Staff Senate Meeting Minutes February 12, 2026

Date/Location: February 12, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. in Melton 112 with Zoom option available

In Attendance: Trevor Cressman, Lauren Willis, Kileene Collins, Alexandra Graham, Lindsey Waggoner, Sophia Skinner, Kelly Elkins, Sheila Sparks, Nina Williams, Emilie Brotherton, Justin Wade, Trish Smith, Todd Stockton, Heath Lair, Laura Underhill, Kelley Towell, Erica Puckett, Melissa Jett, Kenzie Warren, Cedric Wooledge, Douglas Cooley, Trace Winfrey, Kris Brinkerhoff, and Chad Corley. Zoom participants: Barbie Mustion, Tara Shahan, Sue Icenhower, Misty Davis, and Christina Kerley.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve and seconded.

Approval of January Meeting Minutes – The blog site is temporarily down so the January meeting minutes were not available at the time of the meeting. Trevor plans to share them later for all to view.

Chancellor’s Report

Chancellor Mulligan shared news about an article in the Springfield Journal that was published and did not reflect an accurate representation of her interview.
Continuing to work on the budget and our focus must be on enrollment.
Potential changes are coming for Shannon Hall, more to come.
Looking to sell the Pennsylvania House.
Our tiered tuition model will continue with a modest increase and a $5 increase in student fees.
Will be looking at private grants.
HLC update: the hearing date has been moved to April 21.
Enrollment update: Up in head count and down in credit hours. Census Day is February 17.

Weather Policy Update (Dr. Michael Orf)

In the case of inclement weather, depending on the conditions, there could be 3 possibilities:
- Remote Learning – offices open
- Remote Learning – offices closed
- Everything closed – no classes
In some instances, essential employees only would expect to work – IT (power/equipment outages), and the Physical Plant (clearing parking lots and sidewalks).
If the West Plains campus closes, the same will apply to Mtn. Grove. There could be some instances where Mtn. Grove would be closed but WP would remain open.
Announcements/Alerts for cancellations/closures will be made by 7:00 a.m. at the latest for day classes and by 3:00 p.m. for evening classes.
- The question was asked about allowing for an earlier announcement/alert for those that must drive some distance and would already be on the road by 7 a.m. Dr. Orf will present that question to the AC next week and will get back to us on the final decision.
If you do not receive the alerts/notifications, please let your supervisor know so they can connect with CJ Collins.
If you notice an area around campus that was missed in clearing snow/ice, please let your supervisor know so they can connect with the physical plant.
Let students know to use their best judgment when it comes to traveling and if they decide not to travel to notify their instructor.

Internal Communications (Chad Corley)

Introducing a new way to request MarCom Services
- Please send your requests via email to: wpunivcomm@missouristate.edu with “Service Request” in the subject line.
- If you have an urgent request or top priority request, feel free to contact Chad directly.
You can also fill out an online form at:
- missouristate.edu/communications
- missouristate.edu/marketing
Take Note will have a new look and will be called Grizzly Notes.
They are in the process of recording radio spots for the “Here For You” campaign.

President’s Report (Trevor Cressman)

Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award
- Emilie Brotherton has agreed to oversee forming a committee to gather nominations to be brought to the group to vote on. Nomination ideas should be sent to her.
Honorary Degree Award
- Nominations are being sought for an honorary associate’s degree to be awarded during the commencement ceremony on May 9. Nomination ideas should be sent to Trevor.

President Elect Report (Lauren Willis) – no report.

Secretary Report (Kileene Collins) – no report

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham) –We have $2,042.41 in our account.

Department Updates, Announcements, and Committee Updates/Reports

Committee Reports
- Assessment Questions or Follow-Up (Alexandra Graham)
  - Excited about the HLC report and thanks to everyone’s hard work!
- Activities Committee:
  - Homecoming Activities (Feb 21):
    - Grizzly Pre-Game Party 5-7pm in the Civic Center Exhibit Hall
    - Pep Bus bringing students from the Lofts 5:45pm
    - There will be 12-16 informational and activity booths set up from a mixture of student organizations and campus departments
    - Student Life will provide cornhole, axe throwing, etc.
    - Meet-and-Greet with autographs to include the basketball team, Grizz and the cheer team 5:30-6:00 pm
    - Homecoming T-shirts will be available at the Drago College Store booth. (Staff/Faculty are welcome to purchase shirts anytime between now and homecoming. $20 each with $10 going back to Staff Senate)
  - Homecoming Spirit Week Activities (Feb 17-20)
    - Blue jeans are allowed all week!
    - Tuesday, 2/17 – Anything but a Water Bottle Day
    - Wednesday, 2/18 – Neon Day
    - Thursday, 2/19 – Rest up for the Big Game – Wear jeans and a Grizzly T-Shirt
    - Friday, 2/20 – Paint the Town Blue – Everybody wear BLUE!
    - All are encouraged to share pictures each day of your participation and share on social media using the hashtag #PaintTheTownBlue or #GrizzliesForever. Flyers were distributed to local businesses, WP Chamber of Commerce and WP Downtown Board encouraging their participation to #PaintTheTownBlue.
- Strategic Planning Update (Lindsey Waggoner)
  - The committee is reviewing the campus feedback from the interactive workshop to update our values, vision, and mission.
  - Based on the feedback, they utilized the common themes to determine the goals for the Goal Work Groups and assigned members. The Goals are:
    - Expand Awareness of MSU-WP
    - Implement and Enhance Opportunities to Grow and Maintain Enrollment
    - Align Institutional Offerings with the Needs of the Communities We Serve
    - Strengthen Fiscal and Organizational Resources
    - Optimize and Develop Partnerships with Missouri State University in Springfield
  - Strategic Planning Goal Work Group Training will be on February 27 and those assigned to a work group should have received an invite to the training.
  - 3/20/26 Strategic Planning Interactive Workshop 2 (Magnolia Room WPCC 1-3pm
  - 4/24/26 Strategic Planning Interactive Workshop 3 (Student Rec Center 2-4pm)
Department Reports
- Human Resources (Alyssa Collins)
  - Welcome New Staff:
    - Kenzie Warren, Admission Counselor
    - Dustin Sahlmann, Head Volleyball Coach
  - Check your Check:
    - Please take a moment to review your personal information and January pay statement to ensure everything is accurate, including your benefit elections.
      - New benefits effective January 2026 should be reflected in your paycheck. Refer to the HR Blog for more details. If you notice any discrepancies, contact HRbenefits@missouristate.edu immediately.
  - 1095-C and W-2 Tax Forms:
    - The 1095-C (medical coverage) and W-2 tax forms are available through the Employee Dashboard in My Missouri State.
  - New Medical Cards:
    - Med-Pay is now Point-C and new medical/dental ID cards have been mailed to all participants. Refer to the HR Blog for updated member portal instructions.
  - Free Retirement Education Resources:
    - MSU offers free webinars and seminars to help employees plan for retirement. Learn more and access resources in the HR Blog.
  - FMLA Reminder:
    - A reminder that if a full-time employee is out sick beyond three consecutive days, Human Resources must review for FMLA eligibility.
- Career Services (Lindsey Waggoner)
  - Career Fair in the Student Rec Center on Feb 26 from 10am – 12pm

- Garnett Library (Rebekah McKinney)
  - OHRC Events
    - Tuesday, February 17 @ 6:00 p.m. – African American Read-In 2026 by Angela Williams
    - Tuesday, February 24 @ 6:00 p.m. – The Great Tornado of 1925 by Steve Wiegenstein

Drawing for Giveaway: Winner – Emilie Brotherton

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.