Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 19, 2021

by

I have positive budget news to share.

In July, Gov. Mike Parson withheld $11.9 million of our state funding.

In October, Gov. Parson released $1.7 million. The board used this revenue to fund a $600 across-the-board pay increase for full-time faculty and staff hired on or before Nov. 30. The pay increase will begin this month for 12-month employees and in February for 9- and 10-month employees.

Earlier this month, Gov. Parson released the remaining $10.2 million of withheld state funds. When he released the funds, he directed that we spend $8.4 million on maintenance and repair projects.

I want to thank Gov. Parson for once again prioritizing higher education and Missouri State University when making decisions about which funds to release as the FY2021 state revenue situation came into focus.

Planning maintenance projects

The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors will meet later this week to discuss what projects to prioritize with the funds recently released by Gov. Parson.

I will recommend that the board invest $8.4 million in maintenance and repair facility projects as directed by Governor Parson and hold the remaining funds in reserves. These remaining funds — approximately $1.7 million — will then be available to allocate for FY2022, which will begin on July 1.

State FY2022 budget recommendations coming soon

These developments place us in a strong financial position as we begin to develop the university’s FY2022 budget. That budget process will begin soon.

We anticipate receiving Gov. Parson’s budget recommendations in late January. Our Executive Budget Committee will then meet in mid-February to begin assembling budget recommendations for the Board of Governors.

COVID-19 vaccination update

I also want to update you on our work regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

The State of Missouri authorized vaccination for people in Phase 1A a few weeks ago. This group includes healthcare and long-term care facilities.

Last week and earlier this week, the state authorized vaccination for everyone in Tiers 1 and 2 of Phase 1B. This includes people 65 and older, people with certain co-morbidities, first responders, emergency services and public health infrastructure.

Unfortunately, vaccination has not yet been authorized for higher education. In the meantime, I would encourage all members of our campus community who are in Phase 1A and Tiers 1 and 2 of Phase B to get vaccinated.

The state’s decision on who can be vaccinated is only one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is the state’s decision on how to physically distribute the vaccine. Vaccine supplies are very limited.

We learned last week that we will receive a small number of COVID-19 vaccines early this week. These vaccines will be available through Magers Health and Wellness Center for employees who are eligible to be vaccinated (currently meaning they meet the requirements of Phase 1A and Tiers 1 and 2 of Phase B).

Eligible employees will sign up for this vaccination through My Missouri State online, similar to how employees sign up to receive the flu vaccination.

The university continues to work to obtain additional vaccine. As we receive additional vaccine and as additional groups of employees become eligible to be vaccinated, we will let you know through Inside Missouri State and the vaccination webpage on the COVID-19 Information Center.

View the town hall recording

Thanks to all who attended the town hall meeting last Friday. For those unable to attend, a recording of the presentation is available online.

If you have questions about the subjects discussed at the town hall meeting or any other topic, feel free to email them to me at president@missouristate.edu.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 15, 2020

by

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 Dec. 8, 2020

by

Last week I told you about our plan to increase pay by $600 per year for full-time faculty and staff hired on or before Nov. 30, 2020. The increase will begin in January for 12-month employees and in February for 9- and 10-month employees.

Minimum wage increases

Today I want to let you know about another compensation increase.

Two years ago, Missouri voters approved a change to the minimum wage rate for private employers. Under this law the minimum wage will increase to $10.30 per hour in January 2021.

This law does not apply to public employers, such as Missouri State. Regardless, I am pleased to report that the university has decided to increase the minimum wage for all employees (including part-time and student employees) to $10.30 per hour effective Jan, 1, 2021.

Cost centers will reallocate up to $670,000 to fund this pay increase. While the law does not require the university to increase the minimum wage, our compensation for these employees must remain competitive with off-campus employment opportunities.

University leadership and the board are committed to making Missouri State a great place to work. We know that compensation plays a big role.

Thank you for giving

I also want to take a moment to recognize the contributions by our university community as part of the United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns.

