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Clif’s Notes for March 3, 2015

March 3, 2015 by Clif Smart

In this issue I discuss how we make decisions about weather-related University closures.

Safety critical in making decision to close campus

As we near the end of winter, I wanted to discuss our philosophy for making decisions on weather-related University closures.

The safety of our students, faculty and staff are critically important. It is also important that the University, as a public institution, remains fully staffed and open to the public.

Students and their parents commit significant time and resources to their education, so it is also important that we keep classes running on schedule.

We keep all of these factors in mind as we make decisions about canceling classes and closing the University due to inclement weather.

We had to make some of these decisions during the week of Feb. 16-20. As you may recall, the University was closed for President’s Day on Monday, Feb. 16. Due to snow, the roads were unsafe that day, but the roads were safe on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Thousands of students traveled hundreds of miles to be home for the long weekend, so we canceled classes on Tuesday to discourage students from traveling in unsafe conditions on Monday.

Far fewer staff members traveled out of town for the weekend, so we decided not to close the University on Tuesday. If a particular staff member was out of town for the weekend or felt unsafe traveling to work, we encouraged them to contact their supervisor about taking leave.

We encountered more snow on the night of Tuesday, Feb. 17. Travel was unsafe the following morning, so we closed the University and canceled classes for Wednesday.

If you would like more information about the process we use to make these decisions, I would encourage you to review the University’s School Cancellation Policies and Procedures and section 2.15 of the Employee Handbook.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes Vol. 4, No. 4

October 3, 2014 by Clif Smart

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I recap the State of the University address, provide an update on the visioning project, inform the campus community about Missouri State’s recent selection by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, discuss the Stomp Out Hunger public affairs initiative, invite the campus community to participate in the United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns and provide details on campus security authority training.

State of the University address

On Monday, Sept. 29, Dr. Einhellig and I gave the State of the University address on the Springfield campus. The theme was “raising the profile of the University.” I addressed five of the specific policies and priorities set by the board for this year: value, student retention rates, facilities improvement, improving diversity of faculty and staff and strategic planning. My specific remarks included:

Public higher education must remain affordable for working and middle class families. We must also continue to pursue opportunities to improve our rigorous, high-quality programs.

Improving student retention is critical to the economic success of our state. We will focus on retooling student orientation, family programs and living-learning communities to help students make better connections. We will also focus on advising, connecting students to departments and improving the GEP 101 experience.

Our facilities have a dramatic impact on our profile. This year we are building a Welcome Center (funded by private support) and a new health building. We are also renovating Pummill Hall, the fifth floor of the Morris Center, Sunvilla and Meyer Library (phase I). Next year we plan to expand laboratory spaces and renovate older academic buildings if the state issues revenue bonds and appropriates the proceeds.

We have done very well in increasing the ethnic diversity of our students, but we have made only marginal progress in improving the diversity of our faculty and staff. Our students are entitled to interact with faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, life experiences and ideas. In all hiring searches, we need to pay attention to diversity — which means more than just race or ethnicity — as a goal.

We are beginning a visioning project named The Missouri State Vision: Our Passion for Excellence. The goal of this project is to gain consensus on the assumptions and philosophical foundation from which the next two long-range plans will be developed.

Student safety is a priority

After Dr. Einhellig spoke, I closed with a discussion about safety. Campus safety, particularly sexual assault on campus, is an important topic due to increased media scrutiny and recent legislation. The data here at Missouri State indicates that we have done extremely well at protecting our students from sexual assaults and investigating when these offenses are alleged to have occurred. We have never covered up a sexual assault, and we never will. But with public attention on the issue, we decided to look at what we do and see if there are things we can improve upon. The changes we implemented include:

The Board of Governors approved a new policy titled Title IX Policy on Sexual Assault, Stalking and Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct.
We created a list of campus security authorities (CSAs). CSAs are required by law to report all allegations or evidence of sexual misconduct and certain other criminal behavior to University employees who can investigate the situation and take appropriate actions. We are in the process of training all of our CSAs.
We have started an online training module called Haven for our students. All of our new students are now required to participate in this training, which focuses on preventing and responding to sexual assault.

Safety of our students must always be a priority for all of us. Our students and their families trust us to create a safe environment for them to study and learn. It is important that we not let them down. When we believe a student has been or may be in a dangerous situation, we all need to be ready to respond by intervening if it is safe to do so and by notifying our supervisors, the office of equity and compliance and the office of safety and transportation.

