Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 11, 2020

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In lieu of our traditional all-faculty luncheon, Dr. Frank Einhellig, Dr. Cameron Wickham and I will host an all-faculty Welcome Back Webinar at 11 a.m. this Thursday (Aug. 13).

Wes Pratt, Dr. Lyle Foster and Dr. Judith Martinez will discuss the challenges facing our university, our community and our country regarding racial equity, police brutality and social justice. Dr. Einhellig and I will also provide important updates and information about university policies and best practices as we start the academic year in a complicated environment.

Board approves masking policy

The Board of Governors met last week. It discussed masking on campus and adopted a masking policy for the fall semester. Under this policy:

  • Masking will be required in all buildings on campus except while eating in a dining hall, while inside residential rooms or apartments, and while exercising at indoor exercise facilities.
  • Employees are not required to wear masks in their own private offices.
  • Exceptions may be granted by the provost for classes where masking is infeasible.

This decision was supported by faculty, staff and students at last week’s town hall meetings. When polled, faculty and staff chose this option with 85% of the vote and students chose this option with 72% of the vote.

Expansive COVID-19 online resources available now

I also provided the board with an overview of our isolation, quarantine and contact tracing plans for the fall semester and our new COVID-19 Information Center website.

We have established a COVID-19 Response Team and staffed it with healthcare and public health professionals. When a student, faculty or staff member tests positive or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, the team will advise them on how to isolate or quarantine, trace their contacts and inform others who may have been in close contact that they must also quarantine.

The COVID-19 Response Team will also answer questions members of the university community have about whether they should quarantine, whether they should be tested for COVID-19 and similar topics.

We have also redesigned our COVID-19 website into a functional information center and added substantially more information to it. It focuses on providing information members of the campus community need as they encounter pandemic-related situations throughout the semester.

Our new Return to Campus Guide is also part of the new website. The guide has been updated to include significantly more detail than the version published earlier this summer. It includes information like:

  • What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • What to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
  • What to do if you have been told to quarantine or have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
  • When can you return to campus if you tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

The website also includes Frequently Asked Questions that flesh out the information in the Return to Campus Guide. It includes answers to questions about situations we expect to play out multiple times throughout the semester.

I encourage you to take some time to review the COVID-19 Information Center, the Return to Campus Guide and the Frequently Asked Questions. Feel free to refer students and others to these resources as the fall semester starts and we return to campus.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for July 21, 2020

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Last week the City of Springfield passed an ordinance requiring face coverings to be worn in areas that are open to the public. Several exemptions are included in the ordinance. One such exemption carves out universities.

Even though we are not required to comply with this law, I think it is important that our policies are consistent with the spirit of the ordinance. It is also important that our policy is enforceable and protects the health and safety of our faculty and staff.

With all of these considerations in mind, we have developed a draft mask policy. The draft policy will go into effect immediately on my directive, and I will present it to the Board of Governors for approval at their retreat in August. I encourage all of you to review the policy at your convenience and send me your feedback.

This policy requires masks to be worn throughout all academic buildings and in academic spaces in non-academic buildings. We added Meyer Library to the list of academic spaces based on your feedback.

The policy allows faculty and staff to determine whether to require masks in their private offices, and it allows campus offices not located in academic buildings to determine whether to require masks. I anticipate most will require masks be worn.

For example, Plaster Student Union is not an academic building, so the policy does not require masks to be worn throughout the PSU. However, the dean of students office — which is located in the PSU — has decided to require masks. This is a perfectly appropriate decision under the draft policy.

I encourage all campus offices in non-academic buildings to determine as soon as possible whether to require masks.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for June 30, 2020

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I presented the university’s report on the 2019-20 Action Plan at the board meeting earlier this month. I would encourage each of you to take a moment to review the report and the slides from my presentation.

Report on work during the pandemic

The report begins with a thorough summary of our work related to COVID-19.

Everyone at the university played a critical role in delivering classes to students and keeping the university operational during this difficult time. Because of your work, Missouri State University will emerge from this situation stronger than ever.

Enrollment concerns

We also undertook an extraordinary amount of work to address enrollment concerns. The university:

  • Rolled out a dual credit scholarship program.
  • Executed scholarship agreements with all Boys and Girls Clubs in the state.
  • Redesigned existing scholarship programs.
  • Streamlined transfer articulations with community colleges.
  • Executed 3+1 agreements with international partners.
  • Waived the application fee.
  • Joined the Common App.

These initiatives will have an impact on fall 2020 enrollment.

Unfortunately, the pandemic will also have an impact, so we will probably still have an enrollment decline.

