February 11, 2011

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

 

1. Roll Call

Present- Ms. Elizabeth Bradbury, Chair of the Board

Mr. Gordon Elliott, Vice Chair of the Board

Mr. Brian Hammons, Governor

Mr. Orvin Kimbrough, Governor (by conference call at 10:10 a.m.)

Ms. Mary Sheid, Governor

Mr. Brandt Shields, Student Governor

Ms. Cathy Smith, Governor

Mr. John Winston, Governor (by conference call)

 

Absent- Mr. Michael Duggan, Governor

Ms. Phyllis Washington, Governor

 

Also

Present- James E. Cofer, Sr., President

Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus

Earle Doman, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Ken McClure, Vice President for Administrative and Information Services

Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Nila Hayes, Chief Financial Officer

Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement

Clifton Smart, General Counsel

John McAlear, Secretary of the Board

2. Presiding --- The presiding officer for the meeting was Ms. Elizabeth Bradbury, Chair of the Board of Governors. She called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Traywick Parliamentary Room in the Plaster Student Union on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

3. Approval of Minutes:

a. Board of Governors’ Meetings --- Ms. Bradbury asked if there was a motion for the approval of the minutes for the open and closed meetings of December 17, 2010. Ms. Sheid so moved, with the second provided by Mr. Hammons.

Motion passed 6-0.

4. Consent Agenda --- Ms. Bradbury noted that the next item of business on the agenda was the approval of the Consent Agenda for this meeting. The items included in the Consent Agenda are:

President

Approval of employment contract for the Field Hockey Coach (Human Resources No. 1335-11).

West Plains Campus

Approval of Activity Report dated January 25, 2011 (West Plains Campus Activity Report No. 86-11).

Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 318-11).

Approval of actions concerning West Plains Campus non-academic employees (West Plains Campus Personnel No. 319-11).

Springfield Campus Purchases/Contracts

Approval of Procurement Activity Report for the period December 17, 2010, through January 28, 2011 (Purchasing Activity Report No. 355-11).

Facilities and Equipment

Approval of Activity Report for the month of December 2010 (Activity Report No. 217-11).

Elevator repairs at Hammons Student Center (Bids & Quotations No. 1346-11); ThyssenKrupp Elevator, low bid of $76,065 for the base bid plus alternates one and two; total project budget set at $130,000.

Renovation of the third floor mechanical system at Cheek Hall (Bids & Quotations No. 1347-11); Kenmar Construction, Inc., low bid of $318,215 for the base bid; total project budget established at $415,000.

Replacement of air handling units in Craig Hall (Bids & Quotations No. 1348-11); Gold Mechanical Inc., low bid of $242,625 for the base bid plus alternate one; total project budget set at $280,000.

Installation of a fire alarm and fire suppression system in Blair-Shannon House and Woods House (Bids & Quotations No. 1349-11); DeWitt & Associates, Inc., low bid of $2,921,750 for the base bid plus alternates 1, 3a, and 5; total project budget established at $3,565,000.

Reroofing of Kentwood Hall and Scholars House (Bids & Quotations No. 1350-11); Queen City Roofing, low bid of $333,480; total project budget set at $415,000.

Professional consulting services in conjunction with the Vivarium Addition at Temple Hall (Architects & Engineers No. 670-11); The Clark Enersen Partners, for a fixed not-to-exceed fee of $195,500 plus reimbursable expenses. Additional services of up to $40,000 as described in this agreement may be authorized and approved as necessary.

Approval of a Lease Agreement between the University and Nick L. Sibley & Tina M. Sibley for a General Storage Warehouse at 405 N. Campbell, Springfield, Missouri (Agreement No. 263-11). The University will be leasing approximately 24,000 square feet of general storage space at a rate of $2.42 per square foot. The term of this lease is from March 1, 2011, through February 29, 2012; provided however, the University can extend the term of the lease for up to five additional periods of one year.

Human Resources Items

Actions concerning academic employees (Human Resources No. 1336-11).

Actions concerning non-academic employees (Human Resources No. 1337-11).

Mr. Hammons made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda receiving a second from Ms. Smith.

Motion passed 6-0.

5. President’s Report --- Dr. James E. Cofer, Sr., President, began his report by indicating that Governor Jay Nixon’s measured reduction in State appropriations to public higher education included in his proposed FY2012 State budget is clear evidence of his commitment to education. Governor Nixon’s proposed 7% budget reduction for higher education is significantly lower than we had expected three months ago. Dr. Cofer commented that we have now shifted the focus of our budget process to reallocation. He also remarked that he would not recommend requesting a waiver to raise tuition greater than the CPI for the last two years. (Mr. Kimbrough joined the meeting at this time.)

Dr. Cofer next commented that we continue to make good progress on the long-range plan. He hopes to finalize the plan by the June board meeting.

Dr. Cofer next presented a resolution (Gifts No. 158-11) naming the Physical Therapy Building the McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall. The Missouri State University Foundation has received a major charitable gift commitment from the McQueary family in support of the expansion of the Physical Therapy Building. Moved by Ms. Sheid and seconded by Mr. Hammons.

Motion passed 7-0.

Mr. Clif Smart next presented a resolution (Board Policies No. 66-11) revising the Fiscal Responsibility Governing Policy. He reminded the Board that two of the recommendations from the recent State Audit were that the University develop a comprehensive policy regarding University food purchases and establish a tracking system to monitor and evaluate individual membership costs. The recommended revisions to this policy address both of these concerns. Moved by Mr. Hammons, receiving the second of Ms. Smith.

