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Clif’s Notes for Oct. 27, 2015

October 27, 2015 by Clif Smart

Ground breaking at Glass Hall

Clif's Notes

The Board of Governors met on the Friday before Homecoming. I wanted to take a moment to update you on the highlights from the Board meeting.

Board expands employee benefits, recognizes University supporters

At the Programs and Planning Committee meeting, the Board provided feedback on the draft mission, vision and values statements. If you have not had the opportunity to review these statements and provide your feedback, I would encourage you to do so. You can find these statements and a feedback form on the Long-Range Plan webpage.

During its regular meeting, the Board watched two excellent student presentations. The University’s award winning Ad Team presented at the beginning of the meeting. Four undergraduate students presented to the Board on their research at the end of the meeting. I received multiple comments from Board members about how impressed they were with the student presenters.

Board expands employee benefits

The Board approved a set of expanded benefits under the University’s health and dental plans. The University increased hospice care coverage from $2,000 to $10,000. The revised plan will also cover wigs resulting from medical treatment, breast pumps and related equipment, and hearing aids for newborns. The University also expanded dental coverage to certain adult dependent children of eligible employees (up to 26 years of age). You can find detailed information about these and other coverage on the employee benefits webpage.

The Board approved awards to two individuals for their support of Missouri State University.

Norm Shealy
Dr. Norm Shealy

Dr. Norm Shealy recognized with Bronze Bear Award

The University will recognize Dr. Norman Shealy with the Bronze Bear Award.

Dr. Shealy has been a longtime friend of the University. Dr. Shealy donated his 250 acre farm in Fair Grove, Missouri to the Foundation, and he established the Mary-Charlotte Bayles Shealy Chair in Conscientious Psychology in Missouri State’s department of psychology.

Mike Parson
Sen. Mike Parson

Board names first recipient of Government Excellence Award

The University will recognize Senator Mike Parson with the Government Excellence Award.

Senator Parson has demonstrated outstanding support for the University in the legislature since 2004. He spent multiple years championing a capital bonding package that resulted in a state appropriation of $18.9 million to Missouri State University to renovate Ellis, Hill and Missouri halls.

Dr. Shealy and Senator Parson will receive their awards at the University’s December commencement ceremonies.

18856_9480-Groundbreaking-Glass-Hall-700x394Contract approved for Glass Hall renovation, addition

The Board approved a contract with DeWitt & Associates for the renovation and addition to Glass Hall. We broke ground on the Glass Hall project on the Thursday before Homecoming, and we’re excited to see construction get underway. This project will provide our students with a significantly improved learning environment when it opens in the fall of 2017.

Finally, the Board voted to name the addition to Glass Hall the Robert Gourley Student Success Center in recognition of a significant gift commitment from Robert and Marlese Gourley.

Please join me in thanking the Gourleys for their investment in the future of our students.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: benefits, Board of Governors, bronze bear, facilities, government excellence, Smart

Clif’s Notes Vol. 4, No. 5

October 24, 2014 by Clif Smart

Overhead view of Plaster Stadium at game time

Clif's Notes

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I provide a recap of Homecoming activities, discuss a naming gift for the welcome center, summarize two actions by the Board of Governors, highlight updates made to the University’s tobacco policy, invite the campus community to attend this year’s Public Affairs Convocation and remind the campus community about the United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns.

Homecoming paradeHomecoming activities

Last week we welcomed the University’s alumni and friends to campus for Homecoming. The celebration started on Sunday and Monday with a series of campus decorating contests. On Tuesday, students showcased their singing and dancing talents at the annual Rockstar karaoke competition. On Wednesday, students celebrated Maroon and White Night with a chili cook-off and concert. On Thursday, the campus community cheered on the University’s fall athletes at the Yell-Like-Hell pep rally, followed by a headphone disco Homecoming dance. Student organizations participated in physical and academic challenges at Friday’s Field Day. That night the University presented awards of special recognition to six alumni and friends of the University at the Distinguished Bears Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

In conjunction with Homecoming festivities, several academic units held meetings with advisory committees, organized alumni events and honored scholarship recipients. The trustees for the Missouri State University Foundation also held their annual meeting.