Through these campaigns, the university community raised $86,636.08 for the United Way and $610,475.96 for the Missouri State University Foundation.

I want to personally thank each of you who participated in the United Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our employees who gave to the campaign at the Leadership Level.

  • Ms. Jodie Adams
  • Dr. James P. Baker
  • Dr. Charlene Berquist
  • Dr. Richard N. Biagioni
  • Biff Bird
  • Bradley Bodenhausen
  • Dr. Lanette Cadle
  • Dr. William Cheek
  • Jeff and Stacy Coiner
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Janice Duncan
  • Dr. Frank Einhellig
  • Steve and Peggy Foucart
  • Drs. Terrel and Julie Gallaway
  • Grant P. Jones
  • Arthur Hains
  • David A. Hall
  • Dr. John B. Harms
  • Brian D. and Christie Heaton
  • Karen Horny
  • Dr. Tammy Jahnke
  • Allen D. Kunkel
  • Drs. Gerald and Julie Masterson
  • Dr. Victor H. Matthews
  • Theresa A. McCoy
  • Natalie McNish
  • Dr. David and Gail Meinert
  • Dr. Michael Merrigan
  • Kyle and Leeann Moats
  • Matt and Tally Morris
  • Dr. James C. Moyer
  • Dr. David and Sarah Muegge
  • Dr. Sarah Nixon
  • Dr. Joye Norris
  • Thomas A. Peters
  • H. Wes Pratt
  • Dr. Barbara Susan Robinson
  • Scott Embretson
  • Jennifer Severson
  • M. Suzanne Shaw
  • Priscilla K. Skeeters
  • Clifton M. Smart III
  • Dr. Elizabeth Strong
  • Dr. Rebecca S. Swearingen
  • Robert Thurman
  • Paula Wilhelm

I also want to personally thank each of you who participated in the Missouri State Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our current employees who are members of the Founders Club.

  • Jodie Adams
  • Gib Adkins
  • Rickey Albaugh
  • Cynthia Aurentz
  • Dr. Jim Baker
  • Randy Bass
  • Samuel Bass
  • Dr. Tracy Beckham
  • Dr. Stephen C. Berkwitz
  • Dr. Charlene Berquist
  • Theresa Bettmann
  • Dr. Richard Biagioni
  • Dr. Tara Boehne
  • Dr. Eric Bosch
  • Dr. John Bourhis
  • Chuck Busby
  • Cindy Busby
  • Lisa Casey
  • Dr. John Catau
  • Dr. Bill Cheek
  • Dr. John F Chuchiak
  • Lisa Dewoody Clark
  • Angie Cockrum
  • Dr. Julie Combs
  • Dr. David Mark Cornelison
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Rachael Dockery
  • Dr. Toby Dogwiler
  • Dr. Janice Duncan
  • Brent Dunn
  • Dr. Frank Einhellig
  • Dr. Susan Essman
  • Lori Fan
  • Dr. Monika Feeney
  • Wendy Ferguson
  • Steve Foucart
  • Dr. Julie Gallaway
  • Dr. Terrel Gallaway
  • Dr. Douglas Gouzie
  • Dr. Brian Greene
  • Dr. Janice Greene
  • David Hall
  • Dr. Stephanie Hein
  • Dr. Jill Heyboer
  • Dr. Marcia Himes
  • Cynthia Howell
  • Michelle Hulett
  • Dr. Tammy Jahnke
  • Shellie Jones
  • Dr. Kurt Killion
  • Allen Kunkel
  • Dr. Cameron LaBarr
  • Dr. Dennis Lancaster
  • Jill Layman
  • Diane Leamy
  • Jon Leamy
  • Dr. Day Ligon
  • Dr. JE Llewellyn
  • Jill Martin
  • Robert Martin
  • Dr. Jerry Masterson
  • Dr. Julie Masterson
  • Dr. Victor Matthews
  • Dr. Dave Meinert
  • Dr. Carol Miller
  • Dr. Eric Morris
  • Matt Morris
  • Taleyna Morris
  • Dr. David Muegge
  • Dr. Eric Nelson
  • Tom Peters
  • Sophie Pierpoint
  • Angela Pinegar
  • Dr. John Prescott
  • Dr. Kathy Pulley
  • Dr. Gay Ann Ragan
  • Dr. Kent Ragan
  • Jason Ray
  • Deborah Rollinson
  • Dr. Philip Rothschild
  • Dr. Elizabeth Rozell
  • Christina Ryder
  • Dr. Alan Schick
  • Karl Schmidt
  • Dr. Kishor Shah
  • Suzanne Shaw
  • Dr. Dee Siscoe
  • Dr. Jeanie Skibiski
  • Clif Smart
  • Dr. Elizabeth Strong
  • Dr. John Strong
  • Dr. Becky Swearingen
  • Mark Templeton
  • Gary Ward
  • Rick Westphal
  • Dr. Dick Williams