I recently learned that FAFSA filings have declined by 12% in the state of Missouri. Our enrollment indicators predict a decline much lower than 12%.

Headcount and credit hour enrollment for the summer are up, and I believe this is due to the work we have done. We must all continue to work hard to build enrollment through the beginning of the fall semester.

Positive change

Other highlights for the year include:

  • Delivered the most degrees and certificates ever in the history of the university.
  • Increased our percentage of underrepresented faculty and staff to 15%.
  • Created 17 new online degree and certificate programs.
  • Obtained CBHE approval for the Doctorate in Defense and Strategic Studies program (awaiting HLC approval).
  • Established the Center for Academic Success and Transition and the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center.
  • The MSU Foundation raised the most funds ever in its history.
  • Received the most funds through grants and sponsored contracts ever in the university’s history.
  • Partnered with the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) to move their headquarters to Springfield.
  • Historic winning seasons in women’s basketball and men’s soccer.

These are just a few examples of the many accomplishments the university experienced this year.

This was a difficult year for all of us. But through the process of creating the report and presenting it to the board, I was reminded once again that it is a privilege to be a part of this community.

Together, our team of dedicated faculty and staff continues the university on its upward trajectory.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 26, 2020

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The Missouri legislative session ended earlier this month.

We advocated on many issues in the concluding weeks of the session. We worked on legislation that would have limited the Board of Governors’ ability to regulate the possession of firearms on campus.

We also worked on legislation that would have increased reporting requirements for universities, legislation designed to regulate academic credit for students who take advanced placement exams and numerous other bills.

None of this legislation — or any other legislation that would have substantially impacted our operations at Missouri State University — passed this year.

Thanks to our state legislators

Our team also advocated for Missouri State in the state budget.

The legislature passed a budget that holds core funding flat for all public universities. A portion of this funding is contingent on the federal government extending a Medicaid stimulus program. We will remain engaged with our federal leaders on this issue.

Passing a budget that includes flat funding for universities in the current economic environment was not an easy task. I want to say a special thanks to Sens. Dan Hegeman and Lincoln Hough, Reps. Elijah Haahr, Curtis Trent and Cody Smith, and our entire legislative delegation for supporting Missouri State in this difficult budget year.

State budget witholdings

The budget now moves to Gov. Mike Parson for his signature or veto.

You will recall that Parson announced a $7.6 million withhold for Missouri State in April. Additional withholds will likely occur before this fiscal year ends on June 30.

Parson has indicated the budget passed by the legislature for next fiscal year includes hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that the state will not likely receive. We anticipate additional withholds being announced for next fiscal year to close this gap. Those withholds could occur as early as July.

We remain engaged with the governor and his staff to advocate that withholds be spread throughout state government and not disproportionately impact higher education.

Outlook of FY2021 budget

Despite uncertainty in state funding and enrollment, we must establish the university’s budget for next fiscal year.

The Board of Governors discussed the FY2021 budget at their meetings earlier this month.

The board approved a CPI increase of 2.3% in tuition and fees for the 2020-21 academic year. This increase, along with the tuition and fees waived last year, will generate $4.6 million in new revenue.

We also have $3.2 million in revenue carried forward from last year’s appropriation increase. Through $2.9 million in spending reductions that have already been implemented, we have more than offset our unavoidable expense increases for next fiscal year.

However, enrollment declines will have a dramatic impact on our budget. Before the pandemic, we anticipated a decline of 834 students due to the second year of large graduating classes. This decline alone will result in $5.9 million in reduced revenue, plus an additional $1.3 million in reduced auxiliary support.

We took several steps earlier this year to counteract this enrollment decline. We waived the application fee, joined the Common App, and implemented a series of recruitment and retention strategies.

Enrollment indicators showed that these strategies were working before the pandemic hit and the environment shifted. These same indicators have now become mixed, pointing to an anticipated enrollment decline that will likely exceed the projected 834 student drop.

This enrollment uncertainty, along with the likelihood of a state funding withhold, means we must further reduce expenses for the FY2021 budget.

Principles for FY2021 budget

The board approved principles that we will follow when developing the FY2021 budget.

Under these principles, we will utilize the following factors when evaluating all FY2021 cost savings options:

  1. Potential to generate substantial savings
  2. Impact on the university’s mission. Mission considerations include:
    • Academic quality and accreditation
    • Enrollment
    • Affordability
    • Student success
    • Student experience
    • Inclusive excellence
    • Public profile
  3. Impact on employees and workforce morale
  4. Impact on university risk and compliance
  5. Impact on university’s ability to generate revenue
  6. Improve efficiency and processes

The FY2021 budget will also include strategic investments to support revenue and the university’s mission. The overall need to generate substantial savings will be considered when evaluating all strategic investment options.

