Dr. Mun Choi scheduled to speak with media

On Friday, Dr. Mun Choi is scheduled to meet and speak with the media for the first time since taking office.

Choi has been the University of Missouri’s system president since March 1, 2017. His tenure comes after the system went more than a year with interim leadership following the resignation of former UM System president Tim Wolfe.

A UM spokesperson told ABC 17 News that Choi will address the scathing audit of the UM System, which said more than $2 million in hidden incentives was paid to top officials.

He already set the tone this morning when he announced the termination of the university’s executive performance incentive program, citing “transparency about how we invest our public resources.”

The UM System is taking heat for the hidden incentives amid the current budget crisis. A drop in enrollment, coupled with a decrease in state funding, has created a budget shortfall.

Another topic Choi may address is the current search for a new chancellor for the Columbia Campus.

Hank Foley has been the interim chancellor for more than a year. He released a statement this morning, saying Mizzou currently has a $20 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2017. He also revealed the university will use reserves to make up those funds.

This all comes amid yet another budget shortfall for FY2018. Gov Eric Greiten’s proposed budget will reduce funding for higher education by more than $100 million.

Greitens slammed the incentive payments earlier this week in a lengthy statement, in which he called the UM System “broken.”

He has been meeting with Choi in recent weeks.

ABC 17 will live stream the meeting.