Legislators again seek college name change

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Members of the city's statehouse delegation are making another attempt to change the name of Southwest Missouri State University by dropping the regional designation.

Rep. Mark Wright said Friday he has filed legislation to change the name of the Springfield school to Missouri State University.

Wright, a Republican who will be House assistant majority floor leader, said he has been assured by GOP leadership in both chambers they will make the bill a priority in the session that starts Wednesday.

University boosters have said dropping the regional designation would increase the university's prestige and ability to draw students and private financial support.

Critics have maintained the effort is an attempt to draw more state funding at a time when the state's higher-education institutions are strapped for cash. They also claim it is an attempt to gradually build Southwest Missouri into a competing state university system.

The University of Missouri -- the state's flagship, four-campus system -- and Sen. Ken Jacob, a Democrat whose district includes the university's main Columbia campus, have been among the most outspoken opponents.

Opposition has also come from senators whose districts include the other regional universities -- Central in Warrensburg, Northwest in Maryville and Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser said the university already is a statewide institution, serving students from all points in Missouri. It also has a statewide mission and representatives on its governing board from across the state.

"The title on the can would more accurately reflect the contents," Keiser said.

Sen.-elect Gary Nodler, a Republican whose district includes Missouri Southern, said in November he would seek to change that university's name to Missouri Southern State University-Joplin. He said the change is important for the economic development and growth of the region.

The House last year passed a bill that would have changed the names of Southwest Missouri State University, Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph and Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis.

That bill died in the Senate, where rules allow individual members to more easily block a vote.