Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular August session on Thursday morning approved two athletics-related proposals in addition to authorizing another distribution of funding to students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Regents ratified a contract and authorized the University to proceed with repairs to the roof of the Lamkin Activity Center, not to exceed $1.2 million, through a contract with Straub Construction.

Northwest determined the repairs are necessary after an evaluation by a third-party engineering firm in May reported that the facility is not safe for occupancy due to concerns with the roof structure. Based on the engineering firm’s recommendation, the University immediately closed the facility and temporarily relocated employees and groups who use the building. University President Dr. John Jasinski also issued an emergency procurement declaration under RSMo 34.045, based on the safety concerns and need for immediate repairs. 

Phase one of the repairs includes erecting a shoring system to support the structure’s wood frame ceiling and minimize further damage until the second phase, which will involve repairs to the roof, is completed.

In addition to classrooms, the Student Recreation Center and staff offices, Lamkin Activity Center includes Bearcat Arena, which is the home of the Bearcat volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball teams. Because Northwest expects the arena to be offline through October, the volleyball team will play its home season in the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse, resulting in additional investments for flooring underlayment, a Sport Court, bleachers and other equipment.

Additionally, the Board approved a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy, effective immediately, in alignment with an NCAA interim policy that went into effect July 1 and allows for college athletes to earn compensation by signing endorsement and sponsorship contracts.

Missouri Gov. Michael Parson signed HB 297 with guiding principles for student-athletes in the state of Missouri that are effective Aug. 28. Two key features of the state policy are the ability of individual boosters to arrange deals with student-athletes and the responsibility of universities to provide a financial development program for athletes at least once annually. The MIAA conference, to which Northwest belongs, also has partnered with Siegfreid Bingham to create Empower U, which provides resources to MIAA members to assist with NIL matters.

The Northwest policy recognizes that student-athletes may earn compensation for use of their NIL or athletics reputation from a third party, but student-athletes are prohibited from receiving payment for their athletic performance or as a recruiting incentive. Northwest, its athletics department and University employees may not provide compensation to, or arrange compensation for, a current or prospective intercollegiate athlete for use of their NIL.

In other business, the Board approved Northwest’s distribution of a portion of its student emergency grant funds as authorized under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III).

Northwest received an allocation of about $6.8 million in federal emergency grant funds to provide support to students enrolled at the University. Similar to prior HEERF fund allocations, the institution is required to prioritize students with exceptional need, and Northwest will distribute the most recent allocation to Pell-eligible, undergraduate students enrolled during the summer 2021 term.

The Board also approved the appointments of full-time, adjunct and dual credit faculty to teach during the 2021-22 academic year.

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