Saturday brought the Homecoming parade, the Maroon and White Basketball Scrimmage and tailgating at BearFest Village. That afternoon, we cheered our Bears to victory in the Homecoming football game. Students, friends and alumni of Missouri State filled downtown Springfield that evening for Bears on the Square festivities.

We had a fantastic Homecoming week, and I want to thank everyone who helped make it so.

Unveiling of the welcome center signWelcome center naming gift

As you know, our new welcome center is under construction at the corner of National Avenue and Bear Boulevard. Last Thursday we announced that Warren and Anne Davis and Patrick and Kim Harrington have given significant contributions, making the construction of the welcome center possible. In recognition of their gift, the building will be named the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center. A special thanks to the Davis and Harrington families and all the other private supporters who made the new “front door” to our campus a reality.

New chair and vice chair of the Board of GovernorsBoard of Governors actions

The Board met on Friday, Oct. 17. I want to summarize two actions taken at the meeting:

  • First, the Board elected officers for 2015. They are Stephen Hoven (St. Louis) as chair and Peter Hofherr (St. James) as vice chair. I look forward to working closely with Governors Hoven and Hofherr in the coming year, and I want to thank Beverly Miller (Lebanon) for her continued service as chair in 2014.
  • Second, the Board voted to award the Bronze Bear to the Bill R. Foster family. The award is presented to those who have exhibited extraordinary achievement and/or outstanding support for Missouri State. The Foster family has been involved with Missouri State for three decades and has invested in the University with gifts supporting Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, Ozarks Public Television, JQH Arena, intercollegiate athletics programs and numerous academic scholarship funds. In 2011, the Missouri State University Foundation received a major charitable gift commitment from the Foster family in support of the University’s recreation center. I want to thank the Foster family for their support of the University and congratulate them for this well-deserved honor.

The Board also discussed the breadth and value of faculty research. This discussion involved presentations by three faculty members: Paul Durham, Michael F. Murray and David Mitchell. The Board received copies of the second edition of Mind’s Eye to facilitate the discussion.

Missouri State University tobacco-free campus signTobacco policy

To ensure a healthy learning and working environment by promoting a culture of health and wellness, the University became a tobacco-free campus two years ago. The University has updated the Tobacco Use Policy to address products and devices that have become popular more recently.

The new policy clarifies that “the use of devices or products that may be used to smoke or mimic smoking (including bongs, hookahs, vaporizers, etc.)” is prohibited on campus. If you would like more information about smoking cessation, please contact the Taylor Health and Wellness Center at 417-836-4064.

Eric Greitens' book, The Heart and the Fist Public Affairs Convocation

The Fall 2014 Convocation Lecture is 7 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. This year’s lecturer is Eric Greitens. Mr. Greitens is a former Navy SEAL, a Rhodes Scholar and the award-winning author of our common reader for this year, The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL. The lecture is free and open to the public, but it requires a ticket for entry. Tickets are available at the ticket offices of Hammons Hall, JQH Arena and Plaster Student Union.

Missouri State Way; United WayUnited Way and Missouri State Way campaigns

We only have three weeks until our celebration luncheon on Nov. 10. If you would like to participate in one or both of these campaigns, please remember to complete and submit the forms in the packets you received.

Conclusion

Homecoming brings thousands of people who have been affected by the University to campus. It is a reminder of our rich history. I look forward to working with you to continue this tradition of excellence. Thanks for all you do for Missouri State University.

Clif Smart

—Clif

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Telling the Missouri State story

Missouri State alumnus looking to dance his way to fame

Recent Missouri State University alumnus Darrell Hyche did not become serious about dance until his senior year of high school, but he is already starting to make a name for himself in the dance world.

“I had very little dance training before attending MSU,” said Hyche. “What initially started off as elective courses snowballed into a major, thanks to the guidance of the dance faculty.”

