Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Feb. 23, 2021

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The Board of Governors met last week.

The board approved a new tuition model. In-state undergraduate students currently pay tuition of $228 per credit hour for seated classes and $299 for online classes.

In 2021-22, in-state undergraduate students will pay a blended rate of $257 per credit hour for all classes. We anticipate this will result in no tuition increase for most students.

Missouri’s public universities have traditionally increased tuition each year by inflation. By approving the new tuition structure, we will break with that tradition and not increase tuition by CPI next year.

The change is revenue neutral. In 2020-21, in-state undergraduate students paid $87,630,000. Under the new model, students would have paid $87,605,000 — $25,000 less.

A large majority of students with which we interacted supported this change. It is fairer and allows students to better estimate the cost of their education. It allows the university to schedule classes, and students to decide which classes to take, without cost being a factor.

The new model also recognizes that the line between seated and online classes has blurred with many “seated” classes having a substantial online component.

CARES Act funds

The board also approved distributions of federal funds to students.

After all pending CARES Act allocations are received, the university will have $2.3 million of funds remaining from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established by the CARES Act. Given the compliance requirements for these funds, the board determined that the best use of the Springfield campus allocation of these funds is to refund a portion of online tuition paid by qualifying students on the Springfield campus in the fall 2020 semester.

The remainder of the West Plains campus allocation will be distributed as emergency financial grants to students on the West Plains campus.

We are still calculating the exact amount of the distributions, but we anticipate the online tuition refund will be between $25 and $28 per credit hour. These refunds will be automatically applied to students’ accounts.

The board also approved the first distribution of funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). The federal government has required that we distribute to students about $7.4 million of the funds we received under CRRSAA. The board approved the framework for our plan to distribute these funds as emergency financial aid grants with Pell students receiving a higher amount than other qualifying students.

We will finalize and communicate details about the CRRSAA student distributions in the coming weeks.

Refinancing approved

The board approved resolutions related to the university’s plans to refinance two sets of bonds that were originally used to finance JQH Arena, the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center, the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center, and to amend the bond issue for the purchase of Brick City Buildings 1, 3, 4 and 5. By refinancing these bonds, the university will save more than $4 million.

The board also approved an intent resolution to preserve the right to issue revenue bonds up to $25 million to finance the acquisition of the new residence hall.

Other board actions

The board approved the receipt of property (located at 326 N. Boonville) from the MSU Foundation, which will be used to house an art gallery for the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters. The board also approved the sale of property the university no longer needs located near the Bull Shoals Field Station in Taney County. The board also approved changes to the consulting contract for the Kampeter Hall project.

The board approved a new behavioral support assistant associate degree program in West Plains and an occupational therapy doctorate program in Springfield. The board also discussed the university’s new test optional scholarship package.

The board received two presentations about the university’s academic programs. In the Programs and Planning Committee, Rachel Heinz presented information about the Bear POWER program, and the board interacted with a panel of students enrolled in the program.

In the regular meeting, Dr. Nancy Gordon presented information about the university’s work in online education, and the board discussed emerging opportunities for new learning modalities. The board also interacted with a panel of four faculty members: Damon Basset, Natalie Curry, Dr. Seth Hoelscher and Dr. Margaret Weaver.

Finally, the board approved changes to its meeting schedule. These changes will allow us to have five socially distanced graduation ceremonies spread over two days in May.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 15, 2020

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The Board of Governors met last week. They approved the compensation increases and budget adjustments I discussed in my last two Clif’s Notes.

Tuition changes

I also presented a new tuition and fee model for discussion. Currently, the university charges in-state undergraduate students $228 for seated classes and $299 for online classes. The university has developed a plan to charge the same tuition rate for seated and online classes.

Charging one rate will be fairer and more transparent for students. It will eliminate financial impact on students when the decision is made for a particular class to be online. It also recognizes that the line between “online” and “seated” classes has blurred.

The plan I presented would change the tuition rate for all in-state undergraduate students to $250. Students taking at least one seated class would be charged fees that are consistent with the current fee schedule. Students taking only online courses would be charged a new fee that is substantially lower.

This proposal will have minimal impact on most students. Under the new model, the average in-state undergraduate student would pay $50 less than under the current tuition and fee model.

The proposal is also revenue neutral on tuition, meaning it would net the university the same tuition revenue as the current model. The new online student fee generates some additional revenue, but it recaptures only about half of the fee revenue that has been lost over the past two years as students gradually migrated to online classes.

The proposal would also preserve MSU’s cost advantage by continuing to price tuition and fees below MSU’s major competitors.

The board discussed and provided feedback on this proposed model. Those discussions will continue in the coming months. The board will vote on tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year in the spring.

SEM Plan

The board discussed and approved the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan. The plan includes four measurable goals in the following categories:

  • Outreach and recruitment.
  • Retention and student success.
  • Successful graduation and completion.
  • Financial preparedness.

The plan also includes strategies to attain each goal. The plan establishes a committee structure that will implement the plan throughout the coming months and years.

The board and our leadership team are pleased with the final SEM Plan and proud of the work we have done to chart our pathway forward on enrollment. I want to say a special thanks to the SEM Plan co-chairs Dr. Tammy Jahnke and Dr. Rob Hornberger, the SEM Steering Committee, and others who served on committees and otherwise engaged in the SEM Plan process.