As always, we will use a transparent process that seeks input from stakeholders when developing this year’s budget.

Virtual Town Hall

Last week we held a Virtual Town Hall meeting to seek input from faculty and staff on the budget and other matters. If you missed the meeting, you can view the recording of the meeting on the town hall webpage.

Please send any input or questions about the FY2021 budget or any other matter to me at president@missouristate.edu.

Cost savings

At the board meeting and the town hall, we presented a budget scenario that we plan to modify and build upon in the coming weeks.

This scenario includes $10.2 million in new cost saving measures that will be incorporated in the FY2021 budget that I will present to the board in June.

These measures include:

  • Freezing 68 open positions (see my prior Clif’s Notes for details)
  • Eliminating internet incentives payments for faculty
  • Delaying the opening of the new residence hall
  • Reducing the operating budget allocation for facility repairs and classroom upgrades

We have additional cost saving measures that could be implemented after the board approves the budget. We would implement these measures only as necessary depending on the extent of our revenue decline.

These measures include:

  • Further reducing the operating budget allocation for facility repairs and classroom upgrades
  • Reducing operating budget allocations for academic equipment and the president’s enhancement fund
  • Reducing travel budgets
  • Spending $4 million in university reserves

Through these supplemental measures, we believe we can reduce expenses by an additional $6.5 million.

If our revenue declines by more than $16.7 million, we will then be forced to evaluate options for employee furloughs and/or layoffs.

Recognizing good work by faculty, staff, students

The board also discussed the university’s response to the coronavirus and our efforts to reopen the campus.

The board approved inductees into the university’s Wall of Fame. They will be inducted at a ceremony in October. This year’s inductees are:

  • Michael Carlie, professor of criminology
  • Dean Karen Horny, dean of libraries
  • Paul Kincaid, chief of staff
  • Marcia Morriset, assistant director of the Honors College
  • Howard Orms, professor of theatre and dance
  • Judi Smith, director, development and alumni

The board also offered commendations to outgoing leaders of SGA, Faculty Senate and Staff Senate. Leaders receiving commendations include:

  • Saibal Mitra, chair of Faculty Senate
  • A’dja Jones, chair of Staff Senate
  • Abdillahi Dirie, president of SGA
  • Ethan Schroeder, vice president of SGA

I want to say a special thanks to each of you. Our university is better because of your service, and I will miss working with you.

The board also approved action items related to campus facilities, including:

  • Documents necessary to close financing on the JVIC expansion project
  • An amendment to allow the university to delay receiving the new residence hall until next summer
  • A facilities use agreement to facilitate the national headquarters for the Student African American Brotherhood relocating to our campus
  • Wyrick fund expenditures approved by a student vote to combine the Multicultural Resource Center and the MRC Annex into one facility on the first floor of Plaster Student Union

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 12, 2020

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In March the university implemented a temporary hiring freeze policy and a temporary work and compensation policy. I want to update you on decisions we have made regarding these policies.

Details on the hiring freeze

We have a total of 99 open positions funded from the operating budget that were temporarily frozen.

Some of these positions are critical to the university’s operations and must be filled. Others must remain vacant to free up resources as we budget for the financial impact of the coronavirus.

Last week I authorized cost center heads to fill 15 positions immediately. With respect to the remaining positions:

  • 16 positions will continue to be frozen through June 30, 2020. At that time, we will evaluate the university’s financial situation and determine whether to fill these positions for FY2021. The annual salary and fringe benefits for these positions total $800,000.
  • 68 positions will continue to be frozen through at least June 30, 2021. The annual salary and fringe benefits for these positions total $4.9 million.

Our leadership team will discuss the hiring freeze with the Board of Governors on May 14-15. A decision will be made thereafter whether to lift or extend the hiring freeze for vacated positions going forward.

Extending the work and compensation policy

Last week I approved changes to the temporary work and compensation policy. These changes will allow supervisors to gradually return employees to campus during the summer as I discussed in last week’s Clif’s Notes.

The policy has been extended through July 31. This allows supervisors to determine when particular employees should return to campus.

This also means individuals on 2/3 pay may stay in that category through July 31, or for as long as they remain assigned to this category.

Mark your calendar for Virtual Town Hall

At 10:30 a.m. May 20, we will host a Virtual Town Hall meeting. You can find information about how to participate online. Please come prepared to ask questions you have about the hiring freeze, the temporary work and compensation policy, or any other matter.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!