MU tanning beds to remain open for now

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A privately owned tanning salon will be allowed to remain open for another year at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Citing cancer risks, the school has tried since May 2008 to terminate its contract with the tanning salon in the Student Recreation Complex.

Owners of the salon -- called The Spa -- filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit in July 2008 against the Board of Curators for the four-campus University of Missouri system.

The Columbia Missourian reported that Boone County Circuit Judge Kevin Crane ruled this past week that the earliest the university can terminate its lease is Dec. 31, 2010.

In his decision, he also wrote that the university will not have to pay compensation for lost profits and improvements of the leased space.