Faulty arguments against MSU

To the editor:

In response to the recent opinion column, "No to MSU: Name change would be grab for land-grant status": I am curious if John Lichtenegger has looked at the actual wording of the bill, which shows that Harris-Stowe State College, Missouri Western State College, Missouri Southern State College and Central Missouri State University are all included for name changes.

Lichtenegger stated that changing the name of Southwest Missouri State University to Missouri State University would require $100 million a year and higher staff wages. Again, there is a clause in the bill that disallows the right to more financial gain based on the name change.

While I respect everyone's freedom of speech, it seems Lichtenegger has taken the bill completely out of context and bashed it upon claims that hold absolutely no relevance.

Regarding the comment that the name change could lead to a takeover of the Rolla campus by the Springfield school: How could MSU absorb the school when it is already a part of the University of Missouri system?

I think it is easy to say that Lichtenegger is another University of Missouri alumnus whose pride has taken over common sense.

ALEC LEE, Springfield, Mo.