UM System President and Chancellor hold meeting

Further cuts could be on the way for the University of Missouri.

However, the UM System President Mun Choi and Chancellor Alexander Cartwright are working hard discourage legislative of any budget cuts.

To an outsider, today’s town hall meeting seemed full of disgruntled faculty and students, but mostly faculty.

One professor said, “we lose them about every two or three years. We lose those good professors.”

But optimistic MU Chancellor Cartwright calls today’s meeting productive and he applauds it.

“As we hear about them, we’re going to continue to address them. And, I hope we hear more concerns in the future, because that means were making progress as an institution,” said Cartwright.

Cartwright points out that people do not express problems, unless they care deeply about where they work and its success.

But with the possibility of further budget cuts, staff is wondering how the problems will be fixed.

Professor Rabia Gregory says the library cannot sustain with any further cuts.

“Without support from the library, we can’t do our research, we cannot do our teaching, and we cannot continue to be a research university,” said Gregory.

Another professor said the ceiling of her classroom is falling down and she wonders when there will be improvements.

And, another professor said he cannot request the equipment he needs for research because of funding.

Even with all the concerns and pending cuts, Cartwright is still optimistic.

“The premier institution and leads the way in research, excellence in teaching, excellence in student success, that fits what we are, so we are a flagship for this great state,” said Cartwright.

President Choi asked for faculty to hang in there during this time, the next 2-3 years could be challenging, but they are committed to taking care of their staff.