Active Shooter Training & Recent Incident on Campus

Last month, I announced we would implement active shooter training across campus for all faculty and staff beginning in January. As I read accounts of the events in Las Vegas, it demonstrated the importance of faculty and staff being trained to determine when it is best to leave and when to shelter in place and secure your location. This is valuable training for our campus, and I appreciate your participation.

A recent incident at Merick Hall is also a good reminder to be vigilant and observant, and to report anything that seems suspicious. A student reported to DPS they thought they saw someone with a weapon in a residence hall. I am appreciative to DPS for quick action and an investigation that resulted in an arrest within 48 hours. We also learned valuable lessons during this incident, particularly regarding our communications, that will improve our campus response. I ask you all to report anything you feel is concerning. We have skilled DPS officers who are happy to investigate claims out of an abundance of caution.

Transforming Lives Update

In October, we announced the largest comprehensive campaign in SEMO's history. University Advancement has been busy working with our alumni and donors to assist them in making an impact on our students' education. The four pillar areas of the campaign include academics, technology, facilities, and athletics.

Recently, the Foundation has received two $50,000 gifts to support academic programs. Two additional $50,000 gifts have also been received to support our students with scholarships. These are just a few examples of the donor support we are receiving. While there is still much work to do to reach our campaign goals, I wanted to share some of the successes we are having as well as the level of generosity of our alumni and donors in supporting the campaign.

Enrollment Update

Enrollment continues to be a challenge with our fall 2024 projections still trending to a decline. We are currently working on targeted strategies that could positively impact our enrollment, and I want to share two examples.

First, we increased the amount that candidates who interview for our President's Scholarship receive. The President's Scholarship is the most prestigious we offer to students who represent the top of all applicants to Southeast. Since making that announcement to prospective students, we have seen a 54% increase in President's Scholarship applicants over last year.

The second example also relates to scholarships. We have increased the number of scholarships available for the SEMO Marching Band, which recruits students of all academic majors to the University. Our Department of Music faculty are leading this charge, and I know they are working with all departments to promote this scholarship opportunity to prospective students.

You will have the opportunity to hear more about our enrollment strategies and get an update on the budget during two Strategic Action Plan Updates being planned for the spring semester. We are currently working on scheduling and will notify you once dates are set.

Legislative Update

As you may recall from my November communication, we hosted a Legislative Briefing for area legislators on Nov. 6. As part of that discussion, we reviewed with them our 2024 legislative and capital priorities. Some of you have asked what those priorities include. In summary, during the upcoming legislative session we will be seeking to include the following in the state’s FY2025 budget:

• Core operating support consistent with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education’s recommendation to increase core operating appropriations. For Southeast, this would equal an appropriation of $56,339,219 or a 5% increase over FY2024 amounts.
• Capital project funding of at least $18.5 million for Southeast’s Modern Campus Transformational Project to assist the University in its continued efforts to enhance the student experience, maintain academic excellence, improve space utilization, address aging facilities and infrastructure, and improve campus safety and security.
• Consideration of New Decision Items (NDIs) to help the University address critical deferred maintenance, regional campus operations and SEMO Online.

On December 1, the Missouri House and Senate began pre-filing bills. Some other key dates to keep in mind include:

• Jan. 3 / First Day of Session
• Jan. 24 / Governor's State of the State Address (Tentative)
• March 18-22 / Legislative Spring Break
• May 10 / Deadline to Pass & Send Budget to Governor
• May 17 / Last Day of Session

As a reminder, if you are asked to engage with legislators or have a question about a piece of legislation, please contact Chris Martin, chief of staff and general counsel in the President’s Office, prior to taking any action. This includes association trips to Jefferson City or Washington, D.C. It will be helpful for him to know when you are going, who you are meeting with, have an opportunity to hear the nature of the proposed meeting/conversation, and to give guidance on your interaction. Chris can be contacted via email at [email protected] or via phone at 651-2322.

Once the 2024 legislative session gets underway, I will continue to keep you updated on our efforts.

Board of Governor's Meeting

SEMO's Board of Governors will formally meet Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. You will be able to find the agenda posted on the Board webpage next Wednesday, Dec. 13 after 2 p.m. Please visit semo.edu/news following the Board meeting for updates on actions taken.

Staff Vacancy Compensation

Like most business and industry, SEMO has faced challenges in hiring and staffing recently. I appreciate those of you who work diligently to cover these vacancies in service to our students. Staff employees temporarily assuming extra work associated with either a staff position vacancy or extended leave period may now be eligible for additional compensation under a new program.

Employees who meet the following criteria will be eligible:

• Additional duties must be performed for a minimum of one month.
• The staff employee must be assuming additional duties of the same or higher level in scope and pay band assignment.
• The staff employee must be performing a significant percentage of work duties regularly assigned to the staff position.

If meeting the eligibility requirements, Human Resources will authorize a monthly additional compensation amount based on the following parameters.

• If temporarily performing duties of a staff position at a higher level, additional compensation will be authorized in the equivalent of $400 per month.
• If temporarily performing duties of a staff position at the same level, additional compensation will be authorized in the equivalent of $250 per month.

Supervisors of employees who are taking on additional duties may request additional compensation for those employees with their human resources specialist. Requests should include:

• Employee's name
• Staff position vacancy duties being temporarily filled by the employee
• Estimated end date of an additional compensation assignment

I am pleased we can now recognize the efforts of our staff who continue to do the business of the University and prevent lapse in service during vacancies. You can learn more by visiting the mySEMO portal and searching "additional compensation program."

Flexible Work Moves from Pilot

Our expanded flexible work pilot program concludes at the end of the calendar year. Human Resources reports the pilot has been working well, and we are, therefore, ready to expand the program for staff. The process will begin in January as follows.

1. Employees interested in participating are asked to apply at myworkflows.semo.edu. If you participated in the pilot, you will need to reapply.
2. Employee applications for flexible work will be vetted by Human Resources and the corresponding supervisor on ability and appropriateness to successfully perform work in an alternate location. We know all jobs are different, so flexible arrangements will be determined individually.
3. Requests will require approval by the supervisor and division executive.
4. Once approved for consideration, Human Resources and Information Technology will virtually complete a review of the alternative workspace.
5. Employees will then sign a flexible work agreement.

As in the pilot, at this time the program is only available to staff employees who live in certain states. This is due to various tax laws on multiple levels of government, the volume of which exceeds our current capacity to manage.

I am pleased we are taking this step to offer staff the possibility of flexible work arrangements. I am also pleased we will have the option to advertise some future positions with flexible work arrangements. This is something many of you who have been engaged in hiring over the last year have requested. The change should strengthen our candidate pools.

Beginning January 1, 2024, staff employees may begin submitting workflow requests online. Watch Newswire for more information.