Missouri State University
Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes Vol. 2, No. 11

Clif's Notes

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I review highlights from the May Board of Governors meeting, as well as the spring commencements.

Board of Governors meeting review

The budget for fiscal year 2014, the marketing discussion and a presentation from the Presidential Task Force on Online Education and Alternative Credit highlighted the Board of Governors meetings on Thursday, May 16.

IncreasedCompensation-IMG_0795Increased compensation

I am pleased to report that the Board of Governors unanimously and enthusiastically accepted our proposal for increasing compensation in the fiscal year 2014 budget recommendation. We will present the complete fiscal year 2014 budget to the Board for approval at the June 21 meeting in Kansas City. The budget goes into effect July 1.

You will remember that the compensation package calls for a 2 percent across-the-board raise for all full-time faculty and staff employed before April 1 for Springfield and West Plains operating funds; a 2 percent increase for graduate assistants; an adjustment to the pay ranges for staff; a required contribution increase from the University to MOSERS (state retirement system); and faculty promotions. Specific details may be found in the Clif’s Notes from May 15.

FullProfessorIncentive-IMG_9434Full Professor Incentive Program (Professor Plus)

The Board also expressed its support for the Full Professor Incentive Program, which would provide additional pay for those at the rank of professor who have continued to perform at a high level by conducting great research, being great teachers and mentoring students. While this is a selective program, the goal is to provide the monetary increase to up to 100 professors who would be phased in over time. To be eligible to apply, a faculty member would have to be in the full professor rank for at least five years at Missouri State.

Therefore, this summer and fall, Provost Frank Einhellig will work with a committee to develop the criteria and application process. Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the spring of 2014. The first group of recipients would be funded for fiscal year 2015, beginning July 1, 2014. Our intent is to award at least 20 in the first year, with more possible depending on the budget.

Online task force

At its Programs and Planning Committee meeting, the Board heard a report from the Presidential Task Force on Online Education and Alternative Credit. 

I urge you take some time to review the report and its recommendations. I think it is thoughtful and measured in its suggestions. In accordance with one recommendation, Frank and I will appoint a standing committee to monitor developments in online education and alternative credit so that Missouri State keeps pace with its competitors. More information on this topic will be forthcoming in the next two months.

Marketing discussion

The Board had a very productive 90-minute discussion on marketing Missouri State. I invite you to review the research presentation documents, if you haven’t already.

Three of the key findings shared by Amy Crosby, senior director with the research firm of Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), were:

  • Missouri State has a good reputation and gets high ratings from all audiences and, therefore, is operating from a position of strength.
  • Missouri State’s value (i.e., benefit for cost) is very important to our students and their families.
  • The two areas consistently identified for Missouri State to improve were in traditions and school spirit.

We must and will take a long-term view when it comes to improving our marketing. This presentation on the overall research was the first step. The next steps include the following:

  • PSB has also conducted research on each of the academic colleges. That research will be presented to the deans and others in June. During those sessions, additional information will be collected to assist in developing the marketing plan proposals.
  • Also this summer, PSB will complete its targeted research on underrepresented students, which will be presented to the campus.
  • Then in the fall, the marketing plans will be presented by Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW), PSB’s partner on this project. Our intent is to review those plans and implement any elements with existing staff.

Marketing will be a discussion topic again at the Board of Governors retreat on Aug. 1. And, I will keep you posted on this important project as it develops.

Spring commencement 2013

On Friday, May 17, 2,404 students graduated in three Springfield campus ceremonies in JQH Arena, with attendance averaging around 8,000 for each. On Saturday, May 18, the West Plains campus awarded another 277 degrees in a packed Civic Center. Those ceremonies are special for the graduates as well as the families and friends.

As we think about enhancing our traditions, I hope more faculty and staff will seriously consider attending the commencement ceremonies. It is important to the graduates and it sends a very positive message to all in attendance. Plus, it is just one of those signature events that remind us of why we work in higher education.

The next two opportunities are coming up. The first is the summer commencement on Friday, Aug. 2. The second is the New Student Convocation Sunday, Aug. 18, where we will welcome new students and their families, and award the Honorary Doctorate Degree to Missouri State alumnus and actor John Goodman. I hope you will put both events on your calendar.

