Deaton, curators remain 'optimistic' regarding Big 12's future, but take no action
Chancellor Brady Deaton fields questions after a closed session with the UM system Board of Curators. Deaton said the meeting was to review information and options regarding possible conference realignment.
Chancellor Brady Deaton said MU will continue its work to strengthen the Big 12, but has taken no definite action at the close of the UM system Board of Curators executive session.
"There will be no action taken today," Deaton said. "This meeting was to go over the information we have and review our contractual obligations."
Deaton said he and the board remain optimistic that the Big 12 can move on from the departure of two members, the University of Nebraska and the University of Colorado, last week but realize concerns regarding the conference's future.
"You'd have to be blind to not have concerns about what's happening to the Big 12," Deaton said. "Still, we remain in constant communication with the other members of the Big 12 and are confident we can work together to keep the conference strong."
The chancellor called the special executive session with the curators "productive and engaging," and said there was no future meeting scheduled yet that he knew of.
In response to a question of the University of Texas' impact on MU's decision-making process, Deaton said all remaining members of the Big 12 have a hand in discussions.
"This involves all of us," Deaton said. "We'll do whatever we can to help the strength of the Big 12 in the next few days."
Deaton also handed out a printed news release, the full text of which follows.
Amidst announced and speculative conference realignment moves by members of the Big 12, the University of Missouri Board of Curators met for an hour with university officials in closed session this evening via a teleconference call to continue their discussions from closed meetings last week.
No action or vote was taken during the meeting, but board members again received information and legal advice from the university’s general council. The board also considered contract obligations and related matters.