MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY- Rep. Gracia Backer, D-Calloway Co., would like it if she never received unpleasant mail, but when the UM Board of Curators moved money from the MU veterinary school 15 years ago, trips to the mail box a dreaded outing.
"I received some of the meanest mail I've ever received because we, the legislature, cut their money," Backer said.
The UM-system budget is approved by the legislature, however, curators can move funds after the budget has been approved if they deem it necessary.
Backer passed a resolution two years ago that requires a breakdown of funding be sent to the General Assembly after the money has been appropriated within the system.
Backer said system administrators have been cooperative in the General Assembly's requests for budget breakdowns. A new legislation heard in the House higher education committee yesterday would bring more accountability to the General Assembly when it comes to UM funding. It would require lawmakers to approve budgets in a campus-by-campus manner if the measure is approved by the legislature and Missouri voters.
Bill sponsor Marsha Campbell, D-Kansas City, said the bill would help the institutions to receive more funding, especially for capital improvements.
"I think when you can focus on each campus you can do more," Campbell said. "They have different missions and with the way the governor and current legislature has been kind to higher education I think this will give us the chance to focus more on individual missions."
UM President Manuel Pacheco said he has seen campuses compete for funds in other states and believes the current system works best to allow for future and system plans.
"I do not believe this legislation would create more accountability, and could make the system less efficient," he said. "Some decisions, I believe most decisions should be made at a lower level."
UM lobbyist Jim Snider said the system and its administrators want what is best for the four campuses and is willing to work with lawmakers to put them at ease.
"It's my feeling that the General Assembly does an excellent job holding us accountable right now, but if they see the need for more we're willing to do that," Snider said. "It's real important to us to that the General Assembly understands where the university is putting its investments."
Snider said the way the system is set up now, allows campuses to specialize in particular fields and offer courses cooperatively to other campuses like doctorate degree in education offered through University Extension to many of the other state higher education institutions.
"It has some problems in that it probably would put campuses in competition with each other," he said. "When you pass this legislation, you establish four different institutions plus the University extension. It's a major change in how you support the institution."
Snider said passage of the legislation could diminish the responsibilities of the Board of Curators and create a situation where campuses spend time lobbying the legislature to win favor.
Curator President Paul Combs said instances like what happened with the vet school are not frequent, and there hasn't been a similar occurrence since he joined the board in 1995.
"It would politicize what the framers of the constitution did not want to be politicized," Combs said. "Part of having an independent Board of Curators is to have an independent view of the curators."
Backer and Campbell do not deny the power of the curators would be curbed, and say they feel the politically strong campuses of St. Louis and Kansas City would receive special benefits.
"If you look at how we've funded schools like Central Missouri State and Truman, I think you'll see we've done a good job," Backer said. "I trust us more in that respect than I trust a board of curators."