Letters to the editor are submitted from outside The Maneater and do not represent the view of the newspaper, editorial board or staff

Mizzou is a place of rich tradition. As the first public university west of the Mississippi River, the first school of journalism and one of the founders of the modern homecoming, making history is a habit here. Woven into the storied past of Mizzou, however, are blemishes marking our many failures. It is a harsh reality that Mizzou has not always been a haven of inclusion. Many of our peers, historically excluded from tradition, feel out of touch with campus history. Our aim is to ensure universal inclusion and profound engagement among these students and across campus. On the heels of a pandemic, on the forefront of political uncertainty in America and with the world at our fingertips, we stand at a pivotal point in Mizzou’s history. We, as students, educators and neighbors, are left to ask a simple question: What can Mizzou become? 

Drawing on history and with eyes firmly set on the horizon, we have launched our campaign to Reimagine Mizzou. As a mechanism for change, we look to reimagine community, governance and relationship. 

When we examine our relationships, we strive to actively expand accessibility and exchange. By offering new scholarships to underrepresented communities, we will attract students who offer diverse perspectives to our student body. A first of its kind, CAFNR scholarship will provide broadened financial accessibility. Encouraging students in Greek life to engage with the broader campus community through specific incentives will grow cooperation and empathy on campus. 

Our governance has gone unexamined for far too long. From the chancellor’s office to residence hall associations, our student body may feel disillusioned by administrative jargon. New meeting spaces and opportunities will be designed to put students in direct contact with on-campus decision makers who maintain a vested interest in student well-being. We promise to streamline the persistently opaque model of campus governance and represent true student values to Mizzou’s hardworking professional staff. 

Looking at our community, we remain committed to providing safe spaces for aid and inclusion. In practice, this means expanding student government funding to mental health initiatives. By cutting executive office budget requests for staffing by nearly 50% we will reserve thousands of dollars for use on mental health initiatives. We aim to continue prioritizing first-year engagement and resources, aware of the strain that transitioning to college life has on overall health and wellness. College should be a time of self-exploration and growth. We dream of a campus unencumbered by avoidable stress and bolstered by a renewed sense of community and togetherness. 

As true sons and true daughters, we shoulder the responsibility to protect Mizzou for all students. It is a burden that must be carried communally, with communication and transparency becoming our most pressing concerns. At the intersection of progress and heritage, we choose to Reimagine Mizzou.