The Board of Governors met last week and took several important actions to position Missouri State University for the year ahead.

Most notably, the board approved the university’s fiscal year 2027 budget. This is always one of its most significant responsibilities because the budget reflects our priorities, our opportunities and the realities we must manage as a university.

The FY27 budget is a responsible budget. It accounts for flat state appropriations, relatively conservative enrollment projections, lower summer enrollment, increased scholarship needs and rising operational costs in several areas. It also reflects work already done to reduce ongoing expenses, including savings from vacant positions and other budget reductions.

I know many faculty and staff are disappointed the budget doesn’t include an across-the-board pay increase at this time. Unfortunately, the financial realities we’re currently facing didn’t make that possible. Compensation remains a priority, and we’ll continue to evaluate opportunities for salary increases as census numbers are finalized and we have a better understanding of our state appropriations levels for next year.

Systemwide, the approved budget grew by about $2.2 million. That includes an increase of about $2.1 million for the Springfield campus and about $117,000 for the West Plains campus. The Springfield operating budget includes $163.4 million in tuition and fee revenue and $102.8 million in state appropriations, which are unchanged from FY26.

The budget also includes $500,000 to support strategic plan initiatives, more than $400,000 for faculty tenure-track promotions on the Springfield campus, $18,000 for faculty promotions on the West Plains campus, increased MOSERS costs and increased expenses for utilities and contracted services.

In West Plains, the budget reflects enrollment and revenue challenges, along with a continued focus on managing expenses and aligning resources with the campus’s priorities.

In short, the FY27 budget allows us to continue moving forward while serving as careful stewards of our resources. It doesn’t solve every financial challenge we face, but it gives us a solid plan for the coming year and keeps us focused on long-term sustainability.

The board also heard a few important updates and approved other key items.

West Plains updates

West Plains Chancellor Zora Mulligan presented the 2026-31 West Plains campus strategic plan. The plan compliments the overarching institutional strategic plan “Igniting Opportunity” and includes updated mission, vision and values statements, as well as goals, key performance indicators and measures for success.

The board approved new associate of arts degree options in teacher education for autism education, early childhood education and elementary education. These programs will help West Plains continue to serve regional workforce needs and provide students with clear pathways into high-demand fields.

West Plains facility updates included renovations to Drago Hall and Melton Lecture Hall; creation of the Hass-Darr One-Stop and the Support Services Center; and development of the baseball field.

Other board actions

The board approved revisions to the Springfield and West Plains faculty and employee handbooks, developed in collaboration with faculty and staff senates. In addition, board members reviewed proposed revisions to the Board of Governors bylaws to allow the Student Government Association president or a designee to represent the student body on the board in absence of a governor-appointed student governor on the board. Those revisions will return for consideration at the August board retreat.

These meetings were a good reminder of the breadth of work happening across Missouri State. We’re advancing academic programs, improving facilities, strengthening our financial planning, and supporting students and employees – all in an effort to continue implementing our strategic priorities.

Thank you to everyone whose work contributed to these board presentations, budget development and the progress represented in these reports. The actions taken by the board will help guide our work in the year ahead, and I appreciate the continued commitment of our faculty, staff and leadership teams as we move Missouri State forward.

As we celebrate Independence Day, we also begin the yearlong celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. It’s a good reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the role each of us plays in making our communities stronger. I wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July.

It’s a great day to be a Bear!

Biff