Lawmaker criticizes University of Missouri on diversity efforts

A state lawmaker has filed a bill that would bring more urban education opportunities to the state. Rep. Curtis said he believes the University of Missouri System has not been the best choice for students even before the campus unrest this past fall.

Rep. Courtney Allen Curtis’ measure is going to be heard by the Special Committee on Urban Issues this Monday. It would be a collaboration between students and teachers at Harris-Stowe State University and Lincoln University that would help increase urban education throughout the state.

Here is Curtis’ full statement about his reasoning behind the proposal:

“I have been active towards meeting with leaders of the University of Missouri trying to discuss minority issues and how we can improve urban education and welfare. During my time as a student to my first term as a representative, I have been adamant in creating more educational opportunities for minorities. Unfortunately, each time we reach out to their leadership, they continue to give off the impression that this is not an issue of importance. They had this mentality before the events of November 2015 and from the meetings we have had with them since, they still continue to not have much devotion to fixing this ongoing problem. Their minority board members have since resigned. It is apparent to anyone following that very little has been done from leadership standpoint to genuinely promote diversity. They have played a major role in the drop in enrollment. Until they fully take responsibility and honestly try to fix the source of this problem and not just their tarnished image, this will not change,” said Curtis.