Conclusion

I commend you for another very good year at Missouri State. I hope you have a chance to get a break this summer. I know I will see many of you when summer school begins June 10. Please watch for additional issues of Clif’s Notes as we keep you posted on developments this summer. Thank you.

Clif Smart

—Clif

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Telling the Missouri State story

Saturday at its commencement ceremony, Missouri State University-West Plains presented an Honorary Associate of Arts degree to a very special woman and mother: Couch resident Edith Williams, who devoted a dozen years of her life helping her daughter achieve a college education.

“Edith Williams’ unselfish dedication to her daughter’s education shows the value she places on higher education,” said Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. “Her dedication enabled her daughter to become the first in her family to receive a college education. She is truly an exemplary role model for other parents and students. Because of her extraordinary commitment to higher education, we are honored to confer this degree upon her.”

Ms. Williams, a 1964 graduate of Ellsinore High School, never had the opportunity to go to college herself. But, she made sure her daughter, Jennifer, did, despite the debilitating injuries Jennifer suffered in a 1997 automobile accident that left her wheelchair bound.

When Jennifer decided in fall 2001 that she wanted to go to college, Ms. Williams was by her side, driving her daughter the 100 miles round trip from their home to West Plains several times a week so Jennifer could attend classes. While Jennifer was in class, Ms. Williams spent her time reading, visiting with faculty and other students, and helping other students any way she could.

By taking just a few classes each semester, Jennifer, with the support of her mother, completed her Associate of Arts in General Studies degree in 2006.

She then enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in General Business degree program offered through Missouri State University’s Outreach Program on the West Plains campus.

Because of her mother valuing higher education – and with her mother’s constant support and assistance – Jennifer was able to accomplish her goal of completing a bachelor’s degree, which she received during Saturday’s commencement ceremony.

What an incredibly inspiring story of a mother’s love for and devotion to her daughter.

(For more information, see Steve Pokin’s story in the May 19 issue of the Springfield News-Leader.)

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Clif’s Notes Vol. 2, No. 10

Clif's Notes

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I provide an update on the budget recommendation for fiscal year 2014, including an across-the-board raise and the full professor incentive program, and announce an initiative we hope will allow employees to volunteer more in the community.

Board meetingBudget recommendation for fiscal year 2014

Tomorrow (May 16) at the Board of Governors Finance and Facilities Committee meeting, we will have our first discussion of the operating budget for fiscal year 2014. We will seek input from the Board and then ask for final approval at the June Board meeting for the budget that begins July 1.

In summary, for the first time in five years, we will see an increase in state appropriations. We also have excess revenue because of our enrollment, which exceeded expectations, and our modest tuition and fee increase. These two factors will allow us to make a significant investment in increasing the compensation package for faculty and staff for fiscal year 2014. The key elements of my presentation to the Board follow.

Increases in Operating Revenue

Amount Description
$1,747,000 Expected increased revenue from increased enrollment and tuition/fee increases, net after scholarships and fee waiver increases 
2,384,000 Increase in state appropriations ($2,457,827 less standard 3 percent holdback) — please note that the governor must still sign the budget into law
$4,131,000 Total

Increases in Operating Expenses

Amount Description
$800,000 Expected approximate increases in utilities, rent for Brick City and other expenses
3,517,000 Employee compensation approximate increases for Springfield and West Plains operating funds
(186,000) Less net cost reductions
$4,131,000 Total

Compensation Recommendation

This is what I will recommend to the Board for increasing compensation:

Amount Description
$2,353,000 2 percent across-the-board raise (with fringe benefits) beginning July 1, 2013 for all full-time faculty and staff employed before April 1 for Springfield and West Plains operating funds — also includes 2 percent increase for graduate assistants
865,000 Required contribution increase from the University to MOSERS (state retirement system) net of anticipated cost saving from our new health care contract
299,000 Faculty promotions
$3,517,000 Total

As part of the compensation plan, pay ranges for staff will be adjusted by 1 percent effective July 1, 2013. This adjustment is consistent with our policy to annually adjust ranges pursuant to changes in the Employer Cost Index. Those employees paid below the bottom of the new ranges will receive an adjustment to bring them to the minimum of their range prior to the 2 percent salary increase being applied.