Reviewing the budget

The board reviewed the FY2021 budget.

Due to Gov. Mike Parson’s release of withheld appropriations, cost saving measures that have been implemented and fall enrollment numbers exceeding projections, the Springfield operating fund is $5.5 million ahead of budget and the West Plains operating fund is $300,000 ahead of budget. These totals include more than $4.5 million in university reserves that were allocated when the board originally approved the FY2021 budget in June.

COVID-19 policy updates

I provided the board with an update on the impacts of COVID-19 on our campus.

As part of that update, I advised the board that we have eliminated the COVID-19 Work and Compensation Policy and updated five other temporary policies:

Board appointments

Finally, the board approved the executive committee, and Gov. Counts announced board committee appointments for 2021:

  • Govs. Counts, Silvey, Frazier and Waters will serve on the Executive Committee.
  • Gov. Waters will chair the Finance and Facilities Committee.
  • Gov. Parman will chair the Programs and Planning Committee.
  • Gov. Silvey will chair the Risk Management and Audit Committee.
  • Gov. Frazier will serve as the board representative to the MSU Foundation.

The end of the calendar year also marks the end of outgoing board member’s terms. The board recognized Govs. Gore, Keltner and Tergin for their service on the Board of Governors. I have enjoyed working with each of them, and they will be greatly missed when their replacements are appointed and confirmed.

Save the date

Before we leave for winter break I wanted to let you know about an upcoming event. At 3 p.m. Jan. 15 we will host a virtual town hall meeting to discuss our COVID-19 response, plans for the spring semester and other topics. We will distribute the Zoom link and other details in January.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 20, 2020

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The Board of Governors met last week.

At the Finance and Facilities Committee, the board reviewed financial statements from last fiscal year. The university had a $6.4 million decrease in its operating fund reserve on the Springfield campus and a $229,000 decrease in its operating fund reserve on the West Plains campus.

These decreases can primarily be attributed to withholds of our state operating appropriation. However, we were successful at decreasing our expenses to offset a portion of those revenue losses.

Financial review

I also updated the Finance and Facilities Committee on the current fiscal year.

As you know, our enrollment exceeded projections. For the Springfield campus, this resulted in $2.9 million in additional tuition and fees in the summer and fall.

Scholarship expenses were also $1.9 million less than budgeted, and the university saved $1.2 million in payroll and benefits through the hiring freeze.

Depending on the impact of COVID-19 on the spring semester, this additional revenue and expense savings may minimize the Springfield campus’s need to spend reserves to balance the FY21 budget as was initially anticipated.

Similarly, on the West Plains campus, additional tuition and fee revenue as well as scholarship and payroll savings will reduce the amount of reserves needed to balance the FY21 budget.

Parson releases appropriations

The board discussed Gov. Mike Parson’s recent decision to release $1.7 million of the university’s operating appropriation. I will reconvene the Executive Budget Committee in the coming weeks to discuss how to invest those funds in the university’s operations.

Parson also released $3.2 million for the Bright Flight program. This is half of the withheld funds for that scholarship program.

I personally met with Parson to advocate that the Bright Flight funds be released along with a portion of our operating appropriation. I am pleased those efforts paid off.

I hope you will join me in thanking Parson for supporting higher education, Missouri State University and our students during these difficult times.

Gourleys awarded Bronze Bear

The board voted to award the Bronze Bear to Robert and Marlese Gourley. Mr. Gourley is an alum of Missouri State University who worked his way through college and enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. Together the Gourleys started and owned a series of successful businesses in the Kansas City area.

For many years, the Gourley family has financially supported programs on the university’s West Plains and Mountain Grove campuses as well as scholarships and athletic programs on the Springfield campus. In 2015, the Gourley family made a significant gift to the MSU Foundation and the university named the 37,000 square foot addition to Glass Hall the Robert Gourley Student Success Center.

McClure selected for Government Excellence Award

The board also voted to award the Government Excellence Award to Mayor Charles Kenneth (“Ken”) McClure. McClure has tirelessly advocated for Missouri State University and the Springfield community throughout his career.

As mayor, he has provided an unprecedented level of leadership to protect our community during the coronavirus pandemic by establishing a mask mandate, facility occupancy and gathering restrictions, and other policies designed to mitigate spread of the virus. He also championed legislation to change the name of our university to Missouri State University during his time as chief of staff to Gov. Matt Blunt.

Recognizing dedication to public affairs

The board also approved a resolution acknowledging this year’s Excellence in Public Affairs Award recipients. This year’s faculty recipients include:

  • Dr. Kevin Evans
  • Dr. Lisa Hall
  • Dr. Elizabeth Sobel

This year’s staff recipients include:

  • Samantha Francka
  • Diana Garland
  • A’dja Jones

The award recognizes individuals with an established record of distinctive work and accomplishments in support of the university’s public affairs mission. Each awardee receives a $1,500 grant to be used for research, travel or projects related to their public affairs activities.

Other board updates

The board also received updates on key performance indicators and the long-range plan and strategic enrollment management plan processes.

Finally, the board elected officers for next calendar year. Beginning in January, the board will be chaired by Gov. Amy Counts, and Gov. Carol Silvey will serve as vice chair. I am excited to work with them as we continue to move the university forward.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

 

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!