Mo. Southern looks to cut global mission mention

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - An effort by Missouri Southern State University's president to remove mention of its international mission from state law is raising hackles among some professors and alumni at the Joplin school.

Opponents of the move say they were caught by surprise when Missouri lawmakers amended a larger education bill in the state Senate to remove the designation of Missouri Southern as a statewide institution of international or global education. State Sen. David Pearce of Warrensburg says he introduced the amendment at the request of President Bruce Speck and other university leaders.

The bill was unanimously approved by the Missouri Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

Speck says the current statutory language misrepresents the school's broader mission. The president says he has no plans to cut international programs.