Regents approve construction projects, police officer, faculty appointments

Just weeks ahead of students arriving on campus to begin a new academic year, Northwest Missouri State University's Board of Regents on Friday approved a pair of renovation projects, in addition to a series of hires and policy changes.

Regents approved a $1.7 million project to renovate and modernize four academic laboratories in the Garrett-Strong Science Building, including the acquisition of leading-edge equipment and learning tools to support health science education.

The University will fund the project with the assistance of a MoExcels grant from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, which will provide 70 percent of the project cost, or about $1.19 million. Northwest will provide the remaining $510,000 to complete the project.

Northwest expects the upgraded lab spaces to enhance program capacity and training for students studying in healthcare and wellness-related fields such as anatomy and physiology, medical nutrition, exercise prescription, health and wellness, biology, biochemistry and biomechanics.

In bringing the proposal to the Board, Northwest Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman explained that, pending the construction bid process and awarding a contract, the renovation could begin as soon as December with construction continuing through the spring semester.

The Board also approved heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment upgrades at Roberta Hall at a total cost of $275,000. Northwest Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick explained that staff recently uncovered failures in Roberta Hall's HVAC system and the University sought to address the system immediately so the residence hall is ready for occupancy this fall.

With the Board's approval, Northwest will pay for the Robert Hall upgrades through savings in its Auxiliary Services fund.

President's report

In his report to the Board, Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum noted the University is anticipating the start of the fall semester, with move-in day set for Thursday, Aug. 22, and the fall semester beginning Monday, Aug. 26. The Bearcat football team kicks off the fall sports season at Northwest at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, with a game against Minnesota State University, Mankato at Bearcat Stadium.

Tatum also formally announced the appointment of Amanda Cullin as Northwest's next chief of police, noting that her lengthy service with the University set her apart from other candidates for the role.

"She also distinguished herself through the interview process," Tatum added. "She handled herself very well. She had great insight into the institution's culture and what she thought would be needed to move us forward."

Further, Tatum highlighted the highly visible construction work that has begun on the campus this summer, including a renovation of Martindale Hall and the University's infrastructure modernization project.

"This is such a significant step forward for the University, and I want to thank the regents for supporting our request to move forward on this," Tatum said. "This is going to put the University in a great position."

Other business

In other business, regents approved the appointments of five full-time faculty and 115 adjunct faculty for the 2024-25 academic year, adding to 242 full-time faculty approved by Regents in June.

The Board approved the hiring of Samantha Fugate to the University Police Department, per Missouri statute. Fugate was previously employed with the Missouri Department of Corrections and is attending the Missouri Western State University Law Enforcement Academy. She will begin her Northwest appointment in January upon completion of the law enforcement academy program.

The Board also approved a Pregnancy Modification policy addressing how Northwest will accommodate students and employees who become pregnant. In response to a new set of Title IX guidelines released in April by the U.S. Department of Education, the Northwest policy outlines its process for providing accommodations for pregnancy or related conditions and the types of accommodations available, including access to online education, excused absences, and scheduling or course changes.

Northwest Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker noted the Pregnancy Modification policy codifies accommodations that already are provided on the campus and will be implemented similarly to other accommodation policies managed by the University's Office of Title IX and Equity.

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