Last week the Board of Governors met for its annual retreat.
SimpsonScarborough presented the results of the recently completed marketing survey to the board. These results highlight the importance of focusing our marketing efforts on the work we do to connect students with successful careers. We will work in the coming years to highlight more of the career-related success stories of our graduates.
I was assisted by Rob Hornberger and Kelly Wood for a presentation about the university’s recruitment and retention data. As you know, we’re anticipating having fewer enrolled students this fall. We have a lot of work to do to address that issue and ensure enrollment improves for fall 2020.
The board then discussed the Action Plan for 2019-20. Recruitment and retention will be our focus for this plan. We will finalize the plan based on comments received from the board and distribute it to the campus community through Clif’s Notes after the fall semester has started.
The board received a year-end report from the office of research. In fiscal year 2019, the university received more than $32 million in grants and sponsored contracts. This total shatters previous records and is a testament to the expertise and strong work ethic of our faculty.
The board also received a year-end report from the Missouri State Foundation. For the first time, the foundation received more than $20 million in private support for two years in a row. This support will provide a solid platform for our launch of the next comprehensive campaign.
The board also received updates on the website redesign, the IDEA Commons project and the foundation’s comprehensive campaign.
Moving the university forward
The board transacted regular business at the retreat.
The board approved a new agreement with the City of Springfield to provide law enforcement services on campus. The new contract will increase the number of officers on campus and provide a police presence on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The board approved several contracts including housing contracts for cohorts of international students, a new lease agreement with the West Plains Civic Center, contracts for electronic databases, book and shared materials for Meyer Library, a simulator purchase agreement for the School of Anesthesia, a lease agreement for theater and dance classroom space, depository services on the West Plains campus and a renewal with BKD for audit services.
The board also awarded a contract to renovate the auditorium in Meyer Library, approved a contract to develop a master plan for the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and approved an agreement for preventative parking lot maintenance.
Performance review
Finally, the board completed its annual review of my performance as president. I am happy to report that I received high scores in all categories.
The board gave me a raise, and I have already donated the entire raise to an endowed professorship in the Darr College of Agriculture.
As president, I am frequently given credit for the university’s accomplishments, but Missouri State University has become what it is today because of the hard work and commitment of prior and current faculty, staff, students and friends of the university.
Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!
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