From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org

JEFFERSON CITY - For the third year in a row, Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, has proposed to change the role of students on the UM Board of Curators.

Graham's bill, if passed, would replace the current non-voting student curator with a voting member. The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on the bill Wednesday.

Graham said he believes that because the students of the University of  Missouri are facing mounting tuition costs and other concerns, the appointment of a voting student curator would better represent the University.  

"I think that the students are responsible enough to be able to make that vote," Graham said. 

The committee discussed the posible conflict of interests that could arise if a student is given the same priveleges as the other curators.  Sen. Yvonne Wilson, D-Jackson County, said that she had opposed similar legislation in the past because she was uncomfortable with students voting on issues relating to faculty. 

"You know I have opposed this every time, but if we work that issue out, we might be able to reach an agreement," Wilson said. 

Graham stated that he was open to Wilson's idea of exempting students from voting on faculty-related issues.

Student lobbying groups from across Missouri also testified at the meeting in favor of the bill.  Megan Block, Legislative Director for the Associated Students of the University of Missouri, testified at the hearing, as well as representatives from the Intercampus Student Council (ISC), Missouri State University, Truman State University and Missouri Western State University.  Current student curator Maria Kerford from  the University of Missouri-St. Louis also testified in favor of the proposal.

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