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 1, 2020

by

Earlier this month the Board of Governors Executive Committee met.

The committee awarded the contract to construct the Springfield Public Schools Agricultural Magnet School at Darr Agricultural Center to Larry Snyder & Company. This is a $6.7 million project funded entirely by private donations.

The committee also approved $800,000 in purchases to upgrade the efactory and JVIC to meet public health emergency guidelines. These purchases are funded entirely with CARES Act funds allocated by Greene County and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

I also updated the board on the status of COVID-19 on our campus and our plans to finish this semester and start the spring semester without making changes to our academic calendar.

Cost-saving measures

I updated the board on the FY2021 budget.

The budget currently includes several cost-saving measures, including:

  • A 75% reduction in funding for facility repairs and classroom upgrades.
  • A 25% reduction in the President’s enhancement fund.
  • A 75% reduction in funding for academic equipment.
  • A 50% reduction in travel budgets.

These cuts are in addition to savings generated by the hiring freeze, eliminating the incentive payments for teaching online classes and delaying the completion of the new residence hall. Even with these reductions in place, we still planned to use $4 million of reserves to balance the FY2021 budget.

Thanks to all of your hard work, fall enrollment exceeded projections. Accordingly, it does not appear that we will need to use $4 million in reserves to balance the budget.

Additionally, Gov. Mike Parson released more than $1.5 million in state appropriations for the Springfield campus and more than $100,000 for the West Plains campus. Our leadership team worked with the Executive Budget Committee and the Board of Governors to develop a plan to revise the FY2021 budget and allocate these funds.

Pay increase

This plan includes a $600 per year across-the-board pay increase for full-time faculty and staff hired on or before Nov. 30, 2020. The increase will begin in January for 12-month employees and in February for 9- and 10-month employees.

The increase will be spread throughout the year the same way a percentage increase would be spread. For example, an employee in a 12-month exempt position paid once each month will receive an extra $50 (before taxes and withholdings) per month beginning with their paycheck at the end of January 2021.

The university typically implements across-the-board pay increases as a percentage of each employee’s salary. If we were to do that in this situation, we would have provided a 1% raise.

We decided to structure this increase differently because the financial impact of the pandemic and of forgoing raises in July disproportionately affected our lowest paid employees. Our lowest paid employees also benefit more from a $600 raise than a 1% raise.

Moreover, almost all of our employees who were placed on 2/3 pay during the spring and summer will benefit more from a $600 raise. We believe it is important to recognize their loyalty in returning to work after their temporary pay reductions.

The plan also funds adjustments to our salary ranges to match the calendar year 2019 employment cost index.

The remaining $700,000 will be allocated to temporarily restore a portion of the reduced funding for facility repairs and classroom upgrades. Because the $600 raise is being implemented in the middle of this fiscal year, only half of the annual cost of the raise must be allocated in the FY2021 budget.

Accordingly, we have tentatively tagged the $700,000 used to partially restore funding for facility repairs and classroom upgrades as available to fund most of the remaining cost of the $600 raise in the FY2022 budget.

We will present this plan to the board for approval at their December meeting.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 20, 2020

by

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!