SCS/SB 19 - This act renames both Missouri Western State College and Missouri Southern State University-Joplin. SECTION 174.020 - This section renames Missouri Western State College as Missouri Western State University and Missouri Southern State University - Joplin as Missouri Southern State University.
SECTION 174.241 - This section eliminates the board of regents of Missouri Western State College.
SECTION 174.251 - This section designates Missouri Western State University as a statewide institution of applied learning. The section further asserts that Missouri Western State University shall discontinue, as of July 1, 2010, any and all associate degree programs unless the continuation of such associate degree programs is approved by the coordinating board.
SECTION 174.324 - This section reemphasizes that any new masters degree program offered at Missouri Western State University or Missouri Southern State University (or any other public institution of higher education in this state) must be approved by the coordinating board for higher education.
SECTION 174.450 - This section adds Missouri Western State University to the list of institutions which are charged with a statewide mission and governed by a board of governors.
SECTION 174.453 - This section defines new qualifications for the Board of Governors of Missouri Western State University.
Five voting members shall be selected from the following counties: Buchanan, Platte, Clinton, Andrew, and DeKalb provided that no more than three of these five members shall be appointed from any one county. Two voting members shall be selected from any of the counties in the state which are outside of the aforementioned counties.
Further, the section grandfathers current board members in regard to the county residency requirement.
DONALD THALHUBER