Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Sept. 20, 2016

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Clif's Notes

Last week the Missouri legislature held its veto session. The General Assembly overrode the Governor’s vetoes on 13 bills.

Construction workers on Glass Hall renovation projectPartial funding for Glass Hall renovations restricted

Two of the bills will result in an anticipated loss of more than $50 million in tax revenue for the state. The Governor has announced that because of this lost revenue, he will be restricting additional appropriations from the state’s budget.

These restrictions will have a significant impact on K-12 public education and higher education. The restrictions include more than $24 million in ongoing funding for education at all levels and more than $6 million for higher education capital projects.

One of the restrictions will have a direct impact on our campus. The Governor has withheld $1.875 million of the $5 million appropriated for the Glass Hall project. The $33.8 million project is being funded by revenue bonds, gifts to the Missouri State University Foundation, university reserves and capital appropriations. We will deal with this $1.875 million restriction by modifying the work to be completed and minimizing construction deviations. This is unfortunate, but responsible stewardship requires that we respond appropriately.

The Governor has indicated it is unlikely the restricted funds will be released this fiscal year. However, we will continue to work with the current Governor and the Governor-elect in November to advocate that the Glass Hall funds be released. In the event the funds are not released, university reserves and foundation gifts will make up any shortfall after modifications to the project have been made.

Bikers on campusFirearm legislation does not change campus policy

You may have seen media reports on one other bill— a firearm bill (frequently referred to as “constitutional carry”). The General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto on this bill.

We have received several inquiries regarding the firearm bill. Despite what you may have heard, this bill does not prohibit public universities from regulating possession of firearms on campus, and the Board of Governors still has the power to adopt such regulations.

We are currently reviewing all of Missouri’s firearm laws to ensure that our existing firearm policy complies and best protects the university community. Missouri State’s existing firearm policy, which prohibits unauthorized possession of firearms on campus, will remain in place unless our Board of Governors changes it.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Feb. 23, 2016

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Clif's Notes

 

 

 

 

Missouri statutes limit the type of graduate degree programs we can offer at Missouri State University. Statutes limit the degree programs some other public universities in the state can offer as well.

Time for a changeNursing students

Over the last several months, I have been approached by several individuals about the possibility of having this limiting language removed.

When I reached out to other higher education leaders throughout Missouri, I learned that other university presidents have been approached by their stakeholders as well.

I, along with the presidents of several other Missouri public universities, have decided that the time is right to ask the legislature to remove these limitations and enact clear statutory language authorizing all public universities in the state to offer bachelors and graduate (including professional and doctoral) degree programs subject to coordinating board approval.

We are collaborating with several government relations consultants and a non-profit group called Missouri Foundation for Equity in Higher Education to work toward this statutory change.

Benefits for higher educationDoctorate of Nursing students

We do not have any immediate plans to roll out new doctoral or professional programs at Missouri State. However, we believe the proposed statutory changes will have a long-term positive impact on higher education in Missouri by:

  • Allowing universities to be competitive in the educational marketplace
  • Creating more educational pathways for students interested in pursuing careers that require a high level of education
  • Allowing Missourians to obtain a graduate-level education in Missouri instead of leaving the state
  • Encouraging more Missourians to pursue educational opportunities by providing a spectrum of graduate programs dispersed geographically throughout the state

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!