UCM Board Approves Strategic Plan Framework, Construction Projects and Contracts

From left, Board of Governors President John Collier, retired office professional Susie Pine
and UCM President Roger Best during the June 18 board meeting.

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Board of Governors approved a proposed framework for the university’s 2026-31 strategic plan, recognized faculty and staff members, and approved a series of academic, technology, transportation, facilities and construction-related items during its plenary session on Thursday, June 18, on the Warrensburg campus.

The Board also approved several items from committee meetings earlier in the day, including contracts and project-related actions that support campus operations, student services, athletics, technology infrastructure, aviation and future residence hall construction.

The strategic plan framework is organized around six imperatives: learner access and achievement; applied learning; people and culture; partnerships and impact; operational innovation and excellence; and institutional identity. Developed through a yearlong process with broad stakeholder input, the plan is intended to serve as a working document, with metrics, implementation and assessment continuing as units develop aligned initiatives.

 

The Board also recognized five retiring employees with emeritus status: Brian Brost, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy; Pamela Hoyer, senior instructor of Engineering Technology; Sandy Hutchinson, Ed.D., professor of Educational Leadership; Janet “Susie” Pine, office professional; and Tim Pinkston, assistant athletic director for trademarks, licensing, and design. Pine was recognized for more than 48 years of service to UCM.

Staff Council award recipients were also recognized during the meeting. Carol Knight, director of Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation, received the 2026 JP Mees Award. Heather Stringer, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, received the 2026 Outstanding Staff Award.

In Board action, members approved a new 18-credit-hour Social Work minor designed to provide foundational knowledge in social work practice, human behavior and related topics, while complementing majors such as Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing and Criminal Justice. The minor is effective spring 2027, pending approval by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.

The Board also approved an updated fiscal year 2027 operating budget. The update moves $107,000 from the property insurance expense line to institutional contingency, with no change to the overall budget.

Board members approved the purchase of fiscal year 2027 property insurance at an annual cost of $1,231,360. The FY 2027 premium is lower than the FY 2026 premium of $1,345,232, following several years of increases in the property insurance market.

The Board approved a contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for UCM medical plans for the 2027 benefit year. The agreement covers Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2027, with four one-year renewal options. The plan includes a 1.5% increase, with no change in the premium cost-share structure.

Board members approved UCM’s deferred maintenance and capital funding project priorities for submission as the university’s fiscal year 2028 capital appropriations request to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. The Board also approved UCM’s fiscal year 2028 state operating appropriations request of $72,622,434 and authorized the university treasurer to modify the request if needed because of unforeseen changes in department guidelines.

Transportation-related action included approval of a contract with Crossroad Tours to provide athletics transportation and shuttle bus services. The contract covers an initial two-year period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with two two-year renewal options. The contract combines athletics transportation and shuttle service between UCM’s Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit campuses.

Board members approved the purchase of Cisco Webex Calling Unified Communications as a Service and Cisco Public Switched Telephone Network services through Logicalis. The five-year agreement totals $981,411.48 and includes services and professional support for implementation and migration to a new enterprise phone system. The Board also approved a five-year contract with Logicalis totaling $1,135,040.92 for replacement firewall hardware, services, support, maintenance and implementation. The purchase will replace the university’s current firewall with a next-generation Cisco firewall solution.

Another technology action approved a contract with Logicalis totaling $1,366,887.22 for procurement, installation, configuration and five-year support of new virtualization software and hardware infrastructure. University officials said the project will support data center operations and leverage available state-appropriated funding associated with the Humphreys Building renewal project.

The Board approved an amendment to UCM’s contract with Niche to add graduate-level recruitment services. The amendment adds $57,000 for the remainder of the contract, or $28,500 per year, increasing the total contract from $328,470 to $385,470.

Facilities-related action included approval to construct a roll-off roof observatory structure at Prussing Farm to permanently house UCM’s Astronomical Observatory and relocate it from Pertle Springs. The move is intended to address limitations at the current site, including parking, tree canopy and light conditions. Students in Construction Management and related areas have been involved in the project’s design and are expected to participate in construction.

The Board approved a contract with Olsson for on-call architectural and engineering professional services. The services include work related to a master plan update, an environmental study, an airport layout plan and an Exhibit A property map for Skyhaven Airport, with UCM serving as the airport sponsor in coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.

A proposal from McCownGordon Construction to provide construction manager at-risk services for the new residence hall project was approved. The proposal includes $50,000 for preconstruction services, $2,381,480 for general conditions and a 2.45% fee on the total cost of work, based on a guaranteed maximum price to be determined later. The project is part of UCM’s broader plan to replace Yeater Hall with a new residence hall. Replacing the facility will allow the university to continue modernizing residential spaces that meet the expectations of today’s students and support student access, success, campus life and institutional competitiveness.

In other business, the Board received its annual compliance update related to UCM’s tax-exempt financing. The update is part of the university’s regular reporting process for bond compliance.

The Board also received information on actions taken in 2025-26 under presidential delegated authority and heard a legislative report on the recently concluded Missouri legislative session, including state budget activity and ongoing discussions about a potential funding formula for Missouri public higher education institutions.

Board members also approved the 2026-27 board officer slate, naming Stephen L. Abney as board president, Stu Rogers as board vice president, Mary Dandurand as board secretary and Kristen Plummer as assistant board secretary.

During a special plenary session held by teleconference May 27, the Board approved construction of a new indoor player development facility at Crane Stadium. The approximately 19,000-square-foot facility will support training and development for UCM baseball and softball student-athletes. The project has a cost not to exceed $6.3 million and will be funded through a combination of donor support and university funds.

The fully enclosed facility is expected to include space for diamond sports training, including a regulation-size baseball infield, hitting and pitching lanes, athletic training space, turf flooring and related support areas. The facility will be located near Crane Stadium on university-owned land. UCM expects approximately $2.5 million in gift support toward the project. The current indoor facility at Crane Stadium will remain in place for possible future renewal and use.

At the May 27 meeting, the Board also approved a $99,941 change order with Mid-America Sports Construction for ground preparation work related to artificial turf installation at the East Practice Field. The work addresses additional site preparation needs identified during the project and will be funded through Student Recreation and Wellness Funds. The original contract for artificial turf ground preparation was approved in March and supports turf installation at the East Practice Field, Jennies Soccer Field and the outfield of Jennies Softball Field.

During a special plenary session on June 26 on the Warrensburg campus, the Board authorized university officers to execute the necessary documents to issue tax-exempt Series 2026 Bonds through the Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority (MOHEFA). The proceeds from these bonds will be used for several capital projects designed to enhance the student campus experience. 

At the June 26 meeting, the Board also approved McCownGordon Construction’s proposal to provide construction manager at-risk services for the construction of the new Welcome Center and improvements to the Utt and Grinstead buildings. The proposal includes $30,000 for preconstruction services, $1,579,395 for general conditions and a 2.45% fee on the total cost of work, based on a guaranteed maximum price to be determined later. Planned for the corner of South and Maguire streets, the 25,200-square-foot Welcome Center will be an inviting entry point for visitors and a venue for community gatherings and university receptions. The project also includes an exterior facelift to the neighboring Grinstead and Utt buildings.