Motion passed 7-0.

6. Academic Affairs:

a. Academic Affairs Committee --- Mr. Elliott, Chair of the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee, reported that, in yesterday’s meeting, the committee heard several positive reports from different faculty members demonstrating some of the ways Missouri State faculty and students embody the Community Engagement pillar of our Public Affairs mission.

b. Faculty Senate Report --- Dr. Rebecca Woodard, Chairperson for the Faculty Senate, thanked Ms. Bradbury for attending yesterday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

c. Report from the Provost --- Dr. John Catau, Associate Provost, first presented a resolution (Curriculum No. 343-11) approving the academic calendar for 2012-2013. Moved by Ms. Sheid and seconded by Mr. Elliott.

Motion passed 7-0.

He then presented a resolution (Faculty Policies No. 125-11) for the approval of Faculty Handbook revision, Handbook Sections 3.4.1 and 3.4.2. This revision clarifies eligibility for tenure and promotion. Moved by Mr. Elliott, receiving the second of Ms. Sheid.

Motion passed 7-0.

He next presented another resolution (Faculty Policies No. 126-11) for the approval of Faculty Handbook revision, Handbook Section 3.6.8. This revision sets the limit on the use of per course instructors at no more than 12 hours over 12 months. Moved by Ms. Sheid and seconded by Mr. Elliott.

Motion passed 7-0.

Dr. Catau then gave a brief update on the statewide, program-review, low-completer project. Yesterday, the Commissioner of Higher Education presented the final report. Of the 41 MSU programs reviewed, 7 will be deleted and 20 will be looked at again in three years.

7. Research and Economic Development --- Dr. Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, reported that through the first six months of this fiscal year, the level of funding is down when compared to the same time period last year, but the number of proposals submitted is up.

He then presented the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

Ratification of Agreement with Ningxia University, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China (Agreement No. 264-11).

Ratification of Agreement with Yunnan Tests and Admissions Institute, Kunming, People’s Republic of China (Agreement No. 265-11).

Moved and seconded, respectively, by Mr. Hammons and Mr. Elliott.

Motion passed 7-0.

8. West Plains Campus --- Dr. Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus, reported their spring enrollment is 1.1% greater than last spring. This is the 13th consecutive semester of enrollment growth.

He then presented the following resolution for the Board’s consideration:

Approval of revisions to the Missouri State University-West Plains Faculty Senate Bylaws concerning Section 6, Part A #2 and Paragraph A #10 of the Revised Edition (West Plains Faculty Policies No. 12-11).

Moved and seconded, respectively, by Mr. Kimbrough and Ms. Smith.

Motion passed 7-0.

9. Student Affairs:

a. Student Affairs Committee – Ms. Smith, Chair of the Board’s Student Affairs Committee, reported that in yesterday’s meeting, there was a presentation on Student Life challenges, mental health, self injury, threats, challenges in residential and academic communities, student conduct, threat assessment, and safety.

b. Report from Student Body President --- Mr. Jacob Swett, President of the Student Body, gave a short report to the Board highlighting the work being done by SGA’s various Student Commissions and Committees.

c. Report from Vice President for Student Affairs --- Dr. Earle Doman, Vice President for Student Affairs, reported that we have a 2.2% increase in our Spring enrollment, with a total headcount of 19,707 students.

10. Staff Senate --- Ms. Tabitha Haynes, Chairperson of the Staff Senate, reported Staff Senate has approved some Bylaw changes which are now being reviewed by Mr. Ken McClure and Mr. Clif Smart. She also reported that the final total collected for their Denim Day contributions for Breast Cancer Awareness was $7,174.16.

11. Financial:

a. Finance Committee --- Mr. Hammons, Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, commented that in last night’s meeting, they heard updates on the budget process, on the retirement incentive program, on the University’s self-insured medical fund, and from the Office of Internal Audit.

b. Development Report --- Mr. Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement, reported that total gift dollars received at the half-way point of the fiscal year (December 31, 2010), are up about $1 million when compared to the same time period last year.

c. Financial Report --- Ms. Nila Hayes, Chief Financial Officer, commented that new budget-to-actual financial reports were presented at the Finance Committee last night and that she would be happy to answer any questions regarding the new reports. Ms. Sheid thanked Ms. Hayes for the new financial information.

12. Closed Meeting --- It was determined that the Board of Governors needed to meet in a closed session to consider items of business provided in the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Ms. Bradbury asked if a resolution authorizing a closed meeting of the Board was prepared. Thereupon, the following resolution was presented for consideration:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Governors for Missouri State University that a closed meeting, with closed records and closed vote, be held immediately following this February 11, 2011, meeting of the Board of Governors to consider items of business pursuant to:

a. R.S.Mo. 610.021(1). “Legal actions, causes of action, or litigation involving a public governmental body…”

  1. R.S.Mo. 610.021(3). “Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body…”
  1. R.S.Mo. 610.021(13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,…”

Ms. Sheid moved the approval of the resolution and Ms. Smith seconded the motion.

A roll call vote on the resolution was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Bradbury, Elliott, Hammons, Kimbrough, Sheid, Smith, and Winston; those voting against – none; those absent – Governors Duggan and Washington.

Ms. Bradbury declared the resolution passed unanimously.

13. Date of Next Meeting --- The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Friday, April 1, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. on the West Plains Campus.

14. Adjournment--- Ms. Bradbury adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. on the motion of Mr. Elliott, the second of Ms. Sheid, and the unanimous vote of the Board.

John W. McAlear

Secretary