House begins SMSU debate
Discussion of the bill will continue today and might be voted on this week.
Published March 1, 2005
The Missouri House of Representatives began deliberations on the Southwest Missouri State University name-change bill on Monday.
The House debated for almost two hours whether to let the university drop its "Southwest" from its name, reserving the rest of the five-hour time limit for today.
Bill sponsors gave reasons SMSU deserves the name of Missouri State University.
Rep. B.J. Marsh, R-Springfield, is one of the biggest proponents of the name change in the House.
"We're not a regional university anymore," Marsh said. "With over 20,000 students, we are the largest university with a bi-directional name."
Rep. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, said a name change would attract out-of-state students and faculty and help keep graduate students from moving to other nearby schools.
"They want to hear something that sounds like a true university, not a regional university," Wasson said.
Rep. Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs, said he has two main concerns with the bill.
"I fear for the funding of all of our regional schools if we elevate this one above them," Pratt said. "What I'm concerned about is eight years from now, there will be an entirely different governor, House and Senate. This body will have no institutional memory of what we're doing."
Pratt said his second concern deals with history.
"The name ''''''''¹"Å"Â"Missouri State University' belongs to the University of Missouri," Pratt said. "The term ''''''''¹"Å"Â"Mizzou' is derived from the letters MSU."
House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden said the funding argument is somewhat of a smoke screen.
"There is no entitlement, should this bill pass, to any additional state funds," Bearden said. "This body has, and will always maintain, the last word on funding. We can increase or decrease any amount of money for any institution."
Marsh and other name-change supporters asked legislators not to add any amendments to the bill because it would slow the legislation.
During debate, there were five proposed amendments, all of which failed.
Rep. Bob Johnson, R-Lee's Summit, said Central Missouri State University advocates are against the bill despite language giving them the option to change their name to the University of Central Missouri.
"I just want to make sure those of us in this body understand there are two regional universities that have statewide missions: Central Missouri State and Southwest Missouri State," Johnson said.
Johnson listed many statistics that he said showed CMSU and SMSU to be academically equal.
"Neither one should be treated to the advantage of the other," Johnson said.
Johnson said CMSU supporters would like to have the MSU name either not used or shared by all of the regional universities by adding a city designation.
Many of the bill's opponents said the issue should not be one of the state's priorities.
Minority Floor Leader Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, was one of the principal speakers against the bill.
"I don't believe the governor should withhold money while at the same time attempting a name change," Harris said.
Last week Gov. Matt Blunt withheld about $100 million from Missouri higher education, with the promise it will be paid back later this summer.
The House will continue debate on the bill today and could vote on the bill this week.
