The Joint Committee on Education was called to order at 7 p.m. last night to discuss ongoing issues within the UM System after months of sparring with the legislature.

The committee, chaired by Rep. David Wood, R-Versailles, included members of both the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate. State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, a vocal critic of the university’s leadership on issues ranging from Planned Parenthood contracts to the handling of student protests last fall, was also a member of the committee.

Interim UM System President Michael Middleton, Board of Curators Chairwoman Pamela Henrickson, and interim Chancellor Hank Foley discussed those issues in hopes of easing concerns.

In their opening statements, Middleton recounted his efforts to hear the concerns of students, faculty and lawmakers since taking office, and Foley focused on the importance of keeping MU in the Association of American Universities. During the majority of the two-hour meeting, university leaders responded to the questions and concerns of lawmakers.

Foley urged lawmakers to acknowledge current issues, noting that MU faces $20 million in losses due to decreased enrollment because of prospective students’ worries about the stability and safety of the university. He added, however, that MU continues to receive substantial outside donations.

Lawmakers, including Rep. Bonnaye Mims, D-Kansas City, Rep. Courtney Curtis, D-Ferguson, and Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, encouraged leaders to discuss how to address diversity and safety issues on the Columbia campus.

“I am looking for safety for all our students,” not just for any one group, Mims said.

Foley highlighted the expansion of the Title IX Office over the past two years, the appointment of Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Chuck Henson, and diversity exercises for new faculty that began this semester as signs of progress.

Middleton added that approximately $900,000 has been reallocated for diversity initiatives on each campus and said each campus now has its own Chief Diversity Officer. Henrickson discussed the current search for a permanent UM System President and a system-wide diversity officer.

“I beg of you, give us the time (to implement these changes),” Middleton said.

A lengthy discussion then ensued between university officials about the employment status of Melissa Click, who become mired in further controversy after the release of new video footage earlier this week. Both Middleton and Foley discussed the need to follow existing rules and regulations that establish a process for the removal of faculty members that needs to be followed. Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, echoing many of her colleagues, called for those policies to be changed and demanded the leadership take charge.

University officials faced difficulty responding to questions about the demands of Concerned Student 1950 and the Legion of Black Collegians, with some lawmakers demanding the concerns be taken more seriously, and others that university officials take charge and establish boundaries with their students.

“There is no promise (their demands) will be met,” Middleton said, “but there is a promise that we will listen.”

The hearing ended after lawmakers staked out their positions and made final pleas to university officials. The House Select Committee on Budget’s will considered the UM System Appropriations request over the next few weeks. The hearing also left many questions unanswered and much uncertainty as to how the legislature will ultimately decide to fund the system.

What is clear is that, more than ever, the UM System is under close scrutiny in Jefferson City.