Minutes of the Board of Governors’
Finance and Facilities Committee
Missouri State University
February 21, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
Robert W. Plaster Student Union Ballroom East, 3rd Floor
Present- Ms. Carrie Tergin, Committee Chair
Ms. Amelia Counts, Committee Member
Mr. Craig Frazier, Committee Member
Mr. Gabriel Gore, Committee Member
Ms. Beverly Miller Keltner, Committee Member
Mr. Lynn Parman, Committee Member
Ms. Carol Silvey, Committee Member
Mr. Jay Wasson, Committee Member
Mr. Gregory Waters, Committee Member
Absent- Mr. William Miller, Committee Member
Also Present- Mr. Clifton M. Smart III, President
Dr. Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development and International
Programs
Mr. Neil Bourgeois, Graduate Student
Ms. Donna Christian, Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management
Mr. Jeff Coiner, Chief Information Officer
Ms. Elayna Coleman, Graduate Student
Ms. Jen Cox, University Space Manager - Director of Support Services
Ms. Savannah Culver, Graduate Student
Ms. Kayle Dahl, Graduate Student
Mr. Ryan DeBoef, Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Governmental Relations
Dr. Ron Del Vecchio, Dean, Darr College of Agriculture
Ms. Rachael Dockery, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement
Dr. Frank Einhellig, Provost
Mr. Steve Foucart, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. David Gambino, Graduate Student
Mr. Jeremiah Halbert, Graduate Student
Mr. David Hall, Director University Safety
Mr. Eric Hoffman, Partner, Patterhn Ives
Dr. Robert Hornberger, Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management and
Services
Dr. David Hough, Dean, College of Education
Dr. Tammy Jahnke, Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Mr. Robert Kelley, Graduate Student
Ms. Kristeena Laroue, Graduate Student
Dr. Shirley Lawler, Chancellor, West Plains Campus
Dr. Julie Masterson, Dean, Graduate College
Ms. McKenzie Mathewson, Graduate Student
Dr. Victor Matthews, Dean, College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Ms. Natalie McNish, Senior Auditor, Internal Audit and Risk Management
Dr. David Meinert, Dean, College of Business
Mr. Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services
Ms. Andrea Mostyn, Director of University Communications
Dr. Joye Norris, Associate Provost for Access and Outreach
Dr. Tom Peters, Dean, Library
Ms. Rachael Pond, Graduate Student
Mr. Wes Pratt, Chief Diversity Officer and Assistant to the President
Mr. Greg Rainwater, Budget and Financial Manager, Provost Office
Dr. Scott Schneider, Director of Business and Support Services, West Plains Campus
Ms. Jennifer Severson, Director of Accounting and Budgeting, Financial Services
Ms. Suzanne Shaw, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Dr. Dee Siscoe, Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Mark Smith, Dean, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
Mr. Gary Stewart, Director of Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services
Ms. Angela Strider, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Business Services
Dr. Shawn Wahl, Dean, College of Arts and Letters
Mr. Alex Wallace, Graduate Student
Mr. Mark Wheeler, University Architect and Director of Planning, Design, and
Construction
Dr. Letitia White Minnis, Associate Dean, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
Mr. Aidan Williams, Graduate Student
Mr. Mike Wills, Director Procurement, Procurement Services
Mr. David Wilson, Graduate Student
Ms. Katie Wright, Graduate Student
Mr. Mark Woolsey, Assessment Learning Outcomes Consultant
Ms. Rowena Stone, Secretary of the Board of Governors
Roll Call – Ms. Carrie Tergin, Committee Chair, called the Finance and Facilities
Committee meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020, on the Missouri
State University campus.
Approval of Minutes – Ms. Tergin mentioned that the first item of business was the approval of the minutes, with one correction to be made, from the December 12, 2019, meeting. Ms. Amelia Counts made a motion, seconded by Ms. Carol Silvey.
Motion passed unanimously.
Preliminary Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Discussion – President Clif Smart gave a presentation
to the Board on the initial university budget work based on the Governor’s proposed
FY21 budget. Due to state and national demographic shifts, the university’s enrollment
model projects another enrollment decline for the fall. The budget must also account
for unavoidable increases in costs such as the university’s pension contribution,
health care costs in the university’s medical plan, and faculty promotions.
President Smart then discussed that if the university were to increase tuition by the maximum amount allowed and cut $2.9 million in expenses, it would still have an anticipated budget shortfall of more than $4 million to be filled for the upcoming fiscal year. He stated that in addition to implementing the cost reductions, the university is developing several strategies to address the budget shortfall. These strategies include working to improve the enrollment situation for the fall semester and advocating for an increase in operation appropriations from the state.
President Smart added that Missouri State has stayed well under the national average for tuition, but the gap has widened. He shared that Missouri State compares favorably to other universities in the state as most went much higher in their increase in past years. This allows for flexibility to increase tuition in the coming year while still being competitive with our affordability. He shared that in the coming weeks and months, the university will make decisions on tuition and fees for the 2020-21 school year.
President Smart then reviewed the Missouri State University-West Plains campus budget work. West Plains does not have a projected decline in student enrollment. He reported that West Plains saved money from last year’s appropriation increase, but in order to reduce future shortfalls, it is recommended that West Plains collects the fee that is already on the books.
Final budget proposals for both the Springfield and West Plains campuses will be presented at the April 2020 Board of Governors Executive Committee meeting. An equity piece will also be discussed at the April meeting.
Review Year to Date Financial Statements – President Smart shared that the university’s financials are in great shape and we are hitting targets.
Foundation Review – President Smart shared that the Foundation is having a tremendous year and is on pace to set a record.
Facilities Update – Mr. Matt Morris, Vice President for Administrative Services, provided a brief update on the status of the outdoor performing arts pavilion at Craig Hall. Mr. Morris introduced Mr. Eric Hoffman of Patterhn Ives, the architects hired to complete the master plans of the art park. Mr. Hoffman shared the progress of the project, highlighting that the space will be flexible and used through any different offerings throughout the year.
President Smart added that $2 million of the $4.5 million for the project has already
been raised through private funds.
Adjournment – Ms. Counts adjourned the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting at
10:30 a.m.
Rowena Stone
Secretary to the Board