Last week’s Board of Governors meetings covered a lot of ground. The conversations reflected where we are as a university and where we’re headed through our strategic plan, “Igniting Opportunity.”
The board received updates on our fiscal 2027 operating budget recommendations for the Springfield and West Plains campuses. The budget assumes flat state funding; a 5% tuition increase for both campuses; no across-the-board pay increase; more than $400,000 for faculty tenure-track promotions on the Springfield campus; $18,000 for faculty promotions on the West Plains campus; and increased MOSERS costs.
The university is financially sound and tracking well on both campuses. At the same time, we know it’s important to keep the campus community informed as we monitor the state budget and plan for the next several years. In the fall, we’ll provide updates through the State of the University address and an informational town hall. In the spring, we’ll host another informational town hall before spring break.
We reviewed CUPA salary comparison data to assess how faculty and staff salaries compare with peer benchmarks. After adjusting for cost of living, staff salaries are at 98.8% of the benchmark. Non-tenure track faculty salaries average 97% and tenure-track faculty salaries average 104.6%.
That information is important as we continue working to make Missouri State an institution of choice for students and employees. We know competitive compensation matters, and we’ll keep that front and center as we make budget decisions.
The board approved several key items, including revisions to the 2026-27 Springfield Campus Fee Schedule, parking lot maintenance on the Springfield campus and a new Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice program on the West Plains campus. The board also approved granting an honorary associate degree in criminal justice from the West Plains campus to Sgt. Lionel Anthony Daugherty.
The board heard updates on benchmark and aspirational peer groups, which will help us measure our progress against similar institutions and those achieving stronger. The Programs and Planning Committee also reviewed strategic plan updates for the William H. Darr College of Agriculture and the West Plains campus.
We spent time discussing implementation of “Igniting Opportunity.” The work is moving forward in all five goal areas: academic opportunity and innovation, community partnerships and economic development, institution of choice, student and alumni experience, and branding and identity. I want to thank the 22 strategy working groups for their leadership and steady progress.
The board also celebrated our people. We recognized the 2026-27 Excellence in Public Affairs Award recipients, approved four new Wall of Fame inductees and honored outgoing leaders from Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and the Student Government Association. These moments are significant because they reflect our mission and values in action.
Facilities remain an essential part of our progress. The board received updates on renovations in Carrington Hall, the football locker room in McDonald Arena and Drago Hall on the West Plains campus. These projects support our students, employees and programs while helping us build spaces that will serve Missouri State well into the future.
I’m grateful to the Board of Governors for their leadership and support. I’m grateful to our faculty, staff and students who keep moving Missouri State forward every day.
We have important work ahead, but we’re making real progress.
Thanks for checking in. It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff