Richard battles to save MSSU international mission

The Joplin Globe reports this morning that Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, is battling to save the international mission of Missouri Southern State University. A bill in the state legislature includes an amendment that would eliminate the mission:

Richard, R-Joplin, said he has asked House members to delete the amendment from the bill, and he said he is certain that they will. He said his motivation in seeking to remove the amendment is to give MSSU officials time to research potential financial outcomes that could result if the mission is taken out of state statutes.

“We want to make sure there’s no unintended consequences,” he said.

The removal of the mission designation is supported by MSSU President Bruce Speck, but opposed by many faculty members, students, and former students.