Visit the State of the University address website to view a video of the address and see Dr. Einhellig’s and my slides and speech notes.

Visioning project update

I informed you in a prior issue of Clif’s Notes that we were starting a visioning project. I want to give you a brief update on the project. As I mentioned above, we have named it The Missouri State Vision: Our Passion for Excellence. I will be chairing the steering committee for this project. The other members of the steering committee are:

Roberta Aram
James Baker
Drew Bennett
Christina Bowles
Stephanie Bryant
Russell Carney
Ryan DeBoef
Brittany Donnellan
Frank Einhellig
Tammy Jahnke
Tim Knapp
Michael F. Murray
Tom Peters
Sharmistha Self
Suzanne Shaw
Dee Siscoe
Christine Sudbrock

The steering committee will have its first two meetings on Oct. 2 and 15. The goal of these meetings is to create a list of four to six topical areas for discussion and investigation during the visioning project, create a task force for each topical area and develop instructions explaining to each task force the parameters of their topical area. I will continue to update you on our progress with the visioning project throughout the year.

Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

We have made great progress on diversity initiatives over the past several years. Recently, this progress was noticed on a national level. INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine in higher education, has selected Missouri State as one of only 83 recipients of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for 2014.

The HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are in great company with other recipients such as California State University, Florida State University, Georgia Tech University, Louisiana State University, Penn State University, Rice University, the SUNY System, University of Georgia, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia and University of Wisconsin.

All faculty, staff and students are to be commended and congratulated for events, programs and initiatives that display the best of diversity at Missouri State. I want to especially thank Dr. Ken Coopwood and his team for their important work on Missouri State’s diversity initiatives as well as their time and effort to apply for and receive this award.

Stomp Out Hunger

Missouri State has partnered with Drury, Evangel, OTC and SBU for a service project called Stomp Out Hunger: All-Collegiate Shoe Drive. From Oct. 1 through 24, there will be marked boxes in most buildings on campus. (Access the complete list of collection sites.) All wearable shoes put in these boxes will be donated to Sole Food, a program of Friends Against Hunger, a Springfield non-profit that packages and distributes nutritious, vitamin-fortified meals to hungry people in the US and around the world. Sole Food, in conjunction with Shoeman Water Projects in St. Louis, exports the donated shoes to distributors in developing countries. By donating used shoes, students, faculty and staff will provide not only shoes, but also food and clean water to those in need around the world!

United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns

We kicked off our annual United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns with a leadership breakfast on Wednesday. The United Way serves the neediest of our neighbors in Springfield and the Ozarks. The Missouri State Way campaign is an opportunity for all members of the campus community to support the areas of the University that are most important to them. You may designate your Missouri State Way gift for student scholarships, a special program or even your own department or college.

I want to personally invite participants of either campaign to the celebration luncheon that will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 in the ballroom at Plaster Student Union. This was formerly a breakfast. I hope changing the time allows more people to attend. I look forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP by Nov. 5 to Monica Gray at 836-6763.

You will receive a packet further explaining these campaigns next week. You may participate in these campaigns by completing and returning the forms in the packet.

Campus Security Authority training

In a prior issue of Clif’s Notes I indicated that the University has created a list of campus security authorities (CSAs). A CSA is required by law to report sexual misconduct and certain other crimes to the Office of Safety and Transportation for inclusion in the campus security report.

On Wednesday afternoon we sent an email to all CSAs telling them about online training that they must complete by Nov. 1. This training is very important to our Clery Act compliance and to the safety of our students and our campus community.

Conclusion

As we approach the mid-point of the semester, we should be proud of what we have accomplished thus far. I look forward to continuing to work with you to do great things. Thanks for all you do for our University.

—Clif

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Twenty-six University students and six faculty members recently participated in the inaugural Global Agriculture Initiative, a three-week educational exchange organized by Missouri State University and its Brazilian partner university, Centro Universitário Cesumar (UniCesumar).

First phase in Missouri

The first phase of the project began last May as 12 UniCesumar students and four faculty members traveled to Missouri for a 10-day study tour focused on soil management, grain production, livestock production and U.S. agricultural policy. The Brazilian group visited Missouri agribusinesses, interacted with farmers and participated in workshops presented by the William H. Darr School of Agriculture at Missouri State.

Part of the UniCesumar student experience in Missouri also included sightseeing, cultural activities and interaction with a group of Missouri State students.