This means that 100 percent of the increase in state appropriations, plus a major portion of the increase from tuition and fees (more than 85% of new money), will be invested in our faculty, staff and graduate assistants. This also means that with the mid-year raise and this 2 percent raise on July 1, we will have increased salaries by 4 percent during this calendar year. Those are actions we can feel good about.

Professor talking with studentsFull Professor Incentive Program (Professor Plus)

In addition, Provost Frank Einhellig and I will recommend to the Board implementation of the Full Professor Incentive Program, which would provide an additional pay for those at the rank of professor who have continued to perform at a high level by conducting great research, being great teachers and mentoring students. While this is a selective program, the goal is to provide the monetary increase to up to 100 professors who would be phased in over time. To be eligible to apply, a faculty member would have to be in the full professor rank for at least five years at Missouri State.

This summer and fall, Frank will work with a committee to develop the criteria and application process. Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the spring of 2014. The first group of recipients would be funded for fiscal year 2015, beginning July 1, 2014. Our intent is to award at least 20, with more possible depending on the budget.

We believe this program is a good one and addresses the rank where we lag behind the most when it comes to national comparisons.

Student in health-related classSpecial funding for health programs

In addition to the core operating budget, the legislature included $1,325,000 in on-going funds to support health programs on both the Springfield and West Plains campuses.

Of the total, $500,000 has been identified to expand and improve the health programs on the West Plains campus. These include nursing, respiratory care, health management, medical coding, and other programs.

The $825,000 for the Springfield campus will support the new occupational therapy program. The first year or two of funding will be used for start-up costs, especially for much-needed health classrooms and labs. We plan to hire a director in the near future and then be ready to enroll the first OT class no later than the fall of 2015.

Servicel learning projectExtra personal days

Over the past year or so, several staff members have asked if there is a way to make it easier for them to volunteer in the community, for their children’s school, and for other worthwhile causes. In response, we will soon announce that we have increased the personal leave days from the current one per year to three per year.

You will recall that personal leave days may be used for any purpose, but they are counted as sick leave days and are deducted from the employee’s sick leave balance. In order to use the personal days, you must have sick leave remaining. As you know, each full-time staff member earns 12 sick leave days per year, one each month. Effective with this change, personal day usage may be taken in four-hour increments.

This will give staff members the ability to use these two additional days to increase their community service and help Springfield become an even better place to live and work. One of the best ways to volunteer is on Days of Caring sponsored by the United Way.

Conclusion

We are in finals week and the last days of the academic year. Over the next few weeks, I will distribute additional issues of Clif’s Notes to keep you updated as we move into a busy summer. Thank you for all you do for Missouri State. See you at the commencement ceremonies.

Clif Smart

—Clif

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Telling the Missouri State story

Award recipients

I was honored to be included in the Faculty Recognition Reception on May 6. It is inspiring to hear about the good work our faculty do throughout the year. Provost Frank Einhellig will include all of the honorees in an upcoming issue of the Provost Communiqué, including the full list of publications, grant proposals and retirees. I invite you to spend some time reviewing the full list. To whet your appetite, let me highlight these awards:

Missouri State University Foundation Awards for Service

  • Carmen Boyd, biomedical science
  • Douglas Gouzie, geography, geology and planning

Missouri State University Foundation Awards for Research

  • Sheryl Brahnam, computer information systems
  • Kevin Mickus, geography, geology and planning

Missouri State University Foundation Awards for Teaching

  • Denise Cunningham, childhood education and family studies
  • Michael A. Murray, music

2013-14 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

  • Michael A. Murray, music

Master Online Course Recognition Award for Course Design, Interaction and Collaboration, Assessment and Course Technology and Media Value

  • Stanley Leasure, finance and general business, BUS/LAW 550/650, Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration in Business

Master Online Course Recognition Merit Award for Interaction and Collaboration

  • Shannon Wooden, english, ENG 200, Introduction to Literature

Master Online Course Recognition Merit Award for Course Technology and Media Value

  • Lora Hobbs, religious studies, REL 100, Introduction to Religion

Recognition Award for Excellence in Thesis Mentoring

  • Brian Greene, biology

Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Award

  • Day Ligon, biology

Provost Fellow for Public Affairs  

  • Gilbert Brown, counseling, leadership and special education

Excellence in Community Service Award

  • Wafaa Kaf, communication sciences and disorders
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Clif’s Notes Vol. 2, No. 9

Clif's Notes

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I provide an update on the legislative session, announce the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame, share information on the Higher Learning Commission and provide information about a new pricing structure for Lady Bear tickets.

