Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 26, 2019

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I want to give our faculty and staff one last reminder: You must complete a biometric screening to save $30 per month on your health insurance premiums for calendar year 2020. The deadline to complete your screening is Dec. 1. More information can be found on the human resources Be Fit page.

Dec. 1 also marks the end of open enrollment for employment benefits. Information on enrolling in benefits and the cafeteria plan can be found online.

Mark your calendars

You are invited to two upcoming events.

First, the President’s Holiday Open House is from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 in the PSU Ballroom. Please plan to drop in, socialize with your co-workers and colleagues, and eat a snack.

Second, the Staff Awards Luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 in Hammons Student Center. To the extent possible, I would encourage all supervisors to allow full-time staff to attend this event. And I would encourage everyone to don their favorite Bearwear for the event.

Three categories of staff will be honored:

  • Full-time staff who reached a five-year milestone in 2019
  • Those selected for the Staff Excellence in University Service Award
  • Those selected for the Staff Excellence in Community Service Award

Starting this year, we will recognize retirees at a special event later in the academic year.

Thank you for your giving spirits

I also wanted 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 $82,406 for the United Way and $434,348.31 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.

  • Jodie Adams
  • Jim Baker
  • Charlene Berquist
  • Richard Biagioni
  • Bradley Bodenhausen
  • Lanette Cadle
  • William Cheek
  • Donna Christian
  • Jeffrey Coiner
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Steven Dodge
  • Janice Duncan
  • Frank Einhellig
  • Tamaria Few
  • Steve Foucart
  • Terrel Gallaway
  • Kristan Gochenauer
  • Arthur Hains
  • David Hall
  • John Harms
  • Brian Heaton
  • Karen Horney
  • Tammy Jahnke
  • Grant Jones
  • Allen Kunkel
  • Julie and Gerald Masterson
  • Victor Matthews
  • Ken McClure
  • Theresa McCoy
  • Natalie McNish
  • David Meinert
  • Michael Merrigan
  • Kyle Moats
  • Matthew Morris
  • David Muegge
  • Sarah Nixon
  • Joye Norris
  • Tom Peters
  • Wes Pratt
  • Tami Reed
  • Robert Thurman
  • Barbara Robinson
  • Jennifer Severson
  • Suzanne Shaw
  • Priscilla Skeeters
  • Clif Smart
  • Elizabeth Strong
  • Rebecca Swearingen
  • Paula Wilhelm
  • Ying Zhang

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

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

 

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 12, 2019

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Open enrollment began on Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 1.

Open enrollment is the period when employees can review, elect, decline or make changes to their benefits for the upcoming calendar year.

Once elections or changes have been made, no changes can be made during the year unless they are due to a qualifying, life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, birth, etc. All elections and changes you select during the open enrollment period will be effective Jan. 1, 2020.

How to enroll

You have three options to enroll in benefits for the year:

  • Online – Log in to My Missouri State. Select the Profile tab. In the Employment Details channel, select Online Benefits Enrollment. Disregard any references to a personal identification number as you go through the process. If you receive a login screen asking for credentials, please contact human resources.
  • Phone – Call 417-836-3000 between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday to speak to a benefits specialist.
  • In Person – Stop by the office of human resources in Carrington 315 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

All employees are encouraged to go through the benefits enrollment process even if you plan to keep what you currently have.

Schedule your biometric screening

The open enrollment period is also the time to complete your biometrics to save $30 per month on your health insurance premiums. You may also enroll in the flexible benefit (i.e., cafeteria) plan. I completed mine last week and it took less than 15 minutes.

You can find more information about biometrics and schedule an appointment for your free biometric screening online.

You can also enroll in the cafeteria plan for 2020 online.

Give to the United Way and MSU Way

Please finalize your gifts and pledges to the United Way and MSU Way campaigns and plan to attend the Celebration Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in the PSU Ballroom. You can RSVP to the luncheon by emailing Monica Sharpe.

