Missouri State University

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Presidential Updates

  • Office of the President
  • Follow Clif on Twitter
Students walk alone on sidewalk among fall-colored trees.

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 14, 2021

Learn about how the recent Coordinating Board for Higher Education’s decisions will affect our operations.

December 14, 2021 by Clif Smart

Share this post:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Last week the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) met. I attended the meeting and advocated for Missouri State University on important issues impacting our operations.

Plan removes barriers

The board approved the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) strategic plan.

This plan will guide initiatives and priorities in Missouri for the next three to five years. It outlines a comprehensive plan for education, training, and the public workforce system to encourage economic growth and personal success among Missourians.

The plan lays out strategies for access, success and affordability of higher education. It highlights objectives designed to remove barriers to enrollment and employment, holistically support learners and workers, identify resources and create opportunities.

We have already communicated with MDHEWD staff about how we can partner on various initiatives set forth in the plan.

I would encourage all of our faculty and staff to review the strategic plan and email me any thoughts or ideas you have for ways we can do our part to propel the State of Missouri forward on the pathway laid out in the plan.

Review the strategic plan

Adding a new doctoral program

The board also unanimously approved MSU’s proposal for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program.

We have had a graduate program in occupational therapy since 2015. By approving our proposal, the coordinating board has authorized us to add a doctoral degree program to supplement our current master’s degree program in occupational therapy.

Mission change will speed up review processes

Finally, the coordinating board unanimously approved a change to MSU’s CBHE-approved mission description.

MDHEWD’s academic program approval process sorts program proposals based on a university’s mission description. Programs that fall within a university’s CBHE-approved mission description undergo a shorter, less intensive “routine review” process.

Programs that fall outside a university’s CBHE-approved mission description undergo a much longer, more onerous “comprehensive review” process.

MSU’s CBHE-approved mission description did not include professional doctorates. Rather, the mission description listed specific professional doctorates that MSU could offer. The result was that each time MSU offered a new professional doctoral program, it had to undergo a “comprehensive review” process, delaying the start of the program and creating a substantial administrative burden.

MSU requested that the CBHE change the university’s mission description to include professional doctorates generally. By approving this change, the CBHE has authorized MSU’s future professional doctorate programs to undergo a “routine review.” This will be a much quicker, less burdensome process.

This was a controversial decision that some higher education stakeholders in the state opposed. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Commissioner Zora Mulligan and the Coordinating Board of Higher Education in approving our proposal.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

  • About
  • Latest Posts

About Clif Smart

Clifton "Clif" M. Smart III has served as the 11th president of Missouri State University since June 27, 2011. Smart is known throughout campus and the state of Missouri for his collaborative leadership and strong relationships with students, faculty and staff. During his tenure, the university has continually set new enrollment records, added degree programs and constructed or extensively renovated more than a dozen major campus facilities.

Before his presidency, Smart served as the Missouri State University’s general counsel.

  • Clif’s Notes for May 24, 2022 - May 24, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for May 17, 2022 - May 17, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for May 10, 2022 - May 10, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for May 3, 2022 - May 3, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for April 26, 2022 - April 26, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for April 19, 2022 - April 19, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for April 12, 2022 - April 12, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for April 5, 2022 - April 5, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for March 29, 2022 - March 29, 2022
  • Clif’s Notes for March 22, 2022 - March 22, 2022

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: CBHE

Share this post:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Archives

Categories

Tags

accreditation action plan athletics audit benefits Board of Governors bronze bear budget CBHE Cofer commencement compensation Coronavirus diversity Einhellig enrollment Executive Budget Committee facilities funding FY12 FY13 FY14 fy15 goals governor HLC homecoming IDEA Commons legislative priorities long-range plan Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame open enrollment public affairs Public Affairs Conference safety salaries Smart staff awards State of the University Address students tuition united way Wall of Fame welcome weekend West Plains
Make your Missouri statementMake your Missouri statement
  • Last Modified: December 14, 2021
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
  • © 2013 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.