Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for March 2, 2021

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As you know, February brought challenging weather this year. Two weeks ago, we had any icy glaze followed by extremely cold temperatures that froze pipes and created utility problems. We then had two of the heaviest snows we have seen in the last several years.

Through all of this, the university’s front-line staff traveled to work in sometimes treacherous road conditions. They worked extra shifts to keep the campus safe, kept buildings warm and clean, and ensured that our operations continued.

  • Grounds staff started work early, stayed late, and came in on their days off to spread ice melt and clear sidewalks, roadways, parking lots and other areas.
  • Custodial staff did their part as well, clearing ice and snow from building entrances and cleaning up wet messes in buildings due to ice and snow that was tracked in. They often worked late to respond to issues and finish their regular tasks.
  • University safety patrolled campus to help stranded drivers, ensure buildings were secure, respond to calls, and provide access to buildings for service contractors.
  • Facilities maintenance staff performed their regular work and then worked extra hours to check buildings for areas that might freeze.
  • Power house staff worked to ensure the campus had heat, especially when gas supply was limited. At times, extraordinary measures were taken and long shifts were worked to keep equipment running and help control utility costs.
  • When pipes broke and leaks occurred, maintenance staff responded quickly at all hours to shut off the water and make repairs, helping to limit damage. Custodial staff responded to clean up leaks (some of which were severe) in our buildings.

Show your appreciation

This has been a team effort by staff across the university. I hope you will join me in sincerely expressing your appreciation for their work.

If you see a custodian, maintenance worker, groundskeeper, safety officer or other front-line worker, take time to thank them for their work. Each brings their expertise and drive to work each day to ensure that the mission of the university continues even when the weather does not cooperate.

This year’s severe cold appears to have passed, but our staff continue to work to make repairs to damaged areas. A few of our buildings, such as Plaster Student Union and Cheek Hall, have sustained more serious damage that will take longer to repair. In these locations, we will team with outside contractors to make repairs and restore operations.

Some repairs will take longer than others. We appreciate your patience as we complete this work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 4, 2018

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We have done significant work on our campus facilities over the past year. That work was recognized at this year’s Springfield Contractors Association (SCA) Salute to Design and Construction.

For the second time in five years, we received the Developer of the Year award, the top honor awarded at the event. This award recognized the university completing 86 projects at a total value of more than $85.5 million, including renovations to Ellis Hall, Glass Hall, Hill Hall, the Plaster Center and Woods House, and the construction of the Magers Health and Wellness Center.

Thanks to everyone who made this award possible, particularly Mark Wheeler and his team for leveraging the limited resources we have to maximize the positive impact on students and the campus community.

More SCA awards

The university received several other awards at this year’s SCA Salute. Doug Sampson, former Missouri State architect, received a lifetime achievement award. Additionally, three Missouri State teams were recognized for placing in the Associated Schools of Construction Region IV Management Competition.

Public safety awards

The university’s recent awards are not limited to facilities.

David Hall, the university’s emergency manager, received the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Hall of Fame Award. The award recognizes his years of service as a firefighter and the Springfield Fire Chief. I want to say a special congratulations to David. We are fortunate to now have you on our team at Missouri State.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Feb. 28, 2017

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Clif's Notes

Missouri State and the Springfield community enjoy a strong reputation for safety. Keeping students safe is critically important to me, the Board of Governors and our administrative leadership at Missouri State.  Today I want to focus on two aspects of campus safety: information security and emergency preparedness.

Be vigilant about information securityVeteran student in computer lab

Threats to our information security have become a matter of routine at Missouri State University. We are not alone. Universities and other businesses across the world must now stay perpetually vigilant to fight off attacks to information security.

Our information security office works behind the scenes to keep university data secure, but all of us who use computers are the first line of defense. We must always be vigilant and aware when following links, downloading files and opening attachments.

There are actions you can take to help:

  • Be suspicious of email. Cybercriminals are able to send emails that appear to be from anyone they choose, even your supervisor. If you are instructed to do something like send money or reply with data, verify those instructions by phone or in person.
  • Know where your reply is going. If you do reply to an email, check that the “To” address in your reply is what you expected. One tactic used by cybercriminals is setting a “Reply-to” address that is different than the “From” address.
  • Look out for secrecy and urgency. Cybercriminals will often try to avoid your suspicion by making their request sound secret and urgent. Phrases like “Do this immediately” or “Please do not speak with anyone by phone or email” should be red flags.

If you receive anything suspicious, or if you have any questions or concerns related to information security, you may contact the information security office at 417-836-5226.

Preparing for crisesPublic safety officers on campus

As you know, last month we received a report of an armed individual in a residence hall. The university activated its emergency response protocols, and our team reacted promptly and effectively. Several days after the situation, our team met to debrief and discuss opportunities to enhance our protocols.

Fortunately, this incident was very low risk and no one was injured. However, it demonstrates the importance of emergency preparedness.

We recently announced that former Springfield Fire Chief David Hall joined Missouri State as our first emergency preparedness manager. In this role, David will manage planning, budgeting, training and programming related to emergency preparedness and response.

In the next several months, David will be meeting with a broad array of students, faculty, staff and administrators to learn about the university’s current emergency response protocols and to develop plans to enhance the university’s capabilities in responding to emergencies.

I look forward to working with David on this important endeavor.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

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 Aug. 9, 2016

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Clif's Notes

Missouri State and the Springfield community enjoy a strong reputation for safety. Keeping students safe is critically important to me, the Board of Governors and our administrative leadership at Missouri State.

18788-5154-Clifs-Notes-700x394New positions, programs aim to keep students safe

One of the many dangers students throughout the nation face is sexual assault. The university works diligently to prevent sexual assault and other forms of violence.

Over the past year, Missouri State implemented several initiatives directed at preventing sexual assaults. The university first hired a Title IX coordinator, and then a Title IX investigator and a Green Dot bystander intervention coordinator to round out the team.

We also instituted a requirement that all incoming students complete the Haven “Understanding Sexual Assault” online training, and the GEP 101 classes were updated to include a Title IX component.

For more information on the university’s Title IX programs, including how to file a complaint or find resources, please visit the Sexual Assault: Prevention, Education and Resources webpage.

17964_5297-Clifs-Notes-700x394Entire campus community asked to help prevent sexual assault

This fall we are taking another leap forward by rolling out the Green Dot program. Green Dot is a bystander intervention program that seeks to reduce sexual assaults and related violence by setting new campus norms that (1) violence will not be tolerated and (2) everyone is expected to play a role in prevention and safety.

I want to encourage everyone to help us roll out the Green Dot program. You can do this by:

  • Learning more about Green Dot on the Missouri State Green Dot page
  • Contacting Jenay Lamy in the Title IX office to schedule a Green Dot presentation for your department, class or other campus group
  • Encouraging students, faculty and staff to register for upcoming Green Dot Bystander Intervention trainings

As part of the Green Dot roll out, on Sept. 18, Missouri State will participate in the first National Green Dot Day: Connecting the Dots. Universities throughout the country will be conducting simultaneous Green Dot bystander intervention trainings for students.

Missouri State plans to host two training sessions from 1-6 p.m. Sept. 18. One training will be held at Taylor Health and Wellness Center and the other will be held at the Jim D. Morris Center. Students may register for the sessions by completing the registration form.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!