Hyche, who graduated in May 2013 with degrees in dance performance and psychology, was a member of Missouri State’s Inertia Dance Company, which promotes cultural literacy through performances and workshops; choreographed and participated in several Homecoming and Greek Jam performances for Phi Gamma Delta fraternity; and danced with the local step group Spazzed Out.

“Who I am as a dancer is largely due to the creative freedom I had and the encouragement and experience gained from the theatre and dance program,” he said.

Dance company featuring Darrell Hyche
Hyche is pictured on the far left with MADCO

Realizing his professional goals

Dance has grown from a hobby to a profession for Hyche. “My ultimate dream is to have a sustained and meaningful career in dance,” said Hyche. “Our time is short here so I just want to embrace each opportunity I’m given to continue to do what I love.”

Hyche is getting closer to making that dream come true, as he is one of the newest professional members of Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) in St. Louis, Mo. He works with choreographers to interpret and execute dances with speed and precision.

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Board of Governors, bronze bear, convocation, homecoming, missouri state way, public affairs, tobacco-free campus, united way, welcome center

Clif’s Notes Vol. 2, No. 3

October 31, 2012 by Clif Smart

The Monroe

Clif's Notes

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I review the significant actions coming out of the Board of Governors meeting last Friday (Oct. 26).

Faculty memberTwo percent mid-year raise approved

We recommended, and the Board approved, an amended budget for this year (Fiscal Year 2013). Since the withholding of state appropriations was less than expected (only one percent), our enrollment was strong and new health plan savings were identified (see next item below), approximately $4.7 million more is available than was originally anticipated when the budget was approved in June.

In making our recommendation, we were true to the three priorities the Board has identified for us:

  • Increasing compensation for our employees
  • Restoring the president’s contingency fund to respond to needs throughout the year
  • Providing additional funding for fund-raising activities

Guidelines

We plan to use about half of the $4.7 million to provide a 2 percent across-the-board salary increase for full-time employees. Here are the 10 guidelines that provide the foundation for the proposed mid-year salary increase:

  1. It will be effective Jan. 1, 2013, for staff, and Feb. 1, 2013, for faculty and staff on deferred pay.
  2. To qualify for the raise, you must have been in a full-time position prior to July 1, 2012 (current hire date).
  3. The raise will be 2 percent.
  4. An employee’s salary after the raise cannot exceed the maximum for the pay grade.
  5. The raise is only for full-time employees.
  6. All full-time employees with an appointment percentage between 75 percent and less than 100 percent will receive a 2 percent increase.
  7. The raise will only be on the base pay.
  8. Faculty who retire effective Feb. 1, 2013, will not receive the pay increase.
  9. Graduate assistants will receive a 2 percent stipend increase.
  10. The total current annual cost of the raise with benefits is $2,223,000 for Springfield and West Plains operating funds, $298,000 for auxiliaries and $242,000 for designated funds.

Other budget highlights

Other highlights of the amended budget include:

  • $500,000 — will be dedicated to fund ongoing academic programs, with emphasis on those that are growing in enrollment
  • $1,100,000 — since the raise is being implemented mid-year, there is about $1.1 million available this year (Fiscal Year 2013) for funding of one-time projects – guidelines for proposals for these funds will soon be distributed by the provost’s office for academic programs and president’s office for other programs
  • $872,405 — will help restore the president’s contingency fund, making the total about $1 million, compared to $2.4 million in fiscal year 2012
  • $100,000 — this will fully restore funding to the West Plains campus
  • $840,000 — replace one-time funds in the budget

I am very pleased that we are able to respond to the Board’s priorities and have a second consecutive year of salary increases for employees.

Clif Smart at Taylor Health and Wellness CenterHealth plan package components now complete

In August, the Board of Governors approved contracts for our third party administrator and our pharmacy plan. Last Friday, the Board completed the health plan package by approving both the dental plan and the medical plan. In total, we expect to realize about $2.67 million in annual savings through these four contracts. This is one of the reasons we were able to make the adjustment in the budget for this year (see first item).

The largest of these contracts, obviously, was for medical services. We had excellent, competitive bids from both the Mercy System and CoxHealth. In the end, the Mercy System proposal was determined to be best in our collective judgment.

As an added feature, the new contract goes into effect Nov. 1, which means we will realize two months of savings in this calendar year, too.

I want to thank Ken McClure, Steve Foucart, and members of their team who evaluated the proposals, did the due-diligence, and conducted the final negotiations. This was important, intense work that occurred over several months. They did excellent work on our behalf.

The MonroeUniversity purchases The Monroe

The Board approved the purchase of The Monroe apartment complex. The sale is expected to close by Dec. 31, 2012. I invite you to read more about the purchase in the news release we issued Friday.

This purchase contributes to the new entrance of campus, allows us to own a piece of property within the University footprint, and will provide an upscale apartment-style option for our students who want to live on campus. Students had been advocating for this type of housing for several years, and this is our first step in responding to this need. For all of these reasons, I am very pleased with this opportunity and decision.

The purchase will be completed using reserves from the auxiliary system. No general funds are involved in the purchase.

Journagan familyOther meeting highlights

The Board also took several other actions.

Bronze Bear

The Journagan Family will receive the 2012 Bronze Bear for their extraordinary contributions to Missouri State University. You can read more about it in this news release.

Orv Kimbrough and Bev MillerBoard officers for 2013

At the meeting, Orvin Kimbrough, executive vice president for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, was elected chair of the Board of Governors; and Beverly Miller, retired educator and now volunteer director of the Lebanon office of the American Red Cross, was elected vice chair. They will take office in January 2013. John McAlear and Steve Foucart will continue to serve as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Students at Homecoming

Conclusion

It was great to see many of you at Homecoming activities, including the dedication of the Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center and Michael T. Nietzel Plaza; the Wall of Fame induction; the Homecoming Awards Dinner; the Homecoming Parade; many reunion activities; BearFest Village; and the third straight win for our football team. Congratulations also to our volleyball team, which knocked off conference leader Northern Iowa on Saturday night. It was a great week for Missouri State University.

Thank you for all you continue to do for Missouri State University.

Clif Smart

–Clif

Telling the Missouri State story

Missouri State Way and United WaySince the mid-1990s, as part of the university-wide commitment to the public affairs mission, Missouri State has supported two community initiatives: blood drives and the United Way.

This year for the United Way, Missouri State employees committed a total of $104,753, exceeding last year’s total by more than $2,000. This increase was due, in part, to the number of individuals who committed to making leadership gifts of $1,000.

As you recall, this year the Community Foundation of the Ozarks provided $250 to anyone who would pledge $750 toward the leadership gift. (The Community Foundation of the Ozarks funds were not counted in the University’s total.)

I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank those who gave at the leadership level. They are below as they requested they be listed for their gift.

I also want to thank Tami Reed for her leadership of the United Way Campus Campaign this year. I want to offer my sincere thanks to Tami and to all who contributed to the United Way this year.

Bill Ackermann
Jim Baker
Charlene Berquist
Richard Biagioni
Stephanie Bryant
Ed and Lenetta Choate
Nancy Copeland
Kathy Coy
Ryan and Manndi DeBoef
Earle Doman
Janice Duncan
Steve and Peggy Foucart
Gloria Galanes
Penni Groves
Frank and Trude Einhellig
Brian Heaton
Karen Horny
Jay Huff
Tammy Jahnke
Paul and Janet Kincaid
Michael Kindle
Thomas Lane
Robert J Martin
Victor Matthews
John and Sally McAlear
Belinda McCarthy
Bernie McCarthy
Ken McClure
Theresa McCoy
June McHaney
Mary McManus
Kyle and Leeann Moats
James Moyer
David Muegge
Tami and Alan Reed
Don Simpson
Clif and Gail Smart
Bryon Stewart
Kent Thomas
Johnny Washington
Ying Zhang

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Financial Outlook, Smart Tagged With: bronze bear, budget, compensation, FY14, healthcare, journagan, Smart

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