UM silent on SMSU name change

System officials have yet to take a position on the bill.

By Lee Logan

Published Jan. 25, 2005

As a legislative battle rages in the Missouri General Assembly about Southwest Missouri State University's desire to change its name to Missouri State University, the UM system remains conspicuously silent on the issue.

UM system spokesman Joe Moore said the UM system has yet to take a position regarding the issue.

Although the system has maintained a firm stance of "no position" on the SMSU name-change, last semester the university began displaying the slogan "Missouri's Great State University" on MU's Web site.

This year, the system also began an advertising campaign promoting MU's affiliation with the Association of American Universities, a national organization that does not include SMSU.

Matt Pierson, Associated Students of the University of Missouri legislative director, said Monday the lack of an official position has been problematic for ASUM, which has consistently lobbied the General Assembly against the change.

"I would say it's most frustrating talking with legislators," said Pierson, who is also a columnist for The Maneater. "We're strongly against it. Then the legislator will ask what the UM system says. It's hard for us to understand why they haven't taken a position."

Pierson said he doesn't understand why the UM system doesn't have a position.

"This has been an issue for years," Pierson said. "It would clearly impact the university one way or another, and I wish they would come out and say what their position is."

Moore said the lack of a position is not because of a lack of interest.

"The name change of course is something of keen interest for us," Moore said. "(UM system President Elson) Floyd has had continual conversations with people regarding the issue. Dr. Floyd has not found a consensus."

Moore said the UM system would like to see more statewide discussion on the issue before a vote in the General Assembly.

"Last year, Dr. Floyd noted that, were this issue to be taken up by the legislature, there needed to be a statewide conversation regarding all higher education institutions and their respective missions," Moore said.

Pierson said ASUM started working again this year to defeat the bill.

"We testified at the Senate Education Committee," Pierson said. "I thought the testimony went well. We're trying to build a coalition to vote &#39no' on it."

Opponents of the name change fear allowing SMSU to drop its regional moniker would create more competition for state money.

There will be a vote to send the name-change bill to the Senate floor in the Education Committee today.

Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield, expressed confidence that the bill will leave committee. However, Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, an opponent of the change, said he will attempt to filibuster the bill.

Greg Chase, lobbyist for the MU Alumni Association, said the silence of the UM system has little effect on what he does.

"It doesn't affect me whatsoever," Chase said. "There are a number of other officials at the Alumni Association to help us get our jobs done."