Missouri State Seal

Update from Jefferson City

There is about a month left in the 2013 session of the Missouri General Assembly. I wanted to give you an update on the status of the operating budget and other issues in Jefferson City.

Operating budget

As you recall, for fiscal year 2014, the Governor recommended $34 million in additional funding for higher education allocated based on success in achieving the five performance measures. For Missouri State, that amounted to an increase of about 4.3 percent or $3,335,974, for a total state appropriation of $81,885,437.

In the House version of the budget, the increase was reduced to $20 million and it was allocated “across-the-board” at slightly more than 2 percent for an increase of $1,795,498 for Missouri State and a total state appropriation of $80,344,961.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has adopted the Governor’s recommendation on the operating budget. That version should go to the Senate floor in the near future.

As is the case every year, there will be a conference committee to discuss the differences and come to a final recommendation for both the House and Senate to finally approve. If there is an increase in our appropriations, our commitment is to use most of the additional money to improve the compensation for our faculty and staff.

Additional funding

The Senate Appropriations Committee added in two additional funding pieces that affect Missouri State.

First, $1,325,000 in on-going funding was added to support the new Occupational Therapy program on the Springfield campus ($825,000), as well as expansion and improvement of various health programs on the West Plains campus ($500,000).

Second, $150,000 was added for Missouri State-West Plains and Three Rivers Community College to provide an “education training center” in Willow Springs. The two institutions are working with the City of Willow Springs and the Missouri Department of Higher Education to develop a plan to provide both general education (West Plains) and technical programs (Three Rivers) to that community.

Again, both of these items would go to the conference committee since they are only in the Senate version of the budget.

Bonding for capital projects

It has been more than a dozen years since there was a statewide capital funding appropriation for higher education. Because of that, along with the current low interest rates and other factors, there has been significant discussion about bonding capital projects. That discussion continues, but there is not agreement on the total amount, the process or if it should focus on new construction or maintenance and repair. We continue to be involved in these discussions, and we are hopeful there will be some funding support for capital projects.

Other legislation

We are tracking a number of other pieces of legislation, from the higher education funding formula, to allowing weapons on campus, to additional benefits for military veterans and more. We also are monitoring tax credit reform, income tax reductions and the discussion on Medicaid expansion since all of these could impact the general revenue of the State and ultimately impact higher education.

The 2013 session of the Missouri General Assembly concludes on Friday, May 17. I will continue to update you on significant developments.

Citizen Scholar statueMissouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

The ninth annual Public Affairs Conference was another great success. I congratulate Dr. Gilbert Brown, conference chair, and his team for highlighting Inclusive Excellence as the theme. I hope you were able to attend several of the events.

At the Conference, we announced that Missouri State has created the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame. This will be a signature event and yet another step in both the maturing of the statewide mission and expanding the understanding of the mission statewide. I invite you to learn more about the award and consider nominating a deserving individual. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 31, with the inaugural class to be inducted in the spring of 2014.

Finally, the Distinction in Public Affairs Student Presentations this year were outstanding. We have featured some of those below in the Telling our Story section.

Students in classHigher Learning Commission update

We continue to prepare for the Higher Learning Commission accreditation, with our report due in the spring of 2015 and the site team visit to campus in the fall of 2015.

Toward that end, several of us attended the annual meeting of the Higher Learning Commission in Chicago April 5-9. Those attending from Missouri State University included Frank Einhellig, Steve Foucart, Joye Norris, Don Simpson, Lynn Cline, Keri Franklin, Tammy Jahnke and me. It was a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the newly adopted criteria for accreditation along with the new open pathway.

Frank and Tammy made the presentation “Program Review: Policy, Review Cycle and Assessment of the Process – Lessons Learned,” which covered the Missouri State academic program review process from 2000 to the present. Review the information in the presentation.

Mission statement

The first criteria for accreditation is: “The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.” Our mission is clearly documented in all publications including catalogs and on our website, and I continue to be impressed by the number of students, faculty and staff who can recite most or all of it. It is:

Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The University’s identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

Sometimes, I shorten the mission statement to this:

Our goal is to develop educated persons. Our mission is public affairs.

