Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular meeting Thursday approved the institution’s FY19 financial audit and a revised Greek Life Risk Management Policy.

The financial audit, presented by RubinBrown, LLP, resulted in an unmodified opinion of the University’s financial statements and compliance for major federal programs. It identified no misstatements or deficiencies.

The University is required to complete an annual audit of its financial statements by an external audit firm. RubinBrown visited the campus this fall to complete the audit as well as a review of compliance and internal control over the University’s financial reporting.

The Board-approved revisions to Northwest’s Greek Life Risk Management Policy set new guidelines and rules for events that Greek organizations host with alcohol.

Presenting the revised policy to Regents, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker said Greek Life staff will host training sessions to educate Greek leaders about the policy updates during the spring semester. Baker, who was joined for the presentation by Greek organization leaders Mackenzie Baker and Johan Senda and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Kori Hoffmann, also noted student leaders were involved in discussions regarding the changes.

 

In other business

The Board approved revisions to the 2020-21 academic calendar, which sets the University’s annual Homecoming Walkout Day on Friday, Oct. 10, 2020. Fall 2020 classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 19, and winter 2020 commencement ceremonies are Friday, Dec. 11.

The Board also approved revisions to Northwest’s employee handbook that included changes to drug and alcohol screenings for employees involved in an accident with a University vehicle; reduced tuition for dependents of employees; and pay rates for essential staff called to work when the University closes.

Additionally, the Board approved a proposal to transition its student information system to Oracle Cloud and authorized Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick to execute a five-year contract with Oracle.

 

Board recognitions

Regents recognized Northwest faculty, staff and students at Thursday’s meeting for a variety of achievements this fall.

• An outdoor classroom operated by the Phyllis and Richard Leet Center for Children and Families on the Northwest campus received national recognition as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.
• Registrar Terri Vogel was elected president-elect of the Missouri Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
• Tyler Helm, a recent Northwest graduate, received the O.R. Grawe Award from the Association of Missouri Geologists.
• Brian Swink, an instructor of mathematics and statistics, received the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award for post-secondary educators.
• Paula McLain, Northwest’s student employment coordinator, received the President’s Award from the National Student Employment Association.
• Students Michaelene Mays and Alix Lichtas were inducted into the Office of University Advancement’s President’s Club for their fundraising efforts through the Bearcat Callers program. Mays secured a $100,000 gift commitment – the largest-ever through the program – and Lichtas raised more than $22,000 this fall.   
• The Bearcat men’s cross country team finished fifth – its best in program history – at the NCAA Division II national championship meet with Karim Achengli and Jhordan Ccope receiving All-America honors.
• Bearcat volleyball player Hallie Sidney earned an All-America honorable mention from the American Volleyball Coaches Association after helping the Bearcat team to its first conference tournament win since 1992.

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