Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for May 23, 2023

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The legislative session ended on a quiet note on May 12. As highlighted in my May 9 note, Missouri State University did very well regarding the final budget.  Again, we’re grateful to our supporters in the House and Senate.

This General Assembly passed a record low number of bills. None of them were related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The House added DEI language to the operating budget bills. This language was stripped as the budget worked through the Senate and failed to be re-introduced during the budget conference process between the House and Senate.

Sixty-four pieces of legislation were passed during this session; 19 were budget bills and five were concurrent resolutions that do not have the force of law like a bill.

Of the remaining 40 pieces of legislation, 33 were Senate bills (meaning they originated in the Senate) and seven were House bills.

An early priority established by Gov. Parson and the General Assembly was to address certain transgender issues. The General Assembly passed SB 39 banning gender transition treatments and surgeries on minors and SB 49 prohibiting students from participating in athletic contests using a sex other than the sex stated on their birth certificate.

The General Assembly did not pass legislation addressing many topics like critical race theory, DEI policies and practices, or environmental/social/governance policies and practices in investment and procurement. We expect these issues to reappear next year accompanied by a more cohesive effort to get them passed.

A review of DEI-related initiatives

As I noted a few weeks ago, we have more employees and students of color now than we did when I began as president of MSU.

More importantly, our programming, facilities, climate and culture are better as we work to close achievement gaps for student groups who have historically graduated at lower percentages than the student body as a whole. We’re also working to become an employer of choice for all.

Sometimes we’ve classified the initiatives that have helped us achieve progress in this area under the “diversity, equity and inclusion” umbrella even though they benefited people of all backgrounds. The Bear Bridge mentoring program is a good example of that.

We have the opportunity over the next few months to review these many, many initiatives to ensure they:

  • Support all our students in a way that continues to help us close the achievement gap.
  • Make us attractive to future faculty and staff.

We’ve already determined very few of our support offerings and programs are exclusive to a particular group of students. Those that are will be modified to be more inclusive.

To be clear, this process will not impact academic programs that focus on diverse topics.  Whether African American Studies or European History, these courses provide our students with the opportunity to become well-rounded citizens.

As we maneuver through this challenging landscape in the coming months, our goal will be to provide a welcoming learning climate where all students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to be successful.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for May 16, 2023

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It has been just over a year since I announced we would begin a two-year transformation plan to ensure we are meeting modern post-secondary needs. The Board of Governors supported the approach and it includes all areas of the university.

Over the next few months, I’ll provide more information about many areas of the plan. Today, I’ll focus on the academic realignment plan, which was a primary topic of our Town Hall last Friday.

You can read the complete details on the academic realignment plan website as I reference portions below. My intent here is to convey my excitement on a few of the outcomes and changes that will collectively shape the academic transformation.

Key highlights

Darr College of Agriculture (DCOAG)

Darr is focused on enhancing its statewide prominence and I’m excited by the vision from Hospitality Leadership and its move to Darr as we go from farm to fork in addressing food, forage and natural resources. The two new schools offer a laser focus on the science and business/education sides of agriculture.

Departments will be combined into two schools within the college. Our build-out of the approximately $6 million Agricultural Innovation Hub projected for completion in 2025, comes at a perfect time for this college as it morphs in addressing 21st century needs. My thanks to Dr. Melissa Bledsoe for assuming the interim dean role and Dr. Chin-Feng Hwang for taking on the chancellorship of the Mountain Grove campus. I cannot wait to see the changes ahead.

Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH)

Last December, we announced that the colleges of Arts and Letters and Humanities and Public Affairs would be combined to create a new college. I’ve attended a few combined RCASH functions as of late and it’s quite clear the transition has been smooth and enhanced collaboration is blossoming.

The opportunities for us to be a destination campus for the arts, to continue elevating strong programs like criminology and criminal justice and defense and strategic studies, and to be a trendsetter in protecting and investing in the arts, social sciences and humanities make me proud of our realignment efforts in these areas. A special thanks to Dean Vic Matthews for his 39 year of service – our very best to you, Vic, in retirement!

College of Business (COB)

COB is our largest college and we’re the university of choice in the Midwest for business students – so why rest on our laurels? I love the focus on expanding and enhancing our portfolio by having Economics join what will soon be known as the department of finance, economics and risk management. Merchandising and Fashion Design will move to the department of technology and construction management.

The synergies of the programs are evident and investing in them is as well. To exemplify, our new $1 million specialized lab complex in Glass Hall includes a merchandising and fashion 3-D lab and is slated to open this fall. Further, we are beginning an $8 million addition and renovation of Kemper Hall with its completion projected in fall 2024.

College of Education (COE)

We are the state’s leader in producing educators. The two new schools serve to enhance our strengths in teacher education and developmental studies and complement the Greenwood Laboratory School and Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning – and the soon-to-be-opened Center on Rural Education.

I appreciate the focus on proactive engagement communities. Our 1905 founding was based on being a normal school and serving agricultural interests. Combined with the Darr College of Agriculture, the changes within the College of Education will serve to strengthen our birthright programs.

McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS)

I fully support the move to five schools in the college – including three new ones – and the elevated focus on multidisciplinary and integrated practices complete with immersive student experiences and community integration.

The new School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences – with Counseling’s move to MCHHS and joining Psychology and Social Work – puts another stamp on MSU being a destination campus while addressing one of society’s signature needs. The other four schools clearly address critical workforce needs. And the proposed interdisciplinary major in Esports targets an explosive field of growth.

College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS)

I’m thrilled to see the creation of an interdisciplinary major in tourism – the state’s second largest industry and a program that is relatively non-existent in higher education. The move to make Geology, Geography, Planning and Sustainability a new school is something I hope we continue to do across other areas and I’m pleased that student pathways across the university will be clarified to assist students.

Our focus on STEM is obvious with our $145 million investment in Blunt and Cheek halls. By the way, construction on Blunt Hall is slated to begin next week!

Some of these changes will occur this summer; others will occur over the next 14 months. My thanks to all areas involved as I know the transition impacts offices and workflows across the university.

John Jasinski and I talk a great deal about the continuous evolution of academic affairs. I fully expect to see ongoing changes throughout the enterprise moving forward – as continuous improvement within organizations is just that – continuous.

Other changes

Beyond the colleges, many other changes are taking place within academic affairs and it is evident the pace of change over the past 10 months has accelerated our transformational efforts.

The Chief Academic Strategy Officer will be Dr. Ken Brown and he begins his duties June 1, 2023. Three provost fellows are being introduced for fall 2023: research – Dr. Paul Durham, research compliance – Dr. Amy Hulme and curriculum and learning – Dr. Subha Basu Roy.

Executive Vice President Zora Mulligan, MCHHS dean Mark Smith and John J. listened and took in a great deal from our advising community. Key changes in advising include structure (ensuring all colleges have advising centers), system – (invoking an early alert system) and people (providing baseline market pay for advisors).

Zora and our enrollment team, along with all those throughout academic affairs and all of you have focused on enrollment, and our preliminary fall 2023 projections – shared at Friday’s Town Hall – look solid. More on enrollment in the coming months.

Vice President Brad Bodenhausen and John J. listened to our researchers and those who are part of our research support system. Investments in research include the provost fellows, funding an additional position in the Office of Research Administration and a move toward an eventual innovation fund.

We began a journey of exploring a new learning management system late last November and we’re taking a proposal to go with Brightspace/D2L to the Board of Governors this week. We’ve already heard from a great number of faculty who wish to be early adopters of changing from our current system to Brightspace/D2L in the coming months. Thank you!

Summary

Our team gathered broad input throughout the academic realignment process. There are many more changes I’ve not addressed here. But let me summarize my take on what we’ve done in a short time and where we’re headed.

In crafting academic affairs as MSU’s strategic enterprise, we’re reallocating and investing in academics. We’re focused on raising our academic profile. We have $1.8 million for future academic investment. We have savings/reinvestment opportunities at the college level to the tune of about $600k.

We’re proposing to the Board of Governors a cost-of-living increase, retention payment and centrally-funded position adjustments. We’re investing in provost fellows, research, advising and a data warehouse. I took John J.’s challenge to fund investments in active learning classrooms and facility improvements. Combined with matches from the provost and deans, we have up to $5 million for these improvements.

Folks, we did all this and avoided program eliminations and protected filled faculty lines and administrative assistant positions. We reduced administrators and administrative costs. To be sure, we have some more to do as we have several study groups lined up to solidify further changes.

Transformation plan introduced. Transformation plan in full force in a short amount of time. Boom! Let’s keep going!

I asked for transformation and academic affairs produced. I can’t wait for the continuous evolution as we collectively focus on student success. We’re well-positioned to take that next organizational leap as we fulfill our statewide mission of public affairs.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State. Wrap up strong and we’ll see you at our spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies!

Clif

Clif’s Notes for May 9, 2023

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While there were some who doubted they would meet the 6 p.m. May 5 deadline, the General Assembly completed its work on the FY2024 budget – with plenty of time to spare (about an hour). Next stop is the governor’s desk. Since most of the items in the completed budget were in the governor’s budget, we expect Gov. Mike Parson to sign the bill.

It’s a very positive budget for Missouri State University and all of Missouri higher education. I’m thankful for a governor who is pro higher education. It’s a part of his workforce agenda.

We also have a tremendous local coalition of Senate and House members – both Republican and Democrat – who not only work hard for Springfield, but also for higher education.

DEI update

Thankfully, the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) language that was attached by the House to most of the budget bills was eliminated by the Senate budget committee, which is chaired by our own Sen. Lincoln Hough.

He stood firm on principle and guided the committee through a challenging process. He did masterful work in guiding the FY24 budget through the Senate and to the governor’s desk.

The DEI language was not reinstated during the budget conference process between the Senate and House.

