House sends name change bill to Blunt
Some speculate that Blunt will sign the bill on SMSU"s 100th anniversary, March 17.
Published March 4, 2005
With a long-debated bill passing the House by a 120-35 vote Tuesday, Southwest Missouri State University cleared one of the last hurdles in its quest to become Missouri State University.
The vote marked the end of a 20-year legislative battle, sending the bill out of the Missouri House of Representatives to Gov. Matt Blunt, who is eager to add his signature to the legislation.
Blunt, a Springfield native, praised the bill's passage.
"This bill ensures that the University of Missouri will continue to be the state's premier land-grant institution as well as the state's premier research institution," Blunt said in a statement. "I also believe that the name of Missouri State University will more accurately reflect SMS' current role. I look forward to signing this legislation."
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield, said SMSU's 100th anniversary festivities on March 17 could coincide with the governor's signing of the bill.
"The rumor is the governor will be signing it into law on the day of the anniversary," Champion said. "It would make a very nice birthday present."
The House debated the issue for two days, using less than the five-hour time limit.
Debate lasted significantly longer in the Senate, going almost 14 hours because of a filibuster by Columbia Sen. Chuck Graham.
No changes were made to the Senate version, which includes language meant to serve as a compromise with name'''''''''Å"Â"change opponents from the UM system.
Amendments added during the Senate debate stipulate that SMSU will not receive additional funds because of the change.
SMSU also cannot duplicate degree programs offered by the UM system, and the Springfield school cannot seek the research or land-grant designations the UM system holds.
One of the bill's major opponents in the House was Rep. Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs.
Pratt said he wanted to ensure the General Assembly is "not creating a new statewide system, (it is) simply changing a name. We have a flagship university in the state, and that's the one we need to support."
Champion said she has received positive feedback from MU.
"I think we're going to have a very quick healing of relations and be able to work together," Champion said. "We'll be able to focus on the needs we have in common."
The bill also includes several other name changes.
Missouri Western State College and Harris-Stowe State College will both become universities, and Missouri Southern State University-Joplin will lose the Joplin tag.
Central Missouri State University also has the option of changing its name to the University of Central Missouri.
The name changes go into effect Aug. 28.
On the heels of the bill's passage, Rep. Mark Wright, R-Springfield, introduced another piece of legislation meant to assuage opponent's worries about increased funding for SMSU.
His bill, House Bill 655, would prevent universities from receiving an increase in funds that exceeds the average percentage increase of all of the other colleges in the state.
Wright said he had no prediction on how the bill might.