Regardless of which you use, it is important for lots of reasons, including the HLC accreditation, that the mission is widely known and understood. It also will be important that we show that it guides our operations.

Tasks completed

Missouri State’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Steering Committee has accomplished three specific tasks during this past academic year. It has started to identify evidence that shows that Missouri State meets the HLC assumed practices, the HLC criteria and the concerns noted in the 2006 team report from HLC. Drafts of each of these works in progress are posted on the committee’s website.

As the Steering Committee has been working on this, the Assessment Council and assessment director have been working on Missouri State University’s Quality Improvement Project (QIP). This project will be collecting evidence of student learning as it relates to our public affairs mission. The results of this evaluation along with an assessment of the process will be available early in fall of 2013. Starting in fall of 2013, the Steering Committee will be completing the list of evidence.

Kellie Harper New leader for Lady Bears

On April 10, we announced that Kellie Harper would be the new Lady Bears basketball coach. Kellie comes with great credentials, both on and off the court as you can see from the news release. We expect great things from her and her team in the coming years. I hope you soon will have a chance to meet and welcome Kellie and her husband, Jon.

In conjunction, we are reinventing the ticket pricing for Lady Bears games. There will be plenty of publicity on this in the coming weeks, but I wanted you to know that we have drastically reduced the price of season tickets in the lower bowl of JQH Arena. The vast majority of the lower level season seats will be $120 without a seat assessment. With the half-price faculty and staff discount, that means you can see 18 home Lady Bears games next year for $60. If you want to sit in the end zone, your price will be $40 (half of $80).

I ask that you take a serious look at purchasing a season ticket. Athletics can be another rallying point for our campus as we have seen during the March Madness at all levels in both men’s and women’s tournaments. It is another piece of making Missouri State the kind of institution we want it to be. Given that, I would ask that you support the student-athletes who compete for the Lady Bears and all of our teams. They deserve our support. Thanks for your consideration.

Conclusion

The clock is ticking on this semester. We have about a month to go and lots to accomplish in those four weeks. As always, I hope all of us can finish strong so we feel good about our accomplishments for 2012-13. Thanks for all you do.

Clif Smart

—Clif

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Telling the Missouri State story

The Public Affairs Conference kicked off Tuesday, April 9, with presentations from some of our own — a group of 46 civic-minded undergraduate students to be exact.

These presentations were part of the students’ year-long involvement in the Distinction in Public Affairs program. Asked to identify and research a solution to a social issue on our campus or in the Springfield community, the groups put our public affairs mission to good work. The presentations included:

  • Distinction in Public Affairs student presentationStepping Outside the Zone shared students’ perspectives on what it’s like to step out of their zone. 
  • Autism Speaks, Missouri State Still Listens* focused on raising autism awareness on campus by contributing to the Light It Up Blue campaign.
  • Filling in Nutritional Gaps sought to better the health and nutrition of homeless youth by educating them about eating healthy on a budget.
  • Putting our Best Foot Forward raised money for Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery by setting up an informational booth outside a local Wal-Mart. They also developed a great brochure for the organization.
  • Try This, Not That: Missouri State Style integrated health and nutrition resources on campus and in the community into an interactive program to address the dreaded MSU 22.
  • Eyes Open: Suicide Prevention in College developed a powerful suicide awareness video for college students. I encourage you to take a moment and watch it.
  • What’s Good MSU? A Positive Spin on Anonymous Twitter Accounts explored how the effect of positive communication on social media can change a student’s view of campus life. You can follow their efforts on Twitter.

Review the complete list of the students and presentations.

Public affairs as expressed by students

It was inspiring to hear how our students are integrating the public affairs mission into their lives as students and as citizens of our community. I’ll leave you with some of their thoughts on the experience:

“I feel so much more connected to Missouri State and all it has to offer. This experience makes me proud to be a Bear and connected to our public affairs mission.” – Chelsey Stepp, media production major, What’s Good MSU?

“One of the greatest parts of our project was the strong response we received from the Greek community at Missouri State… Their hard work was such an important aspect of our project, and with their help, we were able to share our message about autism awareness to over 55,000 people.” – Ashley Bennington, marketing major, Autism Speaks

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