June 2008 Friday Focus
Update on Summer 2008 Activities
I want to use this seventh and final issue of Friday Focus for 2007-08 to update you on a variety of summer projects and achievements at Missouri State University. As always, I welcome your comments.
2008-09 Budget
The operating budget for 2008-09 was approved by the Board of Governors at its June meeting in Mountain Grove. The total budget is about $244 million, which includes all auxiliaries and the West Plains campus. The entire budget will soon be posted on the web site so that all employees can view it. I invite you to spend a few minutes with the budget and then use it as a reference document throughout the year. In the meantime, please see the news release that summarizes the budget.
Social Work Receives Continuing Accreditation
The Social Work programs have received continuing accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) voted to grant the continuing accreditation. This is very good news and a clear indication that we are on the right track with our long-range plan for improving the Social Work Program. Again, see the news release announcing the continuing accreditation.
Plus/Minus Grading System Approved
On June 20, the Board of Governors approved the Plus/Minus Grading System, which will be implemented in the Fall semester of 2009. We have several months to think through any other issues related to the system, plus we plan to study the system after two years of utilization to make any necessary adjustments. This change will bring Missouri State into line with the majority of colleges and universities in the country which have established Plus/Minus Grading as a best practice.
Missouri State Foundation Sets Record
In April, the Missouri State Foundation set a new record, topping the $13 million mark for 2008-09. When the final numbers are in, the Foundation likely will have exceeded the previous record, set in 2005-06, by about $1.5 million. Said another way, this means that over the past three years, the Foundation will have averaged about $1 million per month, the vast majority of which has been for academic purposes.
CBHE Coordinated Plan
The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education has approved an initial draft of the Coordinated Plan for the Missouri Higher Education System. It will have important implications for all public institutions in Missouri. Titled Imperatives for Change: Building a Higher Education System for the 21st Century, the plan will yet undergo some additional revisions in technical language. As soon as a final version is ready, I will post the link on our web site. I anticipate this final version will be available in September.
Emphasis on New Media
As many of you are aware, one of the emphases for 2008-09 will be on improving our abilities in new media. Our concentration has been in public relations and marketing; we realize much more also needs to be done on the academic side. Many of the recommendations came from the New Media Task Force report. And, access the story that described some reorganization to better implement our emphasis in new media.
JQH Arena on Schedule
Construction on JQH Arena continues only about a week behind, despite the significant rains we have had. As you are aware by now, John Q. Hammons Parkway is closed between Harrison and Monroe so that an underground water detention area can be constructed. This will assist with the storm water runoff that occurs at that location. While this will create a short-term inconvenience, it will solve a long-term problem, so I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Congratulations
A number of individuals and organizations have received recognition in recent weeks, including the Ad Team, which won first in the nation, and Tent Theatre, which this year for the first time achieved Equity Status. As is always the case, we have much to be proud of at Missouri State when it comes to the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and our co-curricular activities.
Upcoming Key Dates
As we get deeper into the summer, it’s appropriate to look ahead to some key dates, including:
- Friday, August 1: Board of Governors meeting and summer commencement, with Jim Bohannon as our featured speaker
- Thursday, August 21: All-Faculty Luncheon
- Thursday-Sunday, August 22-24: Residence Hall Move-In
- Sunday, August 24: New Student Convocation
- Monday, August 25: Fall semester begins