MSU board to vote on provost, general counsel

The Missouri State University Board of Governors is scheduled to vote today on President Clif Smart's recommendations for provost and general counsel.

Smart has offered the positions to Interim Provost Frank Einhellig and Interim General Counsel Penni Groves, according to agenda documents available at MissouriState.edu. The board, which has final say regarding the appointments, is slated to meet today at 3:30 p.m. at the Springfield campus.

Einhellig, who also is being recommended for the role of chancellor of the school's Mountain Grove campus, would serve an 18-month term starting Jan. 1 upon acceptance by the board. He would be paid a starting salary of $210,000, according to a resolution on the board of governors agenda.

"This offer reflects both the broad-based opinion of the campus that you have the experience and ability to fill this position at the university, as well as my personal enthusiasm about the prospects of working with you in the leadership of the institution," Smart wrote in a Nov. 14 letter offering Einhellig the permanent position. "I speak to the university when I say how much we look forward to you taking on this critical position permanently."

According to Smart's blog, dubbed Clif's Notes, Einhellig is being recommended for the position through June 30, 2014, when he plans to retire or return to the faculty.

As his first act of business upon becoming interim president after James Cofer resigned in summer 2011, Smart named Einhellig interim provost, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Smart was named the 11th president of MSU in October.

Smart, who had served as general counsel of the university since December 2007 before becoming interim president, has recommended that Groves become his successor.

Groves - who is married to O'Reilly Automotive Inc. General Counsel Jeff Groves - said she was named the university's interim general counsel July 1, 2011.

If approved by the board, Penni Groves would start Jan. 1 with a salary of $128,000 and an indefinite term, according to a separate resolution on the board of governors agenda.

Prior to being named interim general counsel, Groves served as legal counsel for MSU 2004-11.