JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The recently appointed members of the University of Missouri Review Commission met Friday for the first time to elect leadership and chart their path in examining the University of Missouri System.
House Chief Clerk Adam Crumbliss guided the commission through introductions of staff and resources at the Commission’s disposal, which is somewhat limited, as the Governor withheld the entirety of the Commission’s budget.
“The goal and objective is very clear,” said Crumbliss. “We want a stronger university.”
The Commission has just over 5 months – until December 31 – to report to the legislature with their findings and recommendations, a timeline consistently brought up by commissioners as they assessed their goings forward.
Overall, the Commission was forward-looking, open-minded and held University setbacks and concerns as challenges to be assessed and repaired for the short- and long-term, with all introducing themselves and sharing their ties to the school.
“I bleed black and gold,” said Dave Spence. “We want to restore the roar at Mizzou with the politics left behind.”
Former UM System President Gary Forsee, who was ultimately elected as vice chair, agreed, saying the Commission must work with the state in mind and cast partisan issues aside.
Spence nominated Sinquefield to the chair, which was confirmed by voice vote before the Commission recessed. Spence said he would be happy to serve as vice chair, but acquiesced to Forsee when Forsee said he was interested, with Spence saying Forsee had “extensively more knowledge and experience with the University.”
Also on the committee are Neal Bredehoeft, Renee Hulshof, Michael Williams, Pamela Washington, and Robert Duncan. Senate Pro Tem Ron Richard and House Speaker Todd Richardson each appointed four members to the legislatively-created review body.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
