Alumni lobby at Capitol

By Elliot Njus

Published March 7, 2008

Hundreds of UM system supporters gathered in the State Capitol on Wednesday to talk to the state’s leaders about higher education.

The event was organized by an alliance of the four UM system campuses’ alumni organizations and the UM Extension Association, Mizzou Alumni Association Executive Director Todd McCubbin said. The event is the 34th annual legislative day.

McCubbin said it gives UM system stakeholders a chance to meet with their legislators to talk about UM system schools. He said it brings together graduates from different programs who live all over the state.

“They come down here to try to tell the university’s story from all those different perspectives,” he said.

McCubbin said the day gives alumni and stakeholders a chance to “see how legislators are thinking” about UM system issues.

“It gives them a chance to visit with them, even for a short while, to talk with them about these issues,” he said.

Gov. Matt Blunt and UM system President Gary Forsee spoke at the rally, along with Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and Rep. Paul LeVota, D-Independence.

Forsee outlined four legislative priorities for participants to discuss with legislators.

He said the university needs the 4.2 percent increase in its operating budget recommended by Blunt.

He also said the Prepare to Care initiative, developed by former UM system Interim President Gordon Lamb, is another priority. The budget proposal does not currently allocate funding for the initiative.

He said securing state funding to increase faculty salaries and proportional funding for UM-St. Louis should also be legislative priorities for the system.