Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular 8月 session on Thursday heard a series of reports outlining institutional goals 和 ideas as the University embarks on its 2023-24 academic year. 

In his own report to the Board, University President Dr. Lance Tatum, who began June 1 at the University, reflected on his first 64 days of leading Northwest 和 the connections he has established within the community 和 region. 

“If you think about the old saying, ‘busy h和s are happy h和s,’”塔图姆说, “嗯, I am deliriously happy. It has been a very busy 64 days but a very rewarding 64 days.”

During his brief report, Tatum told Regents 和 others gathered for Thursday’s meeting that he has focused on underst和ing the University’s culture 和 traditions while building an awareness of the opportunities available to Northwest.

“Certainly there are challenges, but there are a great number of opportunities,塔图姆说 before ticking through a list of initial goals that include stabilizing 和 growing on-campus enrollment, garnering state support for the University, improving campus infrastructure, talent 和 leadership development, 和筹款.

塔图姆引用了 recently completed remodel of the McKemy Center of Lifelong Learning 和 ongoing work to renovate Martindale Hall as two key initiatives for Northwest. 另外, Tatum said Northwest is evaluating admissions 和 scholarship models while working to further diversify its enrollment 和 academic programs.  

Tatum concluded by expressing gratitude for the support shown to him 和 his wife, 吉尔, by the Maryville community 和 said he is committed to maintaining the strong partnership that exists with Northwest.

“I want to reciprocate by making sure that we’re paying attention to the needs of the city, but I also want to support the northwest region as well,塔图姆说. “We serve as the engine that will drive a lot of what happens in northwest Missouri, 和 I’ve been very excited in meetings I’ve attended, in hearing ways in which we can assist with economic development 和 workforce development.”

New students will begin moving onto campus Thursday, 8月. 17, 和 the University’s fall semester begins Monday, 8月. 21. 

In other business

Regents approved a contract of about $2.6 million between the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) 和 the Missouri Department of Elementary 和 Secondary Education for 2023-24. 的 funds support salary, 好处, regional 和 state-required travel, 设备, materials 和 supplies for staff at the center, which supports 59 school districts in northwest Missouri 和 has been supported by Northwest since 1995.

的 Board approved the appointments of seven full-time faculty 和 114 adjunct faculty to teach during the 2023-24 academic year. 的 appointments add to 240 faculty approved to teach by the Board during its June meeting.

的 Board also approved a revised policy regarding business expenditures incurred by the University president 和 a list of graduation c和idates completing bachelor’s, master’s 和 specialist degrees at the conclusion of summer coursework.

During a morning work session, Regents heard presentations outlining University goals for 2023-24 as well as plans for a modernization of the campus’s energy infrastructure.

的 Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University 和 determining general, educational 和 financial policies.