If you have misplaced your pledge form, it is still not too late to give:

The United Way and the Missouri State University Foundation are both worthy causes, and our community benefits from their work.

I elected to increase my contributions to both campaigns this year. I would encourage each of you to do the same.

We will publish a list of United Way leadership level givers and Missouri State University Foundation Founders Club members in a Clif’s Notes following the campaign.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 8, 2019

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The Missouri State Way and United Way campaigns have kicked off.  Missouri State University faculty and staff make a difference on our campus and in our community by participating in these campaigns.

You will receive a campaign packet in campus mail this week. You can also find information on the campaign webpage. Please join me in completing and submitting the contribution forms by Nov. 8 to participate.

After you complete your forms, please plan to attend the free Celebration Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in the PSU Ballroom. We will draw for prizes at the luncheon, and everyone that attends will receive a bookstore coupon.

Jessica Silvey joins my office

At the August Board of Governors meeting, Rowena Stone, my current executive assistant, accepted the board’s offer to serve as their new board secretary.

Last week we completed the search to hire a new executive assistant in my office. I am pleased to report that we have hired Jessica Silvey to fill that position with a Dec. 1 start date.

Jessica has worked for the university since 2009 as executive assistant in the office of the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State cum laude, received the university’s 2019 Excellence in Advising Support Award, and is a member of this year’s University Staff Ambassador’s class.

I am excited for Jessica to join my office and continue to help us move Missouri State forward.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 28, 2017

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The Board of Governors met before Thanksgiving break and acted on three important items.

First, the board took the first step toward refunding $38 million in revenue bonds that originally financed several auxiliary projects. The bonds will be refunded at a lower interest rate, saving the university $2.7 million over the next 18 years. I want to give a special thanks to Steve Foucart and his team for identifying this opportunity to continue Missouri State’s leadership on efficiency.

Second, the board awarded a vendor contract for reinsurance (stop-loss) coverage under the university’s health plan. Under this contract, the university will not have an increase in its reinsurance premium even though insurance costs continue to rise throughout the country. This procurement process was very involved, and I want to thank everyone engaged in this process for achieving a successful result.

Third, the board awarded a contract for work on the locker rooms in Greenwood Laboratory School. The project is being funded entirely through private donations and university reserves. No operational funds will be used to pay for this project.

Thank you for contributing

I also wanted 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 $88,144.20 for the United Way and $262,643.78 for the Missouri State University Foundation. The Missouri State Way campaign exceeded its fundraising target. Unfortunately, the United Way campaign did not reach its target. Regardless, the impact of these campaigns on our university and the greater community is astounding.

United Way Leadership Level

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.

  • Jodie Adams
  • Jim Baker
  • Charlene Berquist
  • Richard Biagioni
  • Bradley Bodenhausen
  • Stephanie M. Bryant
  • Lanette Cadle
  • William Cheek
  • Donna Christian
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Steven Dodge
  • Janice R. Duncan
  • Frank Einhellig
  • Scott Embretson
  • Renee Fogle
  • Steve Foucart
  • Terrel Gallaway
  • David Hall
  • John Harms
  • Jonathan and Kellie Harper
  • Brian Heaton
  • Karen Horney
  • Tammy Jahnke
  • Grant Jones
  • Allen Kunkel
  • Thomas Lane
  • Julie Masterson
  • Victor H. Matthews
  • Charles McClure
  • Mary McManus
  • David Meinert
  • Michael Merrigan
  • Kyle Moats
  • Matthew D. Morris
  • Jeff P. Morrissey
  • James Moyer
  • David Muegge
  • Sarah Nixon
  • Tom Peters
  • Wes Pratt
  • Tamara Reed
  • Barbara Robinson
  • Jennifer Severson
  • M. Suzanne Shaw
  • Donald Simpson
  • Dee Siscoe
  • Priscilla Skeeters
  • Clif Smart
  • Rebecca Swearingen
  • Jeffrey Switzer
  • Robert Thurman
  • Paula Wilhelm
  • Ying Zhang

Missouri State University Foundation Founders Club

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
  • Nancy Allen
  • Jim Baker
  • Randy J. Bass
  • Samuel Bass
  • Tracy Beckham
  • Drew Bennett
  • Steven C. Berkwitz
  • Charlene Berquist
  • Tara Boehne
  • Eric Bosch
  • John Stanley Bourhis
  • Stephanie M. Bryant
  • Chuck Busby
  • Cindy Busby
  • Sandra D. Byrd
  • Lisa Casey
  • John F. Chuchiak, IV
  • Lisa Dewoody Clark
  • Angie Cockrum
  • Julie Combs
  • David Mark Cornelison
  • Melissa Dallas
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Rachael Dockery
  • Toby Dogwiler
  • Janice R. Duncan
  • Brent Dunn
  • Frank Einhellig
  • Susan W. Essman
  • Lori Winters Fan
  • Monika Feeney
  • Wendy Ferguson
  • Steve Foucart
  • Julie Gallaway
  • Terrel Gallaway
  • Douglas Gouzie
  • Brian D. Greene
  • Janice Greene
  • Shellee D. Haik
  • Stephanie Hein
  • Tammy Jahnke
  • Cheryl Jones
  • Robert G. Jones
  • Kurt Killion
  • Allen Kunkel
  • Cameron LaBarr
  • Dennis Lancaster
  • Jill K. Layman
  • Diane Leamy
  • John Leamy
  • Cynthia Libby
  • Day Ligon
  • JE Llewellyn
  • Jill Martin
  • Robert J. Martin
  • Gerald Masterson
  • Julie Masterson
  • Victor H. Matthews
  • Belinda R. McCarthy
  • Bernard J. McCarthy
  • Eric Morris
  • Sue (Biglieni) Morris
  • Matthew D. Morris
  • Taleyna Morris
  • Jeff P. Morrissey
  • David Muegge
  • Tom Peters
  • Sophie Pierpoint
  • Angela Pinegar
  • John Prescott
  • Kathy J. Pulley
  • Gay Ann Ragan
  • Kent P. Ragan
  • Helen Reid
  • Philip Rothschild
  • Elizabeth Rozell
  • Christina Ryder
  • G. Alan Schick
  • Karl Schmidt
  • Kishor Shah
  • M. Suzanne Shaw
  • Dee Siscoe
  • Jeanie Skibiski
  • Clif Smart
  • John T. Strong
  • Rebecca Swearingen
  • Mark Templeton
  • Ken Vollmar
  • M. Annette Wardell
  • Tammy Wiley
  • Dick Williams

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes Oct. 10, 2017

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The Missouri State Way and United Way Campaigns have kicked off and will continue through Nov. 8. Missouri State University faculty and staff make an incredible difference on our campus and in our community by participating in these campaigns.

Campaign packets have been distributed in campus mail. You can also find information about the campaigns on the Missouri State Way and United Way webpage. Please join me in completing and submitting the contribution forms to participate in these campaigns.

After you complete your forms, please plan to attend the free Celebration Luncheon at noon on Nov. 8 in the PSU Ballroom. I look forward to seeing you there!

Open enrollment time

Our open enrollment period for employee benefits began last week. All benefit-eligible employees are encouraged to go through the open enrollment process to elect, decline, make changes and review the benefits that we offer at Missouri State. You might be surprised by what we offer for you and your dependents:

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Cafeteria plan
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • Group universal life insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Accident insurance

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability are 100 percent paid for by the university.

It’s important to take action now – the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1. Once elections or changes have been made, no changes can be made during the year unless they are due to a qualifying event (e.g. marriage, divorce, birth, etc.).

We encourage you to go through the enrollment process even if you plan to keep what you currently have. Not taking any action could result in the possibility of you having the incorrect benefits and deductions.

To begin the enrollment process, access the open enrollment page or call 877-282-0808 to enroll.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!