Second phase in Brazil

Fourteen Missouri State students and two faculty traveled to the state of Paraná, Brazil, for the second phase of the Global Agriculture Initiative. While there, they studied soil management and the production, management and commercialization of grain. Like Missouri, Paraná produces corn, soybeans and wheat; however, the favorable climate of southern Brazil allows for three growing seasons per year so farmers there can grow all three crops on the same land each year.

The Missouri State group was able to visit the two largest agro-industrial cooperatives in Latin America, interact with UniCesumar students and faculty, experience Brazilian culture and visit the famous Iguacu Falls at the border of Brazil and Argentina.

The initiative was a huge success and a great example of the kinds of meaningful partnerships taking place all across our campus.

Clif’s Notes Vol. 4, No. 2

August 21, 2014 by Clif Smart

In this issue of Clif’s Notes, I provide a recap of Welcome Weekend activities, summarize our first day enrollment numbers, highlight this year’s eight major goals, preview a visioning process that we will start soon, provide information about two of the University’s sustainability initiatives and highlight a policy change regarding campus safety.

Welcome Weekend

Last weekend we welcomed students to campus with a number of exciting activities. Throughout the day on Thursday and Friday, the Bear Crew (comprised of students, faculty and staff volunteers) helped students move into campus housing. Friday evening students took in a free outdoor movie and participated in team-building activities and outdoor games at Playfair. On Saturday, faculty and staff bid parents “farewell” and students “hello” at the Aloha Brunch, and more than 5,000 students filled the PSU and enjoyed free food and games at Bear Bash. Alumnus Judith Rowland spoke to an audience of more than 4,000 students, faculty and staff at Sunday’s New Student Convocation. The weekend ended with the Sunday night Belong-B-Q, an event designed to connect students with multicultural experiences at Missouri State. It was a fantastic opening weekend, and I want to thank everyone who helped make it so. My favorite part was SGA President Jordan McGee’s challenge to students to excel in all they do on campus.

Enrollment numbers

Our first day enrollment numbers came in this week, and they are fabulous. We are up 401 students on the Springfield campus and 8 students on the West Plains campus over last year. We have the largest freshman class on the Springfield campus in over 20 years with 2,807 students. This was accomplished in a year when the number of Missouri high school graduates dropped and fewer people graduated from Missouri community colleges. We continue to gain market share as our profile grows. Thanks for all you do to contribute to the success of Missouri State. More information about our first day enrollment numbers can be found in the University’s press release.

Eight major goals

In my last issue of Clif’s Notes I discussed the process for developing the University’s eight major goals for 2014-15. That process is now complete, and we have finalized the goals.

This year’s goals align with the six headings in the 2011-16 Long-Range Plan: access to success, public affairs integration, engaged inquiry, partners for progress, valuing and supporting people, and responsible stewardship. The two remaining goals address athletics and West Plains integration. Specific action items fall under each of the eight goals.

Below are highlights of some of the major action items in this year’s eight major goals:

Accreditation
The University will successfully complete the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) self-study process (assurance report) and submit findings in accordance with the HLC’s timeline with regard to its Springfield campus. The University will finalize its reaffirmation of HLC accreditation with regard to the West Plains campus.
Enrollment
Maintaining modest enrollment growth while increasing the diversity of the student body continues to be a priority. This year we will implement a graduate needs-based scholarship program and a graduate diversity scholarship program, continue to create new academic programs based on student demand and state need, strengthen relationships with community college partners and expand opportunities for collaboration with diversity-oriented organizations.
Facilities
This year the University will implement its construction and renovation plans regarding the Student Admissions and Success (Welcome) Center, Pummill Hall, the Occupational Therapy and Health Sciences Building, Sunvilla, phase one of Meyer Library and the fifth floor of the Morris Center.
Faculty and staff compensation
The University will make every effort to provide a cost of living pay raise for full-time employees. The University will also continue the Full Professor Incentive Program and evaluate other potential programs to target high-performing and/or underpaid employee groups for additional compensation if funding allows.
Faculty and staff diversity
The University will focus on hiring a more diverse faculty and staff. One important component of this initiative is a hiring target: we have established a goal that at least 20% (1 in 5) of new hires be ethnically or racially diverse, international, disabled, of veteran status or a member of a group that is underrepresented within the hiring department. This is achievable, and I expect that everyone can and will hit this target. If you are trying to make a diverse hire but are experiencing policy-related, administrative or other barriers, please contact my office.
Retention
The University will take active steps to improve its retention rate of first-time, full-time freshmen. The University will evaluate admission requirements and protocols for low-performing applicants, develop a program to assist freshmen students on academic probation, which is an SGA priority as well, and evaluate whether GEP 101, orientation programs, living learning communities and family activities should be redesigned.
West Plains integration
The University will integrate West Plains and Springfield operations to the extent practicable by developing and marketing student pathways from West Plains to Springfield, codifying a funding formula for West Plains in a University policy, and evaluating opportunities to coordinate bookstore functions, Banner processes and other campus operations.

