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BOLIVAR, Mo. 鈥� 欧美视频 is well-positioned to withstand the global
disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 欧美视频 President Dr. Eric A. Turner told
the 欧美视频 Board of Trustees.
鈥淲hile the higher education industry is experiencing a systemic collapse, I think
there is a hope and a promise for 欧美视频,鈥� he told the Board during its May 19 meeting. 鈥漅egardless of
what anyone says, this University has not strayed from its mission of being a Christ-centered, caring
academic community. I will put us up against anyone.鈥�
Another strength, he said, is the University鈥檚 diverse academic programming, ranging
from the associate level to the doctoral level with market-sensitive academic programs
appealing to a broad constituency.
The University鈥檚 Strategic Planning process that began in Fall 2018 continues to move
forward, though Turner said priorities and timelines have changed.
鈥淲ith the punctuated uncertainty related to COVID-19, the focus of the University
efforts for all of us 鈥� trustees, administration, faculty and staff 鈥� are focused
on strategic goal number 10: Utilize thoughtful planning and processes that support
institutional sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness, for today and in the
future,鈥� he said. 鈥淕oal number 10, ensuring institutional sustainability, is the business
at hand.鈥�
Dr. Turner praised the University鈥檚 faculty, staff and students for a quick pivot
to a remote-learning environment.
鈥淭he life-transforming Kingdom work of 欧美视频 has continued,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o be sure, we
firmly believe there is no substitute for a first-class, biblical worldview education,
and we are committed to its importance, circumstances notwithstanding. This transition
occurred because of our commitment to Kingdom work that is embodied in our mission
and out of a love for students and this University.
鈥淚 have never been prouder of the resilience of our faculty, staff and students in
making these extremely difficult and Herculean transitions.鈥�
Dr. Turner said the University is looking at ways to innovate to create value. Part
of this approach includes developing a 鈥渓ong overdue鈥� strategic budget process in
which the budget accomplishes the University鈥檚 mission, rather than the budget determining
the scope of the mission.
鈥淔or the long-term health and sustainability of this University, this paradigm shift
must be made,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s we look toward the fall and beyond, the University will
look differently. In fact, the University is already looking differently, but we don't approach
it with fear and trepidation. Rather, we approach it with the confidence in our Lord
and a charted plan to get there.鈥�
Business session
After considering information from all sources, the Board took no action against Dr.
Mike Roy. He remains a member of the 欧美视频 Board of Trustees in good standing.
The board set a schedule for finalizing changes to the University鈥檚 governing documents. The
Board submitted a draft to the MBC Executive Board in February. 欧美视频 trustees who are
part of the governing documents work group and MBC leadership are meeting June 1 to review
the revisions requested by the MBC. The full board will meet in a special session
on July 9 to finalize the governing documents submission.
Trustee actions taken during the meeting include: