Last week Governor Mike Parson announced a series of spending restrictions due to the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on our state’s economy.
As part of these restrictions, the state will withhold $7.6 million of our state appropriation for this year. All public universities and community colleges received a proportionate withhold.
We anticipated a withhold, and we began planning for this contingency several weeks ago.
Steps we have taken to immediately reduce expenses include:
- Instituting a hiring freeze
- Eliminating some part-time staff
- Moving some full-time staff to 2/3 pay
- Halting non-essential campus projects
- Canceling events and travel
- Closing most campus buildings
We will work through additional options to address this revenue shortfall in the coming weeks. I will update you through Clif’s Notes as decisions are made.
Campus housing update
As you know, most of our on-campus students moved off campus and received a credit for a portion of their spring residence hall fees.
Over 200 students remain in our campus housing. We are working to consolidate these students to Hutchens House, Monroe Apartments and Sunvilla Apartments.
The remaining residence halls will store students’ belongings who haven’t been able to move out yet, house students in special circumstances, and potentially house healthcare workers pursuant to agreements with Mercy and CoxHealth.
Supporting international students
Many of our international students continue to reside on campus or elsewhere in Springfield.
We have taken several steps to support these students. We are supporting their commitment to social distancing by arranging food and other essential support services.
We have also established a virtual International Friends program to help these students feel less isolated and alone. My wife Gail has signed up for this program. Email Brenda Stewart if you would like to volunteer to connect virtually with an international student.
We have been in communication with several of our international partner universities and organizations, and they appreciate our efforts to go the extra mile to support our students.
Reaching our students
We have implemented several initiatives to support all of our students in their transition to distance learning.
We established a hotline to connect with students who are experiencing problems. We have also established a process to provide financial assistance for students with technology needs (internet access, etc.).
Additionally, we will have a team of staff calling admitted students to check in on them.
Supervisors can nominate staff to be part of this comprehensive calling campaign by completing an online form.
We are also charging ahead with important traditions like Fountain Day and rescheduling commencement for a later date (details to come).
Recharge over spring holiday
As you know, we will take a spring holiday this week. Classes will not meet on Thursday, and the university will be closed (i.e., staff will have an “extra given day”) on Friday.
I hope all of us can take this opportunity to reflect on how much we’ve accomplished over the past few weeks. Every member of our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly.
I am grateful for each one of you, and I am proud of the things we have accomplished together.
Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!
- Clif’s Notes for April 23, 2024 - April 23, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for April 16, 2024 - April 16, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for April 9, 2024 - April 9, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for April 2, 2024 - April 2, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 26, 2024 - March 26, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 19, 2024 - March 19, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for March 5, 2024 - March 5, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 27, 2024 - February 27, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 20, 2024 - February 20, 2024
- Clif’s Notes for Feb. 13, 2024 - February 13, 2024