This month’s Board of Governors meeting discussed many issues around campus.

The first presentation, given by President Scanlon, was on “Points of Pride,” a sampling of faculty, staff and student achievements. Examples include achievements in biological research, art awards, nursing in Honduras, national nontraditional student and adviser awards and peace studies in Northern Ireland.

The financial report, presented by Ron Olinger, Vice President for financial planning and administration, showed the overall financial picture to be positive.

Juda Hall renovations were completed and occupancy numbers are up around 20 percent.

A proposal was passed by the board to create and fund a special account for presidential search expenses in the amount of $125,000.

After the meeting Michael Speros, director of residential life, consented to an interview. He said MWSU had 897 in the dorms last year, has 1064 students this year and there is an increase in both first year and returning student categories.

“We have 92 percent occupancy based on the number of super singles we have available,” Olinger said. “We are really pleased.”

Two new graduate programs have been proposed at Missouri Western, a master of applied science in assessment (with options in learning improvement and writing) and a master of applied arts in integrated media (with an option in applied integrated media and an option in convergent media).

“These programs have made progress through the approval process and are now at the Department of Higher Education,” Jeanne Daffron, assistant vice president for academic and student affairs, said.

The board approved the recommended health, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance coverage for faculty and staff.

Our student governor, Harold Callaway III, gave a report to the board on SGA activities. He will be completing his term in December, and is starting the search for suitable replacement candidates.

“There is a lengthy selection process here on campus where we find three candidates, go through an interview process following Missouri statutes, then go to the director of boards and commissions in Jefferson City,” Callaway said. “The director gives the names to the Governor (of Missouri). The Governor chooses one name to go through Senate confirmation.”

He is also sending out surveys on the newspaper readership program which supplies our newspapers on campus.

This program costs around $30,000 annually.

The next meeting of the Board of Governors will be Oct 25 at 5:30 p.m., followed by an annual dinner honoring staff.