SMSU name-change issue headed for Jeff City debate

The bill will probably leave committee next week.

By Lee Logan

Published Jan. 21, 2005

What's in a name? According to several members of the Missouri General Assembly, quite a lot.

A bill to change Southwest Missouri State University's name to Missouri State University progressed through the lower levels of the Senate this month and might be sent out of committee by next week.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield, would also rename three other schools in southwest Missouri.

Champion filed two SMSU-related bills this session. One, Senate Bill 98, renames four schools, including SMSU. The other, SB 25, renames only SMSU.

Under SB 98, Missouri Western State College, Harris-Stowe State College and Missouri Southern State University-Joplin would have their names altered.

Missouri Western and Harris-Stowe would both get the "university" distinction instead of "college," and Missouri Southern State would lose its "Joplin" reference. The bill also seeks to rename SMSU.

"What we want to do is strengthen higher education in the state," Champion said. "We want to offer other programs, try to attract businesses in our area and attract out-of-state students, which we really can't do with our regional name."

Champion said SB 98 is the bill on which she will focus this session, and the other bill is there "in case something came up" and the General Assembly does not want to rename all four schools.

A hearing on the bill was conducted Tuesday. People on both sides of the issue presented their case to the Senate Education Committee.

Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, is the leading legislative opponent of the name change.

"They are stuck on wanting to steal our historic name," Graham said. "They don't want to hear &#39no' for an answer. They are using all of their political influence, including the governor."

Champion said she doesn't understand the argument that the proposed name is historic.

"The arguments get a little different every year," Champion said. "If the school is so attached to the name, why haven't we heard this argument before?"

MU student Greg Chase, who testified to the Senate, said he thought he made headway at the hearing.

"We made a very strong showing down in Jeff City," Chase said. "After we made our testimony, there were some favorable responses. I feel we opened up some minds."

Chase said the problem not only deals with history but also funding issues.

"Missouri is ranked 46 out of 50 in higher education funding," Chase said. "We can't even sufficiently fund the state university we have now. When you add another state university, it will obviously cause problems."

Chase said problems might not be immediate, but some could arise.

Champion said she understands funding concerns, but said there are ways around that problem.

"We have got to quit looking to the state to be our main source of funding," Champion said. "I am supporting more efficient ways of operating and securing more gifts and grants from other places. We need to be looking at a stronger, broader higher education program."

The Senate Education Committee will vote on the bill next week, and Champion said she suspects it will move out of committee.

Graham said he would attempt to filibuster the bill during the vote.

UM system spokesman Joe Moore said the system does not have an official position on the bill.