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Association
Takes Stand on Key Issues
The Governing Board of the MU Alumni Association
voted to take action on resolutions that were presented at its
Jan. 31 meeting. The board represents 34,000 dues paying members,
and provides services to more than 217,000 living alumni, 100,000
of whom live in the state of Missouri.
The Legislative Information Network members,
a coalition of alumni and friends, contact government officials
about issues and legislation related to Mizzou. Click
here for more information.
The following represent MUAA’s official
stand on key issues:
Southwest Missouri State University’s
Proposed Name Change
The board voted unanimously to oppose the
use of Missouri State University by any other institution of higher
education. The board cited increased competition for scarce resources
when all colleges and universities in the state are under funded;
the potential for duplication of academic degree programs; and
the historic use of Missouri State University to denote MU and
its role as the state’s land-grant research institution.
For more background, please click
here for an opinion piece by alumnus Jim Sterling.
$190 Million Life Sciences Bond Issue
The board voted to support the University
of Missouri’s $190.4 million bond issue for infrastructure
improvements in the life sciences.
“It is imperative that our alumni understand
the importance of this bond issue not only to their alma mater,
but also to our communities, and our state,” said Debbie
Snellen, president of the MUAA. “The economic impact of
this investment will be profound. We know of other states that
are investing and bonding significantly greater amounts for higher
education initiatives, and Missouri is going to be left behind
if our elected officials don’t take action.”
If approved, the Missouri Health and Educational
Facilities Authority (MoHEFA) would issue bonds for $190.4 million
in life sciences infrastructure improvements on the four University
of Missouri campuses. For MU, the program would help pay for the
renovation of Engineering Building East and provide $75 million
in funding for the Health Sciences Research Center. These projects
will enable MU to attract $5 in external research and private
funds for each $1 invested by the state and will have a positive
economic impact and create jobs. They also strengthen MU’s
interdisciplinary life sciences focus that is a benefit to undergraduates,
graduates, professional students and the state.
Land-Lease Agreement for Hotel and
Conference Center
The board voted to support the land-lease
resolution currently before the state legislature.
If passed, the legislation would allow the
University of Missouri to enter into a long-term land lease with
a private developer for the construction and operation of a hotel
and convention center at the corner of College and Stadium. MU
plans to use the proceeds from the lease toward the cost of a
performing arts center nearby. This lease has no cost to taxpayers
or to the University and is a win-win for the state, the University,
and Columbia.
“Our University, in these tough economic
times, has been encouraged by elected officials to be entrepreneurial
and to forge public-private partnerships to alleviate the loss
of state support,” Snellen said. “This project is
the perfect example of the very thing we have been encouraged
to pursue as an institution.” Proceeds from the land lease
would provide a major source of funds without assistance from
taxpayers to build a much-needed performing arts center.
UM System Merger with Northwest Missouri
State University
The board also voted its support of the proposed
merger of Northwest Missouri State University into the University
of Missouri System.
“We applaud Dr. Floyd and Dr. Hubbard
for their leadership in working to assure increased quality, access
and service in higher education for the citizens of the state,”
Snellen said.
The merger would open up new opportunities
to the communities of northwest Missouri for stimulating economic
development and providing work force development to support business
and industry in the region. Both universities are constantly seeking
ways to operate more efficiently while preserving their core missions.
The two institutions have drafted a memorandum of understanding
that outlines the provisions for a merger. Once the memorandum
is agreed to by both governing boards, it will be forwarded to
the General Assembly and the governor for consideration and approval.
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Copyright © 2007 — Curators of the University of Missouri
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Published by the Mizzou Alumni Association
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Last Update:
March 12, 2007
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