Missouri Southern State University is allegedly in dire economic straits, but that apparently is not going to stop university officials from pursuing a medical school that would require a $7 million building to house a lab for cadavers.
As first revealed in the June 15 Turner Report, Missouri Southern's plans to form a medical school in cooperation with Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine will be explained to a carefully chosen group of elected officials, Freeman Health Care and St. John's officials, and college and business bigwigs during a luncheon today (June 30) on the university campus.
As far as I can tell, invitations have not been extended to college students, nor to the taxpayers who have been watching programs get cut and hearing at meeting after meeting of the Board of Governors how hard up the university is. No invitations have been extended to the faculty members who have gone without raises for two straight years during the "economic crisis."
Plans are moving full speed ahead for southern Missouri's first medical school to be established in Joplin.
Of course, the students, the taxpayers, and the faculty members do not have the big bucks needed to get this project off the road, while those on the invitation list do and University President Bruce Speck made it clear in his invitation letter what would be required.
"We have been presented with the extraordinary opportunity to establish a medical school in Joplin. During the past several months Missouri Southern State University, St. John's Regional Medical Center, and Freeman Health System have been working together to meet the requirements in the application process for a new medical school.
One of those requirements is to demonstrate community support. Because of your position as a community leader we hope you will support this important project. "
Any bets that the "support" Speck was referring to is not a show of hands on whether those in attendance want the medical school.
Hang on to your wallets, boys!
4 comments:
I see Dwight Douglas' hands on this. He should explain his role in the process because he works for Freeman Hospital.
Wonder if new board chair Anderson will run the meeting today...
please tell me why anyone would call a meeting to discuss a project have people there who would not support it...if you want the project, you go to people who will help...not to those who are negative...
Why would you want negatives around?
When and if tax money is involved, everyone will have a say and/or a vote...
I wouldn't start a political campaign, for example, and invite to the first meeting people who don't like me
Of course, I'm not a sage like some bloggers who have hardly been outside the county...but know how to run the world
Dwight Douglas is the chief lawyer for Freeman Hospital and chairman of the Board at MSSU. I am concerned that the pressure to attempt putting a Medical School at MSSU, an institution that does not grant doctoral degrees is putting the cart before the horse. It appears to only benefit Freeman Hospital which already is getting federal training funds. Follow the money to discover the real reasons for Freeman Hospital.
Randy,
As a union member who works for the government, it is difficult for you to understand that things don't get done by a show of hands. Things get done when thinking people who produce things gather their resources. A medical school in Joplin would be a benefit for the hospitals here, so the hospitals support the plan. It is amusing that you appear to be against the idea just because the faculty didn't get more taxpayer money first.
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