Budget highlights

Here are the final details of the budget as they apply to Missouri State:

  • A 7% core increase for all public colleges and universities.
  • An additional 2% core increase to be distributed to public universities through the performance funding formula under development.
  • A $2 million MoExcels grant for a construction education and training hub.
  • An additional $17.5 million for the Center for Transformational Education for Life, Physical and Health Sciences.
  • $75,000 for reimbursement of tuition reductions for veterans.

There’s one week left of the 2023 General Assembly. A lot can happen and very little can happen, depending on the dynamics. We’ll know more about DEI-related bills at the end of next week. I plan to cover that in the May 23 issue of Clif’s Notes.

Attend the Town Hall on May 12

A reminder there is a Town Hall scheduled from 1-3 p.m. May 12 to present the Academic and Enrollment Realignment outcomes. You can attend in person at the PSU Theatre or via Zoom. You can also review FAQs on the Academic Realignment website.

Enjoy President’s Extra Given Day

And finally, since July 4 falls on a Tuesday this year, I thought it would be a good idea to give everyone July 3 off, as well. It will officially be a President’s Extra Given Day. Enjoy the extra time. I appreciate everyone’s hard work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for May 2, 2023

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It’s May! That means commencement is just around the corner. It’s a big event for our graduating seniors. For the campus community, it’s a culmination of the work of literally thousands of people that’s been years in the making for each and every student.

Making an impact from the get-go

Informally, we may begin to imprint on students when friends or family bring them to campus for athletic events, musical events, Bearfest Village, Homecoming parades or even Halloween in the Halls.

They experience a lively campus that comes to life each season through the good work of grounds and maintenance crews. They may eat in the dining halls or visit the PSU. Maybe they attend a camp or an academic competition at MSU – we have so many offerings throughout the year.

Formally, it begins with admissions. The office begins reaching out to prospective students when they are sophomores in high school with postcard series about MSU. This continues through their senior year when after a lot of work, they apply, are admitted and then choose to attend Missouri State.

There are a variety of intentional “touches” that take place during the recruiting process as we encourage our prospective students to become a Bear – campus tours, visits with faculty, fall and spring showcase, to name a few.

Once they enroll and arrive at MSU, other members of campus step in to ensure the success of our students – faculty, advisors, the student success team, financial aid, res life, athletics, etc.

Then following years of work by the students and the campus “village,” they graduate. They become successful alumni and with hope, they become part of this process for the next generation of students.

Hats off to all of us

This is who we are and what we do.  At times, there are so many singular issues that consume our attention and energy that we may forget our stated mission, vision and values. I was reminded of them by one of our presenters at the Collaborative Diversity Conference last week.

We’ve had some challenging years, but we press on with a campus that focuses on innovation in academics and student support.

In about a week, we’ll issue a news release on the number of bachelors, masters, doctorate and specialist degrees that will be conferred, who will speak at each commencement ceremony and other important details.

But in the meantime, take a moment and pat yourself on the back. We expect to have 2,000-plus graduates and they are graduating because of their hard work and your hard work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for April 25, 2023

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Each year, many of our students spend time researching a topic of choice in their respective disciplines with a year-end goal to showcase their successful work.

We host three research events on campus that highlight our students’ research projects.

This year’s events, which are free and open to the public, take place later this week.

April 27

The 27th Annual McQueary College of Health and Human Services Student Research Symposium will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Grand Ballroom. This symposium is open to all graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in programs within MCHHS. The purpose of this symposium is to allow students to present scholarly projects they have been conducting during the past year.

April 28

Current College of Natural and Applied Sciences undergraduate students and December 2022 graduates will present posters for the CNAS Undergraduate Research Symposium. Viewing is open to campus and the public between 1:45-3:15 p.m. The awards ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Dr. Steven Senger, associate professor of mathematics.

30th Annual Frank Einhellig Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum

April 29

Missouri State prides itself on the extraordinary work of our graduate students, done with the mentorship of our faculty. Our dedicated students have been working on research and creative projects that push the boundaries of our knowledge.

The Frank Einhellig Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum (EIDF) is a celebration of graduate student achievements. We invite our campus and community to join us to offer encouragement and take part in the discussions our students have started.

  • Poster Presentations, 8-11:45 a.m., PSU Grand Ballroom.
  • Awards Ceremony, 12:15-1 p.m., PSU Theater.
  • May 6 at 10 a.m., EIDF Art Exhibitions – Springfield Art Museum. A brief awards ceremony will follow presentations.

Collaborative Diversity Conference

It’s not too late to register for the Collaborative Diversity Conference happening April 27-28 at the DoubleTree by Hilton on North Glenstone Avenue. This year’s theme is “Connecting Citizens and Fostering Community.”

You can register for the event on My Learning Connection (MLC) using your noncredit fee waiver or budget transfer. Go to the event calendar on MLC, select the April calendar and filter for “Collaborative Diversity Conference.” You’ll see the various registration/payment options that are available.

The event includes several engaging panels and is capped by the Inclusive Excellence Fund Gala on the evening of April 28. Dr. Amy Blansit, kinesiology faculty member and Drew Lewis Foundation founder and CEO, is the featured speaker at the gala.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif