Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for June 19, 2018

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As many of you may be aware, Governor Mike Parson addressed the General Assembly last week.

He discussed the need for a fresh start for our state. He indicated that he will work each day to make Missouri a better place. He stated that he will not be motivated by selfish ambition but by a commitment to serve Missourians. He commended public servants and affirmed his appreciation and respect for everyone who takes up the call to public affairs.

In this address, Governor Parson was talking to legislators, but he wasn’t just talking about members of the legislature. He was also talking about us. The faculty and staff at Missouri State University are public servants, motivated to work to make Missouri a better place.

Moving Missouri forward

I have had multiple opportunities to interact with Governor Parson in the short time he has been in office. Through these conversations, I have learned about his plans for moving Missouri forward. He intends to focus on infrastructure and workforce development. The work we do at Missouri State aligns with this agenda.

Our infrastructure needs

While the bulk of the state’s infrastructure needs center on our system of highways, roads and bridges, we know that there are also physical and digital infrastructure needs in higher education. Governor Parson championed the bonding package that resulted in renovations to Ellis, Hill and Hass-Darr Halls, so he is familiar with our infrastructure needs.

We have already begun to inform the new administration about current infrastructure requirements. Shortly after Governor Parson took office, staff from the Missouri Department of Higher Education toured our campus. We showed them the good, the bad and the ugly in our campus facilities and information technology infrastructure.

Developing a strong workforce for Missouri

Higher education is also a critical partner in developing the state’s workforce. That workforce includes a wide and ever-changing range of professional positions.

We know how valuable a liberal arts and science education is. We are committed to developing the whole student through a curriculum rich in literature, art, humanities, philosophy, mathematics, and social, life and physical sciences. Educating students to be global citizen scholars committed to public affairs is an important piece of our mission.

We will continue to make the case that an education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences is critical to workforce development. We hear repeatedly about the “soft skills” gap in the workforce. It is through a liberal arts education that students learn the communication, social and life skills necessary to be effective in the workplace.

As a statewide, comprehensive, public university, we must also be responsive to the needs of our state and the direction set by our elected leaders. This will likely require that we commit resources to expand programs in areas of critical workforce need, like health and technology. It may also require that we target specific degree and certificate programs to quickly create or grow. We must work together on these initiatives for Missouri State to continue to lead the state.

I hope you are as excited as I am about the new direction for the state and the opportunities for our university.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for June 12, 2018

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A lot has happened since we ended the spring semester.

After passing 150 pieces of legislation, the Missouri General Assembly concluded its regular session. The legislature passed a bill that replaces Missouri State’s statutory degree restrictions with a program approval framework that will give Missouri State more flexibility to offer professional doctorate degrees. As you know, we supported this bill.

The legislature also passed a bill that modifies the state’s tax increment financing (TIF) program. This change removes a significant barrier for financing the IDEA Commons project. We also supported this bill.

The legislature also passed an “omnibus” bill that includes multiple provisions related to higher education. The final version of the bill represents a compromise that benefits stakeholders at all levels throughout the state. Missouri State supported this bill.

Provisions include:

  • Language identical to the degree bill referenced above.
  • Changes to the Higher Education Student Funding Act that establish different tuition caps in years when state funding decreases.
  • Clarification that the state’s procurement protocols do not apply to public universities.
  • A Civics Achievement Exam graduation requirement.
  • A requirement that unaccredited institutions of higher education disclose their lack of accreditation to prospective students.
  • A requirement that universities publish a report relating to mental health services on campus.

Governor Parson takes over

After the legislative session ended, Governor Greitens signed 77 of the bills passed by the legislature. The degree bill and the state TIF bill were among those he signed. The higher education “omnibus” bill has not yet been signed or vetoed.

After signing bills, Governor Greitens resigned and Governor Parson immediately assumed office.

I had a very positive meeting with Governor Parson on Thursday. We discussed the important work we do at Missouri State. I advocated that he evaluate the possibility for releasing withheld funds in fiscal year 2018, sign the budget for fiscal year 2019, fund the budgeted appropriations for Missouri State University, and sign the higher education “omnibus” bill. Governor Parson indicated his strong support for Missouri State University, and he offered to continue to work collaboratively with us moving forward.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

 

Clif’s Notes for May 22, 2018

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The Board of Governors met last week. I want to take a moment to share highlights from their meetings.

The board approved new inductees to the Wall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Greg Burris, Ben Fuqua, Susan Hom, Mary Kennedy, Chyrel Love Miller and James Pettijohn. You can find more information about this year’s inductees in the full news release. Inductees will have their plaques added to the wall outside of the Plaster Student Union Ballroom during a formal ceremony at 4 p.m. on Oct. 19 in conjunction with Homecoming.

New policies

The board approved a new governing policy that deals with fraud. The policy sets forth guidelines for reporting suspicious activity and the protocols that will be followed to investigate and discipline fraudulent or dishonest behavior. The new policy makes it clear that all members of the university must report suspected fraud to management or through the Ethics Hotline, and management must immediately notify the department of internal audit and compliance. You can find the full policy in the policy library.

The board also approved a new governing policy that deals with the university’s operating funds cash reserves. This policy memorializes the university’s philosophy regarding the creation, utilization and prioritization of cash reserves. You can also find this policy in the policy library.

Housing improvements

The board approved bond closing documents for the renovation of Woods House. These bonds will be paid with auxiliary funds. No operational funds will be used to pay the bonds. The Woods House renovation will be completed before the fall semester.

The board also approved an agreement to purchase a new residence hall to be built by Bryan Student Housing, LLC, a business owned by Bryan Magers. Under the agreement, Bryan Student Housing LLC will construct a residence hall on property it owns at 630 E. Madison. The hall will be a multi-story building including 402 beds, 279 indoor parking spaces, space for a dining hall and space for retail.

Upon completion, the university will purchase the residence hall for $24 million. The project will be completed before the fall 2020 semester. After months of analysis and negotiations, the university determined that this public-private partnership was the most cost-efficient way to develop high-quality residential space for students on campus.

Thanks to campus leaders

The board discussed alumni initiatives and had an important discussion in closed session about a risk assessment prepared by our external cybersecurity consultant.

The board approved the appointment of Shirley Lawler as Chancellor of the West Plains campus, and Drew Bennett gave his final report to the board as chancellor. The board also approved resolutions commending Cynthia MacGregor, Robert Moore, Brandon McCoy and Caitlin Schaefer for their service over the past year as leaders in Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government Association.

I will join in the board’s chorus and congratulate our outgoing student, faculty and staff leadership teams for a successful year. Our university is better because of your work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 15, 2018

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This is the last week of the state legislative session. We had two legislative priorities this year.

Our first priority was to advocate for funding from the state. In January, Governor Greitens announced his budget recommendations. Those recommendations reduced Missouri State’s operating appropriation by $6.5 million.

Immediately, we began to advocate for the legislature to restore that cut. I am pleased to report that these efforts were successful.

Last week the legislature passed a budget that restores the reduction proposed by the governor. Our line item funding for the collaborative mechanical engineering program was also partially restored and rolled into our core operating appropriation.

We also advocated for the legislature to fund a one-time matching appropriation to build a facility on the university’s Bull Shoals Field Station. Last week the legislature also passed a capital bill that included a $1.1 million appropriation for that project.

I want to say a big thank you to our local legislators on budget and appropriations committees. Special thanks to Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, Rep. Lyle Rowland, Sen. David Sater and Sen. Mike Cunningham who advocated on these committees for funding for Missouri State.

Paving the way for our academic future

Our second priority was to advocate that our statutory degree restrictions be modified.

As you’ll recall, statutes have historically limited Missouri State’s ability to develop graduate and professional degree programs. We have worked very hard over the last three years to get these statutory restrictions modified.

This year the legislature passed a bill that allows Missouri State significantly more flexibility to offer doctorate and professional degree programs. The bill eliminates the statutory prohibitions and replaces them with a statewide framework. That framework creates a pathway for Missouri State to offer practice-based doctorate programs like doctorates in education, business and health fields.

This bill will pave the way for Missouri State’s academic future. Special thanks to Rep. Todd Richardson, Rep. Kevin Austin, Rep. Steve Cookson, Sen. Jay Wasson and Sen. Gary Romine who demonstrated extraordinary leadership on this important issue.

Bills await governor’s approval

The budget bills and the degree bill will be delivered to the governor for signature or veto in the next several weeks. In addition to his veto power, the governor can withhold appropriations at any time during the fiscal year, so the state budget situation remains uncertain. We will remain engaged with the governor’s office to advocate that he sign the bills and release all appropriated funds.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 8, 2018

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In less than two weeks we will celebrate graduation, the academic year will be over and we will usher in a summer full of events and activities on campus.

Prepare for a night under the tent

Starting on June 13, we will continue our Tent Theatre tradition with three outstanding productions:

  • “Cry-Baby” (June 13 – 16, 18 – 23) – In 1950s Baltimore, the conservative squares face off against the leather-clad delinquents in this rockabilly musical.
  • “Peter and the Starcatcher” (June 28 – July 3, 5 – 6) – The Tony-winning play, based on the best-selling novels, upends the century old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.
  • “The Drowsy Chaperone” (July 11 – 14, 16 – 21) – When a die-hard theater fan plays his favorite cast album, the characters come to life in this hilarious musical farce.

Staff appreciation night at Tent Theatre is on June 12. All tickets are already reserved for this MSU staff-only free performance of “Cry-Baby.” Email BarbaraJones@missouristate.edu if you’d like to have your name added to the waitlist.

You can buy single or season tickets for Tent Theatre online or at box offices in JQH Arena or Craig Hall.

Reserve tickets now for spectacular summer shows

We also have a number of outstanding performances in JQH Arena and Hammons Hall this summer.

“Phantom of the Opera” will be at Hammons Hall May 23 – June 3. The plot revolves around a singer who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius. “Phantom” is the longest-running show in Broadway history and has received numerous awards and accolades. If you’ve never seen “Phantom of the Opera,” you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

Concerts on campus this summer will include a June 29 performance at JQH Arena by Tim McGraw and a July 15 performance by Alison Krauss at Hammons Hall.

You can purchase tickets for these and other shows at the Missouri State TIX webpage.

Summer camps fill campus

We will also host students of all ages at our wide array of summer camps and conferences, including:

Engaging the alumni community

We will host several alumni events during the weekend of June 22 – 23.

That Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday we will host the MarooNation Volunteer Engagement Forum. The forum is directed toward alumni groups, but other members of the Missouri State community will undoubtedly find the event beneficial as well. If you have a passion for Missouri State and would like to volunteer your time and talents to benefit future generations of Bears, check out details about the Volunteer Engagement Forum on the Alumni Association webpage.

Following the forum, at 6 p.m. on June 23, we will host the Bears of Distinction Dinner and Awards Ceremony to recognize the distinguished alumni and former faculty and staff who promote the public affairs mission. You can find more information about the Bears of Distinction Awards on the Alumni Association’s webpage. Call the Alumni Association at 417-836-5654 to purchase tickets.

Take yourself out to the ball game

Before we head into summer, don’t miss your last chance to see the Bears baseball team play at Hammons Field. The Bears will take on the Southern Illinois Salukis this weekend. Games are scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!