University of Missouri system announces diversity spending

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Missouri system has announced more than $920,000 in spending on diversity efforts as it seeks to recover from racial unrest on its Columbia campus.

The four-campus system also announced Wednesday that it is planning forums with finalists for the role of the first ever system-level chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. The forums start next week.

Protests erupted in November over what some saw as university leadership's indifference to racial issues. Two top administrators resigned amid the unrest.

The system says the initial funding of $921,000 will be spent on a campus climate survey, additional training for students and administrators and mental health support.

Interim system president Mike Middleton said in a statement that the system is "developing mechanisms to ensure student voices are heard."