The Index Vol. 109 Issue 8

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Truman State University tmn.truman.edu

FEATURES Homecoming Page 5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 tmn.truman.edu

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Faculty Senate passes new attendance guidelines for 2018 BY RYAN PIVONEY Staff Writer

Truman State University’s Faculty Senate adopted a new attendance policy which will take effect August 2018, setting a common basis for the number of sanctioned absences students are allowed each semester.

Student Senate hosts forums on LSP changes BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor Truman State University Student Senate hosted forums in the Student Union Building Oct. 10-11. Sophomore Deanna Schmidt, Student Senate Academic Affairs chair, introduced two Faculty Senate presentations. Professors Bridget Thomas and Debra Cartwright spoke about proposed changes to the University’s Liberal Studies Program. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session. Thomas said the current LSP has been in place for 20 years, but former University President Troy Paino called for a revision in 2015. The current proposal is the result of committee meetings and input from faculty and staff. The forums resulted from a Student Senate resolution requesting more student input before the proposed changes are approved. Faculty Senate delayed a vote on the proposal to allow input from students.

The new policy, which passed August 24, is intended to create a structured system for student absences. Previously, Truman left attendance completely up to instructors and had a complicated and unclear procedure for appeals. Undergraduate Council Chair Paul Parker said the policy protects every party — students, faculty and administrators.

Lyceum Series continues in 2017

Submitted photo Harvest House in Boonville, Missouri, is a transitional housing program. Former Kirksville Mayor Glen Moritz — who is leading an effort to bring a homeless shelter to Kirksville — said he likes this transitional housing model and is considering it for Kirksville.

A local non-profit corporation called AM Housing is making an effort to have a homeless shelter up and running in Kirksville as early as next fall. The organization was formed this summer, with former Kirksville Mayor Glen Moritz serving as president and currently working on raising funds for the project. Representatives from AM Housing spoke during a City Council meeting Monday, Sept. 18, and asked the city to contribute money to the shelter in next year’s municipal budget. AM Housing representatives said there is need for a homeless shelter in Kirksville, and while nearby cities like Hannibal, Columbia, Boonville and Milan have shelters, Kirksville does not. Moritz said the process began four months ago, and the corporation was formed shortly thereafter.

“I’ve kind of had a heart for this over the past couple years,” Moritz said. Moritz said AM Housing is named for Andrew Moritz, his deceased son. He said the project is done in his spirit, and he is inspired by his son’s love and encouragement. “I’m always thrilled to do something in my son’s name — he was such a giving and loving man,” Moritz said. “I try to live my life after his example after losing him almost six years ago.” Moritz said he and John Dungan, former executive director of the United Way of Adair County/Northeast Missouri, had researched homelessness in Kirksville. He said he visited Project NEMO Connect — a state homelessness agency — and Budget Host Village Inn — a local hotel where churches occasionally pay for homeless individuals to stay one or two nights. Moritz said this made him consider the possibility of

BY BRENTLY SNEAD Managing Editor One of the oldest traditions in Truman State University history is the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, a program designed to bring performers to the University to expose students and the community to different forms of entertainment. The Lyceum Series started in 1899 and was devised as a way to provide cultural experiences to the Truman and Kirksville communities at an affordable price. Zac Burden, Kohlenberg Lyceum Series co-chair, said the series began as a speaker series for the community and morphed into the arts and entertainment series it is today. See LYCEUM, page 4

The new attendance policy sets forth an improved appeals process. Attendance appeals are now combined with a grade appeal. It is intended to create an attendance basis, which helps protect students, faculty and administrators dealing with appeals, Parker said. See SHELTER, page 4

Kirksville residents work to build local homeless shelter

BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor

Photo by Daniel Degenhardt/TMN Professor Bridget Thomas speaks about proposed changes to the Liberal Studies Program.

The new policy states students can have 6.67 percent of class time excused as sanctioned absences, which is equivalent to about one week of class. Any additional absences are handled at the discretion of instructors. The policy states instructors are required to publish their attendance requirements clearly in the course syllabus.

Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN Preferred Family Healthcare in Kirksville is home to the Shelter Plus Care Program, the only program for transitional housing in Kirksville.

having a homeless shelter in Kirksville. He said he then visited some shelters in nearby cities. Moritz said he likes the concept of the Boonville shelter, which he said provides individuals emergency housing for up to three days, then requires people look for a job as a condition of staying up to another 30 days. Moritz said if the job search is successful, people can stay for another 120 days while they save money for permanent housing. Moritz said the organization will be applying for grants, and he said he hopes to get the project started by next fall. He said Truman State University students have spoken to him and his wife and shown interest in being involved with the project. Tamarr Maclin, AM Housing board member, said the group has not raised a lot of money yet, but he said a Rotary Club is willing to donate, though they are looking for additional funding. He said operation costs to start the shelter and keep it running for a year are based on what kind of building is acquired or built, so a solid prediction cannot be made right now. However, he said he estimates the range would be between $200,000-500,000. He said it would be good to get some financial backing from the city and to receive assurance the community accepts the shelter. Moritz said he spoke to Kirksville Mayor Phillip Biston about the project, and he said the mayor seemed receptive to the idea. Moritz said there has not been a consensus from the Council yet, but he said he is hopeful there will be cooperation and the city will contribute financially. See SHELTER, page 4

Oktoberfest The Truman State University tradition continued this year with Fitz’s root beer and a pie-eating contest. Inclement weather caused the event to move indoors. See OKTOBERFEST, page 2

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 8 © 2017

Photos by Samantha Garrett/TMN


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