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Engaging The Community

MSU Interim President Clif Smart on MSU, Current Events and Public Affairs

Engaging the Community looks at current events and public affairs through a local lens. This monthly program features Missouri State University Interim President Clif Smart discussing the implications of national and international events on the University and local community.

We invite your questions to help shape our discussion.

Submit your Questions

  • Access our web form
  • Email engagingthecommunity [at] ksmu [dot] org
  • Call 417-836-8205
  • Send us your question on Facebook or Twitter

Flat State Funding for Higher Education Gives University Administrators Cause to Celebrate

Missy Shelton

State lawmakers approved a budget that gives higher education institutions in the state flat funding. Because university administrators had anticipated a cut in funding, they say this is positive news. Some uncertainty remains as the budget now moves to the governor's desk, and university administrators wait to see if Governor Jay Nixon will make any withholds.

MSU Interim President Clif Smart Discusses Campus Safety and the Idea of Connectivity

Missy Shelton

The theme of this year's Public Affairs Conference at Missouri State University is the Culture of Connectivity. MSU Interim President Clif Smart talks about how connectivity is changing education and society.

Reflecting on What Civil Discourse Means and What it Can Accomplish

Missy Shelton

As advertisers continue to pull their support, radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh is still feeling the repercussions of negative comments he made recently about a law student who testified publicly about contraception coverage and the federal healthcare law. In this month's installment of Engaging the Community, Missouri State University Interim President Clif Smart discusses the role of civil discourse on campus, policies to encourage it, and why it's important to society.

MSU Interim President on How Extra Money for Higher Education Will Affect Budget Cuts

Jennifer Moore

In a surprise announcement, Governor Jay Nixon revealed that a major settlement between mortgage banks and several states means that Missouri will soon see an addition $40 million go toward higher education next fiscal year. MSU's interim president, Clif Smart, discusses how this revision will impact MSU's budget cuts specifically.

Missouri State University Interim President Discusses Bleak State Funding Outlook Following the Release of Governor Nixon's Budget Proposal

Missy Shelton

Governor Jay Nixon's budget proposal includes double digit funding cuts to higher education. In this month's "Engaging the Community," Missouri State University Interim President Clif Smart discusses the implications of such a deep cut in state dollars.

MSU Interim President Discusses Missouri State Policies for Protesters in Light of UC Davis Campus Police Using Pepper Spray on Peaceful Protesters

Missy Shelton

An incident at UC Davis last month gained national attention as video circulated online of campus police using pepper spray against peaceful protesters. In this edition of Engaging the Community, Missouri State University Interim President Clif Smart discusses his take on the incident as well as the policies at MSU that govern protests and demonstrations.

The Lessons for Other Universities from Penn State

Missy Shelton

In this November's  installment, Interim President Clif Smart discusses what other universities can learn from the events at Penn State in light of a former assistant coach being charged with sexually assaulting minors on campus and administrators losing their jobs due to how they handled the situation.

The Tough Economy Increases Competition for Talented Employees and Talented Students

Missy Shelton

As Diversity Becomes a Major Public Issue in Springfield, Missouri State University Announces "Inclusive Excellence" as Next Year's Public Affairs Theme

Missy Shelton

Engaging the Community

Missy Shelton

Missouri State University Interim President Clif Smart talks about his background, his priorities for the university and his work with state lawmakers and Governor Jay Nixon's office on funding for MSU.