Please review the eight major goals for 2014-15 at your leisure. Frank and I will discuss them in more detail at the State of the University Speech scheduled for noon on Sept. 26.

Visioning

In the coming months, we will begin a visioning process. The goal is to strategically forecast the direction of Missouri State 10 years in the future by identifying and analyzing topics, themes and challenges that the University will encounter. This process will help us set the stage for our next long-range plan in 2016.

We will form a steering committee (and potentially other committees and task forces) that will identify, discuss, investigate and analyze various issues as part of this process. We want our entire campus community to have an opportunity to provide input, and we will seek input from community and political leaders, alumni and others who care about the University.

If you have ideas of topics, themes and challenges that should be analyzed as part of the visioning process, please email them to me. If you would like to be part of the visioning process in some other way, please contact my office.

Sustainability initiatives

I am very excited about two sustainability initiatives. A traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution known as the “Green Revolution” will be coming to Springfield’s Discovery Center. The exhibit is all about sustainability — recycling, energy, composting/gardening and carbon footprint, and will be on display from Sept. 10 through early 2015. The Discovery Center is hosting the exhibit in partnership with Missouri State University and City Utilities.

On Oct. 1, Missouri State will be sponsoring a free day for all students, faculty, staff and their families. The museum hours for that day will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Also, Missouri State is among the first to pre-enroll to receive a portion of its electrical energy from the newly operational City Utilities solar farm. The total capacity of the solar farm is approximately 4.9 megawatts, and Missouri State has applied to receive 200 kilowatts, the maximum amount offered to individual customers. Although solar power is currently more expensive, this approach firmly establishes the University as a community leader in solar power and does so in a cost effective manner.

Campus safety

I wanted to let you know about a policy change regarding campus and student safety. The Board has approved a new policy entitled Title IX Policy on Sexual Assault, Stalking and Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct. This policy builds on the University’s existing policies for student, faculty and staff discipline with regard to sexual misconduct. Among other things, this policy defines what acts are prohibited, describes how complaints may be made and discusses how complaints will be investigated.

As part of this policy, the University has created a list of campus security authorities (CSAs). A CSA is required by law to report sexual misconduct and certain other crimes to the office of safety and transportation for inclusion in the campus security report. We will roll out a training program for all CSAs very soon.

Additionally, I expect all members of our campus community to immediately inform their supervisors when they suspect students, faculty or staff have been or will be harmed. All of us have a responsibility to keep our campus safe.

Conclusion

I look forward to seeing you around campus this semester. Thanks for all you do for Missouri State University.

—Clif

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Four faculty members have been awarded Fulbright awards in the last year and a half. The Fulbright program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Dr. Jamaine Abidogun, professor of history, received a research and teaching award for the 2013-14 academic year to the University of Nigeria in Anambra State, Nigeria. Abidogun worked on strengthening gender research to improve girls’ and women’s education in Nigeria. This is Abidogun’s second Fulbright award.

Dr. Rick Breault, reading, foundations and technology professor, received a research and teaching award for spring 2014 to research and teach courses at the Ion Creanga Pedagogical Institute in Chisinau, Moldova. During his time in Moldova, Breault conducted research to help Moldova teachers prepare young people for living in a democracy. This is Breault’s second Fulbright award.

Dr. James Cofer Sr., professor of marketing, was awarded a research and teaching award for the 2014-15 academic year to Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Cofer will research student persistence behavior to compare first generation and non-first generation students and assist in the development of student specific strategies for retention and graduation.

Dr. Susan Dollar, professor in the School of Social Work, received a teaching award for spring 2014 to lecture at Buryat State University in the Federation of Russia. Dollar discussed selected global and regional health problems and reviewed effective practice models with students in Ulan Ude, Siberia.

The University is very proud to have so many of its faculty members recognized with this prestigious award.

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