LINN, Mo. -- State Technical College of Missouri will hold its first Board of Regents meeting of the year with tuition rates, COVID-19 policies and renovation projects forming a packed agenda.
The Board of Regents will begin with a board member work session and orientation Thursday afternoon at the Eagles Nest, followed by its first of two annual board meetings Friday morning at the Osage County Community Center.
Brandon McElwain, State Tech director of marketing, said it should be a fairly standard board meeting with reports from various campus departments, including the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, academic affairs, student affairs, external relations and the college president.
The Board of Regents will also set tuition rates for the 2022-23 academic year.
State Tech's tuition costs vary from student to student based on whether they are a Missouri resident, how many credit hours they want to enroll in, what program the student is enrolled in and how their courses are taught.
It's cheapest tuition is $189 per credit hour and the most expensive is $618 per credit hour.
Also Friday, the board will recognize faculty and staff achievements, review new academic programs and policies, and approve a new academic calendar through 2025.
"I'm sure we'll also talk about the COVID situation and how we've handled it this past year," McElwain said.
The college began its spring semester under Scenario One -- it's best-case scenario in which group activities are not limited, social distancing is not required, the college no longer monitors COVID-19 cases and, "the campus operates as normal," according to planning documents.
McElwain said State Tech is off to a strong start for the spring semester, which began Jan. 6.
He said the board will also get a legislative update on how renovation project funding is progressing in the state Legislature.
State Tech has multiple ongoing renovation projects, including plans to build an entertainment and dining venue at the recently acquired Osage Country Club.
The college is also building a $3.5 million Turf and Grounds Center, which will include golfer stalls to serve the country club's driving range. Construction plans also include a 1,800-square-foot detached greenhouse.
"We'll probably have a big update on the country club and where we're at as far as the massive renovations out there," McElwain said. "I know we've broken ground on a few of those already so I'm sure there will be a big update on that."
The board will also review a construction contract for a planned Tech Complex.
State Tech will also be onboarding Doug Mertens for his first official meeting as a member of the board. Gov. Mike Parson appointed Mertens to the board last June.
McElwain said the scheduled working session often acts as a social gathering for the board, providing members an opportunity to meet and chat about agenda items before the formal meeting.
The Board of Regents last met Aug. 20 via Zoom to approve a construction bid on the Turf and Grounds Center. Mertens was at the meeting, but wasn't an official member as his appointment confirmation wasn't processed.
"This will be his first official meeting as a member," McElwain said. "Other than that, everything else will be the same."