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Clif’s Notes for Oct. 6, 2020

October 6, 2020 by Clif Smart

Entrance to Meyer Library against blue sky

The end of this week marks the mid-point of the fall semester. As you know, we will close campus this Thursday and Friday for deep cleaning. I hope you will take a well-deserved break and recharge for the second half of the semester.

This semester has been different from any other academic term we have experienced. The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic have been significant. However, we have demonstrated that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome.

Through our collaboration and hard work, together we have achieved success. This success is due to the positive attitudes, flexibility and resiliency of our faculty, students and staff. Thanks for your good work.

As I mentioned last week, our enrollment increased this fall because of your efforts. In light of our enrollment success, last week I worked with our leadership team to roll back a portion of the hiring freeze that we instituted earlier this calendar year. We also eliminated the freeze on maintenance and repair projects.

We still have a lot of work to do. In the current environment, many analysts have warned that enrollment success in the fall does not necessarily translate to enrollment success in the spring. Please continue your efforts to support our students and help them overcome the barriers they face.

Give generously

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.

Your contribution to the Missouri State Way campaign helps change lives of our students and helps them manage their education and their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. By providing internet devices from the Emergency Student Fund, donations to the Bear Pantry, personal protective equipment or scholarships, the MSU Foundation uses funds raised through the Missouri State Way campaign to ensure that MSU students can attend class and continue their studies regardless of their financial background or difficult circumstances.

The United Way campaign addresses the urgent needs of some of our most vulnerable community members in Springfield and the Ozarks. The United Way of the Ozarks connects communities, people and hope. It has convened community leaders for a coordinated response to the pandemic, provided critical supplies, and raised and distributed more than $164,000 in funds to help our community respond to COVID-19.

Learn more about how the United Way of the Ozarks has helped our community through the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

To continue to support our local community, the United Way needs our support.

You will receive a Missouri State Way and United Way campaign packet in campus mail this week. You can also find information on the campaign webpage. Please join me in contributing to each of these important organizations.

After you complete your forms, please plan to attend the free virtual celebration event at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13. Details can be found on the campaign webpage. We will draw for prizes at the event, and everyone that attends will receive a bookstore coupon.

Recognizing staff

Finally, I want to encourage you to recognize your colleagues who have done exceptional work.

The Staff Excellence in University Service Award recognizes excellence in service to the university among staff employees. Through this award, the university recognizes staff who strive to do their jobs well on a daily basis, who go beyond the call of duty in a special situation, and who have contributed in a significant way to the success of the university.

Each year, six full-time staff receive this award (which includes a one-time $1,500 award).

Currently enrolled students, employed staff, faculty or administrators are encouraged to nominate full-time staff employees for the Excellence in University Service Awards.

The deadline to nominate a staff member is Nov. 13. You can review the selection criteria and complete a nomination form on the Staff Excellence in University Service Award webpage.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Coronavirus, staff awards, united way

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 26, 2019

November 26, 2019 by Clif Smart

Aerial of Bearhead

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!

 

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: benefits, MSU Way, staff awards, united way

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 12, 2019

November 12, 2019 by Clif Smart

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:

  • Give to the MSU Way campaign online or call 417-836-4143.
  • Give to the United Way campaign online, text BEARS to 40403, or contact Tammy Few at 417-836-5102.

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: benefits, MSU Way, open enrollment, united way

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 8, 2019

October 8, 2019 by Clif Smart

President Smart and Tammy Few present check to United Way at MSU basketball game

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Board of Governors, MSU Way, united way

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 28, 2017

November 28, 2017 by Clif Smart

Blue sky above library

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Board of Governors, missouri state way, united way

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