Lawmaker proposes review of University of Missouri System

State Sen. Kurt Schaefer wants lawmakers to order an in-depth study of the University of Missouri after months of turmoil, student unrest and voter unhappiness.

Schaefer, R-Columbia, introduced a resolution Tuesday to create an eight-member "University of Missouri System Review Commission" that would study MU operations thoroughly, "including but not limited to the System's collected rules and regulations, administrative structure, campus structure, auxiliary enterprises structure, degree programs, research activities and diversity programs."

Interim MU President Mike Middleton told the News Tribune: "The board of curators and the leadership of the university routinely review our operations and processes to ensure that the university is as efficient, transparent and accountable as possible in the service we provide to the state.

"We are always receptive to the input of the General Assembly, and look forward to working with Sen. Schaefer toward the betterment of the university."

Schaefer submitted the bill Tuesday morning.

"When we look at the issues that are actually going on at the university, (you see) a myriad of collective rules and regulations that are just a morass of just bureaucratic nightmares," Schaefer said, "that sometimes are followed and sometimes are not followed."

He also told colleagues, "At the University of Missouri - (with) things spinning out of hand and absolute lack of leadership - there's one thing that, as I travel around the state ... I hear over and over again is, "Where's the leadership? There appears to be no leadership.'"

In an interview, Schaefer told the News Tribune his proposal shouldn't be seen as anti-MU, and he's not pointing fingers at any individual or group for creating the current problems.

Schaefer introduced his resolution a day after Rep. Courtney Allen Curtis, D-Ferguson, introduced a resolution that would make Lincoln University the state's "flagship" instead of the University of Missouri.

The commission would have to submit its report to the House speaker, Senate president pro tem and the MU System president "detailing ... recommended changes" by Dec. 31.

The resolution requires the university to "adopt and implement the recommendations of the commission, and such adoption and implementation, or lack thereof, shall be considered by the General Assembly during the appropriations process."

Even though it's constitutionally independent, Schaefer said, "There's no legal requirement for the General Assembly to fund the University of Missouri at all."