JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers have turned their scrutiny of public universities toward mandatory student fees and services.
A House panel heard testimony Tuesday on proposals to prohibit universities from requiring students to buy a meal plan or live in campus dormitories.
Rep. Jason Chipman said his legislation is based off his own college experience, not the recent turmoil at the University of Missouri.
University officials said students can already opt out of those requirements and Chipman's bills could affect campus infrastructure and contracts designed for certain levels of student participation. They also said dorms encourage more campus involvement and better academic performance.
Chipman said those reasons aren't good enough to coerce students into taking on more debt, and they shouldn't have to ask for an exemption to live where they want.