What’s Happened

The UM Board of Curators voted Jan. 28 to increase tuition by an average of 5.5 percent across its four campuses. For MU, the increase will amount to 6.5 percent, or $16 per credit hour for in-state students. The tuition hike requires a waiver from the state because it is higher than the inflation rate. State funding for the university has been stagnant for the past two years, and Gov. Jay Nixon has called for a 7 percent reduction, equal to $29.8 million, in funding for the UM System. The system has kept tuition flat for two years.
Gov. Nixon criticized the university system’s decision to raise tuition. In a news release sent late Monday, he called for the university to find efficiencies within its existing operating budget rather than raise tuition. Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, told the Columbia Daily Tribune that the statement was “political” and urged curators to ignore it.
A massive snowstorm dumped about 17.5 inches on Columbia Tuesday and prompted Columbia Public Schools to close early Monday and all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. MU also closed its campus Tuesday and canceled classes, the first time it has done so since 2006. It then closed its campus for Wednesday and Thursday as the community dug out of a snowstorm that was just shy of breaking the documented record for snowfall in Columbia. After a blizzard warning was issued Monday afternoon, Gov. Nixon activated 600 National Guard troops to prepare for the weather. Interstate 70 was closed between St. Louis and Kansas City Tuesday, as snow and heavy winds made visibility nearly impossible. The blizzard shut down most activity in the city and came just two weeks after another snowstorm that dropped 8 to 10 inches of snow prompted school cancellations and work disruptions.
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its final Hinkson Creek Total Maximum Daily Load, which mandates a nearly 40 percent reduction in stormwater flowing into the polluted creek. The final document calls for a phased approach that can be modified as new data on the stream’s conditions become available, a condition the city, county and university had asked for. (See story, previous page).
Gov. Nixon last week appointed three new members to the UM Board of Curators. Columbia attorney Craig Van Matre was appointed to replace the vacancy left by Bo Fraser. Attorney Donald Cupps of Cassville would replace John Carnahan III of Springfield, and David Steward, a St. Louis businessman, would replace David Wasinger. The appointments must be approved by the Missouri Senate.
The UM Board of Curators decided Jan. 27 to hire a search firm to find a replacement for former UM System President Gary Forsee, who resigned in early January to take care of his wife. Steve Owens, the university system’s general counsel, is acting as interim president, and new candidates for the post aren’t expected to emerge for at least a month.
The University of Missouri said it would charge the Columbia Daily Tribune as much as $2,800 to provide a month’s worth of e-mails and internal memos to and from the system’s interim president, Steve Owens, the newspaper reported. The university called that cost estimate conservative. It said it would charge the newspaper $100 an hour for a university attorney to discern which records are open and which are closed under Missouri law. Some state Sunshine Law experts dispute the legality of the university’s move.
The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval Jan. 20 for a 632-bed apartment complex at Rock Quarry Road and Grindstone Parkway. Columbia blogger Mike Martin and later the Columbia Daily Tribune reported that the development company, North Carolina-based Campus Crest Communities, has had lawsuits filed against it alleging racism and sexual discrimination and liens from contractors who said they weren’t paid on time for work they performed.
Heating and air-conditioning manufacturer Nordyne said it would lay off 50 workers at its Boonville manufacturing plant, citing continued weakness in the construction industry. The O’Fallon-based company cut back its Boonville staff by 110 in January 2010 and said the latest round of layoffs would take effect this March.
Boone County Treasurer Jan Fugit, 43, died at Boone Hospital Center Feb. 1. She had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Fugit was elected as the county’s treasurer in November, replacing Kay Murray, who retired after more than 30 years of service.
A bill filed in the Missouri Senate by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, would prohibit developers receiving state tax credits from contributing to politicians. Many developers regularly make campaign contributions and also receive tax credits. Many developers, though, funnel their donations through political action committees.