific food.

All the best,
Sue

Dear Colleagues:

The Truman State University Board of Governors met this past weekend participating in a working session, committee meetings, and a board meeting where they approved several impactful action items.  In addition to approving minutes from their last meeting, the Board elected officers and assigned committee membership for the 2023 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 Cheryl J. Cozette, Chair; Nancy Gingrich, Vice Chair; and Philip C. Christofferson, Secretary.

Salary Policies for 2023
In terms of action items, the Board approved Salary Policies for 2023.  The approved salary increases take effect January 1, 2023, for employees on the payroll as of that date, unless an employment agreement indicates otherwise.

Non-tenure track faculty salaries will increase by at least $1,500, with some individual salaries increasing up to $6,600.  Tenure track and tenured faculty salaries will increase by at least $1,000, with some salaries increasing up to $3,000.  These increases were determined through the work of the Faculty Compensation Committee with the goal to make Truman’s compensation policies more competitive.  The major focus for 2023 is raising the starting and current salaries of non-tenure track faculty.

Staff will receive a three percent increase in salary.  Non-exempt staff with 10 or more years of service as of January 1, will receive an adjustment of $.10 per hour in addition to the three percent increase.

Salary letters for staff will not be issued; however, faculty will receive a letter from Interim Provost McAdams reflecting the amount that their base salary will increase.  In addition, each employee’s Employee Position and Compensation information, which can be found on TruView under Employee Tools, will be updated after the first of the year.  For questions, staff should contact Payroll, and faculty should contact the Office of the Provost.

Chapter 6 of the Code of Policies of the Board of Governors
The Board approved proposed modifications to Chapter 6 of their Code of Policies related to Academic Affairs-Faculty.  The approved modifications include clarifications involving non-tenure-track faculty roles, titles, and ranks, in addition to how years of service are calculated, notification dates for nonrenewal decisions, and sabbatical timing and deferral.

Housing and Food Plan Charges
Housing and food plan charges effective with the 2023 Fall Semester were approved.  The Board approved an average increase of 7.7% for apartment and double room rates, an average increase of 8.7% for single room rates, and an average increase in meal plans of 7.7% to offset increased costs related to utilities, food, and labor.  The most common combination selected by students is a double occupancy room with a 15 meals/week board plan.  The overall increase proposed for this configuration is 7.7% and is competitive with housing costs at other universities.

Defeasance of the University’s Outstanding Housing System Refunding Revenue Bonds
The Board approved a resolution authorizing the defeasance of (e.g. paying off) a series of bonds issued to fund renovations to the housing system given the University’s available financial reserves.

Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center Phase 2 Project
Phase 2 of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center was approved.  This project will complete work on the second floor of Greenwood including rooms designed for music therapy, rehabilitation therapy, and future clinical rooms, and the existing gym space will be repurposed to provide a large multi-purpose area.  U.S. Senator Roy Blunt secured funding for this project via the Congressionally Directed Spending program with funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

New Academic Programs
Six new academic programs were approved subject to the approval of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  This is an area of particular importance to the Board, and I thank all who were involved in the development of these new academic programs.

• Certificate in Data Science Foundations
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
• Bachelor of Science in Cannabis and Natural Medicinals
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
• Master of Science in Music Therapy
• Master of Arts in Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling

Professional Leaves
The Board approved faculty Sabbaticals for the 2023-24 Academic Year.  Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members.  We look forward to hearing about the impactful outcomes of their sabbatical work.

2023-24 Academic Year
Jack Davis, Associate Professor of German
Stacy Davis, Associate Professor of Spanish
Lindsey Dunnagan, Associate Professor of Art
Chad Montgomery, Professor of Biology

2023 Fall Semester
Yuna Ferguson, Associate Professor of Psychology

2024 Spring Semester
Enrique Pareja, Associate Professor of STEM Education

Finally, in terms of reports, Dr. Anton Daughters, Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Dr. Yuna Ferguson spoke regarding the proposed renewal notification dates for non-tenure track faculty in the public comment section of the meeting.  The Board reviewed financial reports and heard reports from their morning committee meetings, and I provided a President’s Report which included an update on the search for the next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and Truman’s inclusion in America’s Crossroads Bowl.

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 4, 2023

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

All the best,
Sue

 

Hello Truman Community!

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

• Laurie Couch, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education & Student Success, Morehead State University
• Eric Freedman, Dean, School of Media Arts, Columbia College Chicago
• Jennifer Schlueter, Associate Provost and Dean of Academics, Columbus College of Arts & Design

Candidates will interview on campus during the week of December 5, and each candidate will participate in an All-University Open Forum in Violette Hall 1000.

All-University Open Forums
Dr. Laurie Couch                      10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 5
Dr. Eric Freedman                    10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7
Dr. Jennifer Schlueter             10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 9

The curriculum vitae (CV) for each candidate can be found on the search website located at https://trumansearch.truman.edu/executive-vp-academic-affairs-provost/.  All open forums will be recorded, and a webcast of each session will be available on the website shortly after that.  A link to an electronic candidate evaluation form will also be available on the website.

Input from the campus community is crucial to the success of the search.  Thank you in advance for reviewing the CVs, attending the open forums, and providing feedback.

The opportunity to bring candidates to campus before the end of the fall semester was made possible by the extraordinary work of the search committee.  They diligently followed the very aggressive timeline established at the beginning of the search process.  In the course of six weeks, they reviewed a very strong pool of 54 applicants and interviewed 11 semi-finalists.  Please join me in expressing great gratitude to Ernie Hughes (Chair), Sharon Hackney, Stacey Kaden, Jocelyn Prendergast, Kristin Rose, Rafael Tubongbanua, Tony Vazzana, and Jonathan Vieker for their spectacular work!

Best regards,
Sue