MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
MARCH 4/5, 2011
1. Roll Call
Present- Ms. Elizabeth Bradbury, Chair of the Board
Mr. Michael Duggan, Governor
Mr. Gordon Elliott, Vice Chair of the Board
Mr. Brian Hammons, Governor
Mr. Orvin Kimbrough, Governor
Ms. Mary Sheid, Governor
Mr. Brandt Shields, Student Governor
Ms. Cathy Smith, Governor
Ms. Phyllis Washington, Governor
Mr. John Winston, Governor
Also
Present- James E. Cofer, Sr., President
Drew Bennett, Chancellor of the West Plains Campus
Belinda McCarthy, Provost
Paul Kincaid, Chief of Staff
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 board retreat to order at 8:00 a.m. in the Link Room in the St. Louis Union Station Marriott in St. Louis, Missouri.
3. Update on Nine Goals --- Dr. James Cofer first gave a status report on the nine goals for FY11 that were established at last summer’s board retreat. The nine goals are:
- Complete the Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2011-16.
- Prepare the campus to effectively deal with the budget challenges of Fiscal year 2012 and beyond.
- Foster a positive, collegial environment for faculty and staff on all campuses.
- Prepare the academic curriculum and academic organization throughout the System to meet the demands of the 21st Century.
- Assure student access and success on all campuses.
- Improve the diversity of the student body and workforce at the University.
- Inventory, prioritize, and strategically fund improvements to facilities.
- Meet and exceed the $125 million goal of the “Our Promise: Campaign for Missouri State.”
- Continue to advance economic development and community impact through the IDEA Commons, JVIC, and other collaborations.
Dr. Cofer indicated that progress has been made on almost every initiative. For example, in improving facilities, about $2.8 million will be spent to upgrade four labs (with associated infrastructure improvements) in Temple Hall, to renovate the Carrington auditorium into a 400-seat classroom, and to create a large classroom in the McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall.
4. Update on Strategic Plan --- Dr. Cofer then briefed the governors on each of the strategic directions in the long-range plan:
Access to Success – Missouri State will expand access to educational opportunities and prepare students for successful citizenship and careers in a global competitive world.
Engaged Inquiry – Missouri State will pursue research and scholarly activities that enrich the learning experience of students and are responsive to the critical needs of the region and state.
Public Affairs Integration – Missouri State will equip and inspire graduates to engage in global policy issues and creatively apply their education to identify solutions to pressing worldwide issues.
Partners for Progress – Missouri State will be actively involved in and serve as a catalyst for positive change, as an essential partner in improving the quality of life of Missourians and enhancing the economic vitality of the region and state.
Valuing and Supporting People – Missouri State will value and support faculty and staff in the context of a dynamic University environment that engages their full potential in an environment of inclusive excellence.
Responsible Stewardship – Missouri State will honor the public trust by preserving and protecting the University’s assets for future generations of students.
Dr. Cofer reviewed some of the objectives under each strategic direction along with the measures and targets for the objectives. He indicated that targets continue to be refined, and tactics to help reach each objective are being developed. In the Access to Success discussions, Ms. Washington remarked that some type of intervention to help diverse students trying to adjust to campus life is needed. Dr. Cofer commented that we are studying the use of a wing in Freudenberger as a multi-cultural center.
5. FY12 Budget Update --- Dr. Cofer next mentioned that the University has budgeted conservatively the past few years and the reserves have grown to a point that we will be able to use a small amount of these reserves to help us handle the FY12 State appropriation cut. Instead of looking for additional areas to cut, the various budget committees are now looking at how they can reallocate funds to their priority areas. He added that the Fee Resolution will be presented at the April 1, 2011, meeting. We will be returning to the principle of having the per-hour fees for out-of-state students be twice that for in-state students.
6. Moving Missouri State University to the Next Level Academically --- Dr. Belinda McCarthy, Provost, began this topic by reporting that the Task Force on General Education has been charged with overseeing a review of the current core curriculum to determine how it might better “prepare our students to be successful and effective in their future roles in the 21st Century” and more fully incorporate the Public Affairs mission. She added that the Faculty Senate has approved three pillars of the mission: Ethical Leadership, Community Engagement, and Cultural Competence. Departments have reviewed and reported assessment plans describing the ways in which degree programs’ learning outcomes are linked to these areas of our mission. She said that the entire faculty needs to bring the mission into the classroom. To enhance student learning, we need to explore course redesign and innovative teaching methods using technology to better engage our students. Another consideration offered was to consider adding a one-hour service learning component to enhance the educational experience. It was discussed that the Board should consider an annual award for our teachers who are using innovative teaching methods to enhance student learning and tie the learning to our mission.
7. Missouri General Assembly Update --- Mr. Paul Kincaid, Chief of Staff, distributed copies of the Missouri Department of Higher Education Legislative Update for February 25, 2011. He explained that this document gives a summary of legislation impacting Higher Education. He drew special attention to the House Bill being proposed that changes the composition of the University of Missouri Board of Curators and the Missouri State University Board of Governors.
8. 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 March 4/5, 2011, meeting of the Board of Governors to consider items of business pursuant to:
R.S.Mo. 610.021(3). “Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body…”
R.S.Mo. 610.021(13). “Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment,…”
Mr. Duggan moved the approval of the resolution and Mr. Kimbrough seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the resolution was as follows: those voting in favor – Governors Bradbury, Duggan, Elliott, Hammons, Kimbrough, Sheid, Smith, Washington, and Winston; those voting against – none.
Ms. Bradbury declared the resolution passed unanimously.
9. Date of Next Meeting --- The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting was set for Friday, April 1, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. on the West Plains Campus.
10. Adjournment--- Ms. Bradbury adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m. on the motion of Mr. Kimbrough, the second of Mr. Elliott, and the unanimous vote of the Board.
John W. McAlear
Secretary