April 19, 2007
Contact: Scott Charton
Office: (573) 882-9724
Cell: (573) 864-9672
Email: chartons@umsystem.edu
The Missouri Senate's first-round approval of Senate Bill 389 is a notable step toward strengthening financial aid for students in public higher education. This will help the University of Missouri keep its enduring commitments to access, affordability and accountability.
Separately, the Senate's approval of House Bill 16 advances several critical building and renovation projects for the University of Missouri. These projects benefit our students and strengthen Missouri's capacity for economic development.
"The University is disappointed that the Senate removed funding for Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia and for the pharmacy and nursing education building in Kansas City," said Dr. Gordon Lamb, interim president of the university. "These projects offer tremendous promise for serving the health care needs of Missourians. Cancer is Missouri's second-leading cause of death, and Missouri's demand for nurses and pharmacists is well-documented. The needs these projects would address are no less critical because of the Senate's vote, and they remain vital priorities for the University of Missouri."