Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for May 11, 2021

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At this week’s Board of Governors meeting, I will present the Executive Budget Committee’s FY2022 budget recommendations to the board.

These recommendations include $7.5 million in benefit and compensation increases.

Among these increases is a 3% across-the-board compensation increase.

If approved by the board, this increase will go into effect:

  • On July 1 for all full-time, 12-month employees.
  • On Aug. 1 for all full-time, 9-month employees.

Only employees who are full-time on or before May 31, 2021 will receive the increase.

Cost-of-living increases

Compensation is important. With this in mind, the board and I have worked to provide cost-of-living salary increases throughout my presidency.

Unfortunately, the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic made it impossible to provide a cost-of-living pay increase last July.

The 3% pay increase recommended by the Executive Budget Committee, combined with the $600 across-the-board increase that went into effect earlier this year, recognizes the increased living costs our employees have faced since we were last able to budget a cost-of-living pay increase in July 2019.

Funding priorities for the committee

The Executive Budget Committee’s recommendations also include:

  • Enhanced dental plan benefits for employees (a Faculty Senate and Staff Senate priority for this year).
  • Salary range adjustments.
  • A minimum wage increase.
  • Salary increases under the professor salary incentive program.
  • Faculty promotions.

At the request of many members of the Executive Budget Committee, the recommendations will also restore a substantial portion of travel budgets throughout the university and unfreeze many of the currently frozen faculty and staff positions.

The Executive Budget Committee also recommended increases for several university programs, services and initiatives, including:

  • $65,000 for LinkedIn Learning.
  • More than $300,000 in technology upgrades.
  • $120,000 in additional student recruitment travel costs.
  • $300,000 in diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Board will vote in June

I will present these recommendations for discussion at the Board of Governors Finance and Facilities Committee meeting May 12.

The Board will vote on the FY2022 budget at its June meeting.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 8, 2020

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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 Oct. 9, 2018

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In June, I told you that if we received the funds appropriated by the legislature for fiscal year 2019, we would reconvene the Executive Budget Committee to evaluate options for a mid-year compensation increase.

We are over three months into the fiscal year, and I am pleased to report that we are on pace to receive the funds appropriated by the legislature. Many thanks to the Missouri General Assembly and Governor Mike Parson for restoring the funding cuts proposed earlier in the year.

As promised, the Executive Budget Committee met last week and developed its recommendation for a mid-year compensation increase. The committee will recommend that the Board of Governors approve an ongoing across-the-board compensation increase of one percent plus $600 for all full-time faculty and staff hired on or before Sept. 30, 2018. The proposed increase will be added to base pay starting on Jan. 1, 2019, for 12-month employees and on Feb. 1, 2019 for 9- and10-month employees.

This will cost the Springfield campus approximately $2.5 million in annual operating funds. This is the same cost as a 2.1 percent across-the-board raise. The Executive Budget Committee opted to structure the raise with a $600 flat component to soften the impact of increased premiums in the medical plan and to ensure that the pay raise helps our lowest paid employees the most.

Under this model:

  • An employee whose salary is $30,000 will receive a $900 pay increase (a 3 percent raise). A 2.1 percent raise would have resulted in a $630 pay increase.
  • An employee whose salary is $50,000 will receive a $1,100 pay increase (a 2.2 percent raise). A 2.1 percent raise would have resulted in a $1,050 pay increase.
  • An employee whose salary is $100,000 will receive a $1,600 pay increase (a 1.6 percent raise). A 2.1 percent raise would have resulted in a $2,100 pay increase.

Even with this increase, I recognize that our salaries at Missouri State lag behind national averages for all employee groups. Compensation remains a concern for the board and the administration, and we will continue to prioritize compensation increases as we develop budgets in the future.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for June 14, 2016

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Clif's Notes

Last week the Board of Governors had its June meeting in West Plains. I wanted to update you on several of the board’s actions.

Students on campusNew budget includes variety of wage increases

The board approved the university’s fiscal year 2017 budget. Under the budget, there will be no increase in tuition for in-state undergraduate students. The budget includes:

  • A 2 percent across-the-board raise for fulltime employees
  • A $250,000 staff pool for additional raises based on merit and equity
  • A graduate assistant wage increase
  • More than $250,000 for faculty promotions
  • The third year of pay raises under the Professor Salary Incentive Program
  • $900,000 for new faculty positions
  • $60,000 in increased diversity investment

Board approves long-range plan

The board approved the 2016-2021 long-range plan. As you know, the university engaged in a two-year process to establish a campus-wide vision and to develop the final plan document. Thanks to Gloria Galanes who chaired the long-range plan steering committee and everyone who worked with Dr. Galanes to develop the plan. This summer we will begin the first stage of implementing the long-range plan by developing our action items and priorities for 2016-2017.

Other board actions

The board also approved our fiscal year 2018 capital appropriations request. This request is a vehicle the university uses to request state investment in certain facilities on our campuses.

The board approved a revised contract with Coach Kellie Harper. The revised contract extends the term of her employment to 2021, includes a $12,500 salary increase and includes a $100,000 incentive payment that will be paid if Coach Harper stays through April 2019. The salary increase and incentive payment funded are completely with private gifts.

The board also approved changes to the Faculty Handbook. The revisions clarify the employment status of faculty on sabbatical, clarify when a faculty member has professional responsibility with regard to a student, and make several technical changes to the Academic Personnel Grievance Process and the Professional Practices Review Process.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

 

Clif’s Notes for June 30, 2015

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Clif's Notes

MSU West Plains Staff Senate President Mary Kellum
MSU West Plains Staff Senate President Mary Kellum addresses the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors met last week on the West Plains campus. This provided a great opportunity for us to highlight the success of our associate degree programs and spotlight West Plains’ students, faculty and staff.

Board approves budget, bonding and Learfield contract

I want to draw your attention to three of the Board’s action items.

Budget includes 1.8 percent salary increase

First, the Board approved the fiscal year 2016 operating budget. This budget is in line with the Executive Budget Committee’s recommendations that I outlined in a prior Clif’s Note. The budget includes a 1.8 percent compensation increase for all full-time faculty and staff. It also includes an instructor equity pool and staff merit/equity pool. These pools resulted in 52 instructors and 300 staff receiving compensation increases based on equity and merit in addition to the 1.8 percent across-the-board raise.

cfoc-glass_hall-largeBoard approves bonds for Glass Hall renovations

Second, the Board authorized the issuance of bonds to construct the planned addition, renovations and improvements to Glass Hall. This project is an important step in elevating the College of Business’s facilities to enhance success for the more than 5,000 business majors at Missouri State. We anticipate breaking ground in the fall.

Contract with Learfield extended

Finally, the Board approved a new 11 year contract with Learfield Communications, Inc., the University’s athletics media-rights contractor. This agreement provides several benefits for Missouri State. First, Learfield will pay for an LED fascia ribbon scoreboard in JQH Arena, saving the University more than $500,000. Moreover, the contract will result in the University receiving $332,500 in guaranteed payments next year, a $72,500 increase over the prior contract.  Additionally, these payments will increase by $50,000 each year except 2017, when the payment will go up by $100,000. This is a significant improvement over the prior contract and will help us better fund our athletic programs.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!